Rene and Joyce Ramirez run 225 BBQ, a family-owned barbecue spot serving Texas-style barbecue with a Mexican twist inside Black Sheep Sports Bar at 601 E. Main St. in Arlington, according to CultureMap. Downtown Arlington lists the business as “225⁰ BBQ.” CultureMap said it previously operated as a food truck.

What is on the menu

Menus change, and sources describe different items. Visit Arlington's barbecue roundup lists brisket, jalapeño cheddar sausage and ribs, plus birria ramen and brisket elote. In February 2025, CultureMap reported brisket burritos, meat platters, burgers, chicken wings and beef ribs, and said 225 BBQ supplies birria tacos to the sports bar.

The restaurant has drawn attention from Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn. A WFAA report, from when the business served from a food trailer, says he called the brisket, on its own, some of the best you can get. His 2020 Texas Monthly feature describes owner Rene Ramirez's signature Cherry Bomb, a bright red nugget topped with a slice of raw jalapeño.

This is the fourth year the church has run the cook-off, and organizers describe it as one of the parish's more anticipated fall traditions. Arlington police officers are expected to attend alongside church members and neighbors, sample entries, and mingle with the crowd.

Anyone with questions about rules or registration can call the church office at 817-496-6747. A detailed cooking-rules sheet is available through the event page for anyone planning to compete.