In the competitive, ever-changing restaurant industry, John Berry understands that reinventing himself is one of the keys to success. At the end of July, Berry will open a new Lil’ JJ’s Smokehouse at 3095 Clairemont Drive in Grand Prairie inside the 76 gas station.
Years ago, Berry started his business by selling smoked meat from his home and built his restaurant, Berry Best Barbecue, into a top barbecue joint. Later, he introduced a new concept in Fort Worth with Lil’ JJ’s Smokehouse, named for his late son, JJ.
The focus of the newest barbecue venture, Lil’ JJ’s Smokehouse, will be old-fashioned griddle burgers, along with fries, fried okra, fried catfish, chicken strips, chicken wings, pork chops, and other Southern staples. The new restaurant stems from hard work and a strong passion for barbecuing, the kind that has customers returning time and time again.
The Oak Cliff native began smoking brisket, ribs, and sausage at home, while building a reputation through word of mouth. In those early days, his son, JJ, played a role in the family business by spinning a sign on a nearby street corner, helping lure passing drivers to stop for barbecue.
Humble beginnings grew into the foundation for something larger. A food truck started it all, followed by a permanent restaurant, as more customers discovered Berry’s slow-smoked meat and commitment to quality barbecue. Over time, Berry Best Barbecue expanded in Watauga, Hurst, and North Richland Hills, where guests return for homemade sides, fresh-baked desserts, and meats seasoned with Berry’s signature seven-spice rub.
After Berry Best closed in 2025, Berry and his wife, Brandi, reopened in north Fort Worth as Lil’ JJ’s Smokehouse, a tribute to their late son, JJ. Despite earning a place on Fort Worth Magazine‘s Best New Restaurants of 2025 list, the restaurant closed earlier this year.
To be innovative in an economy with rising prices and to change with the times, Berry decided to build the new restaurant around the classic American burger. Customers can expect fresh, in-house-seasoned ground beef cooked on a flat-top griddle. The new joint will be smaller, with an emphasis on takeout.
Vitals
- Address: 3095 Clairemont Drive, Grand Prairie
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/liljjsmokehouse/
Map to Lil’ JJ’s Smokehouse
Featured image from Lil’ JJ’s Smokehouse’s Instagram page
