Paige Bueckers Hits Hurtado Barbecue After Dallas Wings Introduction
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 14: (R-L) Paige Bueckers poses for a photo with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the first overall pick by the Dallas Wings during the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 14, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
After being introduced to the Dallas Wings and local media at City Hall, basketball Phenom Paige Bueckers made a delicious pit stop at one of Texas’s most renowned culinary establishments: Hurtado Barbecue. The newly minted Wings star was spotted at the Arlington hotspot — the Official BBQ Restaurant of the Texas Rangers — and the restaurant wasted no time in capturing the moment. A picture of Bueckers was posted by Hurtado Barbecue on their official Twitter account, with the caption, “@paigebueckers1 in the house 🙌 @DallasWings.”
The comments were quickly filled with fans who were excited to see the elite Hooper fully immersed in Texas culture and flavors. One X user posted, “May be time to update wardrobe because this heat!!”
“That’s like a Tex-Mex barbecue, so it’s two in one, man,” said Bueckers.
“I’ve never had anything like that, I’m not going to lie. That was a 10 out of 10 for me.”
Central Texas-style barbecue with a Tex-Mex twist has made Hurtado a popular spot for both locals and visitors. The restaurant has earned a coveted spot on Texas Monthly’s list of the Top 50 BBQ Joints. This is a high honor in the Lone Star State, where BBQ isn’t just food, it’s a religion.
Following a whirlwind welcome from the Wings, who introduced the former UConn standout and No. 1 WNBA draft pick to the Dallas-Fort Worth community in a special event at Dallas City Hall earlier in the day. The 23-year-old guard spoke with the media, fans, and local officials during the event, highlighting her enthusiasm for joining the Wings organization and her excitement for the future.
“You don’t want to take anything for granted, be entitled to anything. You want to continue to stay motivated to work, to be in that position to get drafted,” she said. “(I was) just excited for whatever the future held, wherever I ended up, first pick, last pick. It didn’t really matter to me. But now that we’re here, we’re in the present, we’re in Dallas. I’m super excited for the future.”
Celebrating her new Texas roots couldn’t be easier than indulging in a platter filled with brisket, ribs, and the signature birria tacos that have made Hurtado a BBQ Powerhouse. Bueckers’ appearance of the iconic Arlington joint was more than just good food; it signified her first experience of Texas beyond the basketball court. Her early stops show that she’s prepared to embrace the culture, community, and cuisine that make North Texas a true sports haven. Paige Bueckers has already made herself comfortable from the hardwood to Hurtado.
