If we are looking for recommendations on books, movies, doctors, schools, or vacation spots, we can get some of the best ideas from family and friends.
However, there is one recommendation where people are most passionate:
Barbeque.
In Texas, we take our barbeque seriously. We want the meat smoked with a rub and sauce on the side. White bread, please, plus pickles and onions for condiments. Pinto beans and banana pudding make it pretty much the perfect meal.
In Central Texas, including Austin, there are many incredible barbeque restaurants for authentic Texas barbeque. This list is our 8 top favorites: all big names —and ALL boast to be the best in Texas barbeque and side dishes. From this list you’ll find those with multiple locations, signature products, catering, and the option to have their barbeque shipped right to you. Some have been given awards or the seal of approval from the Food Network.
8 Places for Authentic Barbeque with a Real Taste of Texas
Started by Texans in Austin, County Line offers high-quality smoked barbeque and provides generous portions at reasonable prices. They offer friendly table service with linens and bar service, featured in a location that celebrates the heritage of Texas.
The location in Driftwood is the original, known for its vast open pit with the delicious smells of sausage brisket and ribs you pass on the way to your table. Their Round Rock location is right next to the Dell Diamond, home of the Triple-A team, The Express. What better a place to get real tailgate food!
Featured on the Food Network, you will need to plan ahead if you want to try some of Pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s smoked meats on Austin’s 11th Street. Lines start very early (as early as 7 am) and they often close as early as 2 pm when they run out.
Beginning in 1882 in Elgin, Texas, Southside is authentic Texas barbeque from the oldest joint in the state. It’s still a major Elgin hotspot today in their renovated bank building on Highway 290. With three additional locations, you have more places to get their famous sausage, including multiple grocery stores in Central Texas.
Down the street from Southside is Meyer’s “Cuetopia,” 75 years young and promising a memorable dining experience with their famous sausage and sweet barbeque. According to their website, bacon became the official currency of ‘Cuetopia in 2018!
Between Austin and San Antonio is Lockhart, home of Kreuz Market. If you want a wide variety of smoked meats to pick from, visit Kreuz for beef ribs, sausage, pork, and turkey. Around since 1875, Kreuz Market fuses German heritage with Texas cattle and pork smoked over native post oak wood.
Another family tradition, also in Lockhart, is the “Original Black’s Barbecue.” Opened in 1932, this restaurant has been named the oldest barbeque joint in Texas, owned by four generations of the same family. It is also a “Top 50 in Texas BBQ Joint” in Texas Monthly magazine. Nine types of meat are offered on the menu, including turkey, pork, chicken, and the highly recommended Giant Beef Ribs. According to their website, the Black’s 50-year-old barbeque pit in Lockhart holds 500 pounds of meat at a time.
Take a 35-mile drive northeast from Austin proper to Taylor to get barbeque at the “Best BBQ Restaurant in Texas,” serving fine barbeque since they opened their doors in 1949. Now owned by third-generation owner/pitmaster Wayne Mueller (who looks a little like Bobby Flay in his website photo), this restaurant was awarded the James Beard Foundation “American Classics’ award, the first barbeque restaurant in the country to receive the honor. If you visit on Saturday, you can try their fantastic Baby Back Ribs.
While you can find a lot of places with barbeque in Central Texas, make a point to visit any of these eight — your taste buds will thank you!
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