Texas takes its brisket seriously, and one bite of the good stuff will make you question every barbecue sandwich you’ve ever eaten.
We’re talking thick slices of smoky beef with crispy, peppery bark, juicy pink centers, and buttery fat that melts in your mouth before you even finish chewing.
Some of the best brisket comes from tiny smokehouses where people line up before sunrise, while others serve legendary recipes passed down for generations.
From award-winning pitmasters to family-run joints with decades of smoking experience, these nine Texas barbecue spots are worth every mile, every minute in line, and every messy napkin!
1. Burnt Bean Co., Seguin
Located at 108 South Austin Street in downtown Seguin, Burnt Bean Co. is a Texas barbecue heavyweight run by pitmasters Ernest Servantes and Dave Kirkland.
Their famous Central Texas-style brisket comes with a smoky black bark, juicy pink center, and buttery fat that practically melts on your tongue, making every bite worth the wait.
Order it by the half-pound, add pork ribs and jalapeño cheddar sausage, then round out your meal with street corn pudding, cowboy beans, and queso mac and cheese.
If you’re visiting on Sunday, don’t miss their famous breakfast menu featuring brisket huevos rancheros and other Tex-Mex favorites, but arrive early before the popular meats sell out!
2. Goldee’s Barbecue, Fort Worth
Goldee’s Barbecue at 4645 Dick Price Road in Fort Worth is ready to raise the bar for brisket after earning Texas Monthly’s top barbecue spot in 2021.
Opened in 2020 by five friends, this no-frills spot serves thick slices of oak-smoked brisket with a peppery crust, moist, tender meat, and plenty of rich, smoky flavor.
The menu also features pork spare ribs, housemade sausage, and turkey, but don’t skip the freshly baked bread, fluffy potato salad, and creamy banana pudding.
All that delicious food draws quite a crowd, so plan to arrive hours before the 11 a.m. opening Thursday through Sunday, and bring a folding chair and some patience.
3. Truth BBQ, Houston
Next is Truth BBQ at 110 South Heights Boulevard in Houston, where pitmaster Leonard Botello IV brings his passion for traditional Texas barbecue to every plate.
Originally launched in Brenham in 2015, it built its reputation on flavorful brisket, smoked over post oak wood for up to 18 hours to bring out the meat’s natural richness.
Try it by the quarter-pound, half-pound, or full pound, or order a sliced brisket sandwich or meat plate paired with sides like baked beans, mac and cheese, or corn pudding.
No visit is complete without trying their famous cake slices, which come in tempting flavors like triple chocolate, carrot, tres leches, and pumpkin spice.
4. Evie Mae’s BBQ, Wolfforth
At 217 US-62 in Wolfforth, you’ll find Evie Mae’s BBQ, a popular smokehouse serving mouthwatering West Texas barbecue with a hint of New Mexico flavor.
Arnis and Mallory Robbins founded this business in 2014, starting with a small barbecue stand before eventually opening a permanent restaurant.
The highlight is their mouthwatering brisket, available by the pound, piled into chopped or sliced brisket sandwiches, or served on a hearty combo plate.
You can also try their pork ribs, turkey, and green chile cheese sausage, plus tasty sides like baked potato casserole, jalapeño cornbread, and green chile cheese grits.
5. Redbird BBQ, Port Neches
In Southeast Texas, Redbird BBQ at 1104 Port Neches Ave in Port Neches serves some seriously delicious food that’s earned plenty of attention.
Pitmasters Amir Jalali and Drew Barnett are behind the smoky brisket here, serving moist, fork-tender slices with a flavorful bark that makes every bite irresistible.
If you’re craving something between two slices of bread, grab a brisket sandwich, or try the Mel-Man packed with chopped brisket, sausage, and pickled jalapeños.
There’s plenty more to enjoy, including hot honey-glazed pork ribs, koobideh sausages, and comforting sides like cheesy scalloped potatoes and Cajun-style red beans and rice.
6. Louie Mueller Barbecue, Taylor
Located at 206 West Second Street in Taylor, Louie Mueller Barbecue is a legendary smokehouse that has been serving high-quality Texas barbecue since 1949.
Founded by Louie Mueller, it operates inside a former gymnasium, complete with smoke-stained walls, old wooden tables, and generations of barbecue memories.
While the historic setting is worth admiring, the real treat is the brisket with its crunchy black pepper crust and juicy fat, followed by one of their huge beef ribs, often called dinosaur ribs.
Don’t forget to try their homemade-style sides like potato salad, coleslaw, and green beans, or grab a serving of banana pudding or peach cobbler for something sweet.
7. Snow’s BBQ, Lexington
Up next is Snow’s BBQ at 516 Main Street in Lexington, where 91-year-old pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz has become a Texas legend for her incredible brisket.
Open only on Saturdays starting at 8 a.m., this small-town spot draws barbecue fans from across the country, with some arriving before sunrise to secure their spot in line.
The wait leads to a delicious spread of brisket, pork spare ribs, pork shoulder steak, and sausage, all sold by the pound so you can order as much or as little as you like.
With your feast in hand, find a spot at the picnic tables and enjoy watching the pitmasters work their magic, making the experience even more memorable.
8. Franklin Barbecue, Austin
Hungry fans wait hours for a taste of Franklin Barbecue at 900 East 11th Street in Austin.
Founded by Aaron and Stacy Franklin in 2009, this iconic smokehouse grew from a small food trailer into a barbecue destination that earned Aaron a James Beard Award.
The star is the mouthwatering USDA Prime brisket, known for its rich flavor and beautiful marbling, whether you order it by the pound or enjoy it in a delicious sandwich.
If you’re still hungry, try the pork spare ribs, jalapeño cheddar sausage, or beef ribs, then finish your meal with a slice of pecan, key lime, or bourbon banana pie.
9. Cattleack Barbeque, Farmers Branch
Rounding out the list is Cattleack Barbeque at 13628 Gamma Road in Farmers Branch, a hidden gem that has gained plenty of attention for its delicious Texas barbecue.
Todd and Misty David opened this spot in 2013 as a small catering business, offering lunch just one day a week until growing crowds convinced them to open more often.
Today, you can enjoy tender brisket with a smoky crust, along with the famous Toddfather sandwich packed with brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and tangy coleslaw.
With limited hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on select days, it’s best to check the restaurant’s schedule and arrive early before the most popular dishes sell out.
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