If there’s one thing Texas is known for it’s barbecue. People from all over come to Texas for the famous, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, brisket and sausage. Texas BBQ is a style all its own, but that doesn’t mean pitmasters can’t be original. Some of the best BBQ joints in the state put their own special twist on it, and the results are mouthwateringly amazing.

We’ve frequented a lot of restaurants in Central Texas, and we can definitively say the 12 spots below should be on everyone’s Central Texas BBQ Bucket List.

1. The Salt Lick

No Central Texas BBQ list is ever complete without The Salt Lick. The historic location in Driftwood, TX offers an experiential BBQ feast. The countryside and drive are beautiful – worth venturing outside of the city for the day. Capping it off with smoky, tender brisket and family-style sides is what we consider to be a perfect day.

2. Snow’s BBQ

Snow’s BBQ recently took home the #1 spot on Southern Living’s list of best BBQ restaurants in the south. It’s a hidden gem in Lexington, TX where you’ll find an array of spectacular meats. Unlike most BBQ joints in Texas, the delicious brisket isn’t the standout. At Snow’s, you’ll want to try the pork steak and chicken.

3. Franklin BBQ

This place is an Austin staple, and one of the best-known BBQ restaurants in the country. You know you’re going to experience something amazing when the owner is the first pitmaster to ever win the James Beard Award for best chef. Tip: if you want beef ribs go on Saturday. 

4. Louie Mueller Barbecue

The Louie Mueller location in Taylor also got high marks from Southern Living with the respectable #4 ranking for the best BBQ joints in the south. It’s one of the oldest bar-be-cue operations (established in 1949) but shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. If you prefer to patron family-owned businesses, you’ll appreciate that the Muellers still run things to this day.

5. Black’s Barbecue

The original Black’s opened in Lockhart in 1932, making it the oldest BBQ joint in the lone star state and a favorite of Texans and tourists alike. You don’t have to drive all the way out of town for sausage and smoked turkey anymore though, Black’s has opened a location in Austin right off Guad.

6. Micklethwait Craft Meats

The name may sound strange, but the bar-be-que is seriously good. It’s another BBQ eatery in downtown Austin that stays busy. Micklethwait made Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas list a few years ago and is still just as good today. Get there early because it’s only open until the meat runs out.

7. Terry Black’s BBQ

Located in the heart of central Austin this BBQ joint never fails to have a line out of the door. We can confidently say that it is worth the wait! The family owned restaurant originating from Lockhart, TX opened its doors in Austin in 2014 and has become a favorite across the state. 

8. Two Bros. BBQ Market

Two Bros. BBQ Market proves that San Antonio also has barbecue that can hang with the best in Central Texas. It’s known for having a family-friendly “down home” feel and serving up barbecue-style comfort foods. A perfect example is the cheesy chop, a cup of mac and cheese with a heaping of chopped brisket.

9. The Switch

Texas Monthly gave The Switch a near perfect rating on its most recent review of the BBQ joint, and we couldn’t agree with them more. It’s the second location for the team that created Stiles Switch, a wildly popular BBQ restaurant in Austin. Out in Dripping Springs, The Switch gives Texas BBQ a Cajun twist that’s hard to resist.

10. Kreuz Market

If you’re the type that smothers meat in barbecue sauce this isn’t the joint for you. Kreuz Market has become well-known for its incredible pork chop, offering no utensils and being a sauce-free BBQ restaurant. With meat this good there’s no reason for sauce anyhow.

11. Black Board Bar-B-Q

It may sound sacrilegious to say, but some of the best fried barbecue can be found at Black Board Bar-B-Q in Boerne. Creativity is something this restaurant brings to the table. Try the Luckenbach Lollipops (fried quail).

12. Rudy’s

It might be a chain restaurant now, but Rudy’s BBQ is a true Texas original. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, plus it’s one of the few places where you can order by pound and piece together a meal with a la carte sides. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of Rudy’s award-winning sauce while you’re there.

La Barbecue 

Honoring the legacy of Bobby Mueller’s barbeque, la Barbecue’s recipes are uniquely their own. Their brisket is cooked low and slow proving that good things take time. La Barbeque prides themselves on their locally sourced grass-fed, hormone free beef. They say you can taste the difference and we can confidently say they are right. This brisket melts in your mouth and their BBQ sauce is the perfect flavor pairing. Make your way to La Barbecue and enjoy BBQ even the Duke and Duchess approve of.

Valentinas BBQ

Serving up a delicious twist on traditional BBQ is this family owned BBQ food truck. Its permanent spot in Buda, TX is worth the drive from central Austin for this BBQ with a Tex-Mex flair. If there’s 2 things an Austinite can’t resist, it’s queso and good BBQ. The good news is Valentina’s has both!