7 Restaurants for Farm-Fresh Smoked BBQ in Texas
Thereâs no shortage of southern-style, slow-cooked smoked barbecue (What wine goes well with barbecue?) in Texas. Nothing tops a plate of succulent pulled pork and melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket (What wine goes well with beef brisket?) with a side of potato salad. But when the desire for slow-cooked meat hits it can be daunting to imagine that we have to wait hours (and hoursâŚ) before we get to roll up our sleeves and satisfy our carnivorous cravings. So, weâve rounded up 7 restaurants where you can get the freshest cuts of meats, smoked to mouth-watering perfection, in Texas. The two most important things to be considered are top-quality meat and cooking technique â the slower it smoked the better it tastes. While many BBQ joints are exactly what youâd expect them to be, there are some on our list that have been âmodernizedâ but are no less worthy of inclusion. Before you head on down to any of these great BBQ places, make sure youâve worked up an appetite because youâre going to need it!
Harlem Road Texas BBQ
At Harlem Road Texas BBQ youâll find some of the most succulent handmade beef sausage, smoked brisket, beef and pork ribs, and pulled pork â smoked âvintageâ style! This fuss-free restaurant is located on the fringes of southwest Houston, near Highway 99. The meats are prepared in vintage wine barrels â made of wood that retains the flavor of the vintage they contained â giving the meat a unique, genuinely smokey flavor that you wonât find anywhere else in Texas! They make their own bacon and butter, which accompanies the BBQ and balances each dish. Their other ingredients are also locally sourced and fresh-to-taste! Be sure to try the potato salad, which is out of this world! Take your own beer to this popular restaurant and make sure you arrive early because theyâve been known to sell out! There are decadent desserts on offer to round off a distinctly satisfying meal!
Good to know: They have craft fountain drinks that are made with natural flavors and zero artificial ingredients!
9823 Harlem Rd | Richmond | Texas | 832-278-2101
LeRoy and Lewis
Located on South Congress just North of Ben White Blvd. At this relaxed eatery they have a rotating menu based on availability. You know the meat is lovingly prepared when thereâs an award-winning chef at the helm. The menu is small but interesting, including unique cuts such as smoked beef cheeks. The usual elements of a BBQ joint can still be found and the classic favorites are available. You can make your own plate with your choice of meats and sides. The meats are sliced to order and served by the pound. They also offer sandwiches with your choice of smoked meat. Their sides are original and depend on seasonal ingredients, which have been sourced from local farms, such as the âKale Caesar Slaw.â The employees are honest and knowledgeable about where the items on the menu are sourced. Dessert options may be lacking, but weâre not complaining about the cheesecake with itâs Ritz cracker crust, Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar, green apple and cheddar crisp!
Good to know: Take a blanket with and enjoy a picnic-style BBQ on the lawn
121 Pickle Rd | Austin | Texas | 512-945-9882
Lamberts
This is a cozy downtown restaurant, located inside a renovated general store, that serves upscale BBQ food. You can never go wrong with a brisket or pulled pork from Lamberts. The atmosphere is relaxed and you can stop by without making a reservation. For bigger groups a reservation is recommended - just in case thereâs not enough space to accommodate you. They have an interesting menu, with lots of variety, offering brunch (What wine goes well with brunch?), lunch, and dinner. Thereâs also a âBar Foodâ menu that you can order from. The service is fast and friendly and the food is attractively presented.
Good to know: Upstairs bar with Live Music and Happy Hour!
401 W 2nd St | Austin | Texas | 512-494-1500
Local Yocal BBQ and Grill
At this family-owned restaurant in downtown McKinney, itâs âall about the beef!â Youâll find proper Texas barbecue here. Itâs a Farm-to-table restaurant where the food is made from scratch and prepared honestly with ingredients that are locally sourced. Local Yocal is committed to quality and sustainability. The staff will be able to give you details and tell you stories about the food youâll eat. The ambiance here is rustic and family-friendly. The other menu items include Wagyu steaks, Craft beer, and single barrel bourbons. Thereâs also a large selection of wines and barrel-aged cocktails. You can order family-sized meals and thereâs an option to order online and pick up.
Good to know: They have a great bar.
350 E Louisiana St, Suite A| McKinney | Texas| 469-225-0800
Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue
This restaurant is situated inside the notable Gage Hotel. Here youâll find all your favorite smoked meats (What wine goes well with smoked meats?) such as brisket, pork spare ribs and pulled pork â expertly prepared. They also have turkey breast and a house-made sausage. We suggest giving the Jalapeno Cheddar sausage a try but, if youâre feeling less adventurous the original sausage is also delicious. The staff are enthusiastic and friendly which creates an enjoyable vibe. They have Craft beers from the brewery as well as a selection of beers on tap. Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue was featured in âTop 25 Barbecue Joints in Texas.â Dessert options include beloved favorites such as peach cobbler.
Good to know: The Banana Pudding is second-to-none.
102 NW 1st St | Highway 90w | Marathon | Texas | 432-386-4205
Meyerâs Elgin Smokehouse
Meyerâs Elgin Smokehouse has been servicing the community for over 75 years. Thatâs four generations of smokehouse experience under the belt! Itâs a no-frills, diner-style restaurant famous for the hickory-smoke flavor of the high-quality meats. The savory sausage is made with natural casings. On the menu, youâll find everything delicious: pulled pork, ribs, smoked pork, briskets and much more. They also have sandwiches, baked potatoes, and dessert options.
If youâre keen on some BBQ for breakfast but donât feel like getting ready to go to a restaurant, they have a drive-thru option with a menu that includes beef sausage and beef brisket by the half-pound. Whatever your mood, thereâll be something to satisfy your hunger cravings at this smokehouse!
Good to know: You can buy meat to take home and they also do delivery.
188 US-290 | Elgin | Texas | 512-281-3331
Killenâs STQ
This is a rustic restaurant with an open kitchen and plenty of dining space available in a sociable, relaxed setting. The restaurant has been featured in many âTopâ lists and even ranked as the number 2 âBest BBQ in Americaâ by Food Network in recent years. They serve wood-fired smoked meats such as smoked brisket, fillet, and short rib but are also known for their juicy steaks. You can top your mains off with deliciously prepared sides such as mashed potatoes, âGouda Mac and Cheeseâ or creamed corn. The dessert menu is impressive, with unique options like âBacon Tres Leches Bread Pudding,â and, âSmoked Chocolate Cake.â
Good to know: A variety of decent ports available on the drinkâs menu.
2231 S Voss Rd | Houston | Texas | 713-586-0223
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