22 for 2023 - The Best Brisket Restaurants in Texas
There's no doubt that brisket is one of Texas' most beloved comfort foods for Texans who understand the true brisket meaning. This delectable dish has a rich history in the Lone Star State, dating back to the early days of Texas' cattle industry.
So, what’s the brisket location on cow? Brisket was originally a tough, inexpensive cut of meat from the chest that was slow-cooked over an open fire to make it tender and flavorful. Today, brisket is still cooked using this traditional method in many of the BBQ spots in Texas. However, a new range of cooking techniques, such as Goldees method brisket, or smoking or grilling, have raised brisket to a whole new level, giving it a unique flavor that can't be found anywhere else.
Aside from that, Beef Brisket is frequently claimed as the “National Dish of Texas”. For a detailed information, take time to check it out here.
The Best Beef Brisket in the Lone Star State
Now that 2022 is about to wrap up, it's good to bid the year farewells with a bang. And what better way to do that than planning a BBQ road trip across the state? A wide selection of brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, sausage links, and crispy pork burnt ends await any BBQ junky hell-bent on tasting the best Texas barbecue (What wine goes well with barbecue?). If you fancy taking matters into your own hands, check out this recipe for Angry Texan Brisket Rub - sweet with a kick of heat.
Of course, with the sheer number of spots offering moist brisket near me in Texas alone, there will always be times when you may starve and be lost with delirious visions of juicy slabs flashing in your head. Allow us to help you out on your journey. Through our collective knowledge here at TexasRealFood, we found these 22 barbecued brisket restaurants to stand out amongst the rest, which we consider the best brisket in the USA. From barbecue joints that operate out of a food truck to age-old pits that have been cooking slabs of heaven for decades, these Texas brisket restaurants serve delicious meats. So, where are the best brisket places near me?
Pecan Lodge
Pecan Lodge is a Deep Ellum institution, serving up some of the best barbecues in the state and growing to a point where they made it to Texas Monthly’s Top 4 BBQ joints in the world, so this is el mejor brisket de Texas. Using their best brisket secrets, they made it to this list because of their sheer determination and avoiding compromises regarding the quality of their wide selection of meats. If you’re hunting for the best brisket BBQ near me, then Pecan Lodge may be your best bet.
The beef brisket here is nothing short of divine because it is slow-cooked over mesquite wood and served with a special secret sauce. And if that ain't enough, you can try 'The Trough', which puts together 1 beef rib, a pound of pork ribs, (What wine goes well with pork ribs?) a pound of brisket, half a pound of pulled pork, and 2 sausage links.
2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-8900
Franklin Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue is one of the most popular BBQ joints in Texas, and for good reason.
Aaron Franklin's previous experience with the pit at his small barbecue trailer has made him seasoned enough to bring to Texans and all those who plan to visit some good slices of Texas barbecue brisket. If you’re curious to ask ‘Does Franklin wrap his brisket? The answer is ‘Yes’, in wide rolls of uncoated butcher paper.
Franklin Barbecue's beef brisket is smoked for 14 hours over oak and hickory wood, giving it a unique flavor that's sure to please. And if you really want to get educated with the minutiae of everything Texas BBQ, Aaron even has his own master class that you can sign up for.
900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 653-1187
East of Austin, there’s also a popular BBQ in Elgin TX, which has been a fixture since 1882. Southside Market & Barbeque offers a simple menu of slow-smoked meats (What wine goes well with smoked meats?) in a casual setting.
The Salt Lick
The Salt Lick is a must-visit for any BBQ lover visiting Texas because of their simple but awesome take on Texas barbecue.
Before putting their briskets to the pit, they seared the meat just like how Bettie Howard, great grand-mother of the current owner, used to do it. Their brisket is then smoked over pecan and oak wood for 18 hours, resulting in a tender, juicy piece of meat that's full of flavor.
They also have different smoked meats on their menu like sausage that's made in house, pulled pork, and tender baby back ribs. And if you’re looking to wind down from all that meat-eating, you can mellow out with some wine from Salt Lick Cellars right next door.
18300 Farm to Market Rd, 1826. Driftwood, TX 78619
(512) 858-4959
Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q
Rudy's is a Texas chain of restaurants that's beloved by locals and visitors alike. Rudy's is a family-owned BBQ joint that prides itself with its famous pit barbecue.
With their experience in the pits, the brisket at Rudy's is consistently good where it's smoked over mesquite wood and served with Rudy's signature BBQ sauce. There are also other BBQ favorites like pork chops, (What wine goes well with pork chops?) turkey, sausages, smoked chicken, and sirloin.
10623 Westover Hills Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78251
(210) 653-7839
Another two brisket favorites in San Antonio are Smoke Texas Downtown, an authentic, rustic spot with BBQ classics, cocktails & draft beer, plus live music. And second, the Brisket Boys Txmex BBQ who produce mouthwatering hometown, slowly smoked Tex-Mex BBQ.
Kreuz Market
Kreuz Market is one of the oldest BBQ joints in Texas, dating back to 1900. This wealth of barbecue history means that visiting Kreuz Market is a sort of pilgrimage for all barbecue aficionados. Try some true restaurantes de brisket for a memorable visit.
Kreuz Market probably has some of the best brisket in Texas, where it's smoked over post-oak wood and served without sauce, letting the meat's natural flavors shine through.
They also have a wide selection of other smoked meats like sausages, smoked turkey breast, amazingribs brisket, and pork chops.
619 N Colorado St, Lockhart, TX 78644
(512) 398-2361
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
Cooper's is a popular BBQ spot in the Texas Hill Country town of Llano. If you like to enjoy your brisket paired with live music, Cooper's is right up your alley.
Their beef brisket here is smoked over live oak wood and served with Cooper's famous BBQ sauce.
And to cap off that filling meal, the dessert items on their menu are worth trying out like the peach cobbler or blackberry cobbler. And don’t forget their famous Coopers bbq Pecan Cobbler Recipe that’s just out of this world.
604 W Young St, Llano, TX 78643
(325) 247-5713
Smitty's Market
Smitty's Market is another Lockhart institution, serving up some of the best beef brisket in the state since 1948.
Steeped in Texas BBQ history, Smitty's Market is one of Lockhart's barbecue landmarks that’s still family-owned and run by a second generation of BBQ lovers - at its head is Nina Schimdt Sells. The brisket cost is lower than other cuts, so more care and attention goes into the cooking.
The brisket here is smoked over post oak wood, and their pits don’t use any electricity or any gas. Everything, including their briskets, is cooked in an open pit.
Apart from briskets, they also serve prime rib, pork chops, sausages, and smoked turkey breast.
208 S Commerce St, Lockhart, TX 78644
(512) 398-9344
Black's Barbecue
Black's Barbecue is one of the most popular BBQ joints in Lockhart and probably the whole of Texas to be honest. This is because of their delicious BBQ and, of course, juicy brisket.
The brisket here is smoked over post-oak wood and served with Black's signature BBQ sauce. Be sure to come early because they may be quite the wait as lines start to build up quickly.
And if you're not a fan of waiting in line, their menu favorites are also available for delivery and curbside pickup.
215 N Main St, Lockhart, TX 78644
(512) 398-2712
The Cattleack
Cattleack is a Dallas go-to for locals and visiting Texas barbecue aficionados. Their beef brisket is unlike any other out there because they use high-quality wagyu beef, so it looks like marbled brisket.
Using a good in-house spice rub, post-oak smoke, and premium cuts of brisket, Cattleack consistently impresses diners fortunate enough to sit and eat at their spacious dining area.
Other smoked meats you can enjoy at the Cattleack are pork ribs, smoked chicken, and sausage, and don't forget to leave room for dessert.
13628 Gamma Rd, Dallas, TX 75244
(972) 805-0999
Heading North out of Dallas, you’ll come across Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Prosper, TX. Choose from house-smoked meats, stuffed baked potatoes, and classic sides. It’s worth checking out the Dickey's Barbecue Pit Prosper reviews. Around Fort Worth, Riskys Barbecue has several locations selling quality BBQ, steaks, and burgers.
Schoepf’s BBQ
First opened back in 1993, Schoepf’s BBQ is committed to give diners one of the best slabs of brisket in the state of Texas and, in doing so, has made a name for itself at its Belton location.
Using post-oak, their brisket is a wonderful balance of flavor, spice, and juiciness. Other BBQ offerings include pulled pork, sausage wrap, turkey, or their vaquero (2-meat mix of your choice of brisket, turkey, or sausage).
And if you’re in the mood for some Tex-Mex, try their chopped brisket nachos.
702 E Central Ave, Belton, TX 76513
(254) 939-1151
La Barbecue
La Barbecue is one of Austin’s most popular BBQ joints, known for its delicious brisket. Owners LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem have put all of their passion for grilled meats into La Barbecue, and this fact shines through with their briskets and other barbecue.
Their smoked brisket here is locally sourced grass-fed beef and smoked over post- oak wood for 14 to 16 hours. This ensures their brisket is tender and so flavorful that you wouldn’t need to put sauce.
Aside from BBQ meats, their menu also offers different sandwiches like their El Sancho, that's hand-chopped brisket chucked in between sweet bread and lightly sauced with Las Barbecue's own signature "Bobby Sauce."
2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 605-9696
Brett's Backyard Bar-B-Que
Brett's Backyard Barbeque started out like all the legendary BBQ joints in Texas - with a pit. Eventually, owner Braden Wallis and pitmaster Brett Boren have grown this business into their current location.
Their briskets are slow-cooked until they develop the right level of tenderness and taste. They also have some equally awesome pork ribs and sausages besides brisket. Don't forget to make room for their sides.
Open from Fridays through Sunday each week, expect flavorful takes on your favorite Texas BBQ.
1912 E 7th St A, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1383
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew is a BBQ joint that knows the perfect partnership between hot strips of juicy brisket and ice cold beer freshly poured from the tap.
Stiles smokes their briskets over oak and hickory wood and is served with Stiles Switch's signature BBQ sauce.
6610 Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
(512) 380-9199
Mimsy’s Craft Barbecue
Owners Wade and Kathy Elkins bring their passions for Texas barbecue and more with Mimsy’s Craft Barbecue. And because of their hard work, they have come up with one of the best BBQ trays in Texas.
The prime brisket at this reputable barbecue establishment is smoked using post-oak with their offset reverse flow smoker.
They also have a wide selection of Tex-Mex favorites if you still have the room.
1979 S 5th St, Crockett, TX 75835
(936) 544-7000
Two Bros. BBQ Market
Two Bros. BBQ Market is a popular BBQ spot in San Antonio, known for its delicious brisket that uses their very own secret dry rub.
The brisket here is smoked in a custom pit that uses oak and hickory wood. Their brisket is served with Two Bros.' signature BBQ sauce.
Other magical BBQ picks made from the fires of their pit are their chopped beef, smoked turkey, chicken thigh, and baby back ribs.
12656 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 496-0222
Daddy Duncan’s BBQ
Owned and run by Randy Duncan, Daddy Duncan’s BBQ consistently provides fantastic slabs of juicy flavorful briskets.
Using Prime Black Angus Brisket, you know there is no compromise when it comes to the quality of meats that they put to the pit.
Apart from their juicy brisket, other Duncan BBQ Co. menu options include smoked chicken, jalapeño boudin sausage links, and beef cheek barbacoa.
3719 US-90, Brookshire, TX 77423
(713) 898-9910
Rollin Smoke BBQ
Rollin Smoke BBQ serves up awesome briskets out of a food truck and this is actually one of its appeals for us here at TexasRealFood.
Pitmaster and owner Harvey Cottongim is a self-taught barbecue wizard who can compete with the Lone Star States’ best slabs of juicy brisket.
Their briskets are sourced from their choice cattle raiser and covered in their own blended in-house rub. It's then slow-cooked in its very own custom smoker and served by the slice.
Other Texas BBQ meats available are their pulled pork, spare ribs, and their in-house sausages.
1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 705-5499
Lockhart Smokehouse
Lockhart Smokehouse is one of the best BBQ spots in Dallas, known for its delicious brisket and other choice meats that have been cooked to perfection.
Lockhart's mouth-watering brisket, sausage, ribs, and other meats are smoked over Texas post oak and are served with Lockhart's signature BBQ sauce.
400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 944-5521
Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue
Owner John Brotherton first established Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue out of his passion and innate talent for making really good Texas barbecue.
After a few challenges, he opened a food trailer and eventually grew to put up his very own barbecue joint.
They use offset smokers and direct heat to come up with their very own awesome slabs of Texas brisket that make for a perfect meal
15608 Spring Hill Ln Suite 105, Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 547-4766
Truth BBQ
Truth Barbecue is a popular BBQ spot in Brenham, known for its delicious brisket. The brisket here is smoked over post oak wood inside their big smokers that you can actually see.
They also serve up flavorful pulled pork, smoked turkey, ribs, and sausages. Be sure to come early because the BBQ runs out fast.
110 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 835-0001
Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ
Kelly’s Hill Country BBQ has one of the best meat trays of what we call as the holy trinity of Texas BBQ. Their briskets are out of this world as well as their pork ribs, and in-house sausages.
Also, their sides are something to talk about with their apple pecan slaw, and Cajun pinto beans (how long does pinto beans last?) as must-trys.
14306 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX 78676
(512) 947-1609
Panther City BBQ
Panther City BBQ first opened its doors in 2018 and has steadily been gaining both a local and national following for their flavorful briskets and other Texas BBQ options.
Their brisket is juicy-tender on the inside while maintaining a crispy and tasty barque on the outside.
Apart from their wonderfully cooked brisket platters, they have classic barbecue offerings like pulled pork, smoked chicken, and in-house sausages.
They also have dessert menu items like their banana pudding or smoked pecan bread pudding.
201 E Hattie St, Fort Worth, TX 76104
(682) 499-5618
Finding the Brisket Restaurant for You
It's a fact that Texas is famous for its barbecue. This is backed by a century of collective knowledge passed down through the generations of pit masters. This pedigree in everything BBQ is incentive enough for any Texan to search out the best of the different types of brisket close to me.
With the number of smoking styles, such as brisket on a gas grill or cooking meats over the fire, it all boils down to a matter of preference. Some pits use the 4 2 10 brisket method of smoking, which involves cooking the brisket for 4 hours at 250°F, then 2 hours at 285°F, and then wrapping it in foil and cooking it for 10 hours at 150°F.
Searching for pecan slabs for sale to smoke your next joint? Try Pecan Wood Chips from Texas Salt Co.
And whatever style of Lone Star barbeque you may prefer, we're sure you will find your brisket near me. Costco brisket burnt ends may be the more straightforward solution if you’re in a corner and tight for time.
Traveling to Texas, it’s easy to find a good BBQ joint. But figuring out the absolute best is a little tougher. Here's our picks for the top 10 BBQ joints in Texas, and don’t forget:
Lara's Smoky Mexi-Que menu in Cibolo, which always has a queue,
Pappas BBQ menu - Houston & Dallas
Brisket & Rice Houston
Egyptian BBQ Austin - Abo Youssef Mediterranean Food
Tootsies BBQ Texas at Snow’s BBQ Lexington TX
BBQ Gonzales TX - try Gonzales Food Market or nearby Baker Boys Barbecue
If you’re looking for the best BBQ in Dallas.
The reputation of brisket has traveled far and wide with a Brisket Restaurant in Qatar, now in the Persian Gulf.
Also, don’t forget the Texas Monthly BBQ 2022 on 4-5th Nov.
Just If you're looking for the best place to buy brisket or bone in brisket, check out grass-fed beef in Austin so you can prepare your own.
You can also visit these farmers’ markets farmers’ markets to see some grass-fed beef.
If you’re ever in Las Vegas, try out Black Box Meats for their take on some of the best brisket in Las Vegas.
For the best farm-to-table restaurants in Dallas?
Farm fresh turkey for Thanksgiving? Check out these farms!
Are you in San Antonio and craving BBQ? Click here to have the best BBQ experience.
To satisfy your BBQ cravings, try these Dallas-Fort Worth BBQ joints by checking them out here.
Looking for the best BBQ in Austin?
Best BBQ in Houston can be found here!
