The Best Barbecue Joints In Texas

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Ray’s BBQ Shack in Houston is ‘smokin’ good with a whole lotta soul’ and serves an array of smoked meats, from Chicago-style ribs to sliced brisket, chicken, sausage and baby back ribs. The ‘soul’ of Ray’s BBQ Shack comes from the many menu items with a Cajun influence, like catfish, po’boys, a fish burger and shrimp, all served with Louisiana-style hush puppies. Try the spicy sausage po’boy for a mix of barbecue and Cajun flavors. Ray’s also serves sandwiches, burgers (like the ‘big herb burger’ with chopped beef, shredded cheese, bacon and barbecue sauce) and amazing sides. As a family-owned and operated BBQ joint, Ray’s BBQ Shack places great importance on the quality of its hickory-smoked meats, homemade barbecue and homemade desserts and sides.

Listed as a ‘Top 50 Best BBQ Joint’ by Texas Monthly and established in 2008, Miller’s Smokehouse in the small town of Belton, Texas, proves it deserves the title with its savory, smoky barbecue and delicious southern sides. Miller’s Smokehouse’s offers items such as BBQ wraps (with pulled pork, coleslaw and beans) and specialty items, like the ‘El Gallo Picante’ (a spicy hot link sausage with chicken, slaw, jalapenos and BBQ sauce on a bun) or the ‘Fire in the Bowl’ (beans, chopped beef, hot links and Fritos with potatoes, pickles, jalapenos, onions and tortillas). Also, be sure to try one of the desserts, like brownies, pie or cobbler, homemade by Lisa ‘Mama’ Miller.

Pecan Lodge, which believes ‘the best things in life are smoked in a pit,’ is a delicious barbecue restaurant in Deep Ellum, Dallas, and has received the billing of one of the top four barbecue restaurants in the world by Texas Monthly. Pecan Lodge is all about doing barbecue the right way; the restaurant’s barbecue pits burn 24-hours-a-day and the people behind the BBQ joint grind and create their own sausage and attempt to create as many menu items ‘from scratch’ as possible. Make sure to try one of Pecan Lodge’s delectable desserts, like Aunt Polly’s banana pudding or homemade peach cobbler.

Snow’s BBQ, located in the small town of Lexington, opens every Saturday morning and offers barbecue meats like chicken, brisket, pork spare ribs, pork steak, sausage, jalapeno sausage and turkey, as well as three signature Snow’s BBQ barbecue sauces (pepper sauce, original BBQ sauce and spicy BBQ sauce). Aspiring customers should arrive at the small red shack early to avoid long lines and to ensure a meal before Snow’s runs out of barbecue. For a true Texas BBQ experience with Texas friendly employees and a laid back atmosphere, Snow’s BBQ is the place to dine.

Franklin Barbecue is an Austin, Texas classic. With an Austin-atmosphere and both rustic, vintage and modern decor, Franklin Barbecue sets the stage for a delicious and wonderful dining experience. Franklin’s fame is quickly growing, with an upcoming TV program to be aired on PBS. Be sure to check out their highly-viewed YouTube channel. To accompany your meal, enjoy a vintage Big Red soda or a Mexican Coke.

Schoepf’s Bar-B-Q has been serving truly authentic Texas BBQ for over two decades. Located in downtown Belton, Schoepf’s now serves tacos and meat kolaches (like one with brisket, jalapenos and cheese) for breakfast and is open for both lunch and dinner. At Schoepf’s, one can choose from a variety of meats, like brisket, chicken, pork chops, pork ribs, pulled pork, sirloin, turkey breast, sausage and quail, as well as baby back ribs and rib-eye steaks on Fridays and Saturdays. Schoepf’s also offers an array of tacos and a large variety of delicious sides, like cheesy potatoes, cucumber salad, potato salad and macaroni and cheese. Check out Schoepf’s website for a list of upcoming events and bands playing at the restaurant.

Luling City Market, located in the Galleria-area of Houston, was founded in 1981 and cooks its barbecue over post oak wood in specially created pits seven days a week. With an authentic, traditional Texan barbecue atmosphere and wonderful meats, sides and sauces, Luling City Market proves a great choice for barbecue in the Houston area. Luling City market’s BBQ sauce is one of the BBQ joint’s most popular items and is sought and shipped throughout the United States.

In 1949, Louie Mueller first opened Louie Mueller Barbecue of Taylor, after being in the city for around 13 years. The restaurant is known as one of the best barbecue joints of Texas, winning several awards and appearing on the Food Network’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.’ At Louie Mueller Barbecue, choose from beef brisket, original all-beef, jalapeno or chipotle beef sausage, Texas, baby back or pork spare ribs, pork tenderloin, chopped beef or turkey. Sandwiches at Louie Mueller include sliced brisket, chicken breast, pork loin, pulled pork and double-sausage. Don’t forget to finish your barbecue meal with homemade peach cobbler, complete with cinnamon and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream, or hand-dipped ice cream.

Located in Lockhart, Texas, Kreuz Market’s focus is on amazing food and that is just what they offer – incredible shoulder clod, beef brisket, prime rib, pork chops, and much more. Accompany your barbecue with coleslaw, German potatoes, beans or delectable sauerkraut. With its huge, rustic dining area, unique porch, incredible barbecue and visible pit smoking area, one can tell Kreuz Market knows how to do Texas barbecue. Indeed, Kreuz Market has been operating since 1900.

Texas Pride serves up delicious Texas barbecue every day of the week in Adkins. Texas Pride Mesquite-Smoked Barbecue began when an Italian immigrant, Steve Talanco, arrived in the state and learned from a group of Mexicans how to barbecue with mesquite wood. Since then, the locale has flourished into one of the greatest barbecue restaurants in the state. Texas Pride also serves sandwiches, tacos, baked potatoes and wraps. Be sure to check out their website for a list of upcoming events and bands.