7 Retro All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Spots In Texas Where The Platters Never End
In Texas, barbecue isn’t just food — it’s a ritual. The crackle of wood in the smoker, the scent of hickory and mesquite drifting through the air, and the sight of pitmasters carving up brisket thicker than your arm all signal that you’ve found the real thing.
Over the years, I’ve crisscrossed the Lone Star State chasing down those legendary spots where time seems to stand still, where neon signs flicker above weathered dining rooms, and where servers keep bringing plates until you finally surrender.
These retro barbecue joints don’t just fill your stomach — they feed your soul with tradition, history, and Texas-sized hospitality. Here are places where the platters really never end, and where the spirit of old-school Texas BBQ still burns as strong as the pit fire.
1. The Salt Lick BBQ – Driftwood
Since 1967, this Hill Country legend has been drawing families, cowboys, and road-trippers to its massive stone pit, where flames lick at ribs and brisket with hypnotic rhythm. The all-you-can-eat option here feels like a Texas rite of passage: endless trays of brisket, sausage, pork ribs, beans, potato salad, and their tangy mustard-based sauce.
Cash only, BYOB, and unapologetically old school, The Salt Lick in Driftwood is the kind of place where time slows down and the smoke carries memories as rich as the meat itself.
2. The Salt Lick BBQ – Round Rock
This outpost brought the Driftwood tradition closer to Austin without losing its soul. The rustic wooden beams, the ever-present aroma of hickory, and the never-ending platters remind you this isn’t just a satellite location — it’s a continuation of the original’s legacy.
Locals say the brisket bark here is just as legendary, and the family-style option is the closest thing you’ll find to a Texas BBQ feast that never ends.
3. The County Line On The Lake – Austin
Housed in a former lakeside lodge from the 1940s, this spot feels like a postcard from another era. Vintage stone walls, wide wooden decks overlooking Lake Austin, and the golden glow of sunsets make it one of the most atmospheric BBQ experiences in the state.
The all-you-can-eat special means bottomless ribs, brisket, sausage, and sides — served with a side of nostalgia that makes you swear you’ve stumbled into a family reunion you didn’t know you had.
4. The County Line On The Hill – Austin
Perched high above the city, this original County Line location has been dishing out unlimited barbecue since the mid-1970s. Walk through the cedar-paneled doors and you’re greeted by cowboy memorabilia that’s not for show but collected over decades.
The beef ribs here are Flintstones-sized — massive, tender, smoky, and somehow always bottomless. It’s the kind of spot where grandparents bring their grandkids to pass on the tradition of Texas BBQ, one endless platter at a time.
5. Demeris Bar-B-Q – Houston
Since 1964, Demeris has been quietly serving some of Houston’s most beloved barbecue with a slight Greek twist, nodding to the family’s heritage. The dining room, filled with black-and-white photos of the city’s past, sets the stage for their all-you-can-eat spread.
Brisket arrives with perfect bark, ribs practically fall off the bone, and servers swoop in with refills before your plate is empty. It’s retro Houston hospitality at its finest — hearty, unpretentious, and built to last.
6. Riscky’s Barbeque (Stockyards) – Fort Worth
Operating since 1927, Riscky’s is pure Texas history. Tucked inside the Fort Worth Stockyards, the walls drip with cattle brands, sepia-toned photos, and echoes of the cowboy era.
Their all-you-can-eat beef ribs have become legend — endless racks of smoky, tender meat served in a setting that feels like stepping into the Old West. Here, authenticity isn’t manufactured; it’s baked into every brick, every brand on the wall, and every bite of rib.
7. Red River BBQ & Grill – League City
Compared to century-old icons, Red River is a newcomer, but it earns its retro badge through its buffet-style service and commitment to no-frills barbecue. The spread is massive — brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, jalapeño sausage, and all the sides you could dream of, refreshed constantly so nothing ever sits long.
Neon signs glow against wood-paneled walls, and the vibe is more old-school roadhouse than modern chain. It may be younger, but it feels like it’s been part of the Texas BBQ tradition forever.