15 Texas Lunches Big Enough To Keep The Whole Family Going All Day
In the Lone Star State, we don’t just treat lunch as a quick bite—it’s a full-on event. Texans take their midday meals seriously, and nothing unites folks quite like gathering around heaping platters big enough to satisfy a small ranch crew.
From smoky barbecue feasts in Houston to hearty enchilada spreads out in El Paso, I’ve crisscrossed the state in search of the most memorable family-sized lunches.
These legendary spots aren’t just about the food; they’re about tradition, hospitality, and leaving no appetite unmet. With portions this generous, you’ll likely find yourself skipping dinner—and maybe even breakfast the next day.
1. Franklin Barbecue’s Meat Mountain
The line starts forming at dawn outside this Austin institution, and for good reason! I once waited three hours with my cousins from Oklahoma—worth every minute when that tray of fatty brisket and pork ribs arrived.
The meat literally melts in your mouth, with a smoke ring so perfect it could make a pitmaster weep. Franklin doesn’t mess around with portions; their three-meat combo with sides can easily feed a family of four.
Pro tip: Arrive by 8 AM on weekends if you want any hope of getting served before mid-afternoon. Everything’s gone by 2 PM most days!
2. Pecan Lodge’s ‘The Trough’ Challenge
My brother-in-law once bet me I couldn’t finish half of The Trough by myself. He won that bet handily. This Deep Ellum landmark serves what might be Dallas’s most intimidating BBQ platter.
Picture this: juicy brisket, a massive beef rib that looks prehistoric, spicy sausage links, pulled pork that’s been smoking for 15 hours, and more—all on one overwhelming tray. The meat sweats are guaranteed, folks!
Even my teenage nephews with bottomless stomachs couldn’t conquer this beast in one sitting. Thank goodness for to-go containers.
3. Terry Black’s Family-Style Feast
Stepping into Terry Black’s feels like coming home to the family ranch. Their family-size tray doesn’t just feed your crew—it creates memories!
The beef rib alone is bigger than my forearm (and I’m not a small guy). Last summer, we ordered one tray for six adults and still had leftovers. The mac and cheese deserves its own fan club, with that perfect crispy top that my kids fight over.
What makes this place special is how they slice everything right in front of you. You can literally point and say, “More of that bark, please” and they’ll hook you up.
4. The Salt Lick’s Endless BBQ Adventure
Y’all, the first time I visited this Driftwood treasure, I thought my eyes were playing tricks. The all-you-can-eat Family Style option seemed too good to be true!
Imagine platters of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs that never stop coming until you surrender. The open pit in the center of the restaurant hypnotizes you with flames licking those perfect meats. My father-in-law still talks about our visit three years ago.
Bring cash (they don’t take cards) and bring your appetite. The potato salad alone could be a meal, but pace yourself—this is a BBQ marathon, not a sprint.
5. Killen’s Barbecue’s Three-Meat Symphony
The first bite of Killen’s brisket changed my definition of perfect barbecue forever. Chef Ronnie Killen trained at Le Cordon Bleu, and that culinary precision shows in every smoky morsel.
Their three-meat plate is a work of art. The beef rib (available on weekends) weighs nearly two pounds alone! My aunt from California still dreams about their jalapeño cheddar sausage—spicy, cheesy, and utterly addictive.
Don’t you dare skip the creamed corn or bread pudding. We drove 45 minutes from downtown Houston just for lunch, and I’d happily drive twice that distance for another plate.
6. CorkScrew BBQ’s Smoky Triple Threat
Hidden in the suburbs of Spring, this pink-and-black trailer-turned-restaurant has locals setting alarms to get in line. The husband-and-wife team behind CorkScrew creates pure magic with smoke and time.
Their brisket-rib-sausage combo could easily satisfy three hungry adults. The ribs have this perfect pull—not falling off the bone (that’s overcooked, folks) but clean bite marks that would make any pitmaster proud.
My daughter’s softball team celebrated their championship here, and even the pickiest 12-year-old cleaned her plate. Just remember they’re closed Sunday-Tuesday, which I learned the hard way on a road trip.
7. Snow’s BBQ Morning Meat Marathon
Waking up at 5 AM to drive to tiny Lexington (population 1,200) might sound crazy. Until you taste Snow’s brisket, that is!
Miss Tootsie, now in her 80s, still oversees the pits at what many consider Texas’s best BBQ joint. Their Saturday-only service creates a festival atmosphere, with folks driving from all over the state for breakfast barbecue. The pork steak—a cut many places don’t even offer—will change your life.
Our family makes this pilgrimage twice a year. We bring folding chairs, meet strangers who become friends, and feast on meat so tender it makes grown men emotional.
8. The Big Texan’s Legendary Steak Challenge
My teenage son’s eyes nearly popped out when he saw the famous 72-ounce steak arrive at a neighboring table. “Dad, we HAVE to try that!” Not today, kiddo—I value my digestive system too much!
This Amarillo landmark along Route 66 isn’t subtle with its yellow and blue exterior, and the portions match the bold decor. Even their regular ribeyes could feed a small army. The Big Texan has perfected the art of dinner-as-entertainment.
While the challenge gets attention (finish it in an hour, it’s free!), their family-style platters make more sense for normal humans. The Texas-shaped waffles at lunch are my daughter’s favorite.
9. Joe T. Garcia’s Fajita Fiesta
Walking through the doors of this Fort Worth institution feels like stepping into Mexico. The sprawling patio with fountains bubbling has hosted my family celebrations for three generations!
Their family-style fajitas arrive on sizzling platters that announce themselves before you see them. Tender skirt steak, grilled chicken, handmade tortillas, and all the fixings keep coming until you beg for mercy. The simplicity of their menu—basically fajitas or enchiladas—means they’ve perfected both.
Cash only, no reservations, and always a wait. Trust me though, sitting in the garden with the strongest margarita in Texas makes the time fly by.
10. Mi Tierra’s 24-Hour Tex-Mex Marathon
The Christmas lights never come down at this San Antonio landmark, and neither do the smiles when those massive combination plates arrive. My first visit as a kid, I thought I’d discovered food heaven!
Their “El Presidente” platter stretches the limits of plate technology—two enchiladas, a crispy taco, a chalupa, rice, beans, and a tamale. That’s just for one person! The bakery counter with colorful pan dulce makes for perfect take-home dessert.
Located in Historic Market Square since 1941, the restaurant buzzes at all hours. We once stopped in at 3 AM after a concert and found it just as lively as noon.
11. Babe’s Chicken Family-Style Feast
The first time my Chicago relatives visited Texas, I took them straight to Babe’s. Their jaws dropped when servers brought out not plates but BOWLS of sides meant for passing around the table, just like Sunday dinner at grandma’s.
The fried chicken arrives with a crust so perfectly golden and crispy that it deserves its own Instagram account. Their chicken-fried steak spans the entire plate and could easily feed two normal humans. No menu needed here—just pick your meat and prepare for the deluge of sides.
The mashed potatoes with cream gravy haunt my dreams, and I’ve never managed to say no to seconds of their biscuits.
12. Cattlemen’s Steakhouse’s Cowboy Lunch
Stepping into Cattlemen’s feels like time travel to when the Stockyards were still the beating heart of Fort Worth’s cattle industry. Cowboys in actual working boots sit alongside tourists in the historic dining rooms.
Their lunch steaks might be smaller than dinner portions, but “smaller” is relative in Texas. The sirloin could feed a hungry ranch hand for a day, and comes with potatoes the size of my fist. I once made the rookie mistake of ordering appetizers before my steak—lesson learned!
Ask for a seat in the original 1947 dining room and order your steak “Fort Worth style” (medium rare). The Texas toast soaks up those precious juices perfectly.
13. The County Line’s Riverside Rib Extravaganza
Finding barbecue with a view feels like striking gold in Texas. The County Line’s River Walk location combines serious smoked meats with San Antonio’s most famous attraction!
Their family-style platters arrive on wooden boards that barely fit on the table. The beef ribs look like something Fred Flintstone would order. My nephew still talks about how he couldn’t finish even half of his portion, and that boy can EAT.
While tourists flock to the riverside tables, locals know to ask for the upper deck for the best views. Their homemade bread alone is worth the visit—thick, warm slices perfect for sopping up that tangy sauce.
14. Kreuz Market’s No-Frills Meat Feast
When you walk into this Lockhart legend, the first thing that hits you isn’t the menu—it’s the intoxicating aroma of post oak smoke that’s been perfuming the air since 1900. My grandpa brought me here as a kid, and the experience remains unchanged.
Kreuz famously serves meat on butcher paper—no plates, no forks, no sauce. Their shoulder clod (a cut you rarely see elsewhere) develops a peppery crust that’s absolutely addictive. The jalapeño cheese sausage snaps when you bite it, releasing a perfect blend of smoke, spice, and melty cheese.
Order by the pound and don’t miss their German-style sides—nods to the area’s immigrant heritage.
15. Black’s Barbecue’s Dinosaur-Sized Beef Rib
Four generations of the Black family have been smoking meat in Lockhart, and that heritage shows in every bite. Their claim to fame? A beef rib so massive it looks like it could tip over your car!
My father-in-law—a dedicated meat enthusiast—actually gasped when he saw it for the first time. One rib easily feeds two people, with meat that pulls cleanly from the bone with just the gentlest tug. The peppery bark gives way to buttery meat with the perfect amount of smoke.
While other spots in town get more tourist traffic, locals know Black’s consistently delivers the most satisfying barbecue experience in the BBQ Capital of Texas.