10 Texas BBQ Chains That Aren’t Cheap But Are Worth Every Saucy Bite
Barbecue in Texas isn’t just food—it’s worship. But what makes Texans wait for hours under the blazing sun just for a slice of brisket?
Why are people willing to pay top dollar for meat they could get cheaper elsewhere? The answer is simple: because in the Lone Star State, every bite carries history, smoke, and soul.
I’ve chased down these smoky temples weekend after weekend, and while the price can sting, the experience is unforgettable.
These BBQ spots prove that sometimes the question isn’t “Is it worth it?” but rather “How soon can I come back for more?”
1. Franklin Barbecue: The Holy Grail Of Brisket
My first pilgrimage to Franklin involved a 4-hour wait that tested my patience but rewarded me with brisket so perfect I nearly wept. Aaron Franklin’s legendary Austin establishment isn’t technically a chain (with just one location), but its influence has spread across Texas BBQ culture like wildfire.
The melt-in-your-mouth brisket features a peppery bark and a smoke ring that belongs in a museum. Their pulled pork and ribs deserve equal praise, though they often live in the brisket’s shadow.
Expect to pay premium prices ($25+ per pound for brisket) and plan your day around the wait—they sell out daily, sometimes before noon. Pro tip: bring chairs, friends, and drink for the line. The anticipation becomes part of the experience.
2. Salt Lick BBQ: Flavor-Packed Family Tradition
Stepping onto the Salt Lick property in Driftwood feels like entering a Texas time capsule. The open pit greeting visitors has been smoking meats since 1967, and that heritage flavors every bite of their spectacular fare.
Family recipes passed through generations create distinctive offerings that stand apart from typical Texas BBQ. Their signature mustard-based sauce provides a tangy contrast to their oak-smoked brisket and sausage.
The BYOB policy turns dinner into an event—I’ve spent entire evenings on their picnic tables with friends, bottles of drink, and endless meat. At around $30 per person for the all-you-can-eat option, it’s not cheap, but the hill country setting and generous portions make it worthwhile.
3. Killen’s Barbecue: Culinary Mastery Meets Smoke
“You’re eating the best BBQ in Houston,” my friend whispered as I took my first bite at Killen’s. Chef Ronnie Killen combines fine-dining expertise with traditional smoking techniques, creating a BBQ experience that justifies every penny of its premium pricing.
The beef ribs—massive, dinosaur-sized monuments to meat—are a religious experience. Weighing in at about a pound each and priced accordingly ($22+), these ribs showcase a perfect balance of smoke, seasoning, and melt-away tenderness that haunts my dreams.
Don’t skip their sides—the creamed corn alone deserves its own fan club. Located in Pearland with additional locations sprouting up, Killen’s represents the evolution of Texas BBQ into something simultaneously authentic and elevated.
4. Hard Eight BBQ: Cowboy-Style Pit Mastery
Hard Eight’s approach to barbecue channels pure Texas swagger. Walking up to their mesquite-fired pits, I watched pitmasters wielding tongs like cowboys of old, selecting my cuts directly from smoking meats.
Their Stephenville roots shine through in authentic cowboy-style BBQ where mesquite imparts a distinctive flavor profile you won’t find elsewhere. The massive beef ribs (market price, often $25+ each) showcase a dark, peppery crust hiding impossibly tender meat within.
With locations in Coppell, Stephenville, and beyond, Hard Eight’s atmosphere feels like a Texas BBQ theme park—complete with longhorn decorations and pitmaster showmanship. Yes, you’ll drop $30-40 per person easily, but the theatrical experience combined with exceptional quality justifies the splurge.
5. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que: Direct-Heat BBQ Royalty
My grandfather first took me to Cooper’s original Llano location, teaching me to appreciate their unique direct-heat cooking method. Unlike most Texas BBQ joints that use offset smokers, Cooper’s cooks directly over mesquite coals, creating a distinctive flavor profile.
Their pork chops—thick-cut, juicy, and pink-centered—might be the best in Texas. The “Big Chop” (around $20) is a meal unto itself, showcasing their mastery of direct-heat cooking.
Now with locations in New Braunfels, Fort Worth, and Austin, Cooper’s maintains its rustic charm while charging premium prices. The cafeteria-style service lets you handpick your meat from the pit, often resulting in eyes-bigger-than-stomach syndrome that’ll lighten your wallet but fill your soul with smoky satisfaction.
6. Terry Black’s Barbecue: Next-Generation Craft BBQ
“We learned from legends,” the Black twins told me during my visit to their Austin location. As descendants of Lockhart BBQ royalty, they’ve created something both respectful of tradition and boldly innovative.
Their brisket achieves that magical sweet spot between fall-apart tender and properly toothsome. The fatty cuts literally dissolve on contact with your tongue, leaving behind concentrated beef essence and perfect smoke flavor. At $24+ per pound, it’s a premium product commanding premium prices.
With locations in Austin, Dallas, and beyond, Terry Black’s represents the new wave of Texas craft BBQ. The gleaming smokers visible behind glass and the meticulous attention to wood selection show their dedication to perfection. Their beef ribs, while expensive ($35+), provide a transcendent meat experience worth every dollar.
7. Pecan Lodge: Deep Ellum’s Smoky Crown Jewel
Stumbling upon Pecan Lodge during a Dallas music festival changed my BBQ life forever. What started as a farmers market stand has evolved into Texas BBQ royalty, with lines forming daily before their Deep Ellum doors open.
Their “Hot Mess”—a massive sweet potato stuffed with barbacoa, cheese, and butter—demonstrates how they balance innovation with tradition. The brisket achieves that perfect jiggle that signals proper rendering, with each slice holding together just long enough to reach your mouth before surrendering to buttery tenderness.
Bring friends and order “The Trough” ($85) to sample everything—it’s designed for 4-5 people and represents the best value despite the eye-popping price tag. The handcrafted quality justifies charging $29 per pound for brisket that consistently ranks among Texas’ finest.
8. Louie Mueller Barbecue: The Cathedral Of Smoke
Walking into Louie Mueller’s smoke-blackened building in Taylor feels like entering a sacred space. The walls, darkened by decades of smoke, tell the story of Texas BBQ evolution since 1949.
Their pepper-forward rubs create a bark so intensely flavorful it could stand alone as a delicacy. The brisket ($25+ per pound) achieves a perfect balance of smoke penetration and beef flavor that few establishments can match. Their dinosaur beef ribs—weighing over a pound each—justify their $35+ price tag with meat so tender your plastic fork becomes an adequate cutting tool.
Three generations of Mueller family pitmasters have maintained standards while respectfully evolving their craft. The experience transcends mere dining—it’s a pilgrimage to understand Texas food history through your taste buds, leaving both your wallet and plate empty but your soul profoundly satisfied.
9. Hutchins BBQ: North Texas Smoke Mastery
“Take the burnt ends home to your dog,” joked my server at Hutchins when I couldn’t finish my platter. That dog would have been the luckiest in Texas—these aren’t scraps but treasures of smoke-kissed perfection.
Family-owned since 1978, Hutchins has expanded from McKinney to Frisco while maintaining exceptional quality. Their brisket achieves that perfect jiggle, and the jalapeño cheddar sausage delivers a perfect balance of heat, smoke, and cheese.
The all-you-can-eat option ($25) initially seems like a bargain for premium BBQ, but beware—I’ve never managed more than two plates of their generously portioned meat. Their peach cobbler, should you somehow save room, provides the perfect sweet counterpoint to hours of smoking mastery, making the premium prices feel like an investment in culinary bliss.
10. Truth BBQ: Houston’s New Barbecue Legend
Leonard Botello IV started Truth BBQ in Brenham before bringing his smoke magic to Houston, creating three-hour lines and nationwide buzz. His attention to detail borders on obsession—I watched him adjust smoker vents by millimeters to achieve perfect temperature control.
The brisket ($28 per pound) showcases a mahogany bark hiding perfectly rendered fat and impossibly juicy meat. While traditional meats shine, Truth elevates the entire BBQ experience with sides and desserts that could stand alone as destination-worthy.
Their towering layer cakes—particularly the banana caramel—should be illegal they’re so good. Truth represents the new wave of Texas BBQ where everything receives equal attention, from wood selection to dessert plating. The premium prices reflect this comprehensive approach to crafting a complete dining experience rather than just serving great meat.