These 10 BBQ Joints Serve The Best Brisket You’ll Find In Texas
Brisket at 8 in the morning? In Texas, that’s apparently a perfectly reasonable breakfast plan.
One famous spot even saves its brisket for Saturdays, making the early start part of the fun.
And getting there isn’t always easy. Lines can form hours before opening, and several joints close by mid-afternoon.
Miss the window, and you’ll have to wait another day. I wouldn’t want to be the person who shows up too late.
From the West Texas plains to the Houston suburbs, these BBQ spots have their own loyal followings. Each has a different approach to the pit, but all have people willing to plan a road trip around a plate of brisket.
I’m already hungry just thinking about it. But how far would you go for that perfect smoky slice?
1. Franklin Barbecue
Few lunches in America come with a line this famous, and the crowd here starts gathering long before 11 AM. People treat the wait like part of the meal, and honestly, the brisket gives them good reason.
The prize is tender, buttery beef wrapped in a dark bark with a small peppery kick. Slices can be so soft they nearly fall apart before reaching your tray.
Franklin Barbecue runs as a counter-service spot, so you order at the front and find a seat. There’s no table service and no reservations, which keeps things simple and a little old school.
Brisket gets the spotlight, but the menu has backup singers worth hearing. You’ll find pulled pork, turkey, and sausage links, plus a lineup of homemade pies for dessert.
Timing matters more here than almost anywhere in Austin. Doors open Tuesday through Sunday at 11 AM, with service continuing until the meat sells out, typically around 2 or 3 PM.
Mondays are closed.
Friday and Saturday stretches get especially busy, so a weekday visit may feel calmer. Pack water, sunscreen, and a patient friend who tells good stories.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. Families fit right in too, since high chairs are on hand for the smallest brisket fans.
Can’t swing the wait? Curbside pickup and catering offer other paths to the same smoky goodness, which feels like a Texas-sized kindness.
Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
2. Goldee’s Barbecue
A simple wooden shack in Fort Worth once got crowned the best barbecue in Texas. That’s a mighty big title for such a modest little building.
The brisket earns that crown with careful seasoning and a texture that melts as you chew. Pair it with the pork ribs, which slide off the bone with barely a tug.
Goldee’s Barbecue keeps a short schedule, opening Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Monday through Wednesday, the pits rest and so should your hopes.
Lines often form a couple of hours before opening, so plan an early alarm. A folding chair and a good playlist can make that wait fly by.
Once you reach the counter, look past the brisket for a second. The Lao sausage brings a fun twist, and the house sausage holds its own beside it.
Sides here go beyond the basics. Pork hash and cheesy grits show up with real personality, and the pork belly is rich enough to deserve its own nap afterward.
Then there’s the banana pudding, which might be the sweetest reason to save room. Skip it, and you may spend the drive home wondering what you missed.
Parking is usually plentiful, and outdoor seating gives you space to spread out. Takeout works too if you’d rather feast at home.
Address: 4645 Dick Price Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76140
3. Black’s Barbecue Lockhart
Lockhart wears the title of Barbecue Capital of Texas, and this family-run landmark helps explain why. The Black family has been smoking meat here since 1932, which makes this brisket a true heirloom.
Slow smoking gives the beef a deep crust and a moist, tender center. It’s classic Central Texas style, the kind of brisket that shaped what people expect from the whole region.
Big appetites, take note. The giant beef ribs live up to their name, and they pair nicely with house-made sausage and pork ribs.
Black’s Barbecue Lockhart also smokes chicken, which gives you a lighter pick if you’re sharing a tray. Creamed corn makes a smooth partner for all that pepper and smoke.
Dessert deserves serious thought here. Pecan cobbler and banana pudding both sit on the menu, so maybe bring a friend and split the decision.
Unlike plenty of famous joints, this one keeps generous hours seven days a week. Doors open at 10 AM, and service runs into the evening, a little later on Fridays and Saturdays.
Weekday visits tend to be calmer, while weekend afternoons draw bigger crowds. Free parking is usually easy to find along Main Street and in the lot.
Traveling with little ones? High chairs and changing tables make the stop easier, and a private dining room is available for larger gatherings.
Address: 215 N Main St, Lockhart, TX 78644
4. Snow’s BBQ
Brisket at 8 in the morning sounds like a dare, but that’s when the pits start serving in this tiny Central Texas town. Snow’s BBQ opens only on Saturdays, starting at 8 AM and serving until sold out.
That one-day window turns a meal into a mission. Many fans plan the drive to Lexington the way other folks plan a fishing trip, with an early start and big hopes.
The setup is a rural smokehouse built around open-pit Texas barbecue. Brisket comes fresh off the pit with an oak-smoked flavor and a tender bite that’s hard to forget.
Ribs get a dry rub and stay juicy, with meat that pulls cleanly from the bone. Sausage, pork, and chicken round out the meat lineup nicely.
On the side, potato salad, coleslaw, and pinto beans keep things classic. Iced tea and other drinks are available too, which feels right for barbecue before noon.
Back in 2008, this spot landed at number one on Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s best barbecue joints. A small town spot open one day a week took the top prize, which is pretty wild.
Lines are common, and reservations aren’t taken, so arriving early is smart. Outdoor seating gives you a spot to enjoy your tray in the open air.
Parking is usually plentiful, and dogs are welcome outside. Just remember to set an alarm, since Saturday lunch here might really be Saturday breakfast.
Address: 516 Main St, Lexington, TX 78947
5. Burnt Bean Company
Sunday breakfast in Seguin comes with a side of smoke. Burnt Bean Company serves a Tejano-style breakfast on Sundays starting at 8 AM, and brisket is invited to the party.
The star of that morning menu is the brisket huevos rancheros. Crispy fried corn tortillas, refried beans, fried eggs, ranchero sauce, and queso fresco pile up with tender brisket.
Later in the week, the focus shifts to lunch. Thursday through Saturday, the doors open at 11 AM, and the kitchen shuts down for the day at 3 PM.
The brisket carries a thick, dark bark and stays juicy inside. Burnt ends and pork ribs make strong sidekicks, and the beef cheek pastrami is a fun detour.
Chicken here gets a dip in Alabama white sauce, which is a tangy surprise in a Texas barbecue joint. Brisket tacos also show up for anyone who likes their beef wrapped.
Sides lean playful, with queso mac and cheese and Southern green beans on the menu. Dessert brings Big Red Tres Leches Cake, a sweet nod to the famous red soda.
Texas Monthly named this downtown spot the top barbecue joint in the state on its 2025 list. That kind of honor tends to bring crowds, so expect a line.
Weekend mornings get especially busy. Outdoor seating offers extra room, and dogs can join you outside.
Address: 108 S Austin St, Seguin, TX 78155
6. Truth BBQ
Houston’s Heights neighborhood got a serious upgrade when Truth BBQ brought its pits to town. The brand first made its name in Brenham before opening this big-city outpost.
Moist brisket with a rich, peppery bark leads the charge. It’s Central Texas style through and through, just with Houston traffic outside instead of country roads.
Sauce fans get options here. A tangy ketchup-style sauce and a mustard sauce sit ready, though that first bite plain is hard to beat.
The Brisket Boudin Sausage Link is a clever crossover with real Gulf Coast spirit. For a sandwich, the Brisket Philly turns those smoky slices into handheld comfort food.
Sides are made in-house, from mac and cheese to baked beans. House pickles and pickled onions add a bright crunch that cuts through the richness.
Save room for cake, because the housemade slices are a big part of the fun. The tres leches slice is a sweet way to end a heavy tray.
Unlike many top joints, this one serves dinner on most days. Tuesday through Friday brings lunch and an evening window, Saturday runs from 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday closes at 4 PM.
Tuesday and Thursday mornings tend to be quieter, while Saturday evenings get lively. Dogs are allowed, and the parking lot usually has room.
Address: 110 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
7. Hutchins BBQ
Rare treat alert: a top-tier brisket joint that stays open seven days a week. Hutchins BBQ serves from 11 AM to 9 PM daily in McKinney, north of Dallas.
That schedule makes it a lifesaver for anyone who can’t plan a whole Saturday around a line. Weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be the calmest times.
Brisket gets sliced off the block, tender with a tasty crust. Chopped brisket off the block is also on the menu if you’d rather have a hearty pile.
Then comes the Texas Twinkie, a jalapeño stuffed with brisket. It’s a spicy, smoky little bundle that feels like an appetizer and a dare at the same time.
Meat lovers can branch out to ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork, and brisket and jalapeño cheese sausage. Fried catfish even appears, which is a fun twist at a barbecue counter.
Sides cover a lot of ground. Brisket pinto beans, mac and cheese, fried okra, and broccoli salad give your tray plenty of color.
Hungry crowds can look at the Texas Feast, a hearty option for big appetites. The rustic-chic dining room keeps things relaxed whether you’re with family or a big group.
A drive-through makes a quick brisket fix possible too. Friday nights and Saturday afternoons into evening get busy, so plan to arrive a little early.
Address: 1301 N Tennessee St, McKinney, TX 75069
8. 2M Smokehouse
San Antonio’s south side shows how Texas barbecue can speak with a South Texas accent. 2M Smokehouse pairs prime brisket with sides that nod to Mexican flavors.
The brisket is prime-grade beef with a rich smoke ring and a tender, buttery bite. Beef ribs share the spotlight and bring the same deep smoke.
Ready for a side with swagger? The Chicharoni Macaroni gives a classic mac some pork rind flair.
Mexican Street Corn adds another bright South Texas touch to the plate. Spicy pickles and house-pickled onions come along to keep your taste buds awake.
Sausage lovers should look for the Texas Black Sausage. If you’d rather keep things handheld, the Prime Brisket Chopped Sandwich does the job well.
Hours run Thursday through Sunday, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Monday through Wednesday, the smokers take a break.
Lines often form outside before opening, so an early arrival is your friend. Sunday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretches.
The space is casual and laid-back, with outdoor seating and room for groups. Dogs are welcome, and a private dining room can handle bigger celebrations.
Free parking is usually easy to find, which is one less thing to worry about. Save that energy for deciding between chopped and sliced brisket.
Address: 2731 S WW White Rd, San Antonio, TX 78222
9. Evie Mae’s BBQ
West Texas has its own big-sky barbecue legend, and it sits just outside Lubbock. Evie Mae’s BBQ in Wolfforth ranked eighth on Texas Monthly’s 2021 list of top barbecue joints and tenth on its 2025 list.
The prime brisket brings bold oak smoke and a texture that nearly melts. It’s proof that great brisket doesn’t need a big city address to make waves.
Sides here go a little Southern. Grits and collard greens sit next to potato salad, pinto beans, and coleslaw, so your tray can wander a bit.
Jalapeño cornbread adds a peppery twist on the side. If you want more than beef, the half chicken offers another strong option for a shared meal.
Then comes the key lime pie, with a tasty crust and a tart, creamy filling. Barbecue and citrus might sound like odd neighbors, yet they make a great pair.
Evie Mae’s opens Tuesday through Sunday at 11 AM and serves until sold out. Mondays are closed, so arriving early is a smart move, especially on busy weekends.
Tuesday mornings are typically the quietest time for a visit. Free parking is usually easy, and outdoor seating gives you a little extra elbow room.
Address: 217 E Hwy 62, Wolfforth, TX 79382
10. CorkScrew BBQ
Spring sits north of Houston, and its brisket has climbed into very elite company. In 2024, CorkScrew BBQ earned a Michelin star, a rare honor for a Texas barbecue joint.
Juicy, melt-in-your-mouth sliced brisket is the main event. It’s the kind of slice that makes you go quiet for a second at the table.
Pork ribs fall right off the bone, and beef ribs bring big, beefy drama. Turkey breast gives you a leaner choice if you’re pacing yourself.
Sausage fans can pick between jalapeño cheese and garlic. Both bring plenty of flavor and pair well with a stack of brisket.
For something a little different, try the brisket baked potato. It’s comfort food layered on comfort food, and nobody’s complaining.
Sides keep pace with the meats. The potato salad is a standout, and the mac and cheese makes a creamy partner for smoky bites.
Hours run Wednesday through Saturday, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays are off, so plan your trip around that short week.
Lines are common, and reservations aren’t taken. Friday afternoons and Saturdays tend to fill up fastest, so an early start pays off.
Seating includes semicovered picnic tables, which suit a laid-back lunch in the Texas sun. Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are ready for the youngest crowd.
Address: 26608 Keith St, Spring, TX 77373