11 Texas Brisket Plates To Try

As a born-and-raised Texan, I’ve made it my personal mission to find the best brisket in the Lone Star State.

From smoky joints in Austin to hidden gems in small towns, Texas brisket isn’t just food—it’s a way of life.

These 11 spots serve up the juiciest, most flavorful brisket plates that’ll make your taste buds do the Texas two-step.

1. Franklin Barbecue’s Signature Slice

Standing in line at 7 AM for Franklin Barbecue was the best decision I ever made. The aroma of post oak smoke hits you before you even reach the door.

Aaron Franklin’s brisket has that perfect black pepper bark with a crimson smoke ring that makes BBQ enthusiasts weak in the knees. The fatty end melts like butter on your tongue, while the lean portion remains impossibly juicy.

Served with simple sides of potato salad and coleslaw on butcher paper, this no-frills presentation lets the star of the show shine. When they say they’re sold out by early afternoon, they’re not kidding—I’ve seen grown men nearly cry when the ‘sold out’ sign goes up.

2. Micklethwait’s Craft Meats Brisket Bonanza

Y’all wouldn’t believe how a tiny vintage trailer in East Austin cranks out some of the most spectacular brisket in Texas. Micklethwait’s tender slices arrive with a crust so perfect you might shed a tear of joy.

Last summer, I brought my BBQ-skeptic cousin from New York here. One bite of their peppery, oak-smoked brisket and he was instantly converted to the Church of Texas BBQ. The homemade bread and unique sides like jalapeño cheese grits elevate the whole experience.

What makes this place special is how they balance tradition with creativity. The brisket maintains that classic Central Texas profile while the accompaniments bring something fresh to the table. Their pickled vegetables cut through the richness perfectly.

3. Salt Lick’s Legendary Brisket Experience

My first Salt Lick visit changed my understanding of what BBQ could be. This Driftwood institution with its famous open pit fires creates a brisket unlike any other.

The meat here isn’t just smoked—it’s kissed by flames on that circular pit you see when you walk in. Their unique “baste and sizzle” technique gives the brisket a slightly sweet exterior that complements the smoke perfectly. Bring cash and your favorite beverage (it’s BYOB) for the full experience.

The family-style serving on a giant tray with their signature mustard-based sauce on the side creates memories as much as it satisfies hunger. When my out-of-state relatives visit, this is always our first stop—the stone building and Hill Country setting are pure Texas magic.

4. Pecan Lodge’s Mouthwatering Masterpiece

Tucked in Dallas’ Deep Ellum district, Pecan Lodge transformed my understanding of urban barbecue. The owners quit corporate jobs to pursue BBQ perfection, and boy am I glad they did!

Their brisket combines a peppery bark with meat so tender you barely need teeth. What sets it apart is the balance—not too salty, perfectly smoky, with that rendered fat that coats your mouth in the most heavenly way. I once watched a vegetarian friend cave after smelling this brisket.

The “Hot Mess” (stuffed sweet potato with brisket) shows their creative side, but purists should stick with the two-meat plate. Get there early or use the express line (for orders of 5+ pounds) if you’re feeding a crowd—this place draws lines for good reason.

5. Lockhart Smokehouse’s Dallas Delight

The first time I bit into Lockhart Smokehouse’s brisket, I nearly proposed marriage to the pitmaster! This Bishop Arts District gem brings Central Texas tradition to Dallas with spectacular results.

Following Kreuz Market tradition, they originally served their brisket without forks or sauce—just butcher paper, meat, and bare hands. Though they’ve relaxed this rule, the no-sauce-needed philosophy holds true. Their brisket has that ideal balance of salt, pepper, and smoke that makes Texas BBQ famous.

The shoulder clod (lean beef) deserves special mention alongside the brisket. Watching them slice your meat to order is part of the experience—specify “moist” (fatty) or “lean” depending on your preference. Grab a local craft beer to wash it down for the ultimate Texas afternoon.

6. Black’s Barbecue’s Time-Honored Tradition

Walking into Black’s in Lockhart feels like stepping into a BBQ time machine. As Texas’ oldest family-owned barbecue joint (since 1932), they’ve had generations to perfect their craft.

My uncle swears their brisket is what convinced him to move to Texas thirty years ago. The meat spends longer in the smoker than at many other places—up to 14 hours—creating a deep smoke penetration and flavor that’s impossible to rush. Their signature rub has remained unchanged for decades.

The cafeteria-style line lets you build your ideal plate with classic sides like pinto beans and potato salad. Don’t miss the massive beef ribs if you’re extra hungry! The walls covered with hunting trophies and photos of Texas legends create the perfect atmosphere for enjoying this historic brisket.

7. Rudy’s Country Store Brisket Surprise

Never judge a book by its cover! Sharing gas station space might make some folks skeptical, but Rudy’s brisket converted me from a BBQ snob to a believer in accessible excellence.

Their “extra moist” brisket (ask for it by name) delivers incredible flavor and tenderness that rivals fancy BBQ joints. The creamed corn side is legendary for good reason—I’ve considered drinking it like a beverage. Their tangy “sause” comes in squeeze bottles on every table, though purists might prefer to enjoy the meat naked.

With multiple locations across Texas, Rudy’s consistency is remarkable. The casual atmosphere with shared picnic tables creates instant community among strangers united by great food. For road trip BBQ that never disappoints, Rudy’s has earned its place in the Texas brisket pantheon.

8. Terry Black’s Brisket Revelation

My first bite of Terry Black’s brisket made me actually close my eyes and savor the moment. The Black family split from the original Lockhart location, bringing their BBQ expertise to Austin with spectacular results.

Their brisket showcases textbook Central Texas style—oak-smoked with a simple salt and pepper rub that creates a bark so good you’ll fight for end pieces. The meat-cutting station lets you point to exactly which part of the brisket you want, creating a personalized experience.

Don’t skip their sides—the mac and cheese might be the best BBQ accompaniment in Texas. The modern, spacious dining room with views of downtown Austin makes this a perfect spot for introducing BBQ newbies to proper Texas brisket. Their homemade peach cobbler provides the perfect ending.

9. JMueller BBQ’s Bold Brisket Statement

Before drama split up the business, I experienced John Mueller’s brisket wizardry that had BBQ enthusiasts buzzing across Texas. The Mueller family BBQ legacy continues through various ventures, but that original brisket remains legendary.

The intensely peppery crust and aggressive smoke profile created a brisket that demanded attention. Unlike milder versions, this was an unapologetic flavor bomb. The post oak smoke penetrated deep, creating a pronounced ring that BBQ photographers dream about.

Served with absolutely no frills on butcher paper with white bread, pickles, and onions, this was Texas BBQ in its purest form. Though the original location has changed hands, hunting down wherever a Mueller is smoking meat today is worth the effort for serious brisket aficionados looking for bold, boundary-pushing flavors.

10. Louie Mueller’s Temple Of Smoke

Stepping into Louie Mueller’s smoke-blackened building in Taylor is like entering a BBQ cathedral. The walls, darkened by decades of smoke, tell the story before you taste a single bite.

My grandfather first brought me here twenty years ago, and that first taste of their brisket remains my baseline for BBQ perfection. The intensely peppery crust gives way to meat with an almost buttery quality. Their dinosaur-sized beef ribs get attention, but the brisket is the true star.

The history here is palpable—three generations of the Mueller family have maintained these pits. Watching them pull a whole brisket from the smoker and slice it is performance art at its finest. This is where BBQ pilgrims come to worship at the altar of perfectly smoked beef in a setting that couldn’t exist anywhere but small-town Texas.

11. The Brisket House’s Texas Treasure

Sometimes the best discoveries happen by accident! I stumbled into The Brisket House while time before a meeting, expecting nothing special. Boy, was I wrong!

Their “PGA” plate (named for its location near the Professional Golfers’ Association) combines the holy trinity of Texas meats—brisket, sausage, and ribs. The brisket steals the show with a unique sweetness to the bark that balances the smoke perfectly. The meat pulls apart with just the right resistance.

What makes this place special is the attention to detail—the owner trained under Central Texas legends before bringing that knowledge to Dallas. Their homemade chimichurri sauce offers an unexpected twist for adventurous eaters. With locations expanding across Texas, The Brisket House proves that sometimes the less-hyped spots deliver the most memorable meals.