Second Helpings: Barbecue Out of Town
Fri., March 19, 2004
Bragging rights in this longtime Lockhart mainstay are that Black's is the oldest barbecue restaurant around continually operated by the same family.
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
505 W. Dallas, Llano, 915/247-5713 Sunday-Thursday, 10:30am-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 10:30am-9pm This joint is admired by hunters from all over the country who make an annual pilgrimage to Llano during deer season.Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Q
Highway 87 South, Mason, 325/347-6897 Daily, 11am-5:30pmThe original outlet is still smokin' after all these years.
Cooper's BBQ
403 N. Mays, Round Rock, 512/255-5638
Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-8pm
The second generation of a Hill Country BBQ legend, Gary Cooper has been serving his family's style of barbecue in downtown Round Rock since 1985.
Crosstown Bar-B-Q
211 Central Ave., Elgin, 512/281-5594 Sunday-Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-10pmIf you prefer your brisket, pork ribs, mutton, and all-beef sausage down-home, greasy, and full of flavor, smoked over a slow oak fire, come here.
Fuschak's Pit Bar-B-Q
920 Hwy. 80, San Marcos, 512/353-2712 Daily, 10:30am-9pmMeats here are smoked over hickory in a rotisserie pit and emerge ultramoist and juicy.
Gonzales Food Market
311 St. Lawrence, Gonzales, 830/672-3156 Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm; Saturday, 7am-6pmThe Lopez family has 40 years of experience with lamb ribs and this is our new favorite regional barbecue joint.
Inman's Kitchen & Catering
809 W. Young, Llano, 325/247-5257 Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30am-6pmThe treasured family recipe for turkey sausage is what originally put Inman's on the map, and it's still as good as it ever was.
R.O.'s Outpost
Highway 71 West at Hazy Hills Drive, Spicewood, 512/264-1169 Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-9pmA complete barbecue menu is available here, as well as chicken-fried steak and fried quail.
Southside Market & BBQ
1212 Hwy. 290 W., Elgin, 512/281-4650 Monday-Thursday, 8am-7pm; Friday-Saturday, 8am-10pm; Sunday, 9am-7pmThis 100-plus-year-old sausage factory is one of the main reasons Elgin is known as the "sausage capital of Texas."
Taylor Cafe
101 N. Main, Taylor, 512/352-2828 Daily, 9am-11pmHave the turkey sausage, have the turkey sausage.
Smitty's Market
208 Commerce, Lockhart, 512/398-9344 Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm; Saturday, 7am-6:30pm; Sunday, 9am-3pmThis historic old building certainly qualifies as Texas barbecue hallowed ground.
Rudy Mikeska's
300 W. Second, Taylor, 512/365-3722Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm;
Sunday, 10am-2pm
The Taylor store is the cradle of the "first family" of Texas barbecue where they serve great meats and nontraditional side dishes.
Opie's Barbecue
Highway 71 West (20 miles past intersection w/RR 620, turn right at gas station)beyond Spicewood, 830/693-8660
Daily, 11am-7pm
Choose pork chops, pork ribs, sausage, brisket, chicken, and sometimes cabrito.
Luling City Market
633 E. Davis, near U.S. Highway 183, Luling, 830/875-9019
Monday-Saturday, 7am-6pm
Their brisket is so fall-apart tender you'll want to feel how good it is.
Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse
188 U.S. 290 E., Elgin, 512/281-3331Monday-Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-7pmThey serve smoked pork ribs, turkey breast, and brisket.
Louie Mueller Barbecue
206 W. Second, Taylor, 512/352-6206
Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm
The quality of meats served in this no-frills and famous downtown Taylor storefront has remained unchanged for more than 50 years.
The Salt Lick
18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, 512/894-3117
Daily, 11am-10pm
Folks drive from all over Central Texas to relax among the picnic tables at the rustic outdoor pavilion and eat their barbecue family-style.
