Hot Texas BBQ

Austin and Llano (Cooper's)

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Photographer: Chris Vallejo

Texas and barbecue are synonymous. It’s hard to imagine one without the other. Austin is the state capital, but it could possibly be the barbecue capital. True barbecue lovers here start their day with barbecue breakfast tacos from Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q. It’s a local chain that also sells a few groceries, gas and other necessities. They even sell their own “sause” which comes in both original and sissy flavors. Either way, this authentic barbecue will wake up your taste buds.

You’ll also find Austin is home to the legendary County Line restaurants. The County Line on the Hill lets you enjoy this delicious family-style barbecue and fixin’s overlooking the beautiful Hill Country or soak up the fun on the lake while eating at the County Line on the Lake. Be sure to order a loaf or two of homemade bread to soak up the sauce.

It’s not unusual to spot a dignitary or a celebrity dining among the locals at Austin’s Iron Works. The walls display some of the most notorious people to chow down on their brisket, chicken, ribs and sausage. They have been dishing up mouth-watering meats in this old ironsmith shop in downtown Austin since 1978. They slow smoke all of their meats over oak wood and the sausage they serve is a family recipe. The beef ribs are rumored to be the best around.

Austin also lays claim to being the Live Music Capital of the World and Stubb’s Bar-B-Que is known for its barbecue and its live music. Housed in a historic building with hardwood floors and wooden tables, Stubb’s serves up some of the best live music along with its heaping portions of hickory-smoked barbecue. On Sundays, you’ll find a packed house of gospel lovers enjoying breakfast favorites and a full barbecue menu during the Gospel Brunch and Barbecue Buffet. Stubb’s brand barbecue sauce can also be found in the grocery aisle for those who get a craving after visiting the restaurant.

Just southwest of town in the scenic settlement of Driftwood, you’ll find another barbecue gathering place, the Salt Lick. Barbecue lovers from all over gather round to enjoy delicious barbecue smoked over real Texas live oak and smothered in the Roberts’ family barbecue sauce. As you enter the native cedar and stone building, you can watch the meat cook over a few open pits. You can order by the sandwich or plate, but why bother – all-you-can-eat family style is the way to go at this relaxed and friendly Texas original.

Drive about 75 miles west of Austin and you’ll be headed for some of the best cowboy barbecue around. Llano is home to Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, where they cook “cowboy style” with the hot coals directly under the meat. You can pick your own brisket, pork chops, sirloin, sausage, chicken or ribs straight from the pit and carry it inside to get the side dishes. They serve it up in butcher paper instead of plates and there’s plenty of picnic-table seating. Be sure to save room for some delicious fruit cobbler. It’s the best way to top off an authentic barbecue experience.