Far-Flung Texas Barbecue Joints That Are Definitely Worth the Drive

These spots are proof that if you build it, they will come.

While there ’s no shortage of first-class barbecue stick in Texas ’ big cities , it ’s deserving driving a few miles — or hours — to explore the state ’s tastiest goal that lie beyond the major tourist center . These pitmasters and chefs are serving name and address - suitable smoked substance ( and side ! ) in locales that roam from a little desert intersection to the Rio Grande Valley . So , wherever you ’re traveling from , curate the arrant Texas creative person road trip playlist and buckle up , because you ’ve got some serious bucket - list eating to do .

Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue

Wolforth

A pilgrimage to Evie Mae ’s command some commitment — unless you live in nearby Lubbock — but oh , is it deserving it . Texas Monthlyranked it # 9 on its most recent “ Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas ” list and for safe reasonableness ; everything they do is out of this world . The brisket mellow out in your back talk , the German sausage balloon has the best snap and flavor , and homemade sides like jalapeño cornbread and green chile Malva sylvestris grits explode with savor . Enjoy a complimentary beer while you look , but save room for thesedrool - worthy , daily - made pies and pastry !

Mimsy’s Craft Barbecue

Crockett

self-aggrandising - city barbecue may not be what you think of when you get wind a quaint name like “ Mimsy ’s ” , but this East Texas barbecue joint is delivering some seriously crafty ’ cue with a heaping side of fine - dining sensitiveness . And , well , the word ’s out . In 2020 , husband - and - married woman team Wade ( a self - taught pitmaster ) and Kathy Elkins ( a classically trained chef ) opened Mimsy ’s in small - townsfolk Crockett , Texas , after working at some of Houston ’s top barbecue articulation and restaurant . Since then , the mates has earned wads of tending and praise for their Central Texas - stylus smoked pith and menu of yummy sides , tacos , and afters . Must - trys include : juicy smoked joker and two - day - brine poulet ; the American cheese - topped hamburger made using brisket clipping ( usable on Wednesday ) ; the El Jefe taco , a brisket - fatty tissue flour tortilla make full with chopped brisket , snappy fries , smoked queso , and pico ; and Kathy ’s maple - glaze Brussels sprouts and cheesecake . Mimsy ’s is open until 8 pm Thursday through Saturday and 3 autopsy Tuesday and Wednesday .

Fargo’s Pit BBQ

Bryan

At this locals - approved , family - feed post in Bryan ( just down the route from Texas A&M University ) , Alan Caldwell and Belender Wells turn in straight - up glorious , utterly seasoned , perfectly smoke barbecue and sides — no frills required . Pitmaster Caldwell ’s textbook brisket highlights the beautiful dividing line between the crunchy barque , rendered fat , and blue kernel while his incredible smoked chicken with both crack moist meat and beyond - crispy skin dare logic . The made - from - scratch sides are so good you ’ll want to grab some to - go ; order the creamy mac ’ n cheese and homestyle peach cobbler for your parkway back . ( Fargo ’s Pit BBQ is a two - minute drive from Austin and a one - and - a - half - hr driving from Houston . )

Helberg Barbecue

Woodway

In a state where brisket is the litmus test for a ’ pool stick joint ’s capabilities , it ’s bracing to see a pitmaster take the modest chicken and strike hard it out of the park . This is the typesetter’s case at Helberg Barbecue , open up in 2018 by Phillip Helberg and his married woman Yvette just outside Waco , about halfway between Dallas and Austin . Pitmaster Phillip Helberg brines the wimp halves before they ’re smoked , then , as they ’re regularize , they get deep - fried in gripe tallow for incredibly dampish kernel and crispy spiciness - coated pelt . Do n’t miss the USDA Prime brisket and mac ’ normality tall mallow with crunchy fry Allium cepa and bacon , either .

Convenience West BBQ

Marfa

you could count the turn of places to eat in Marfa on two custody , but even if there were 100 of option in the single four - way - full stop desert town , you ’d still choose Convenience West BBQ . Pitmaster Mark Scott , a fixture in Marfa ’s community , make for in fine dining and ran other concepts before teaming up with married woman Kaki , Food Shark ’s Adam Bork , and baker Katy Rose Elsasser for Convenience West . Moist , juicy smoked chicken and turkey , well - salted black - barked brisket , lightly - sweet supernumerary ribs , and nipping links are served along with sides that give away the team ’s culinary descent . hear the blue maize cornbread , savoury Mexican - style street corn whisky salad , and fire - roasted carmine common pepper - spiked carrot “ dip dip , ” served with a heaping pile of corn chips . Make it a weekend tripper — Convenience West is only open Friday and Saturday from 5 pm until sold out .

Teddy’s Barbecue

Weslaco

Before opening Teddy ’s Barbecue in their hometown of Weslaco , in South Texas ’ Rio Grande Valley , siblings Joel and Jesse Garcia perfect their skill at some impressive barbeque joints . ( Joel ’s experience admit stints at Austin ’s Freedman ’s and Terry Black ’s , as well as Pharr ’s Smoking Moon alongside Jesse . ) The brothers have vary from typical RGV barbecue in favour of Central Texas - style , but with a few surprises discombobulate in the intermixture . The rubs have a generous amount of pepper and everything is smoke small and slow over place oak resulting in moist brisket , tender pork barrel rib , surprisingly spicy Meleagris gallopavo , and links that must be tasted to be believe . Do n’t omit Thursday’ssmash burgers(made with brisket trim ) . Saturday’sWagyu beef ribs , or the show beef fat tortillas handmade by the pal ’ mom , Ana .

Carne Lenta

Smithville

About 45 minutes southeast of Austin , just off of Smithville ’s main street is Carne Lenta , the smoked meat hub for all of Austin ’s Taco Flats eatery , also from owner Simon Madera . Here , an raiment of protein and cut are smoked daily over local Emily Post oak tree forest but instead of a distinctive sold - by - the - Cypriot pound menu , these tender kernel end up tucked into invigorated , hand-crafted edible corn and flour tortilla . Lots of restaurant tender the same cuts but Carne Lenta ’s exercise of alive fervor add a smoky dimension you ca n’t get in your run - of - the - mill commercial-grade kitchen . The smoked chicken wetback is a favorite with its moist smoked crybaby tit , crunchy seasoned lettuce , guacamole , pico de gallo , queso fresco , and zesty aioli , as is the barbacoa — slow - smoke beef cheek , tongue , and chuck , plus cilantro , pickled jalapeño , and Allium cepa . Even better , Carne Lenta has a full bar , ample seating , hot music , and is heart-to-heart until midnight Thursday through Saturday .

Burnt Bean Co.

Seguin

A trek to Seguin ’s Burnt Bean Co. is a no - brainer — just get a looking atTHIS . At this spot an hour - ish crusade from both San Antonio and Austin , pitmasters and barbecue competition champs Ernest Servantes and Dave Kirkland are not only masters of their craft , but they have play with it as well . In addition to a masterfully - executed holy threesome — tender , black - skin Prime brisket with a perfectly rendered fat cap , fresh - and - spicy decline - apart tender pork rib , and downright celestial house - made sausage with a whipping casing — we love the playful Tex - Mex - revolutionise sides and specials . Get the queso mac ’ n cheese top with crunchy corn puffs and the street maize pud flecked with zingy chili - lime flavouring .

LJ’s BBQ

Brenham

Halfway between Houston and Austin , Brenham brims with both wholesome Americana magical spell and really , really peachy barbeque . ( The town is menage to the original location of the acclaimedTruth BBQ . ) Pitmasters Matt Lowery , Corey Cook , and their team are pump out skilfully executed smoked core and low-down specials that locals and visitant are eager to line up for . Do n’t interest , the blood line go very quickly and there ’s costless beer on Friday and Saturday ! Tender pepper - barked brisket is a must - order , as is the juicy sausage , but do n’t skip the creamy , larder brisket - topped mac ’ n cheese . LJ ’s also put up inspired and tasty day-after-day specials and originative mashups — call up pork venter bánh mi , smoke cheeseburgers , and brisket Philly cheesesteaks .