Central Texas Is BBQ Country
You don't have to go far in Central Texas to find genuinely great barbecue. The region sits at the heart of what food writers and pitmasters around the world recognize as the greatest barbecue tradition in America: Central Texas-style. No sauce. Post oak smoke. Patience. And brisket that falls apart when you look at it wrong.
This guide covers the highest-rated, most-celebrated BBQ spots across the region — from the legendary institutions in Lockhart and Taylor to the newer spots earning thousands of five-star reviews in Waco and Pflugerville.
The Legendary Institutions
These are the places that put Central Texas BBQ on the world map. If you've never made the pilgrimage, these should be your first stops.
Louie Mueller Barbecue — Taylor
Open since 1949. Considered by many food writers to be one of the greatest BBQ joints on earth. The brisket has a bark so dark and flavorful it borders on life-changing. Go early — they sell out.
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