When it was insisted I make the drive to tiny Lockhart because "Black's is the Vatican of barbecue," I rolled my eyes so hard they practically needed chiropractic adjustment. But, I'm open-minded (by open-minded I mean I gravitate to places with at least four and a half stars on Google). Enter Blacks, which looks like an eccentric Heartland cousin's hunting lodge married a school cafeteria. This place would shock those who require microgreens so tiny you need a jeweler's loupe to appreciate them. Ah but, brisket happens. It's a melt-in-your-mouth revelation served on butcher paper like it's no big deal. I took one bite, and basically ascended into a realm of flavor nirvana where time slowed and the only thing that mattered was bark, and each smoky, delicate bite. Skip the "Texas-style" place in Brooklyn. Fly west. Black's in the capital of Texas BBQ. Not even Madison Avenue PR spin could craft a crown more convincingly. read more

We'd been to Black's previously to dine in, but this time we were passing through Lockhart so opted for carryout. We bought a couple of sides and a mix of lean and moist brisket. Then we had to deal with the wonderful smell for the hour-long ride home. Service was very fast, as there wasn't a line on Wednesday. Of course, everything was very tasty. However, IMO, everything was overpriced. Seriously, about $9 for maybe a pound of potato salad or slaw or beans and $34 a pound for the meat. Yes, I'm aware of yield... and that the price of beef has risen a lot. Whatever the market will bear, I guess, but this isn't something I'd do on a regular basis. read more

We were not sure what to expect since we were just driving through, but we saw several signs and decided to stop for lunch. My husband had heard of Blacks before. You go through the line and pick your sides and then you move over to the meat line. The only thing that I was not happy about was it was so smoky in the restaurant that we smelled like bbq smoker the rest of our day. The chopped beef was good and so was the cream corn. The meat plate was good but not a fan of the potato salad. It was a very family friendly place and the staff were all very welcoming. It is a self serve once you get into the dining room. read more

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The Original Black's, as what they're marketed as now due to family issues with that side of the familys restaurants, is the King of Texas bbq in my opinion. I've visited numerous times over the years but never wrote a review for some reason. This place just gleams nostalgia and will likely be considered an official Texas Landmark one day. There are no TVs or sports bar vibe here, just an old timey interior playing classic country music we all grew up on. This may be the only bbq restaurant selling either baby back or St Louis Ribs for the same price. They now sell merchandise and ship their meats to all 50 states. On a recent visit I tried the holy trinity, brisket, sausage link and ribs (but got baby backs). The brisket is sold lean or moist and I chose moist of course. The sausage is original or jalapeño cheese, but I just chose original. Brisket - very moist and sliced with some stringy portions, some standard cut portions, a little fat and some bark. It was all delicious. They didn't specify whether it's prime or not, but the moist is so tender and tasty, who cares at that point. Sausage - hill country sausage links that are on the smaller side. Perfect taste. Thank God no other states in the US can replicate Texas sausage. Baby backs - cooked perfectly and very meaty. One negative I didn't really like is that they purposely avoid offering their other BBQ sauces for customers to try in the restaurant, but surely sell them. Another strange feature in the primary dining area are some of the tables have pressed wood or particle board surfaces, which you never see. Particle board and grease do not mix. Overall, the Original Blacks is an institution that every bbq lover must try at least once. Like a King, not everyone is going to like them, and they may not even be the best out there, but they have been doing things right for so long, you can't argue that. read more

This is the original Black's location. Very friendly staff, and if I have to rank the meats our favorite was the TX Twinkies (a pepper filled with brisket and cheese then wrapped in bacon and smoked) sooo good but only available on Saturday's. The brisket was lean and fall apart Delish! Turkey was ok and the jalapeño and cheese sausage was not holding up on the inside of the casings at all and didn't have a good ratio for the blend. Loved the vibe and history of it all inside plenty of room and tables. read more

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Delicious! Don't get this confused with Terry Black's. This is the OG and so much better. Everything is delicious. The bbq and sides - chef's kiss! Would definitely return! read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

I don't know too many people that drive down the highway munching from a container of sweet pickles. Do you? I love this first pick for me from the many yummy side items to choose from when you join the que at Black's BBQ. I haven't had a bad meal yet and I recommend stopping by for a plate of ribs, chicken or sausage. The staff are friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is all Texas with celebrities lining the walls. On your way out don't forget to buy a tshirt or a bottle of their signature bbq sauce. It's all good read more

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Please don't disown me, but I'm not a big fan of barbecue. I'm just not. But, when you're in Texas, there are certain places you just have to try! The Original Black's Barbecue is one of those places! This was my first time here. When you first walk in the door, that delicious smoke smell hits your nose! It is expensive, just like every other barbecue place in Texas. I got a sliced brisket sandwich, chips, and a drink for $15. While the sandwich was very good, they use the small bun, so the sandwich wasn't very big. The interior is exactly what you would expect. I loved it! Next time you want some BBQ, head for Black's! read more

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It's still the best in town Was in Lockhart today and stopped at Black's on Main St Got enough to bring home to Molly You gotta get some read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Lunch - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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Best post oak smoked beef brisket and giant sized Flintstone plate ribs. Service is great because my name is on the mailing list for shipping beef to North Carolina. Ambiance is busy and vocal every time I call for delivery. I highly recommend! read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Best Texas style post oak smoked barbecue brisket ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Trying to decide what kind of BBQ to have in Texas is a tall order. Go modern, new, classic or traditional just not sure. Opted to try the original Black's. We got there early on a cloudy October morning st about 11AM. When you walk in, you're just sort of out right there in front of the sides without any kind of menu. Good thing we did some studying before hand and knew what we wanted to order. There were 4 of us so we didn't want to over order. We opted for a pint or cole slaw, a pint of mashed potatoes, sides of sweet potatoess, side of gravy and a side of creamed corn. They're really killing it on the sides. Each one was done so well and so flavorful. If they can do sides well than they can do meats so well. We did 1/2 lb of a turkey, 1/2lb chopped brisket, slice of brisket and a quarter chicken. Oh and a link sausage. The chopped brisket mixed with bbq sauce was so so good. We loved it. The slice of brisket was great but did not compare with the chopped. The turkey was probably the 2nd best thing. Very smoky and great flavor. Chicken was ok. The sauasage we would not order again. Too fatty, too salty and in some way too dry. Anyway, overall it was agraat experience and an amazing way to kickoff our bbq adventure. Black's is a good baseline for anyone trying to establish bbq basics in Texas. read more

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Ordered beef brisket, giant beef rib, jalapeño cheddar sausage ring, and Mac & Cheese. The beef brisket was pretty dry and a bit salty. The giant beef rib was the best of the meal. It wasn't too dry or salty. The sausage ring didn't taste great. Service was fast and efficient. read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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Stopped by while passing through...hit the spot! Excellent brisket, I'm a lean lover...that bark is so good!! The ribs were so juicy! read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Potato salad, lean brisket, ribs, corn & pintos - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Some of the best brisket around. If I have to gripe is that I didn't like being asked for sides prior to ordering meat. Seemed backwards. All the meats were delicious. read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Brisket, jalapeno cheddar sausage, pork ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

The brisket was juicy! The counter people were very nice and attentive. The place is like stepping back in time. We will be back, it is worth the drive from San Antonio. read more

Our first Texas barbecue did not disappoint. We had the moist brisket and original sausage with several sides. The brisket was tender and melted in your mouth. Highly recommend visit when in the area. read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - BBQ area - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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Woohoo, what an experience it was to visit Black's original location. It was tremendous! You know it's gonna be a good barbecue joint when you walk in the place and it's like dining inside a good friend's barn out on their farm. It's that warm country welcome. The decor is like rustic honky-tonk meets meat. The folks that work here are hardworking, sweet, and really put their love into everything from the brisket to the cornbread. I had a chopped beef sandwich, mashed potatoes, and cobbler. The beef was so tender with the perfect hint of smoke. It's like the best backyard food you could ever imagine putting in your belly. We were there at lunch and I liked seeing all of the local workers coming in to eat. That speaks volumes about a local spot with a long history. I think the prices are extremely fair and reasonable. I mean come on, we're paying for edible works of art. read more

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Brisket Best I have ever had.potato salad and sweet potato better than my Mom's. Paul Port Lavaca Tx read more

The brisket was really good. The sausage, chicken, Mac n cheese and beans were also good. However, I didn't like green beans they were too earthy tasting... maybe they need to be rinsed well? read more

did our own bbq tour around lockhart and blacks was our last stop. Got some brisket and sausage since that's all we could eat at this point. If i'm being honest, the brisket was just okay. The sausage was disappointing. There wasnt much flavor and felt quite dry. I loved the restaurant atmosphere though and the staff were incredibly knowledgeable and nice. Peach cobbler was alright but im also not a big cobbler fan. Take this with a grain a salt because i was already full and had bbq at 2 other spots before getting to blacks! read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - brisket and sausage and peach cobbler - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Get there at 10am on Sunday for no lines, fresh juicy brisket and consistently delicious meats! A must try for the iconic bbq. read more

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While in the BBQ capital of Texas, we decided to check out one of the originals. I would not have minded the price if the food has been worth it. However, the hot sides were cold and the 3 bean salad had no flavor. We ordered brisket, turkey and jalapeño & cheese sausage, so we could try a few things. It was all just average. I would not waste my time or money at Blacks. There must be better choices in Lockhart. read more

Finally made it out to Lockhart for the famous BBQ trail. I was super excited to try Black's and visit the town. If purely going off of sides I would give a 4/5 because the sides are vast including a bean salad, pinto beans, green beans, potato salad, cream corn, chocolate fluff, and cobblers amongst others. The issue is I'm used to ordering family style and sharing but the lady put the smallest of portions on a plate. Now onto the brisket. I asked for burnt ends and didn't see any on the plate. The moist brisket had a nice smoked flavor but tasted slightly dry like it had been in the heat a bit too long. The turkey was actually my favorite. It was moist, had a nice crust and a great smoked flavor. The staff were super nice and I loved the sides. I would drive back for the turkey and sides. The dining room is giant with nice booth style tables. read more

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One of my stops at my trip to Lockhart in January. This staff was nice and friendly. They're just trying to feed you! I got the brisket and jalapeño cheddar sausage. You can't go wrong with either one. I got the beans and they did tell me these were on the "savory" side in case I was expecting them to be sweet. No issues there. Beans and banana pudding were delicious. As for the meat? I went back to get some jalepeno cheddar sausage to go for my trip back to Houston. It was that good. Same with the brisket. I'm not much of a bbq sauce person so I really didn't try it. When you have good meat that doesn't require it, there's no need for the sauce. read more

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Black's BBQ serves up solid, tasty barbecue -- no doubt about it. The meat is well-cooked, flavorful, and hits the spot if you're craving classic Texas BBQ. That said, the dining space is pretty limited. It can feel a bit cramped, especially during peak times, so it's not always the most comfortable place to sit and relax with your meal. In my opinion, the prices are definitely on the higher side. While the food is good, it might not fully justify the cost compared to other BBQ spots in the area. Overall, it's a good place to try if you're in the mood for BBQ and don't mind the tighter quarters or the splurge. read more

I am a bbq connoisseur. I know good bbq. And I know bad bbq. This wasn't what it's been hyped up to be. I want the smoky smell wafting out to the parking lot. Not here. I want tender, fall apart brisket. Not here. I want yummy, yummy jalepeno sausage. Definitely not here. I want sides that make the meal. Not here. Out of everything we got, the pork ribs, green beans and banana pudding were the only things I liked. read more

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Definitely a 4 star place! Super friendly staff. Chill atmosphere. Family friendly. Even our reluctant girls tried all the items we picked! Will come again. read more

Since moving to Lockhart, I can say I have had my fair share of BBQ (and then some). My first stop for some BBQ was Black's, because why not?! The moment I walked in and arrived at the side counter, I was greeted immediately with a "hello" and a smile. The employees working behind the counter were all very friendly and helpful, and I appreciated the lovely selection of aides available. My favorite sides for sure are the green beans, cream corn, and mashed taters. My choice of meat is usually lean brisket and without a doubt, the turkey. If you haven't tried their turkey yet, hunny....what IS YOU DOIN?! Their turkey is absolutely delicious. After paying (yes the prices are a tad high, but everything is nowadays), I grabbed a booth to enjoy my meal. There was plenty of seating to be had, great music playing, and loved the southern feel. I also appreciated the onions, pickles, and bread readily at our disposal to enjoy as much as we wanted. Have to say, this is absolutely my favorite BBQ joint here in the BBQ Capital of TX. Just wish we got a discount since we share the same last name read more

We were up in Lockhart for a wedding and had to bring back food from the famous Black's BBQ. We ordered our food to go. We got 1 Beef Rib, 1 pound of lean brisket, 1 pound of turkey, 1 sausage link of their jalapeño and cheddar sausage, a pint of Green Beans, 1 pint of Norma Jeans Beans, and 1 pint of Peach Cobbler. We ate later when we got back to San Antonio, and it was very delicious and lived up to the great reviews and reputation that Black's has received over the years. read more

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To be HONEST .... I was so DEFLATED with our experience at Blacks I have been hyping this place up for 35 years! My Husband LOVES BBQ so I felt he needed to try THE BEST / BLACKS We may have made a mistake in ordering ribs ..... they had a good flavor but nothing to write about ....Should've went with the Brisket... So in all reality you pay by the Pound !!!! so the total took my breath away... The only one Happy about this was My Dog who got some gr8 bones (heavy bones)! They allow your dog on a leash which was nice of them ... and brought him water ... very nice ... The sides were limited .... I chose Black eyed peas .... not thoroughly cooked ..... sweet potato was good .... Banana pudding pretty good. Only white bread ... cornbread would've been nice... The staff was very nice, and it appeared clean. I hope to try again and change my mind ... because it may have just been a bad time to go ... I LOVE BLACKS!!! wont give up on ya!!! But kinda sad that it was not as gr8 as I had PUMPED it up to be... Cooper's in Llano may pass you up as THE BEST ..... JS... read more

Believe the hype. This iconic BBQ spot is most definitely worth it! We drove to the quaint town of Lockhart the Friday after Thanksgiving just before the line got long. As soon as you walk in, you get a whif of that tasty BBQ! I had the chopped bbq sandwich with mac n cheese and banana pudding. The rest of my family enjoyed moist brisket, rice, and mashed potatoes. No lie. That chopped sandwich was literally THE BEST I have EVER had in my life. And I've had a lot of great ones. It was worth the drive! Servers were friendly. Restrooms were clean. Overall, it was a fantastic experience! read more

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We hadn't been in several years but our usual Lockhart joint Riley's was closed for the day. We rerouted to Blacks and it was a good second choice. I had some ribs and a slice of brisket and a side of sweet potato casserole. All were good, especially the casserole. I noticed that the employees on the line were much friendlier than I had remembered. Seeing smiles always makes for a good experience. And they had doubled the size of the dining room. That made for new clean restrooms and more space for dining. One star off because the prices were a little too high and they charged for sweet pickles. read more

Can anyone say LUNCH BREAK!!! Stopped in here today to grab a quick sandwich for lunch. I was definitely pleased with the experience. Immediately upon entering, you'll notice that they have a wide variety of sides to go with their smoked meats. I only wanted a Brisket Sandwich. The waitresses kindly helped me place my order for a double meat Brisket Sandwich. It tasted fantastic. The flavor profile was perfect in my opinion. I would have liked it to be somewhat juicier but again, it tasted great. They have plenty of seating and space to eat. Definitely check them out if you're in the Lockhart TX area. read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Brisket Sandwich. - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Texas classic barbecue. Family owned business for 90 years and counting. Worth the stop weekends can be very busy. Restaurant can be very smoky just because of the barbecue pits that are in the back. Green beans are amazing. Desserts are out of this world, turkey brisket ribs are ridiculous. read more

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Back to Black['s] after trying Barbs too late in the day (they were sold out of nearly everything by 1:00 pm!). We were with the Pop-Pop and wanted to give him an authentic Lockhart experience, so this was our next best bet: quick, reliable, B-level BBQ. As we noted in our last review, we really dislike the very odd and inefficient ordering system here with their random sides in a tri-section plate or you're getting a bigger bucket of it to put on your plate. So dumb! We do appreciate that there is always ample seating and we love the overall vibe and ambience. As far as food goes, as already mentioned, this is sold B BBQ. Like, you'll get your fix, but there are no altars to the mesquite gods here. The brisket is smoky and mostly tender, but it won't melt in your mouth. The sausage, still, is quite crispy. We got a massive beef rib this time, and that was a new experience (pro-tip: we made an amazing stock out of that single rib after putting it in the slow cooker overnight!). We did really like the pork ribs. Sides: mostly meh. Gloopy mac-n-cheese, OK beans, a random cold green bean situation so you can feel good about yourself. Not much else to say other than that this place is a sure bet and a pleasant time. We'll be sure to be out the door earlier for our next adventure to town so we can try Barbs. It's insane how much Lockhart has grown since we first started coming here 12 years ago. Three stars, but a satisfied three. read more

This is the best BBQ. Expensive as hell but when you taste it you'll understand where that extra money went. If you go around twelve be prepared to wait. read more

Took a friend here it's one of my favorites always consistent and delicious. Place is clean with great service and plenty of seating! Definitely recommend! read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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Why is brisket from this place the juiciest and most tender meat I've ever had the pleasure of indulging in? Blacks bbq in Lockhart knows how to make real bbq right from ribs to the aforementioned brisket. Celebrities visit, line ups exist but the food is worth the wait and the hype! I like to have unsweetened ice tea with my bbq and enjoy it as is without sauce. It's quite a busy location but seating is available nearly all the time with a bit of patience. They serve up the food quick and keep the lines moving so you can enjoy your bbq to your hearts desire. read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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The smell when you walk in is fabulous. Select from a myriad of sides and decide how much meat you want by weight or "look" like two slices. The onions weren't the freshest. I wish they had more than one option for sauce. But decent bbq read more

Black's Barbecue Lockhart - Half a pound of sliced brisket. The pieces closest to the bottom were inedible. Too hard. - Barbeque Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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YUMMMMM. We stopped here on our way back from Port Aransas. It gave us alot to look forward to. It's so funny to read about the Black's BBQ vs Terry Black's BBQ drama. LOL. Anyways. Stopping in on a Sunday late afternoon, there wasn't a line. You pick your sides first, there was alot to choose from!! I liked the beans (recipe hasn't changed since it opened) and loved the creamed corn. I thought the cole slaw was a little too sweet. The potato salad had a little too much mayo. The pricing was reasonable. Staff were great and patient as we asked about pounds to how many pork ribs does that get you. I wish the BBQ meat was warmer but the meat was flavorful, cooked perfectly and tasty. I also wish there was a spicier sauce to use. Plenty of seating, but it wasn't too busy. The bathroom sign cracks me up. Glad I was able to finally try this place but also glad there's Terry Black's in Austin. hehe read more