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Can't make a day trip to a small Texas town without grabbing some BBQ. I was happy that they accommodated my gluten allergy, marking their menus and getting me a fresh cutting board. I went with the wagyu brisket, hill country sausage, and boudin. It came out to about $45, with enough to eat the next day. I'd say the brisket and sausage were solid, but not really ranked in my personal top BBQ stops. I'm not really sure that the Wagyu title stands out with the brisket, with mine not be particularly fatty or moist. The boudin I'd say was a bit of a miss for me -- it was quite dry, and felt like it had been under a heater for potentially hours before reaching my plate. I'd also say the sauce didn't stand out for there also only being one sauce option, and there not being a plain chip option stood out as a bit odd -- only offering flavored variations. Overall I'd say my experience was good, and I love that they accommodate allergies and are a safe option. It just doesn't particularly stand out if you really start comparing it to every other BBQ you've had
Wonderful local bbq place with a Korean twist. My favorite side dishes were the Mac and cheese and creamed corn. The bbq was well seasoned and good. Great place to try at least once. Owner was very friendly and welcoming. Ambiance was very casual and laid back. Easily a great place to enjoy lunch as the close early around 3pm.
When we arrived at Eaker Barbecue, we had the opportunity to talk with Lance Eaker and learn a little about his restaurant. My first question was what makes his barbecue "South Texas" style. He explained that he uses mesquite wood rather than oak, the Central Texas mainstay. We also talked about the Korean influence on the menu. His wife's Korean heritage has inspired many of the dishes, and his mother-in-law prepares the kimchi. The restaurant offers plenty of indoor seating, along with numerous picnic tables outside. Of course, we ordered the Texas Trinity: brisket, sausage, and dry-rub ribs. We also added the spicy gochujang pork ribs. The brisket was perfectly smoked, with a thin layer of fat that kept it moist. This was brisket that needed no sauce! The dry-rub ribs had a flavorful, textured crust surrounding tender meat. The gochujang pork ribs were slightly spicy, fall-off-the-bone tender, and uniquely delicious. Four house-made sausages were on the menu, and we chose the Hill Country style. It featured coarsely ground meat with a peppery flavor. For sides, we tried the Korean cucumbers, kimchi fried rice, potato salad, and Borracho beans. The cucumbers were crisp, with a spicy, tangy flavor. The kimchi blended nicely with the other seasonings in the fried rice without overpowering them. I would definitely order that side again. The potato salad was light and refreshing, with crunchy apple pieces and carrot slices. It was a unique combination that provided a welcome balance to the richer dishes. The Borracho beans, had more of a ranch style flavor than the typical Mexican barracho beans. We finished our meal with the Boozy Banana Pudding, a traditional banana pudding infused with Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon. The brûléed bananas on top added a delightful crunch that complemented the vanilla wafers. It was a delicious way to wrap up our meal. Eaker's gave us plenty to enjoy, from the perfectly smoked brisket to the Korean-inspired flavors that made this stop stand out. The gochujang ribs and kimchi fried rice would certainly bring us back, and talking with Lance added a personal touch to the experience. Another delicious stop on our barbecue adventure!
Run, drive to this excellent BBQ joint in Fredericksburg! Texan Lance and his Korean wife Boo marry traditional Texas BBQ with some excellent Korean influences. Purists might scoff at a BBQ joint offering gochujang ribs, kimchi, kimchi rice, and Korean cucumber salad sides, but trust me, they are off the charts good. I came here for the gochujang ribs and kimchi. The ribs are traditionally smoked, but... they are finished with a thick, spicy sauce and flamed-seared. The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, and the sweet-spicy sauce is perfectly delicious. You will need to wash your hands and face after diving into these ribs. If you seek traditional BBQ, they offer good ole smoked ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. I've had kimchi in South Korea, and Boo's kimchi is the real deal. The Korean cucumber salad is perfectly refreshing. If you seek traditional TX BBQ sides, they have you covered with beans, mac n' cheese, and so forth. We are already planning a return and exploring the rest of the menu!
We visited on a Saturday around 11am. There were probably around 8-10 parties in line before us which wasn't too bad. Wait time to order may have been about 10-15 minutes. The menu is posted on the wall and any items that were sold out, they clearly labeled it. We ordered a pulled pork sandwich, pork belly, mac n cheese, beans, boudin and boozy banana pudding. Banana pudding was the highlight of my visit! It was creamy, sweet, flavorful and the crunchy pieces of sugar were a perfect added touch! Pork belly was crispy, sweet, and savory. The boudin and beans were just okay, but the Mac n cheese was sooo good that we had to go back in to get a pint of it lol. The dining space isn't very large, but we brought our dog with us so we sat out front at the tables. Great food and service!
Really nice bbq! We got there right before the lunch rush. Small interior, you order and pick a seat. We ordered the wagyu brisket, jalapeño cheddar sausage and the gochujang pork ribs. Brisket was moist and practically fell apart. Didn't need sauce at all. SO GOOD. Jalapeño cheddar sausage was perfect, right amount of spice. Ribs had a great flavor and were tender. For sides we got the mac n cheese, creamed corn, kimchi fried rice and the bornacho beans. Creamed corn was my favorite with the beans coming in as a close second. Great lunch!!
3 1/2 stars! Eaker BBQ has a great BBQ vibe. Relaxed, welcoming, and the employees are super friendly. We ordered the dry rub pork ribs and the Gochujang ribs. They were cooked really well but just didn't have that big, smoky flavor I love. Not bad at all, just not quite standout. On the flip side, the mac and cheese and cucumber salad were both very tasty, and the boozy banana pudding was really good! I'd definitely come back to try one of their sandwiches next time
Just wow, literally some of the best Que I've had in years. Made Eaker a run destination for my car club on a recent weekend. Made our way from South Austin out to Fredericksburg winding through the backroads. Was worried about parking, but the restaurant is on the west side of town away from the hustle of the shopping district. Special was Hot Honey Pork Belly bites for Saturday. Gotta have some of those right? Half pound of fatty (moist) brisket. Bulgogi Sausage? Yes please! The brisket was tender and flavorful. Now I'm "borrowing" one of my buddies Gochujang Pork Ribs in exchange for one the Pork Belly Bites. Every bite of the Korean inspired Que was amazing start to gut bulging finish. Sides get more love here too. The Kimchi Fried Rice was next level cuisine. I'd literally drive west for this side and ask for a kettle of it versus most Austin Asian offerings. Even the "Boozy" banana pudding was far superior. Well done y'all!
We loved this place! Excellent BBQ, including some with a Korean twist. We tried the brisket, the gochujang ribs, and the bulgogi sausage. All were terrific. The "moist" brisket was smoked perfectly, nice smoke flavor and smoke ring, and oh so juicy. The Korean ribs and sausage were different, but in a good way. We're not huge fans of thick sauces on meat, but the ribs worked, super tender, fall off the bone! Grateful for the ample supply of napkins at the table! We had beans and slaw for side, both delicious! Even the garnishes of pickles and pickled onions were first-class. Very good homemade BBQ sauce too. Super friendly owners and staff. Great meal. Highly recommend!
Great Texas BBQ with a Korean twist! The Smoked Wagyu Meatloaf (Sunday lunch special only) was life changing... #eakerbbqsmokedwagyumeatloaf
Great Texas BBQ with Korean influences. The Kimchi fried rice is a must try along with Gochujang pork ribs. Very friendly and welcoming staff
Babbbbyyyyy, if you're thinking about going, GO NOW! It was delicious. The brisket was so tender and literally falling apart. We tried so many different things. I loved the dry rub ribs and sausage, my favorite side was the creamed corn. I didn't get photos of the sides, but we had beans, Mac and cheese, and rice! My husband and I ended up getting 2 sides of that corn though. lol the banana pudding was fire too! Will definitely return next time we visit.
This time around I tried their special - smoked meatloaf with 2 sides. The smokey bbq sauce covering the meat was delicious. The texture was interesting...fell apart easily. Not sure, but I believe a bit of veggies were incorporated and baked into it as well? Nevertheless, tasty. I enjoyed the potato salad and Korean cucumber salad immensely. A must stop when in Fredericksburg, located at the end of Main Street. Military discount offered.
Here we are, checking off another Texas Monthly Top 50 spot! And was super excited to try Eaker and their take on Korean-inspired central Texas barbecue. This review is nearly a month late (sorry). We arrived on a Saturday morning (12/30/23) about 30 minutes before opening and I was first in line. They opened 5 minutes late, which was fine, and by that time there were maybe 15 people behind me. I walked in and there she was, Boo! The woman I read so much about! We had a small chat and when I flashed her my Texas Monthly Passport (and how close I was to completing it) I could tell she was interested in serving me some of her finest cuts. I let her know how much I enjoy Korean food and couldn't wait to try her ribs and sides. That seemed to make her happy. I ordered their fatty brisket, pulled pork, both Gojuchang and dry rub ribs, she insisted I try the turkey, and both of their homemade sausage and jalapeno sausage. Sides included the Mac and cheese, kimchi fried rice, Korean cucumber salad, and potato salad. We pulled up a seat on their benches outside in the front ready to tuck in to what looked to be like some incredible bbq! Not a single thing disappointed at all but some things definitely stood out more than others. The brisket was absolutely solid. My wife, originally from South Carolina, declared this top 3 best pulled pork in Texas. The glaze on my Gojuchang ribs were sticky and sweet and the meat was lovely and thoroughly enjoyed it but the dry rub ribs were a sleeper! Those ribs were some of my favorite hands down! The smoked turkey did exactly what it was supposed to do, moist not too salty, almost treated it like a meat palate cleanser. I love smoked sausage and theirs were juicy and tasty and individually stood on their own when pitted up against each other. Sides sides sides! Yes man these sides are fantastic! Potato salad was cold and refreshing. Mac and cheese was thick and not soupy with lots of melted cheese layered in. Kimchi fried rice added a flavor depth to the meal that was missing and didn't know I needed. But please do not skip the Korean cucumber salad. It's the perfect side paired with this meal. Ultimately I came in not knowing what to expect and left deeply satisfied. I don't dole out 5 star reviews often, esp when it comes to Texas bbq, but when in Fredericksburg, do yourself a favor and please eat here! read more
6 months ago
10 months ago
4 months ago
10 months ago
4 months ago
Texas bbq with a Korean flare?! What more could anyone ask for?! Everything was delicious, juicy, tender, and fresh. If you can order every item, you should. Get there early if you want to get some of the daily specials because they sell out fast! Also for anyone with a sweet tooth and a love for booze, the boozy banana pudding will blow you away! read more
9 months ago
2 years ago
Loved this little gem. Brisket is all over the place and over-hyped in Texas...but when you put a spin on it an add some Asian fusion to the mix (Kimchi!), its a hit. We enjoyed this so much more that the other mega-cue place just outside of Austin. read more
1 year ago
This is solely my opinion , but this is not what I would consider exceptional bbq. It was mediocre at best. For the meats we got brisket, the Gochujang pork ribs and the hatch chili sausage (seasonal). For the sides we got mac and cheese, potato salad and the Korean cucumber salad. The brisket was a 5/10 (not moist at all); Korean ribs 5/10 (they were chewy and not fall off the bone tender); the sausage was good 8.5/10. The mac and cheese was good 8.5/10; potato salad 4/10 (was flavorless and needed salt) and the Korean cucumber salad 6/10 (it was edible but just not my thing). We came here based on the stellar reviews on yelp so we had high expectations which were not met. The brisket and ribs were lukewarm. I almost feel they may have been leftovers from the day before. For $65.00 we left very disappointed. On a positive note, the staff were nice and welcoming. If you are ever in the Austin area, try Terry Black's in San Marcos, Moreno's in Austin and Louie's Craft BBQ in Buda for exceptional bbq! read more
2 years ago
Since moving to Texas three years ago, I had not had a BBQ experience that really wowed me. I thought that maybe BBQ just wasn't my thing, that I preferred the sides to the meat. Then came Eaker. I did an extremely brief Yelp search to find a lunch spot while we're in Fredericksburg and was immediately intrigued by the fusion of Korean and Texas BBQ flavors. We arrived within their first hour of opening, and waited in a short line to order our food. While we waited, I listened to who I assume was one of the owners talk to each customer kindly and with genuine curiosity and friendliness. It was no different for us when it was our turn, and I admire that greatly. Our tray, split between the two of us, included: 1/2lb brisket, 1/2lb of the peach bourbon pork belly burnt ends (their Saturday special), a half pint each of kimchi and Korean cucumber salad, and a personal sized portion each of the potato salad and macaroni and cheese. I don't think I have the ability to fully describe how good this meal was. It simply must be experienced. The flavors all came together incredibly well, it was like magic. Specifically, the kimchi with the brisket and a bit of their homemade BBQ sauce was an absolute flavor bomb. WOW. The cucumbers were a perfect balance of light and fresh between bites of juicy meat and hefty sides. I especially appreciated that the cucumbers and kimchi had a kick but were not at all spicy. The pork belly burnt ends melted in your mouth. The brisket was juicy and crispy around the edges, just the way I like it. I will be dreaming of this food for a long time, and we already plan to return to Fredericksburg (from Fort Worth!) if for no other reason than to eat at Eaker's again. Always add the kimchi. read more
11 months ago
Amazing portions of Brisket! Love the atmosphere. Friendly service... it was nice to try the wagyu beef! Borracho beans - try! OMG don't leave without getting the Boozy Banana Pudding!!!! read more
2 years ago
I had the pulled pork sandwich and Mac & Cheese. Best I've ever eaten. I never finish my food and I ate the entire plate! This was my husband's plate. We loved the food! We met the owners and they were so nice! We are from Florida and wish they had opened up one here!! We sat inside but they did have outdoor seating as well. read more
Do yourself a favor and go here!!! Driving back from west Texas to Austin, we stopped here to get our barbecue fix and it was spectacular. The gochujang ribs were the star of the show and the sausage was delicious. Great snap, savory, juicy. The ribs are smothered in a sweet gochujang sauce and this combo portion was more than enough for just one person. The kimchi complimented the meal really well and I wish we had made it in time for their special of the day, which was japchae. I think that would have made an even better combo! read more
1 year ago
After almost falling off of Enchanted Rock it was time to indulge in some protein. Eaker street popped up in the search for Korean inspired BBQ. That sounded really great count me in. I tried the house made cheddar jalapeno sausage and the dry rub ribs. The sausage was full of flavor and juicy. The dry rub ribs had good flavor, but were not as tender as I was hoping. The sides were so good, definitely try the mac n cheese and Korean cucumber salad. The line moved really fast and there was plenty of seating inside and out. If in Fredericksburg this should be on your BBQ radar. read more
1 year ago
6 months ago
Doing the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ SPOTSand Eaker Barbecue is on the list. Not sure why, as there is nothing special about this place. The prices are expensive and the food was served room temperature to us. So the process is that you walk in wait in line to order and you pay and they give you your food, maybe as they forget our rib and we had to ask for it. Also they weigh and price the food BUT, you can NOT see the weight on the scale. I say this as we paid ALOT at this place and the amount of food we got was small when compared to other BBQ places we ate at this week. Hey, it's on The Texas Monthly list, so we ate we got our stamp, but it's not for me as overpriced and cold food is not for me. read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
Ribs and moist brisket are amazing! Just driving thru Fredericksburg and stopped here for dinner - had mac n cheese for our side which was marvelous - homemade! Cant wait to come back for more! Highly recommend! I only wish we had more room to try other things on the menu! read more
My nephew is a pitmaster and he told me about this place so naturally I had to give it a try. Well let me just throw this out there, this is some of the best Que I have ever had! The brisket is incredible! The seasoning and cook on it were perfection! The chopped sandwiches are amazing! The flavor and texture was spot on! Then there were the Gochujang ribs. They were ridiculous and by far the best we have ever had!!!! The flavor, seasoning, cook and tenderness are remarkable! We got several of their sides. All were delicious! I can't wait to go back and am so glad it's in my hometown!!!! read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
This place is really good and a must try for barbecue. We got there a bit after opening on a Thursday, so we didn't have to wait long in line. If you get there during lunch hours prepare to wait. We got the gochujang ribs and the brisket. They both were extremely tender and had great flavor. We got a side of macaroni, which was super cheesy and I would order it again. We also got the potato salad, which had a nice dill flavor. Then we tried the kimchi rice, which my husband loved but I found to be lacking extra flavor. I will definitely be back to this place. Everyone was nice when we walked in and there's plenty seating inside and out. I also heard the banana pudding is really good. read more
"Best brisket I tasted so far" said my wife as we got into our meal. We went here for lunch as I read it was in the top 50 best barbecue joints in Texas. We had the turkey, brisket, J&C sausage, and a half a pint of coleslaw. Everything was delicious and it was not overhyped. Very high contender in the best BBQ category. You order cafeteria style, pay and pick up at the end of the line then find a seat in the dining room. Nitpicking, they could shave the coleslaw finer to make it easier to eat. Nothing fancy, just good meat. read more
9 months ago
11 months ago
4 years ago
Much better BBQ than we expected probably a top 10 for us. Owner was gracious and it was very good. The Korean ribs were the thing that made us smile the most. Be sure and get them to try. Brisket delicious they were out of the dino ribs so didn't get to try them bummer read more
11 months ago
Arrived at about 10:30am on a drizzly Saturday and found myself first in line. Later, Norm arrived. I don't know his actual name, but they treated him like Norm arriving at Cheers. He was a serious regular. Besides Norm and me, there was only one other person in line when they opened. That was a surprise. It must have been the season / weather. The inside was a VERY nice set up. Plenty of room inside and great picnic benches outside. The staff was absolutely fantastic. I use staff as a loose term because I think I met both owners and almost their entire family working there. This is definitely a local, family run organization. They put their sweat, love, and family into the effort! We tried a wide variety of items. Fortunately, there was a "we" this time in the trip. Otherwise, I think I would have gone into a coma for all the food! First off, I got the Prime Brisket Sandwich. It was a great toasted bun with some of the best brisket that ever saw a bun! Really enjoyed it. I then finished it off with all it's glory: pickles, pickled onions, and bbq sauce and it was true love. That is one seriously fine sandwich. Then we had some pulled pork. It was succulent, moist and savory. Pulled pork is usually not my "go to" BBQ item, but I sure was glad that I tried this one oout. For the meats, we finished out with a pound of pork ribs. Likely that was about 2x what we should have had. The good news is that we now have left overs! The pork ribs just fell off the bones and was extremely tasty with whatever rub they have invented. We tried a wide variety of single portions of sides. The meats were awesome and the sides were on a whole new level of fantastic: - Mac & Cheese. I'm usually not a Mac & Cheese kind of guy but these were really solid. - Creamed Corn. Always my favorite and these didn't disappoint. If a fan of the genre - order these!! - Fried Rice with Kimchi. Oh man, so, so, good. If you like Asian food, this is a MUST order item. Very unique. - Korean Cucumber Salad. Not like your mother's cucumber salad. This had a bold, authentic Korean flavor. If you like living large, you'll love them. If you enjoy your comfort zone, steer clear. - Borracho Beans. I know several grown men who would cry eating these. I almost. The flavor was great, but it may be slightly spicy for some. Finally, we finished out with the Banana Pudding. I have now a new high bar with Banana Pudding at BBQ joints! This was so good, that if you don't order it, you have definitely missed out on the best item in the menu. Word of caution: if you've sampled too much wine on your trip, this will put you over the breathalizer limit. This is "adult" and quite tasty - but may be strong for some. The absolute best was the caramelization of the bananas on top. Oh, oh, oh so good.... I almost went back and just ordered four more of these. read more
Business owner information
Lance E.
Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words and the time it took to…
1 year ago
11 months ago
5 years ago
Best Texas experience ever! We got there and the brisket was over, we didn't know that the best option to have some good barbecue, you have to get on the line earlier. We could try the pulled pork and the jalapeño cheese sausage, AMAZING flavor. Banana pudding, delicious! Pecan bar, very good. Just love the place. If I come back to this city, I will definitely come here in the morning, just to try their brisket! read more
Business owner information
Lance E.
Thank you so much! Hopefully next time we will have plenty of…
Today we found ourselves in Fredericksburg, Texas, and our favorite German eatery was closed. So as we headed toward town we spied this little BBQ place with an antiques shop attached. It turns out the antique store is shuttered closed. But the BBQ place was open with several groups dining in and getting take out. It is a small eatery but seems to have adequate indoor seating and lots of outdoor seating. Bathrooms were very clean. We stood for awhile looking at the menu and we decided on 2 pulled pork sandwiches, 2 brisket sandwiches, 2 sides of kimchi, 2 sides of cole slaw, one side of mac and cheese, 2 pecan bars, one order of 3 lemon cookies, 2 canned sodas and a small tea. Total cost with tax and 15% tip- $99 (ninety nine dollars). I went back and checked the total and they very nicely went over it and gave me a receipt. I gotta say I did not think I was spending a hundred dollars on lunch for 4 when I walked in. I think the prices might be a bit higher than I was expecting. The menu is posted for the day on butcher paper behind the counter and it was a bit confusing because we thought a side came with the sandwich. Sides were $4 each. They serve you at the counter sort of cafeteria style. They have lots of good bbq and sides options. The cashier is apparently one of the owners and one of the chefs. She makes all the desserts and sides and they were all delicious and we ate everything we ordered! The owners and employees were very Texas friendly. They are very interested in customers having a good dining experience. If I have a chance to eat there again I will try to be more informed about what I am ordering and what it costs, so I won't have any shock to my wallet. read more
Business owner information
Lance E.
Thank you so much for stopping in and for the very detailed review.…
More info about Eaker Barbecue
607 W Main St
Fredricksburg, TX 78624
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(830) 992-3650
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http://www.EakerBarbecue.com
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Ask the Community - Eaker Barbecue
How early should one arrive to ensure they don't run out? How long is the typical line?
We arrived on a Thursday ten minutes before the opening, and were second in line. Fifteen minutes after the opening, the line was out the door. It is always best in the world of BBQ to go early.
