I don't know why people are giving this place a bad review. We went on a weekday, during lunch time, and everything was amazing! Sliced brisket sandwich: delicious with plenty of meat 1 meat lunch plate: the beans were good and the beef was well seasoned. I really like the BBQ sauce. Pecan pie: one of the best that we've ever had. It's sweet but not overwhelming. Lemonade: it was a bit tart but exactly what it should be Staff: everyone was quite friendly Dining hall: (next door) was very clean and quiet We will definitely be coming back! read more

See all

Joel's BBQ looked promising from the outside--the smoke made it seem like we were about to get some great BBQ. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The chicken was dry and tasted old, the brisket was tough, and the ribs had barely any meat or flavor. Nothing we tried felt fresh or well-prepared. Save yourself the disappointment and keep driving to Luling for much better BBQ. read more

I have to tell you about Joel's BBQ in Flatonia, TX! Right off Highway 10- well worth the stop! Probably one of the best BBQ sandwiches I've ever had... and for the price-$7.10...it is the BEST! I liked the sliced brisket piled high on regular sliced bread! Served with pickles & onions, this sandwich filled us up... Fast friendly service with plenty of indoor seating! Don't miss This great BBQ experience! read more

See all

Keep driving. The food is disgusting. Ordered the frito pie because they were out of baked potatoes and don't sell fries. Got a pile of shredded pork and whole beans on top of Fritos that I had to spit out. When I asked if I can exchange for another plate that said no. So on top of questionable food they also have poor service. Take my advice keep driving to the next town or eat McDonald's where you at-least can rely on consistent food. read more

Joel's Bar-B-Q - Their version of frito pie - Barbeque Near Me - Flatonia, Texas

Not worth it. Probably the worst brisket I've ever had. It tasted like it was cooked in a microwave. The sweet tea is almost $4 and it was not good at all. read more

My husband and I have been stopping in here for like 27 years. Food is excellent! We always make a point to stop here for my husband's favorite when going thru Flatonia. He often gets a bunch of bbq to take home. It is truly some of the best bbq! The chopped beef and sausage sandwiches are delicious! The little shop next door is always fun too. (We remember when that was Just a gas station) :) I was so sad I couldn't eat anything due to my medical junk. ----SUGGESTION RE: Service Dogs Umm, maybe have employees kindly ask if an animal is a service animal before having two employees loudly call out, "ma'am no dogs allowed" the very second someone steps in the door. I have a professionally trained service dog. There are ADA laws that protect service animals and specific rules should be followed. (Also- It is quite obvious he is a legit medical service animal if you actually take one second to look) Regardless, we didn't push the issue and went to a recently vacated outdoor table in the shade where I accessed my IV for meds, and my husband ate. (I was literally feeling too sick to confront/press the issue.) read more

Was ok! Not as good as many of the others in the area- we were there at9am Sunday morning- not peak time!

stopped in for a quick bite ONLY BECAUSE I was in the area. As soon as I walked in the old woman at the front counter rolled her eyes and looked down. at first I didn't think it was directed at me so I proceeded to order but really didn't know what I wanted. I let the guy behind me go ahead of me. when I stepped aside she rolled her eyes AGAIN and loudly sighed as if I it was problem I was there! I TURNED around AND WALKED TF OUT! I won't be spending my money where I'm not respected!!! DO NOT RECOMMEND!! read more

The BBQ was fresh & delicious! Great service - fast and courteous! Sweet Tea is a must and pickles are fire! read more

Joel's Bar-B-Q - 3 Meat Plate w/ Coleslaw - Barbeque Near Me - Flatonia, Texas

I stop locally owned BBQ places quite a bit lately, as I am on the road a lot. I wish I had taken the time and looked at the reviews of this place first. It was not impressive. I almost could not even tear the brisket apart it was SO TOUGH. More like a piece of jerky!! Meat got stuck in my teeth after I literally struggled to chew it. Had to spit some out as it was not happening. Extremely disappointed. Stay away....find another place! read more

Loved this family owned and operated pit stop off the highway between San Antonio and Houston! Super old school counter, menu, ordering and style. Yummy bbq sandwiches and homemade cookies. Quaint little place to find on vacation! The gift shop attached is boutique $ouvenirs! We were pleasantly surprised! read more

I ordered the 2 meat plate, brisket and ribs. I was very disappointed with the amount of meat I was given, only 2 ribs and not a lot of brisket and the brisket was not tender. read more

Restrooms smell like piss and the food is ass and the service has gone to shit. The seating area by the pit is the original restaurant I've been stopping here since I was a child. I've reached out to the owners and left messages about resolving the issue I had with one of their employees being disrespectful to my child and never heard back. I lost respect for this establishment and their owners. I stop by now to use the restrooms, but I won't buy their food anymore. I feel bad for them because they are struggling to find help and their hours keep changing. I met the wife of the owner today and she was so sweet I bought some soap from their rhinestone angle store. I didn't mention anything about my horrible experience I had last time. I was livid with their employe and how he doubled down on disrespecting my child. I own a few shirts and really used to support this place and push them one everybody I knew. They were my pit stop on the way to Houston and to San Antonio for the longest, but not anymore. read more

I'd been stopping here for many years, but it's been about 3 or so years since my last visit. I was excited to introduce my friend to Joel's, since her family regularly goes by here on the way to & from their river house. Each of us ordered sliced beef sandwiches. They were both tough, chewy & not at all fall-apart-tender like brisket is supposed to be. They'd put a small amount of BBQ sauce (I'd requested the sandwich to have sauce) onto the white bread, not the meat, so the bread was soggy & the meat didn't get any of that moisture it desperately needed. After chewing & chewing & chewing, we both gave up and had to throw them away. Unfortunately, we were eating these inedibles on the road, so we couldn't request replacement or refunds. My friend had ordered potato salad which was bland & tasted like a bad grocery store-bought version. We'll both be getting BBQ elsewhere on our Texas travels. read more

First time driving through town. At first sight place was old country style kinda cute. No AC, and unfriendly male checker behind the counter. Also, during the hot summer months , Why not allow customers to eat in the comfort of the building next door? The checker (name unknown tall white overweight male) proceeds to follow us just to kick us out of the food court area regardless of being paying patriots. We will never come here again solely based on poor attitude and unclassy services. Special Note to the fat cashier (get a new job) you're very unhappy about what you do. You should not be servicing the public. read more

This place is such a tradition for our family. Anytime we traveled out I-10 we had/have to stop in. Service is on point with no bells or whistles. Ambiance is not much other than nostalgia for me. Though I am eternally grateful for then upgrades to the restrooms. Ordered a sliced turkey and coleslaw and hubby sliced beef and potato salad. Both hit the spot and with the hunger monster tamed we continued our journey. read more

This restaurant needs help on service! They were not welcoming. The food was not good. Meet was dry. My loaded potato was very unpleasant to the eye. It was NOT good. Don't waste your $$ here. read more

Joel's Bar-B-Q - 1 sliced beef plate - Barbeque Near Me - Flatonia, Texas

See all

Yum!!!! Me and the family spilt a half chicken and it was delicious! The service was friendly and fast! While the atmosphere was clean and wow oh wow did it smell great inside as well as outside! It was a great experience and would love to stop again! Next time I go to watch some trains with my hubs I'll definitely be swinging by for a full chicken!! read more

Joel's Bar-B-Q - I loved the bag for some reason - Barbeque Near Me - Flatonia, Texas

See all

Decided to stop at a BBQ joint we have passed 100's of times on I-10. It was simple. Nothing fancy. Picnic tables inside and out. Very old school feel. Fresh tea/lemonade. Bottled sodas, cans and glass. Sandwiches come on regular or texas size bread. Pickles/onions/sauce. They have a variety of meats. Beans Coleslaw or potato salad as sides. Brownies/pecan pie. We got a brisket on texas toast and a sausage sandwich on regular bread. The meat had a good flavor. Hard to eat on sandwich bread, but doable with a few napkins. Side note this place is next to a cute little store with a photo op fence. Clean restroom in the dining lodge. read more

See all

Stopped to have lunch. Ordered the two meat plate, brisket and ribs with tater salad and beans. The brisket was as dry as you could get, right before it turns to jerky. The ribs were also dry and had no flavor at all. Tater salad could have been mashed potatoes the way it was made. The sugar bowl must have fallen into the pot of beans. The Big Red was cold but a cup of ice with your soda water would go a long way. They must rely on traffic from IH 10 to keep them in business cause there didn't seem to be any locals in the place, well, except for the people working there. read more

Service seems standard. But here's my biggest issue as I can only speak for what I ate. Sausage was average, but the ribs.... This was the most disgusting ribs I've eaten. And when I say this I mean they was so bad not only in taste but quality. So bad after one bite I threw them away the meat tasted like it was spoiled. Alls I can say is wow surely I'm not the only to experience thi. read more

We arrived 10 minutes before closing. We were feeling lucky we made it in time to order. We shared BBQ chicken, chopped brisket, sausage on a stick and beans. The chicken was hot and moist, cooked to perfection. The chopped brisket was delicious and so was the sausage. The beans were pinto beans with a BBQ flair, so different than anything I have ever had but delicious. The only reason the restaurant did not get a 5 star review was because we had to sit outside in 106* temperature because they were closing in 10 minutes. I'm feeling blessed there was a picnic table under the porch with a fan going. I would think they would have let customers order and eat inside while they cleaned up, but they did not. If you stop by don't make the same mistake we did. read more

Joel's Bar-B-Q - Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Flatonia, Texas

See all

I've been having a hankering for barbecue for the past few days and honestly, this place didn't quite hit the mark. Now there are good thinsg about it. Their sausage is excellent and the spare ribs weren't too bad, but they aren't baby back ribs. I like my meat juicy. The brisket let a lot to be desired. It was dry and didn't taste so great, even with sauce. Granted it wasn't bad either. But it wasn't great, and I expect great from a small Texas town when it comes to barbecue. After eating here, I stopped on my way to pick up a pulled pork sandwich at my favorite beaver place. I don't think I'll eat here again unless I'm really hungry. And when I do, I'll just get sausage. read more

Very simple, old school BBQ. People seem to either love or hate this place. Wasn't bad, but not particularly good either. Got our order wrong and the next customer's as well. Pricey, for 5 small sandwiches, two small cups of potato salad, 3 small bags of chips, 4 lemonades and a canned soft drink, paid a little more than 60 dollars. Staff seems friendly enough. read more

Service was terrible, my ribs were very dry and super small so I asked if I could get something else instead and the man was very rude and told me they can't resell them so no. Then looked at me stupid.. and the potato salad was the worst thing I've ever put in my mouth read more

Great bbq spot hands down really great food great customer service definitely going back

I live in Houston and drive over to SAT every so often, and what happens to be about halfway? Joel's. Cool old school place that can take you back a century or so. Great brisket with a smoke ring I tear up just thinking about. Perfect for a nice spring day's break from the highway. I'm sure there's fancier and it wouldn't kill them to put out some jalapeños, but with aeasy on and off everyone's favorite I-10, it's a solid stop that you should make. read more

Joel's Bar-B-Q - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Flatonia, Texas

See all

Sausage wrap! A must while road tripping on I-10. Solid BBQ for years. Cool building, beers available. Pecan pie, sides, jerky for the road. read more

What a huge disappointment. My friend and I drove 122 miles from Humble, Texas to try Joel's BBQ. We saw the reviews and gave them the benefit of the doubt. Let's just say, DRY DRY DRY. There is more humidity outside in this Texas heat than moister was in their meat. The potato salad lacked flavor and is definitely made with mayo instead of mustard. The brisket had great bark and smoke ring but was dry and flavorless. The sausage was dry and had little flavor. The chopped beef taste like a cardboard box. The lemonade was fresh but not tart or sweet. Paid 50 cents for a cup of tap water and ice. The gal at the front was pleasant but I wouldn't say she showed southern hospitality. Overall, we won't be making the drive again and definitely will pass it by on the way to San Antonio in the future. read more

See all

Go to Joel's about once a week always get the Texas size chopped beef with onions and pickle. Sometimes get the beans and potatoes salad. . Been eating there since April of 2023. Never a problem with food or service. read more

I was coming back from San Antonio, super hungry and craving barbecue. I stopped at Joel's bbq, which was a big mistake. If you want tasteless weak lemonade and dry brisket meat, this is the place. The price was decent, but the service is basic. I ordered potato salad as one of my sides and they gave me beans instead. I was very specific and the cashier wrote down the order, but I still ended up with beans. They have an annex area with wooden benches and very clean restrooms, which was actually nice and well ventilated because where you place your order is just a little shack. I will never stop at this place again. read more

See all

I stopped by here to get a chopped bbq sandwich on my way to my daughters, and I swear to Jesus somebody rubbed their butthole on my sandwich! It did not taste very good. Yuk read more

This was a quick pit stop we made on our way back from our small retreat in Wimberley, TX for a couple days. Very small establishment on a dirt lot, very simple mom & pop shop that my other half claimed had been their spot for BBQ whenever they traveled out to their deer lease. Needless to say it seems like time has not been on that little buildings side, a bit run down, rustic? Needless to say nothing really wowed me about my sliced beef sandwich. It was rather dry, Joel is a little skimpy on the sauce, which what I tasted had a pretty decent flavor, also lacking on quantity with onions and pickles too, sheesh. Everything was on plain white bread you could get at the local market. Good for something to stick in your stomach off I-10, just don't expect too much in the means of BBQ. read more

Not impressed. BBQ is not that good and staff has shitty attitude. Didn't get what I ordered and they wouldn't replace, wanted to argue. Potato salad was gross. Too pricey for low quality bbq. read more

This place has some great BBQ! The sauce is amazing!! I had a 2 meat plate and loved it. Sausage and Brisket is definitely great. Only thing that is blah is the potato salad and cole slaw. Definitely don't judge this place by the outside. Great friendly folks here. Will be back! read more

The best BBQ I've had in a very long time, tried it for the first time and I thought it was excellent, the service and the staff were great and talk to you as if you were a neighbor, very nice and friendly atmosphere and a pleasant place to visit and the price was very reasonable, thank you so much and may God bless all. read more

Great bbq! Got the chicken, brisket and sausage. Good flavor and tender. Big portions and worth the wait. Got a couple of cookies too. Chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin was very good. Don't know why the lower ratings. Parking lot was packed. read more

Joel's Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Flatonia, Texas

Was getting oil samples from a nearby oil rig and stopped here on my way back to Houston. I was impressed by the reviews and thought it would be great. The meat was pretty dry and the BBQ sauce wasn't good. I would go back because I don't know what else is in the area, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. read more

This was an unexpected treasure. We are from Maryland visiting family in Houston. On the road to San Antonio, had to stop. The food was awesome . This is the authentic taste you can only find in hidden places. This place should be featured on Guy Fieri's " DINERS,DRIVE INS, & DIVES." read more

My family and I came here on Labor Day. There is a good amount of available parking. When you walk in there is a clear menu on the right wall. I found the cashier to be rude but did not blame her because order taking is a soul sucking experience. There are two buildings from what I understand and in the one you take your order in it is unair-conditioned which is bad news in 99° weather. In the other building it is better, less stuffy and cleaner. After ordering, collecting our drinks, and being given our food we went to sit down. There aren't any plates which is something I've experienced before. What threw me off is that they didn't have those big thick napkins that places without plated normally use. I don't know what the expected us to use, but ok whatever. The brisket was terribly dry, it looked almost like artificial meat. I did not try the sausage but from what I heard it was tasteless. The potato salad was fine. The sweet tea is good but that should be a given in any restaurant here in Texas. The chopped brisket was the best part, but even then I was feeling unsatisfied. This place was also insanely overpriced. Everyone was so unhappy with the food that we left and ordered the same amount of food for 20$ less from a different place on our way to San Antonio. If you're thinking about coming here, you probably should just not. read more