Relaxing to relax! This place is a so low, slow and ALL TEXAS! Love it!…read more Go grab a flight and some BBQ, pull up a chair enjoy some live music and ask yourself why you haven't visited sooner. This place is GREAT! The beer is GREAT! Service spectacular!

I met some friends who live in Victoria and Goliad, Texas for lunch here last weekend. We were…read morelucky to get some chairs under a tree and could hear the music from a bit further away. It was a nice, hot, muggy day! We enjoyed the BBQ, the beer, and the cocktails. I don't drink beer (but if I did I'm sure it would be Shiner beer) so I was glad to see they had a distillery with pretty much a full bar. Three of us took the tour, which was fascinating! The AC was not working well in some parts of the building that day so part of the tour, we were sweating quite a bit during parts of it because it was a hot day. The BBQ (lean brisket and sausage) was good but their sauce was a bit watery/bland. I believe the spirits were also made by the same people but I haven't seen that brand in other stores before. I had a paloma (they don't have grapefruit soda so it was just made with ruby red grapefruit juice and vodka with some soda water) and a spicy margarita. Both were good but tasted different than a typical vodka or tequila drink to me. The friends I went with have gone there several times and said the drinks/cocktails seemed watered down this time didn't taste the same as they usually do so we wondered if they had changed their spirits or the measurements. I guess I'll have to go back again some day and see if they've gone back to their usual drink recipes!

Shiner on tap... and a quiet little back porch patio to sit back and drink it. Unfortunately they…read moreno longer have the VHS collection. I brought my VCR just for that purpose. Oh well guess we're Netflix and chill tonight. Still a great spot. Blue Bell ice cream on a cone makes me wana try and beer float next time. Pretty cool to see locals hanging out in the store chewing the fat and drinking some coldies.

Legacy institution in Shiner is great for enjoying draft beers and watching a game. it's nothing…read morefancy but it's worth a stop.

Texas is known as having the best barbecue in the country! We all hear about the big names that…read morestretch from Austin to Dallas to Houston. I've been to probably all of them. Well, there's another one called "City Market" that skipped right past me. Or, no one thought to tell me. It's one or the other because this place is pretty popular with lines out the door! So I heard about City Market BBQ, the same day I drove to Luling, Texas! It's an hour outside of Austin. City Market is in the downtown area, and parking was a breeze; the line I saw on the sidewalk coming from City Market, I must admit, was long, but it was a breeze, too. Now, this is on Wednesday, not the weekend. I hopped in line, the line moving fast. People are friendly, telling me that once I'm inside, there's another door I will go into to place my order. I like to call this the secret door with all the good smells of smoky barbecue. Check out my pictures of the secret door; you can't even see inside. I'm there, I made it inside, and there's 3 of the most friendly older gentlemen I will ever meet in my life. One of them caught on that I haven't been in a kitchen, never in my life, when he started asking if I wanted 1/4 of brisket. I whispered, "Give me three or four, because I'm not good at math either." Oh, we had a great laugh! I sat down, picked on a rib, and the meat slid from the bone! It was so tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The skin had the right burnt in the right spots. The meat was moist and easy to chew. I was like the Flintstones cleaning the bones before I bit into my sausage and brisket. The sausage was very good, and my brisket was smoky, like my ribs. I have to brag about the sauce. It came in a skinny bottle. It was a new flavor for me; it wasn't spicy, but it had a nice heat to it that I loved! I'm so happy I chose to ride down to Luling to visit City Market as soon as I heard about this BBQ place. I would have been so mad at myself if I had waited and forgotten!

City Market in Luling was established in either 1957 or 1958, depending on the source. The…read morerestaurant's own website says "Established in 1958," and most historical references use 1958. So as of 2026, the barbecue place is about 68 years old. It's considered one of the classic old-school Central Texas barbecue joints and still operates much like a traditional meat-market-style BBQ house. This is an older building, including bathrooms... One of which was not working. Was disappointed that their sides include potato salad, and beans only because when I go to barbecue, I love Colliard greens, potato salad, beet salad, etc. not available here. The brisket slice I had likely the best piece of brisket I've ever had in my life. Now... Don't go crazy. I don't eat brisket typically when I do barbecue. The rib that I had was decent. The sausage I had by comparison to other barbecue places was unfortunately the worst that I've ever had. I'm not sure what grind they use, but it seems like it was more beef and somewhat sweet to my pallet which I personally don't care for in sausage. Overall, if I just wanted brisket, I would return but next time I'm in Luling I likely will go to the place right next-door to them and try them.

Worth the drive! Amazing BBQ! Brisket was so tender and flavorful. I am not a fan of sausage- but…read moreit was pretty dang tasty.! The price is great! I shared my 2 meat plate that came w 2 sides! I am FULL! $17 plate. Good good good!

If summarize this place as getting a call from a friend to come over for a backyard BBQ and you're…read moreexcited because they can work the grills/smoker. This is quintessential old school central Texas BBQ. Not the craft bbq you'd get in Austin. I think it's significantly better than the notable staples in Lockhart. This place reminds me of Snow's (which I adore). Scale 1 = no way / 5 = stellar Turkey - 4 Ribs - 4 Chicken - 4 Brisket - 5 Sausage - 5 Sides: Cheesy potatoes - 3 Mac n cheese - 3 Green beans - 4 Pea Salad - 4 Potato salad - 5 Wednesday (at least Ash Wednesday they did) an Friday's they serve fired catfish with hush puppies. For all the flavor and seasoning the other meats had, they forgot it in the breading of the fish. This needs to be doctored up. This receives a 2! I believe 3 meats and two sides are $20. This is unheard of with the way prices have risen for bbq. This place is legit and I understand how it on the radar for Texas Monthly best bbq.

A Lockhart classic that's been around for ages as a true OG. While in town to visit Barb's B-Q, my…read morebuddy and I stepped out of line briefly for a quick trip to Smitty's. The firewood sits on the ground as you walk in as a part of their open-fire cooking style bringing smoke into the brick pits. These new school smokers don't do it like Smitty's. As we walked in at 10:30, there was no line. We asked for the simplest order. A single slice of brisket and a single slice of turkey. It was about $12 all in. As we sat down with one of the 4 pieces of butcher paper for 2 slices of meat, I noticed that there are no forks at Smitty's. Just knives. We got to work. The turkey was fantastic. Barbecue turkey is honestly an underrated concept and their turkey was juicy, soft, and would change any Thanksgiving meal to one for the history books. I was extremely disappointed in the slice of brisket though. It was extremely chewy like plastic. Decently seasoned but not tender at all. Probably a bit undercooked. It was worth visiting for the experience, especially to get a picture next to the fire pit, which one of the people on staff was nice enough to take for us. As we walked out, we noticed tons of their awards and recognitions. It's cool to give a classic originator of Texas barbecue a hat tip like we did. RIYL: The originators or fire on the floor

Ordering is a bit confusing unless the line(s) have formed up- one from the street and one from the…read moreparking lot out back. People seem to want to enter in the middle where you check out. Nope! Start at the scale on either end, exit the middle. Good brisket, cut to order, lots of bark. We had some lean and some fat. Liked the sauce they provide. Remember- no forks, so wash up first! We had a half link of the "spicy" sausage. Did t seem spicy, and the casing was tough, near impossible to bite it off or cut it with the plastic knives. I just pushed the meat out and ate it on a cracker. Nice to see a real, old time atmosphere, with old time smokers. Nice folks too.

Finally got a chance to stop in and was blown away by that brisket gumbo. It's phenomenal, rich,…read moreand smoky in all the right ways. The potato salad is another quiet win, better than average, and a great side for nearly anything on the menu. The brisket is tender, though I wish it had more pepper. Same story with the salmon, its solid but nothing overly memorable. The ribs didn't hit my personal taste; they lean very sweet, best description is big red with cream soda l, but they're extremely tender and could definitely appeal to anyone with a sweeter preference. The peach cobbler is really good. It's built more like a bread pudding, served warm with ice cream, not overly sweet, and light enough that I ended up finishing the whole serving. The staff here is genuinely welcoming, and the place has a fun, lively energy. While eating, I overheard locals saying they eat here twice a day and at current beef prices, that tells you something.

A Texas Monthly Top 50 Standout: Reviewing the #8 BBQ Joint…read more We recently visited a true gem of the Texas barbecue scene, a small-town joint rightfully holding the number eight spot on Texas Monthly's prestigious Top 50 list. From the moment we walked in, the experience was exceptional. The venue itself is charming, offering both inside and outside dining options, but it was the staff that truly set the stage--friendly, attentive, and constantly ensuring we lacked nothing. This commitment to quality clearly extends from the service right into the pit. The Meats: Smoked to Perfection The Brisket immediately validated the restaurant's high ranking. It was wonderfully moist and executed a beautiful balance between rich beef flavor and a robust, smoky profile. It was, simply put, a masterclass in low-and-slow cooking. The Big Red Ribs were a definite highlight, offering the perfect bite and pull that every rib enthusiast craves, yet still achieving that desirable "fall-off-the-bone" tenderness. What elevated them further was the Big Red glaze, adding a unique, sweet-and-spicy dimension over a classic, peppery bark. Rounding out the trio was the Jalapeño Cheese Sausage. This was a superb, double-grind, in-house creation, featuring a great texture and a pronounced peppery kick that perfectly complemented the melted cheese without overpowering the meat. Comforting and Creative Sides The sides were crafted with the same care as the main event. The Gumbo had a deep, savory brown gravy rich with brisket flavor and a prominent onion note, though it could have benefited from a bit more rice and okra for texture. The Creamed Corn was incredibly tasty, served thick and creamy with just the right level of hidden heat, making it wonderfully addictive. The Potato Casserole offered a delightful mix of creamy texture and savory flavor, topped with a nice, crunchy onion layer and enhanced by a perfect balance of cheese and sour cream. The Decadent Grand Finale The dessert menu showed an impressive culinary ambition. The Pork Belly Cheesecake was absolutely decadent. It was a rich, smooth cheesecake topped with a savory-sweet pork belly crumble and finished with a maple bourbon drizzle. It was a jaw-dropping, memorable way to conclude the meal. To top off the already stellar service, the complimentary Blue Bell Ice Cream was a wonderful, smile-inducing touch. Served with a cup of rainbow sprinkles to pour on top, it was the perfect casual and friendly end to a magnificent feast. Final Verdict This BBQ joint thoroughly deserves its Texas Monthly ranking as the #8 spot. The combination of high-quality, flavorful meats, thoughtfully executed sides, and exceptionally friendly, attentive service makes this a must-visit destination. The dedication to reputation and quality is evident in every bite, confirming this was a truly great experience.

Amelia, Veronica, and Jadyn were exceptional! The food, the smells, the tastes, it felt like…read morewalking into someone's hospitable home. The ambience outside had me as well. We will now plan trips through the area during their open hours as often as possible. Thank you for everything!

Fresh, REAL Texas BBQ! Tons of cold beer, atmosphere beef,…read morebarbecue sausage, ribs, and lots of sides, including banana pudding and peach cobbler. Non-smoking. & NO bar But do have cooler full of ice cold bottle beer. They also have cool merch for sale.

There has been a lot of hype around Texas BBQ for a while, and I've been fortunate enough to try…read moremany of the well-known spots. I've also seen the rise and fall of some old and new famous BBQ places, whether from quality dropping, prices increasing, portions shrinking, or places simply not living up to the hype. Lockhart has many original and famous Texas BBQ spots, but I have to say, Barbs B Q truly stands out. I wouldn't even compare it directly with other more traditional Texas BBQ places. Yes, it is that good. Maybe because it's located in Lockhart instead of somewhere like Austin, it doesn't feel overly hyped yet, which honestly might be a good thing. This humble little shop operates with very limited hours but offers exceptional quality food. They open at 11 AM, and I arrived around 10:30 AM, but there was already a line. That tells you everything: you need to get there early. They did start letting people in a little early, which was nice. Like many great BBQ places, even if they say they close at 3 PM, there's a good chance the meat will sell out much earlier. The owner and pitmaster was super friendly and passionate. Even with a long line, she still greeted customers and had a quick conversation with each person, which was honestly impressive. As for the BBQ itself, I tried the ribs, brisket, lamb chops, sausage, green spaghetti, and pudding. Everything was perfection. Yes, I'll say it again: pure perfection, even the bread. When it was my turn, it was hard to find seating, so I ended up bringing the food home, but it was still incredibly delicious. This is BBQ on an entirely different level. My suggestion: come try this place before it goes viral and becomes a huge hype spot. I really love and cherish small local businesses like this, and I hope they keep doing things their way even after more success comes their way.

Our second visit to Barbs B Q somehow topped the first--which we didn't think was possible…read more Waiting in line turned into part of the experience. We ended up chatting with other second-timers, all of us swapping favorites and hyping up the meats like regulars. Even though Chuck wasn't out front slicing this time, the crew absolutely crushed it--things were buzzing along smoothly and the quality didn't miss a beat. We arrived at 11:30am Sunday and we got to the counter at 12:06. While in line, we found a Yeti stocked with ice-cold Lone Stars for the 21+ crowd. When we arrived at the counter, and they handed us bite-sized brisket samples while we waited. One look at that glossy, glistening brisket told you everything--you knew it was going to be insanely juicy, and it delivered. The lamb chops were a standout this time--perfectly cooked with a flavorful herbed crust and paired with a mustard-based BBQ sauce that really set them apart. We also tried the "experimental" herbalicious sausage, and wow--it needs to become permanent. Packed with flavor and totally unique. Portions were generous (again), and we walked away with plenty of leftovers--which is never a bad thing when it tastes this good.

Tried the hotdog wish they had an option for hot chili it tasted ok but Wow the sliced brisket was…read moreso tender and flavorful I highly recommend - got some of the jalapeño sausage - very tasty - I took a 1/2 pound of each home! I'll be back!

I made a deliberate exit off of I10 just to check it out…read more Upon entering you see patrons eating at tables along the wall across from the meat showcase. Down a narrow aisle towards the back you see a line of folks ordering to-go food, but there is no recognizable way to determine how to order out of the meatcase. I finally got a clerk to notice that I wanted something out of the case, ... he gathered my selected items and said, "meet me at the register." I purchased the beef links, hot chubbys, and the homemade weiners. That night, I had it all on the smoker. Everything was delicious. I found the weiners very dense and meaty, but heavy on salt content. I tried marinating them, to tone the salt down a bit, but to no avail. I'll be boiling the next batch to see if that helps. Overall, City Market is a place to visit if you're flying down I10 past Schulenburg, Texas. I'll be back.

Passing through and so glad we stopped! Everything was delicious, especially the pork steak and…read morebrisket! Get there early because they sell out fast!

The pork ribs were fabulous but the brisket was all gristle and inedible, what a waste of moneyread more