First off the building is nicely decorated and very clean. Inside seating is small. Outside seating is plentiful. The ladies at the counter were so helpful and nice. They gave us a sample of their pork steak. We tried the sides first. The Brisket Beans are a must buy. Great taste and texture. Then the Jalapeño Cream Corn it was different. Not in a bad way if you like Jalapeños. Then on to the proteins. We tried the dry rub ribs and the big red ribs. Both were exceptional. Melt in your mouth meat. The Brisket was on point as well. Just the way I like it. Not a lot of rub. But just like the ribs melt in your mouth. I would say it is well worth the visit to Port Lavaca for this BBQ joint. read more

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Finally got a chance to stop in and was blown away by that brisket gumbo. It's phenomenal, rich, and 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. read more

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Out of the Top 50 Bar-B-Q joints on the list, LaVaca was the only one to serve Salmon. I really appreciate that! It was so delicious! They also served ice cream! The people were so friendly to! LaVaca is a must stop! Good food and good people! read more

LaVaca BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

A Texas Monthly Top 50 Standout: Reviewing the #8 BBQ Joint 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. read more

LaVaca BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

Drove to Port Lavaca to try number 8 on the Top 50 BBQ list. A great place in the small town of Port Lavaca. Very friendly service who described all their sides and other items. We tried the Texas Trinity, Turkey, smoked tamales and a brisket taco. All was good. My favorite was the tamale and their sausage. The sides were good too. The green beans had a sweet taste, they had a jalapeño corn that my wife loved. One thing I really appreciated was that they didn't try to fancy up the basic bbq techniques. I only gave four stars because I wanted a little more out of there brisket. It was good but I was expecting more from the brisket since they were number 8. read more

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Pulled up to LaVaca BBQ on a cloudy Saturday doing my Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ run. It was 1:30pm and they were out of a few items but they had brisket which is what we were looking for. We got a 2 meat plate with brisket and sausage and we added some pork belly and some more brisket to bring home. This place has small seating inside with additional seating in another room and some seating outside. The process is you walk in & start by ordering your proteins they cut and weight right in front of you. Then you order your sides. They give you your food on a tray and then you order your drinks and pay. Today the brisket was on point juicy and tender. The pork belly was delicious. The sausage was average. The employees looked bored and not smiling. The place was clean as they had someone walking around cleaning tables. They still offer FREE Bluebell ice cream which is nice. THEY CHARGE 4% more if they pay with CC so bring cash, In my opinion I do not understand how they are ranked #8 on the top 50 list as in my opinion their BBQ is average. Their sides are nothing special and the employees are not welcoming to the average customer. read more

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Went to LaVaca BBQ, where meets bold Mexican heritage. A family-owned business that specializes in slow smoked meats including mouth-watering brisket to signature smoked tamales and pork belly tacos on blue corn tortillas. They received recognition as one of Texas' Top 50 BBQ joints. The staff is very friendly and helped us to decide what family package would match our appetite. You come in and wait in line and place your order at the counter and watch the employees prepare your order. They were very helpful with recommendations for a first timer. Started off with the 2 lb family platter including your choice of 2 lbs of meat and 2 sides. We selected 1 and 1/2 lbs of brisket and 1/2 lb of sausage. Tried several of the sides including green beans, beans, mac belly mac and cheese and jalapeño cream corn. The brisket had a very flavorful bark and the meat just melts in your mouth it is so tender. It also comes with cornbread which is very sweet and savory. Also ordered the blue belly taco that comes with your choice of toppings including guacamole, cilantro, queso fresco and pico de gallo. The pork belly was very tender and the blue masa tortilla was to die for. The Texas Monthly tamale is make with masa and beef and pork filling and topped with bbq sauce and queso fresco, They also bring out complementary blue bell vanilla ice cream for dessert at the conclusion of your meal. Was so glad to be able to try this BBQ establishment and their unique take on BBQ. read more

Southern hospitality at its finest. The nicest staff! Had bluebell vanilla ice cream tickets to redeem at the end of the meal and even sprinkles for the kids! Everything was good! Shared the 3 meat plate with 2 sides + added a single side + cornbread. Self serve bbq sauce station. Banana pudding was delicious! Would make the drive through again! read more

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We stopped in at LaVaca BBQ on our way from Houston to Corpus Christi. We always look for BBQ restaurants when traveling and this one was very much worth the trip! We had brisket, pork ribs, and a couple of sides. Everything we ate was delicious! They offer brisket tamales, but we didn't have room for them. Also, the chef came to our table. I can't remember her name but she was very nice. read more

We are full time RVers and this was some of the best tasting BBQ we've ever had. You have to get the brisket and the Green Beans, oh so good! Kai and the rest of the staff are so friendly. read more

LaVaca BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

This place is such an amazing spot! Service is great and they're super sweet. I was going last minute since I had cravings and they were nice to sell to my husband since I had called. The ambiance was super relaxing and chill. I'm writing a review for their desert items I am still pending to try their menu. Peach cobbler - 10/10 : Super soft in your palate with the great taste of peach. Bacon cheesecake - 10/10 : I was hesitating at first, but they won me over. It's such a life changing combination! It's my husbands favorite Banana pudding - 9/10 : the right kind of sweet with the right amount of bananas! I wished it came with more cookies but it's still amazing! read more

LaVaca BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

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Well I have lived in Port Lavaca for 3 years and this is my first and last time eating at this over rated over priced restaurant. I got the meatloaf it was flavorless and $12 without fries or chips. The meatloaf was huge so you get a lot of no flavor. My wife had the burger is was Smoky also $12. We split a fry $3. $3 for a bottle of water and $3 for a coke total bill for a mediocre at best lunch $42.72. There is better BBQ in this town for sure. The service was good and they were friendly that why I gave them 2 stars. read more

LaVaca BBQ - "Meatloaf" - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

What can I say !!! Drove up Sunday morning from Houston and we had little of everything !!! We had the yummy dessert but forgot photo . Please stop you will not be disappointed!!! read more

LaVaca BBQ - Blue belly taco !!! - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

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Just left Port Lavaca BBQ. If there is a better bbq experience I'd sure like to know where? How it's not Number 1 is beyond me. Skip the rest and eat the best. Full stop read more

The pork belly melts in your mouth and the jalepeno cream corn and beans are FIYAHHH! We loved everything about this place. My husband enjoyed the delicous brisket. I really appreciate that the owners love the Lord and aren't ashamed to say so. This is a really sweet family owned business and I would come back for more delicous bbq in a hearbeat! You even get a free Blue Bell ice cream for dessert! You can't beat that! read more

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We got there at 10:15 on a Saturday and there were only 6 people ahead of us, which I'm not sure why because this place was so good. The brisket was wonderful, so tender and juicy. The pork belly was amazing! The pulled pork was very good. The sausage was average but still good. Definitely try the gumbo. It's not your normal gumbo but was surprisingly good and worth a try. We got the El Borracho dessert 10/10 recommend. There are 5 tables inside and there was patio seating but we did not go out there so I do not know if it had AC but I did see a fan. There were tables outside that were covered and a few that had umbrellas. The employees were very attentive and friendly. Try this place you will not regret it. read more

LaVaca BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

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The fatty brisket and the turkey are fabulous. You can cut it with a fork. Love the jalapeno creamed corn and brisket beans. Very nice people. A small woman owned business in a small town. read more

I cannot believe this place has so many good reviews. The tamales at $8.00 each and are really not that good (weird) and are way overpriced. The Three Meat plate cost $35.00 and is a ripoff. The only sauce we didn't throw in the trash is the Mustard Carolina sauce which was just OK. Cornbread was a tiny dry thing my dog got. Meats: Brisket was good but we have had way better many times elsewhere. The "mild" Sausage was too spicy and had gristle chunks in it. Pulled pork was ok but not great. Both the pickles and onions were different but not that good. The mac and cheese and potato casserole sides were actually very good although the portion size was for a child's plate- not a $35 plate. The black guy that packaged our order up to-go and took our $75 was pretty rude in his dialog and actions. He didn't even say thank you after we thanked him. We were at this place on November 8, 2025 at about 3:00 PM. We are from Rockport and the BBQ places here are way better - hands-down! We disagree with the judges that voted this place in Texas Top 10. If you know what decent Texas BBQ is - be prepared to be disappointed and ripped off if you eat here. read more

LaVaca BBQ is on point! We just moved to the area from central Texas, and this is incredible barbecue. You've got to try it! Jesus, Texas, Brisket read more

Truly a place they call you friend What a warm and inviting stop on our Texas BBQ road trip. We ordered the brisket which was very tender and overall solid. The ribs or aka big red were very sweet so just know that you are in for a little surprise. BBQ gumbo was unique touch that we enjoyed as you get to sample all of the meats Get the tamale for the love. I don't usually like tamales and this was amazing! Blue pork tacos were really good too. Can't beat the free blue bell ice cream at the end! Little sweet to cut the heat read more

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Great place! Brisket melts in your mouth. Won't find a better brisket around the area.

I ordered 1/2lb of lean brisket & 1/2lb of smoked salmon. Both meats were cooked perfectly and seasoned well. The sauces paired very well with both meats. The servers were very nice. Small town local vibe. Highly recommend read more

LaVaca BBQ - 1/2lb lean brisket 1/2lb smoked salmon - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

Good food but expensive for what you get. Enjoyed the brisket. Time before we went they were out of brisket.

Wow the bbq was amazing , recommend the pork belly, the most flavorful burnt end and the drop off the bone pork ribs. The sides were killer like the potato casserole and the corn casserole. The staff was amazing with all their recommendations and samplings. I can't wait to go back. read more

This is the best spot to get your BBQ fix in the south east side of Texas hands down! I've been here a couple of times when I used to work in Point Comfort & honestly had my doubts at 1st. When my coworkers took me here for the 1st time I was genuinely surprised that we had BBQ this good outside of Central Texas. I've been to a good amount of big named BBQ joints in Austin & this place stands right along side them if not better. The family that's operating this establishment is super friendly & was kind enough to let me take some pics for them while giving me their story. Should I talk more about the food? Fatty brisket was chefs kiss & pork ribs were amazing with that big red they spritz it with while its smoked. Sides? Highly recommend the habanero coleslaw & pork belly mac & cheese. Their sauces are flavorful as well! Still have room? You cant stop by here without getting in on their desserts! My personal favorite is the smoked bourbon maple pork belly cheese cake. (sound odd but go for it!). Currently planning on when I can make another trip down there ASAP! read more

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Great BBQ and free ice cream for the 4th of July! They also had a pup set up with water and ice cream. Staff was super friendly. We ate outside and it's a casual spot with picnic tables read more

Came here for a late lunch on a random fall weekend. There was NO line at about 1:20pm and I thought they had sold out! Fortunately for us, they were open and had plenty of food. The spot seemed to be a reclaimed gas station and they did great work turning it into a BBQ hot bed. Straight in the door to a ginormous menu board and someone cutting up the goods for you. First off, ALL of the staff were over the top helpful and friendly. What a rare thing these days. They were so good and cheerful that they alone would have gotten 5 stars. Then they offered me free bluebell ice cream with the meal and I knew I was in heaven. We went with three items and then shared them all. First up was the Blue Belly tacos with a side. For the side we had the potato salad and it had a great sweat/crisp taste. It went well with the blue corn tortillas and pork belly. The tortillas had a hard time keeping up so this is best eaten with fork & knife. The pork belly was a hit of smoky, savory goodness. Second, we're the Brisket tacos. That was mighty fine brisket! Should have just had the brisket but I had no regrets. For a side we had the beans with brisket. That was a hit of thick, chewy stew almost. Very flavorful. Finally we went with the the Cowdog. No one person could possibly eat that. It was two ginormous tangy, slight spicy beef sausages with an incredibly thick rind. Side was chips. All in all a great community BBQ joint to check out next time you are in the area or on the way to the Gulf. read more

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Another stop on the Top 50! This is stop #24 for us and it did not disappoint. We drove in from Dallas and by the time we arrived, 12:15, they were out of ribs, turkey, and pork belly. Lesson learned. Get there early. The brisket was better than Franklin's (I said what I said) and the made in-house sausage was amazing! Not too dry and not too greasy. Probably in my top 5/24 so far. The service was great! One of the people even came over to talk to me about my stamps and gave opinions what he thought about some other places. Opinions I respect after having the BBQ at LaVaca! The Mac and cheese was soooo good and creamy. Made with real cheese. If you like that box stuff...this isn't for you. The pickles and cornbread that's made from scratch was icing on the cake. My husband reports that the potato salad was good too. If we find ourselves this way again, we will be back! read more

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Real nice BBQ in Port Lavaca. The brisket tacos were great. And the smoked tamales really good. The creamed corn is the standout winner along with the sinfully-good banana cake -- tho the staff believes their banana custard to be their best dessert. The staff was patient with us new-timers and helpful in recommending their favorites. Everything here has a slow burn, so you get to taste the food before you get the heat. Enjoyed the outside dining. read more

LaVaca BBQ - Brisket tacos on blue corn tortillas with jalapeño-creamed corn - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

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Our 91st 'cue stop in Texas and 381st nationwide brought us to one of the 2021 Texas Monthly Magazine top 50. What a worthy choice! $57.91 purchased a half pound of fatty brisket, which is very well smoked, exceptionally moist, and blessed with a superb pink ring and bark. We also purchased a serrano cheese sausage, which we would rate among the five best sausages that we have found in BBQ circles anywhere. Then there's the pork belly taco (well smoked, moist and full of flavor); it pairs very, very well with the onions offered here. The four sides that we tried were all well prepared, testifying to the strength that we found here across the menu. The jalapeno creamed corn is neither dry nor mushy, but hits the sweet spot. The jalapeno coleslaw has great flavor, the brisket beans and potato salad are both full of flavor as well. And finally ... a fairly light, modestly sweet and wonderfully tasting banana pudding brought an end to a sensational meal. Lavaca BBQ carries our highest recommendation. read more

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Delicious pork belly and big red ribs. Very tender meat. 3 sauces to choose from. Really enjoyed the potato casserole. Fresh made pickles. And, ice cream for dessert! Service was great. Very friendly servers. Really enjoyed our lunch. read more

To say we drive from San Antonio to Port LaVaca for BBQ would be absurd. But to say we make sure we drive from Port Aransas to LaVaca BBQ makes perfect sense to us! We love the food and especially the pulled pork. Brought friends from Colorado with us, and they plan on returning to LaVaca BBQ too! Staff is awesome and the pit master knows her BBQ!!!! read more

Another stop on our Texas Monthly Top 50 adventure led us to Port Lavaca, TX (an amazing little town right on the shore of the gulf) to enjoy the wonderful offerings at LaVaca BBQ! We got there today (Sunday May 29, 2022) at 1pm (an hour before closing). There were people still eating inside as I walked up straight to the front of the line (more folks started showing up behind me as I was ordering). The restaurant is in a converted gas station and felt totally welcoming inside. Speaking of which, I want to thank the amazing family and employees running LaVaca for treating my wife and I with so much kindness and hospitality. They even gave our puppy some blue bell ice cream and water. Ok let's talk about the food! The brisket was truly out of sight! What a perfect bark! It wasn't crispy and dried out but it wasn't sogged out either. And tender is the word du jour here! So tender and very good smoke flavor coming off the beef. The ribs were such a pleasant surprise too. They were on the sweet side and almost tasted candied lol which normally is not my cup o tea but they nailed their technique on this and it worked. I also want to tip my hat to their exceptional pulled pork. Big pieces of pork strands radiating smoke flavor. My wife is a Carolina girl and she gave it her seal of approval. The sliced pork belly for me tasted better on its own rather than in their taco. The slaw and blue corn tortilla actually kind of muddled the flavors of the pork belly but on its it definitely shined. The chopped brisket served with an HEB flour tortilla (my favorite) was fantastic but eaten with their spicy house bbq sauce and pickled onions deserves a certified chefs kiss! The only miss for us was the housemade sausage unfortunately. I think this could be chalked up as "end of the day" sausage. It was pretty dry but the casing was definitely legit. Their Mac Belly, mac and cheese served with crispy bits of bacon was a perfect balance of creamy and thick. It wasn't loose and soupy nor dry and congealed. It was right where it need to be. The potato salad had perfect balance of sweetness and mustard in there with pleasant smooth texture. The Habanero Slaw was something I wouldn't order again. But the Jalapeño Creamed Corn was mmmmm mmm mmmm good! I didn't expect to taste what I tasted in this corn from the texture to the mouth feel to the subtly sweet and spicy flavors. Also I'm not a big bbq sauce guy, but there's was some of the best I ever had. We had a lovely experience here from the drive in, to the customer service, and of course the food. Please eat here soon! read more

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Visited for the 2nd time today and Lavaca BBQ blew my taste buds away again. I ordered their 3-meat plate with brisket, ribs, serrano cheddar sausage, bbq gumbo, mango habanero slaw. No bad bites on my plate, but my favorites where the serrano cheddar sausage, the bbq gumbo, and the mango habanero slaw. Lavaca BBQ on the 2021 Texas Monthly Top 50 bbq list for a reason, y'all. If you haven't yet visited and love Texas bbq, what are you waiting for? read more

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This is hands down one of the best barbecue places I've tried. The brisket is SO good - I got a mix of lean and fatty. The fatty brisket is super moist but it doesn't feel too greasy. Some places have it too dry but here it's just right. I also am a big fan of their ribs and Serrano and cheese sausage. Both the potato salad and jalapeño creamed corn sides were also delicious. And the staff is so sweet. They actually forgot to include the sausage in my order, but when I called, the employee apologized profusely and offered me an additional dessert on the house for the next time I came. This has never happened before when I've eaten here, but mistakes happen, and they were really good about it. read more

LaVaca BBQ - Serrano cheese sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

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food. Service was great. We ate in the screened in porch area. We were checked on 3 times to see how we were doing and if we needed anything. We were here on a Sunday around 11:30. They aren't open very many hours per day. Defiantly worth stopping in if you like bbq. read more

LaVaca BBQ - Pulled pork sandwiches and a 2 meat meal - Barbeque Near Me - Port Lavaca, Texas

I am absolutely amazed at the quality of the meats. I loved the burnt ends. The owner let us try the Pork Belly. The Jalapeño Cream corn is epic. Brisket Beans are spot on. Normal BBQ place have good meat, good sides or good sauce. This place is a step above the rest. They excelled in all arenas of BBQ. Friendly staff. Family owned and just a gem. I swear I don't work for them. I am just that big of a fan. read more

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The BBQ meats were super good! We had pulled pork, turkey, burnt ends, and the sides were yummy

The food and service was amazing. Brisket was perfect!!!! Was in and out in no time. I actually went to work and told all my coworkers about it. read more

There's a reason Lavaca BBQ is a Texas Monthly top 50 restaurant. The food is delicious! I was able to cut my brisket with a plastic fork and couldn't get enough of the jalapeño cream corn. Everything is homemade, everything and it shows. Talked with Kelly, the owner, a very delightful young woman as well as most of the staff. All were very friendly and helpful regarding PL and surrounding area. Anything I didn't like about Lavaca BBQ, yes they are only open Thursday, Fri and Sat. With food this good I wish they were open every day. read more