On the way to a long weekend in New Braunfels, we decided to stop in Luling for lunch as I had heard about this really good BBQ joint even before I moved to Texas. Walking in to Luling City Market in this tiny old town was almost like walking back in time for us. This no frills little café type of restaurant where you actually walk into the smoke room to order you meat. The smell was overwhelming but in a very good way. Gave us chills as we inhaled the wonderful smell of slow smoking meat and we ordered some brisket and pork ribs to split. We our meat on our platters, we went outside the smoke room to pick up some drinks and sides of coleslaw and potato salad. This was some of most heavenly BBQ we have had in a long time. Moist with lots of flavor and well worth the very reasonable price. The sides were nothing to pass up as well. Really tasty! Luling City Market was definitely worth the stop for lunch and next time we are going up that way, we are definitely stopping for another delicious lunch. read more

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Had holiday lunch/dinner with my church family. This was my first time eating at this restaurant and the food was delicious. I had the half chicken with coleslaw and my mom ordered the sliced brisket with beans and potato salad. Although our bill was over 50.00 for 2, the menu reflects a different price point. Not sure if I would return again. They serve food on paper and everything is sold separately. read more

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I was craving barbecue--specifically lean brisket and a good beef sausage link--and this spot had solid reviews, so I decided to give it a try. When you walk in, the first thing you see is the bar area. At about 3 p.m., on a Friday, the bar stools were nearly full. One reviewer mentioned that the bar seemed to be the main attraction during their visit, and I can see why. I actually wasn't sure where to go to order food until the bartender pointed me further inside. Behind a wall is the actual ordering line. Even getting started was a little confusing. You grab a tray and the first thing you encounter is the fountain drink machine, which makes it feel like you've skipped a step. Meanwhile the dining area--roughly the same size as the bar area--was practically empty. The whole layout just felt a bit disjointed. The menu also threw me off a bit. Instead of typical barbecue plate options (one-, two-, or three-meat plates with sides), most items are priced by the pound. There was one half-pound meat option with two sides, and thankfully they let me split that between two meats. I ordered lean brisket and a homemade beef link with pinto beans and green beans. The beef link was excellent. The casing had that perfect snap, and the filling was moist and crumbly--the way a good Texas sausage should be. Too many places pack sausage so tightly it eats like baked salami, but this one had great texture and flavor. The brisket, unfortunately, was pretty dry. The pinto beans and green beans were fine--filling, but nothing memorable. And then came the crescendo of the visit: the barbecue sauce. They appear to offer only one sauce, and it tasted strongly mustard-based...which I absolutely detest. What made it even more confusing is that the sauce was a reddish-orange color, which made me assume it was a typical tomato-based BBQ sauce. Nope. If there were other options, they weren't offered or pointed out. One other drawback is how close the bar is to the dining area. Sitting within earshot of some pretty colorful bar conversations while trying to eat was a little off-putting. So overall: great beef sausage, dry brisket, forgettable sides, and a mustard-forward sauce that sealed the deal for me. If there were a traditional sauce option, I might consider coming back. But that mustard-based barbecue sauce? Yeah... that is surely a deal breaker. read more

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The Brisket was nice and tender but the portions for the cost they charge was high. The links was unique (good). I did not enjoy the sides. It seemed like the beans were just that beans out of a can. read more

Luling City Market - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I could eat BBQ every single day. Rain, shine, heartbreak, payday it doesn't matter. So when I saw Luling City Market, I slammed on the brakes like my car forgot how to drive. The smell hit me before I even walked in smoky, meaty, heavenly. I swear it whispered, "Eat me." It was lunchtime, so I kept it "simple": brisket sandwich and a spicy sausage link. Famous last words. First, the brisket sandwich. The bread? So thick it could bench press a brisket. The meat? Old, tired, sad. No bark. No life. Looked like it had survived the great BBQ apocalypse yesterday and was just... holding on. I took one bite and whispered, "Oh this brisket has regrets." Then I went for the spicy link, hoping for a comeback story. Nope. Flavor? Evaporated. Spice? Missing in action. Just sadness in casing form. I stared at it, imagining it going to therapy for underachievement. By the end, I was just staring at the smoker like it personally ruined my childhood. BBQ places like this, man they're stuck in the past. The service? Always sweet, amazing folks. And honestly, it reminded me of Sundays growing up family crowded around, my dad on the grill making ribs, the smell drifting down the block, neighbors sneaking over, my brother stealing ribs like a little criminal mastermind. Pure nostalgia. But the new BBQ masters out here? They're not playing. They're remixing recipes, tossing in flavor, sending heat like a BBQ apocalypse in the best way possible. I'm talking ribs that make angels weep, brisket that hits your soul, sausage that could start a revolution. And I'm so here for that era. read more

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Maybe I caught them on a bad day. The atmosphere was nice, friendly folks, but the food was not good. I would have left more if it wasn't for the fact I spent $30 for lunch. I got two meats, ribs and links. The ribs were horrible. Overcooked and dry. It took lots of jaw muscles to chew. Not real links, but not bad. The beans and potato salad was bland at best. read more

Luling City Market - What I left. Would have left more had I not spent $30. Will not return. - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

I came here for the second time ever in many years awhile back. I ordered Lean Brisket and Sausage. The sausage was good, but the brisket despite being tender, smoky and having a good bark & pink ring was just ok. It needed more seasoning and juiciness. Lean brisket can certainly still have good moisture, even though it's not on the fattier side. The bbq sauce was too tangy and acidic. I would consider giving this place another try in the future, but in no rush as of now. read more

Luling City Market - Great Sausage n just decent Brisket... - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

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After a long day of walking all over Houston we wanted some authentic bbq and came across Luling's City Market. When we walked in there wasn't anyone there except for one customer but I'm happy we decided to still try it. The workers were warm and inviting and were happy to serve us. Inside it's kind of dark but we opted to eat outside where it was better lit. I had ribs with coleslaw and potato salad. These were some of the best ribs I've ever had. They weren't fatty at all and the seasoning was soooo good. My husband got brisket and normally I'm not a brisket girl but his was so good I could've ate all of it. They gave good portions for all the sides and they were just as tasty as the meat. I can't wait to go back and try other items. read more

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First of all. We are absolutely rotten with all the great BBQ options in Houston. I have had them all (well, most of them-good-bad-cheap-expensive) and I will tell you that Luling is ALWAYS consistent and wonderful BBQ. Don't let the downers get to you. The place is divey but the links, brisket and ribs DO NOT disappoint. The sauce...I could swim in it. Enough said. read more

All the food and sides are excellent. There is one standout... The beef link sausage...a ten out of ten... maybe a higher score if there was one. Put their unique mustardy BBQ sauce on the links and thank the Lord you are in Texas! read more

BEST Sausage in the City of Houston Hands Down !!! The sauce is also the Best in the city !!Great customer service ! Very awesome place to chill and watch football ! I've been to every BBQ place in Houston and Luling City Market has the Best Sausage and Sauce read more

Alright, so I finally made it to Luling City Market on a recent Sunday afternoon. The bar was packed with what I can only assume were card-carrying Houstonians, it was interesting to note that while the bar was full, their focus seemed firmly planted on their drinks rather than diving into plates of barbecue. The ambiance was pure old-school Texas charm - the kind of place where the walls have probably absorbed more brisket smoke than my lungs did. I went for the sausage sandwich, while the better half opted for the brisket. Being the dutiful food explorer I am, I sampled both, and even tackled a brownie for dessert. The overarching theme of my taste journey? "Just good enough." Think of it as the BBQ equivalent of a reliable sedan. It gets you from point A to point B, but you're not exactly writing home about the thrill of the ride. Nothing screamed "amazing," nothing whispered "above average." It was just... there. If I lived or worked nearby, Luling City Market would likely be a convenient spot for a casual lunch. But if you're an out-of-towner on a quest for legendary Texas BBQ, let's just say your gas money might be better spent elsewhere as it's not exactly the Alamo of barbecue worth a pilgrimage. read more

The food was way overpriced and it was burnt and tough to chew. The quality of food here has gone down.

Sooo my initial impression was bad because I wasn't greeted. The set up is a cafeteria style where you go through the line and order your food. The women behind the counter did not seem friendly, nor did she greet me. The food was just OK. I think I had heard it was so good and had high expectations that were not met. I ordered 1/2pound if brisket with two sides. If you do decided to try them I would order a sandwich or just meat. There is not a huge variety and the two I tried ( potato salad and baked beans) were not that good. The beans were not sweet and had no real flavor. It tasted just like a bean. Oh! The bar b que sauce is home made and has a very distinct taste. Almost like a honey mustard flavor. I'm sure some love it, but it wasn't for me. It's super cool shot and they have a bar area towards the front that I didn't have time to hit up. read more

Upon exploring the amazing city of Houston, we decided to get some BBQ : this place was amazing. Monica at the bar served the best wine and with a kind smile. The food was delicious and seasoned just enough to where you can still taste the flavor of the brisket itself. I'm a cole slaw fan so I devoured that as well : great prices and the very best bbq sauce. I will be ordering some after we return home to LA as the bottles they sell wouldn't fit into my carry on. Thank you for everything Monica, we will definitely be back! read more

Luling City Market - A great spot, indeed - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

A nice little hole in the wall BBQ spot. The brisket sandwich is VERY good, so surprised. Beware of the alacart prices. I like the TVs on NFL Sunday. See our youtube channel Coolest Life. read more

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I went to Luling last week with a good friend. I had the sliced brisket sandwich, moist side. There was a ton of meat on it. I actually only ate 1/2 of the sandwich and took the other half home. I think the brisket may have been the best I have ever had. I am 68 and lived in Houston most of my life. I have had brisket from a lot of places and this was melt in your mouth good. I will be going back there. read more

I was looking for some great bbq during my trip to Houston an Luling City Market near The Galleria mall exceeded my expectations. I had spicy links and brisket with sides of pickles, cole slaw and potato salad. Everything is made in house and was delicious! The staff was helpful and friendly. I'll definitely be back next time im anywhere near this area!! read more

Luling City Market - Spicy link, brisket, potato salad, cole slaw and pickles - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

Best bbq in Texas? I don't know, but it's pretty darn good. My brother and I went for lunch and both ordered sliced brisket sandwiches, and he bought a rib and some potato salad on the side. I'm very picky about potato salad but this was much better than I anticipated. They only offered potato salad, beans, coleslaw, and pickles for sides. I would have appreciated more selection there. I personally like baked potatoes with my bbq, but that's just me. The brisket and rib were amazing- tender, with good bark and smoke rings. The serving of brisket on the sandwich is generous and it has a nice smoked flavor. The bun was good- didn't get soggy. The sauce is famous- it's not sweet- kind of tart and very good. You can buy bottles of it to take home, along with their signature rubs. It's expensive, $10 for a brisket sandwich, but it is good and they give generous portions. The staff is friendly and the restaurant has a great vibe. If you're in the area and looking for good bbq- this is solid TX bbq. You won't be disappointed. read more

Luling City Market - Storefront - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Good barbecue the. Brisket and ribs are great so are the sausage I always get them cold to bring back to Houston

It's amazing what these people pass off as bbq and it's an insult to customers that they would dare sell this crap for money. And it ain't cheap either! If you live around here and need to eat protein for sustenance and have a bunch of money, sure, eat here. But if you have taste buds and value your money, there are infinite better options all over the state. Our brisket was horribly dry, tough, our ribs were cold and rock hard, and the sausage.... How do you mess up sausage?! The exterior was shriveled up, and so tough to the point where the plastic knives they give you won't even cut the sausage no matter how fast you saw back and forth. Then when you finally cut it open it's all loose and mushy and the filling falls out. All three things we tried lack the bare minimum of being the right temperature and having good texture. I haven't even started on the taste yet, which was so lackluster that we doused all the meats with sauce just to make it palatable. And we only did that so we wouldn't waste our money. In the end, this meal was so miserable that we actually threw away the last rib and big piece of brisket. We're the type to never waste food but this stuff is truly bad. Never again. read more

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I've been here twice and the 'Q is awesome. The first visit the brisket was moist and tasty, the pork ribs were even better, the beef sausage link was very good. My second visit the brisket was a tad dry, the pork ribs were meaty and full of flavor, tried the spicy sausage link, great taste but not much spice. The sides i tried were and very good cole slaw and beans....they were so good the first time why change. If you haven't been....go! read more

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Went for lunch, surprisingly there was no wait. I'm extremely picky with my BBQ considering I'm from Kansas City. Which is a different culture for BBQ. They made me a burnt end sandwich, and my friend had a brisket sandwich. The brisket was a little dry, but if you sauce it up and throw in some pickles it's a lot better. Something that surprised me was the potato salad! It was really really good! My first Texas BBQ! read more

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While bbq sauce is a personal thing, i LIVE theirs! Brisket is amazing, and i love their sausages with the sauce. I have never had a bad meal here, it is a must-go when I'm in Houston read more

Luling City Market Serving Texas 40-years! Wow! My only regrets are not knowing this BBQ existed in the years gone by. This is my first review, based on both my 1st and 2nd 'TAKE OUT' orders. The Beef Links: My favorite! I like the spicy selection. I truly believe they are the best I've ever had! The Brisket: Moist and tender, with a nice smoke ring. Great on a bun or just cut it with your fork and savor the flavor. The Sauce: A little bit sweet, a little more heat, and a great tanginess! It's the perfect pairing with the rich smokiness of the brisket... and even better with the beef links! The Barbecue Rub: I had to give this a try after my first taste of the BBQ from LCM. Nice flavor and spicy heat; it's made for a BIG HUNK of brisket, so it has a good amount of salt, necessary for such thick cuts. So, take it easy, if you use it on small cuts for grilling, like I do. In the attached pics, my wife made a great salad to accompany dinner... But who needs salad, when you have Q like this ;-) read more

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The food was so full of smokey goodness, I almost cried. The season was perfect. I had the brisket, ribs, and sausage. The service was excellent. The restaurant is a bit rustic, but I think it adds to the experience. They make it all about the food and while you done there, you get the impression that they have been smoking meat like this since before I was born and will be continuing their art long after I return to the earth. Like true artists, they don't disguise their art with fancy table, and a waiting staff. They know why you are there. It is all about the food. As it should be. read more

Let's be realistic about all restaurants, especially bbq joints, in general. Every place has their good and bad days, but when it comes to bbq smoked sausage... this place is one of the best I've ever had. I don't even bother anymore with the smoked sausage at other joints. There's truly something special going on here. If you're a fan of a tight and snappy skin, and a succulent and pleasantly beefy interior with a beautiful ring of smoke, then this is the sausage gettin place for you. Most people on here who are dogging this place are mistaking it for the place IN Luling City. This place is in Houston. And their bbq game is for real. Not for the types who'd prefer something like Spring Creek BBQ or Dickey's. Their sausage shall always remain king in my book until I find another that can match it. read more

I have never noticed this location before today. My hair stylist mentioned it today, but had never been also. It's not a friendly spot , Employees are very dry. At less the ones I encountered . But I ordered the sausage sandwich. I was pleasantly surprised the sausage has good flavor and buns are extremely tasty and soft. I am a fan of the bbq sauce but that's ok. read more

I've been eating at Luling City Market for literally decades, and I can't stop craving the sausage links, which are very unique. I've been addicted to them for years, and I usually buy extras to take with me out to my ranch. I would say that their smoked brisket is similar to what places served back before BBQ became a nationwide craze with Netflix exposure. To be clear, I truly appreciate and enjoy the taste and texture of the newer styles of brisket being served in many other places, but often it's nice to take a step back and eat some meat with flavor that relies more on the subtle smoke and less on the thick, crusty pepper bark that is so often encountered nowadays. Concerning ambiance, as you can see from photos submitted by others, this place has an old-school vibe that hasn't been even slightly altered over the years; if you are looking for a slick, modern, hipster-millennial atmosphere, you won't find it here. Instead, this place is like a museum to the "good old days" when people socialized face-to-face with longnecks and cocktails. I love it. Luling has a small full bar right up front when you walk in the door, but imho it is first and foremost a family/friends/business barbecue place. The food is served on trays, cafeteria style, and they will carve off whatever amount of meat you want, meat-market style, which is definitely how 'cue should be served. I recommend you try out Luling City Market and see what you think. read more

Arrived an hour before closing on a Sunday night. Ample parking and friendly atmosphere. Had a chopped beef sandwich. I prefer sweet or tangy barbecue sauce. This was neither. So not my favorite. There is plenty of meat on the sandwich which was nice. Place was very clean. Would like to go back and try sausage. I would rate my experience 5.25 out of 10. read more

Luling City Market - Chopped Beef Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

Went here on a Friday evening. The food was good, also reasonably priced. Service was quick and friendly!

This place has no resemblance to the real Luling Market. BBQ brisket is dry. I'm talking about crumbly dry. Sausage is ridiculously greasy. Potato salad has no taste. How do you mess up food this badly? Just...NO. read more

my food is always so good here! i come especially for the sausage and bbq sauce!! I specifically get the spicy sausage and it never disappoints! i don't know how this place only has 3 stars, because they're 5 stars in my book read more

Well my 2nd visit to this establishment and I must say it's a definitely NO on a 3rd visit! Not only does there sausage NOT taste Luling City Market in Luling, TX, the service is yet to be desired! No Customer Service training AT ALL, it's the old "oh well, what I tell you" reply! I'm reading their menu and they gave 2 different sausages, spicy and beef, so I get the beef thinking the word "spicy" isn't attached to it, however, I must say SPICY it was!! So I return to the counter with receipt in hand explaining I didn't ask for the spicy and spicy was indicated on my receipt and his explanation was "oh well what can I tell you"?! You can give me what I ask for cause your menu does NOT indicate beef and spicy together! Never ask if they could replace the sausage or nothing, just left stuck out!! Thumb DOWN on this establishment...never will return nor recommend!!!!!!!! read more

It's been about 5 years since I've eaten here since I no longer work in the area. The brisket wasn't as good as I remember. I even used to order full briskets to serve guests when we entertained. We ordered a pound of brisket , 2 sausage links , potato salad and beans. They were just ok not as delicious and season as I come to expect from them. The bbq sauce was the best thing read more

Horrible barbecue! We should have taken it as an omen...when walking into the restaurant at dinner time there were folks at the bar, but no one was eating. We tried the ribs, brisket and sausage. All were bad. The food was generally overcooked (or held far too long in warming trays) and lacked any kind of flavor. When you can pick up a rib and the meat falls off, it's overcooked. The fatty/moist portion of brisket was mostly overcooked fat. The spicy sausage had no flavor. Stay away, there are far better barbecue joints in Houston. read more

I have been going here for many many years but on Monday i went there for lunch and to my surprise the briskit and ther ribs were dry, overcooked like somone fell asleep, in stead of watching the heat. Sorry guys but not your finest day read more

this place has been serving BBQ since 1981! That's a long time to not have changed the menu, for example a lady walked right up to the counter and ordered 2 baked potatoes all the way! The line cook very matter of factly without the slightest hint of a smile or politeness said "we don't do potatoes"! She was shocked! I was a bit shocked by that, the margins on potatoes demand a presence on the menu, there's a good reason they are so proudly served in most BBQ places. The BBQ here is just ok, if not for the sausage I would not go back. The sides are completely uneventful, open can, serve the beans. The potato salad is third party just like the Cole slaw. One really shocking item is the limited deserts, just two, the pecan pie is the smallest on earth, it's third party 2 ounce at best prewrapped like you see at roadside gas station for 1.00, except at Luling its 3.75! Amazing poor quality and well beyond its shelf life! The chicken is smoked but no flavor, the turkey is ok, the ribs good but not exceptional. There are so many exciting competitors in Houston you would think these folks would kick up their menu and decor, none of it has changed since 1981! It's very outdated, very clean and the manager is very friendly and attentive, he is very engaging. The bathrooms were exceptionally well taken care of. DK read more

Hard and dry. tried this place for the first time tonight. I was Christmas shopping at the galleria and it was close by. The brisket was very dry and hard. So much so that I had to chew it and spit out each bite. Sorry to be gross but it's true. It's hard to believe that they could serve that to a customer. It was virtually inedible. The pork ribs were the same . Hard and dry and virtually inedible. The potato salad and Cole slaw wasn't too bad but but great. You can only choose slaw or pinto beans slaw or potato salad. read more

If you're looking for a barbecue spot in Houston, this surpasses all the barbecue I've tried. From the brisket(cut to whichever liking you have.) To the PERFECT sausage; either spicy or regular. I've came to Luling City Market once a week for years. Nothing has changed at all. The owner is regularly in the restaurant and is nothing more then a Southern Gentleman. The staff is ALWAYS very energetic, and attentive to each customer. With the new rules since COVID-19, nothing has changed but customers wearing masks. Luling City has ALWAYS been very well sanitized and offered hand sanitation to customers. Very reasonably: the best barbecue in Houston and surrounding areas. There is no shortage for food at this hidden gem! The food is ALWAYS hot, that's why it beats Killens in my scorebook! read more