5 Texas BBQ Spots Worth Planning an Entire Road Trip Around

In Texas, barbecue isn’t just a meal. It’s a weekend plan, a reason to wake up before sunrise, and for many people, a good enough excuse to drive several hours across the state.

The smoke, the lines, the trays piled with sliced meat, and the white bread on the side are all part of the experience. These five joints consistently earn praise from critics, Texas Monthly, and devoted barbecue fans on Reddit and review sites, making them worth building an entire road trip around.

Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin

Burnt Bean Co. sits on the town square in Seguin, roughly between San Antonio and Austin, and it earned the top spot on Texas Monthly’s 2025 list of the state’s best barbecue joints.

Pitmasters Ernest Servantes and Dave Kirkland were longtime competition rivals before teaming up, and their brisket is smoky, tender, and deeply flavorful, with a beautifully rendered layer of fat.

The real showstopper for many visitors is the Sunday-only breakfast. It features brisket huevos rancheros, barbacoa tacos, and other dishes inspired by Servantes’s family roots in South Texas. Lunch brings beef ribs, pork ribs, jalapeño cheddar sausage, and creative sides like street corn pudding, plus desserts worth saving room for.

What to Know Before Visiting Burnt Bean Co.

Lines can be long, especially on weekends, and some reviewers on Reddit have reported waiting a couple of hours. Arriving early gives you the best chance at popular items like beef ribs and the breakfast tacos before they sell out.

The restaurant is typically open Thursday through Sunday, with Sunday opening earlier for breakfast. Seguin’s charming downtown also makes it a pleasant stop for a stroll after you’ve eaten.

LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin

LeRoy and Lewis ranked second on Texas Monthly’s 2025 list and is known for putting a creative spin on Texas barbecue. Owners Evan LeRoy and Sawyer Lewis use whole animals and like to experiment, which shows up in dishes you won’t find at most traditional joints.

Their beef cheeks are a fan favorite, rich and tender with a peppery crust. The menu also includes brisket, barbacoa, and surprisingly memorable vegetarian options like cauliflower burnt ends, along with standout sides such as kale slaw.

What to Know Before Visiting LeRoy and Lewis

Reddit users regularly describe the wait as long but worth it, with some reporting about an hour in line. Arriving close to opening is the easiest way to avoid the longest waits.

Hours vary throughout the week, so check before you go. Since you’re in Austin, it’s easy to pair the visit with stops at other well-known barbecue spots or the city’s music venues.

Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth

Goldee’s took the number one spot on Texas Monthly’s 2021 list and landed at number three in 2025, which only added to its legendary status. Located in a once-abandoned building in southeast Fort Worth, it’s run by a team of young pitmasters who trained at some of Texas’s most respected barbecue joints.

The brisket is the main event, often served with slices from both the leaner flat and the fattier point. Fans also rave about the pork ribs, beef ribs, and the Laotian sausage served with sticky rice, along with sides like cheesy grits and beans loaded with chunks of brisket.

What to Know Before Visiting Goldee’s

Goldee’s only serves on weekends, which helps explain the famously early lines. Fans often arrive hours before opening, bringing lawn chairs to wait along Dick Price Road.

The line is part of the experience, and many people turn it into a tailgate-style gathering. If you’re set on beef ribs, getting there very early is your best bet, since they tend to sell out first.

Truth Barbeque in Houston

Truth Barbeque landed in the top ten of Texas Monthly’s 2025 list and brings Central Texas-style barbecue to Houston. Its brisket is a standout, with a dark, peppery bark and juicy, tender slices.

Truth is also famous for its towering layer cakes, which draw almost as much attention as the meat. Slices are huge, making them perfect for sharing after a big barbecue tray.

What to Know Before Visiting Truth Barbeque

As with most top-tier barbecue joints, popular items can sell out, so earlier visits are usually rewarded. Weekends tend to be the busiest.

Truth also has a location in Brenham, which makes a convenient stop for travelers driving between Austin and Houston. Brenham is also home to Blue Bell Ice Cream, adding another sweet reason to stop.

Evie Mae’s Pit Barbeque in Wolfforth

For barbecue fans willing to venture beyond the state’s big cities, Evie Mae’s is a must. Located just outside Lubbock in Wolfforth, it has stayed in the top ten of Texas Monthly’s list across its last three editions.

Owners Arnis and Mallory Robbins bring New Mexican influences to the menu, especially with hatch green chiles. Their green chile cheese sausage and green chile cheese grits are signature favorites, alongside smoky brisket, tender St. Louis-cut pork ribs, and beef ribs on weekends.

What to Know Before Visiting Evie Mae’s

Evie Mae’s is a great choice for gluten-free travelers, since most of its baked goods, including the cornbread, are gluten-free. Its desserts, like peanut butter pie layered with dark chocolate ganache, are also a big draw.

Lines can look intimidating, but reviewers say they move quickly. Visitors often mention the free beer available while waiting, which makes the line feel even shorter.

How to Plan Your Barbecue Road Trip

These five spots are spread across the state, so it’s worth mapping your route before setting out. Seguin, Austin, and Houston can be connected in a central and southeastern loop, while Fort Worth and Wolfforth make good stops for a northern and western route.

Since many top barbecue joints have limited hours and sell out daily, check each restaurant’s schedule ahead of time. Arriving early, bringing a cooler for leftovers, and pacing yourself between stops will help you enjoy every tray along the way.