Best road-trip restaurants in Texas

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Aledo smokehouse ranked among Texas Monthly's very best, described by barbecue veterans as neck-and-neck with nearby Goldee's for the top spot.

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

Michelin-recognized African-diaspora barbecue trailer. (East Austin)

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

The most famous brisket in America; the line is a rite of passage. (East Austin)

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

John Bates's suburban pit turning out some of the city's best brisket. (North Austin)

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

East Austin pit royalty with beef ribs that rival any in Texas.

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

New-school barbecue trailer famous for beef cheeks and creative sides. (South Austin)

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Beloved East Austin trailer serving award-winning brisket, house-made sausages and Southern-style sides from a shaded picnic yard.

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

Family pit turning out consistently great brisket without Franklin's wait. (Barton Springs)

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Cash-only Hill Country institution in Driftwood since 1967, famous for open-pit family-style barbecue and its iconic sauce.

$$ · I-10 corridor

The oldest family-owned barbecue restaurant in Texas, fourth-generation since 1912, famed for its beef-heavy smoked links.

$$ · World Cup 2026

Michelin Bib Gourmand Asian-American Central-Texas barbecue from three Alief friends. (Bellaire)

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

The genre-fusing smoked-brisket-taco spot south of town. (Buda)

$$ · PGA Championship

Wednesday-Friday-only counter with some of the best brisket in Texas. (Farmers Branch)

$$ · PGA Championship

Dallas's most nationally famous BBQ; the line forms before 11am. (Deep Ellum)

$$ · F1 United States Grand Prix

Cash-only Hill Country pit with open-fire pits and a BYOB legend status. (Driftwood)

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Sunland Park barbecue landmark since 1975 serving generous smoked brisket and ribs with a beautiful courtyard and Western-memorabilia dining room.

$$ · PGA Championship

Weekends-only smokehouse ranked among Texas's best BBQ. (Far South Fort Worth)

$$ · PGA Championship

Tex-Mex-inflected barbecue from a beloved regional pitmaster. (Stockyards)

$$ · PGA Championship

Southern Living top-50 joint blending Texas BBQ with Mexi-cue. (Near Southside)

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Family-run spot uniquely fusing Texas barbecue with Ethiopian flavors, earning national acclaim for its inventive smoked meats and injera pairings.

$ · Texas Hill Country

Longtime local barbecue joint smoking brisket, ribs and sausage over pecan wood, a no-frills Fredericksburg favorite off the main drag.

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Patrick Feges and Erin Smith craft smoky bark brisket, chile-lime smoked wings, and creative seasonal sides in a chef-driven smokehouse.

$$ · World Cup 2026

Greg Gatlin's East Texas-style institution beloved since 2010. (Independence Heights)

$$ · World Cup 2026

Texas Monthly Top 50 pitmaster's brisket and famed tater-tot casserole. (Heights)

$$ · World Cup 2026

Ronnie Killen's destination joint drawing central-Texas purists straight from the airport. (Pearland)

$$ · River Road Big Bend

A Terlingua barbecue stop for the Big Bend River Road day, hearty enough for the remote desert miles.