How to Do Barbecue for Breakfast Properly

Barbecue hour in Austin usually begins around lunchtime, when the city’s best pits open to the public hungry for lunch. For early birds, though, there are barbecue restaurants and trailers that combine delicious smoked meats with eggs, potatoes, and even Bloody Marys. Read on for Eater’s guide to Austin’s best barbecue breakfasts and brunches, like Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, Freedmen’s, and Kerlin BBQ.

Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ/Facebook

Texas’ true loves come together with Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ. Throw breakfast into the mix, and it becomes a real morning party. Of the three taco options available from the far south trailer, go with the Real Deal Holyfield (pictured above), which comes with spicy salsa, refried beans, potatoes, bacon, an egg, plus either the famous brisket or pulled pork.

[Photo: Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ/Facebook]

Kerlin BBQ

Photo: Kerlin BBQ/Facebook

Bill Kerlin geniusly mashed up barbecue with Austin's other favorite thing: kolaches. The pitmaster stuffs handmade Czech pastries with chopped brisket and cheddar cheese, jalapeno sausage with pimento cheese, and so much more. It doesn't hurt that Jimmy Kimmel enjoyed it greatly. If the trailer is closed, head to Wright Bros. Brew & Brew, which sells Kerlin's kolaches, too.

[Photo: Kerlin BBQ/Facebook]

Freedmen’s

Sunday brunching at the barbecue and whiskey bar leads to a fully stacked barbecue Benedict, with your pick of brisket, pulled pork, or sausage, paired with an appropriately smoked tomato hollandaise. Wash it all down with the a drink, but bypass the Smoked Bloody Mary and go straight for the Holy Mary. This smoked Bloody Mary mix and whisky cocktail is topped with such meaty accoutrements like half-pound brisket, sausage, and spare ribs. Yes, really. How exactly you go about eating and drinking it is your business.

[Photo: Freedmen's/Facebook]

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue

The fancy barbecue joint from Larry McGuire offers another meaty Sunday brunch option. The kitchen makes good use of the pits with an array of dishes like the Texas-forever breakfast Frito Pie made with chopped beef and a bunch of cheese, and the smoked brisket hash, both topped with eggs, of course.

[Photo: Charlotte F./Yelp]