Hays County Barbeque, Saturday, 6 p.m.

Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.

Just outside of Austin is Hays Barbeque. The San Marcos barbecue joint, known for good smoked meats and equally as great fun times, is run by pitmaster Michael Hernandez, who bought it in 2007 with his wife. Before that? He knew nothing about barbecue—he previously worked in sales—but he quickly learned. And now, Hays is even listed in Texas Monthly's best barbecue list. Eater photographer Robert J. Lerma headed out Hays, formerly known as Woodys BBQ when it opened in 1984, to capture everything that makes for a perfect Lone Star Saturday: barbecue, fresh air, and live music, courtesy of Opie Hendricks and the Texas Tallboys.