Barbecue is in Texas's bloodlines, and the state does the smoked meat properly. Yes, everyone knows about the Lone Star State’s absolute best barbecue spots, from Austin to Dallas to Houston, but what about those smoked meat joints elsewhere, perhaps the picturesque Hill Country? The region is more than just areas for antiquing, swimming, hiking, and posing with bluebonnets.
Eater mapped out the best Hill Country barbecue destinations in Texas. There’s the original Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Llano, pork chops from Opie’s Barbecue in Spicewood, the fun and delicious vibes of San Marcos’s Hays County Barbeque and music, and yes, the atmospheric grounds and pit of Driftwood’s Salt Lick BBQ, among others. For the purposes of this map, Austin proper and Lockhart aren’t being included (Eater has those covered elsewhere).
Extend those Hill Country plans by exploring the area’s best restaurants and pie options, or dig into the offerings within Fredericksburg and Dripping Springs.
As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant is still open or if there are updates on current offerings and service models, as things are changing constantly. Be sure to wear a mask, tip well, and, if you’re ordering delivery, try to order directly from the restaurant themselves.
The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.
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