15 Must-Try Brisket Plates In Texas That Define Real Comfort Food

Texas barbecue is serious business, and brisket sits at the very top of the food chain.

Smoky, tender, and packed with flavor, a perfect brisket plate can make your taste buds sing and your heart feel full.

Whether you’re a longtime Texan or just passing through, these incredible spots serve up brisket that’ll have you coming back for more.

1. Franklin Barbecue Austin

Standing in line for hours might sound crazy, but one bite of Franklin’s legendary brisket makes every minute worth it. The meat practically melts on your tongue, with a peppery bark that crunches just right.

Aaron Franklin turned this humble trailer-turned-restaurant into a pilgrimage site for barbecue lovers worldwide. You’ll taste why presidents and celebrities can’t resist this smoky goodness.

2. La Barbecue Austin

Forget fancy dining rooms – this food trailer serves up brisket that rivals any upscale joint in town. Each slice glistens with rendered fat that adds incredible richness to every bite.

LeAnn Mueller brings generations of barbecue knowledge to her craft, creating meat so tender it falls apart before your fork even touches it. The moist brisket here is pure heaven wrapped in butcher paper.

3. Pecan Lodge Dallas

Deep Ellum’s crown jewel of barbecue delivers brisket with a bark so dark and flavorful, you’ll want to frame it like art. The smoke penetrates deep into the meat, creating layers of complexity in every mouthful.

Justin and Diane Fourton perfected their recipe through years of competition barbecue before opening this Dallas hotspot. Lines form early, so arrive hungry and ready to taste perfection.

4. Lockhart Smokehouse Dallas

Bringing authentic Lockhart-style barbecue to Dallas wasn’t easy, but this spot nailed it with brisket that honors old-school traditions. No sauce needed here – the meat speaks for itself with bold, smoky confidence.

They keep things simple and straightforward, just like the legendary pitmasters from Lockhart intended. Each bite transports you to barbecue’s spiritual home, where flavor matters more than fancy presentations.

5. Black’s Barbecue Lockhart

Since 1932, Black’s has been smoking brisket the same way, and honestly, why mess with perfection? This is where barbecue history lives and breathes, with recipes passed down through four generations of pitmasters.

The brisket here tastes like stepping into a time machine where quality and tradition trump trends. You’re not just eating lunch – you’re experiencing a piece of Texas heritage on your plate.

6. Terry Black’s Barbecue Austin

Big portions and even bigger flavor make Terry Black’s a must-visit for serious brisket enthusiasts. The meat comes off the smoker with a gorgeous mahogany exterior that crackles between your teeth before revealing impossibly tender insides.

This family knows barbecue in their bones, having roots in the legendary Lockhart scene. Their Austin location brings that heritage to life with every perfectly smoked pound of beef.

7. Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q

Don’t let the gas station vibes fool you – Rudy’s serves up brisket that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about roadside food. Their moist brisket practically drips with juice, making every bite a celebration of smoke and beef.

With locations across Texas, this chain proves consistency doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Grab extra napkins because this tender meat gets deliciously messy in the best possible way.

8. Cattleack Barbeque Farmers Branch

Hidden in an unassuming strip mall, Cattleack smokes brisket that tastes like a pitmaster’s fever dream come true. The meat showcases a beautiful smoke ring and bark that crunches with peppery perfection before melting into buttery tenderness.

They only serve on Fridays and Saturdays, and they sell out fast for good reason. This is destination-worthy barbecue that demands you clear your schedule and bring your appetite.

9. Panther City BBQ Fort Worth

Competition barbecue champions turned restaurant owners bring serious skills to every brisket plate they serve. Each slice demonstrates technical perfection, with meat so tender it barely holds together yet packed with bold, smoky punch.

Fort Worth finally has a barbecue joint worthy of its cowboy heritage, and locals couldn’t be happier about it. The attention to detail here shows in every perfectly seasoned, expertly smoked bite.

10. Smoke ‘N Ash BBQ Arlington

Arlington’s barbecue scene got a serious upgrade when Smoke ‘N Ash opened their doors with brisket that rivals the best in the state. The balance between smoky exterior and tender interior hits that sweet spot barbecue lovers dream about.

They smoke their meat low and slow, refusing to rush perfection even when hungry crowds gather outside. Your patience pays off with brisket that practically falls apart at the touch of your fork.

11. Micklethwait’s Craft Meats Austin

Tom Micklethwait elevates brisket to an art form without losing sight of what makes Texas barbecue great—simple, smoky, and seriously delicious. His craft approach means every detail matters, from wood selection to the exact moment meat comes off the smoker.

The food trailer setting keeps things casual, but the quality rivals any white-tablecloth restaurant in town. This is barbecue made with both passion and precision, resulting in unforgettable flavor.

12. LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue Austin

These barbecue rebels push boundaries while respecting tradition, creating brisket that honors Texas roots while adding creative twists. Evan LeRoy learned from Franklin himself before striking out to make his own mark on Austin’s competitive barbecue scene.

The brisket here showcases technical mastery with meat so perfectly cooked it seems to melt before reaching your mouth. Innovation and tradition dance together on every plate they serve.

13. The Salt Lick Driftwood

Hill Country views and legendary brisket make The Salt Lick a Texas barbecue destination worth the scenic drive. Their open pit smoking creates meat with distinctive flavor that’s been drawing crowds since 1967.

Family-style dining means sharing massive platters of brisket with friends and strangers who quickly become friends over great food. The relaxed atmosphere and BYOB policy make this place feel like a Hill Country backyard party with world-class barbecue.

14. KG BBQ Austin

Kevin Grigsby spent years perfecting his craft in Houston before bringing his talents to Austin, and brisket lovers couldn’t be more grateful. His meat showcases incredible bark with layers of flavor that reveal themselves with each chew.

Limited quantities mean you need to arrive early or risk missing out on some of Austin’s finest smoked beef. When something this good exists, showing up early feels less like an inconvenience and more like an adventure.

15. Reese Bros Barbecue San Antonio

San Antonio finally has barbecue worthy of bragging about, thanks to brothers who take smoking brisket as seriously as a championship game. Their meat balances tenderness with just enough chew to remind you this is real, honest barbecue.

The smoke flavor penetrates deep without overwhelming the natural beef taste, creating harmony that makes every bite memorable. Lines form quickly, but locals agree the wait is absolutely worth it for this quality.