Black’s Barbecue

We ordered the brisket, sausage, and baby back ribs. The brisket was amazing, best I’ve probably ever had. The sausage and ribs were good, but not the best. The sausage was too greasy. The sides were awesome, especially the Mac and cheese and cream corn. I would definitely recommend this place.

Wow. Great BBQ. Self-​serve sides with a large selection. The meat is served on butcher block paper at the end. ONE beef rob was easily enough for four of us, with some brisket. Definitely worth the drive. Country music, and rustic atmosphere.

I drove to Lockhart from Austin just to eat at the 3 famous BBQ places. I ordered the exact same thing at each place, lean and fatty brisket and a sausage. I’ll paste the same review on each because honestly, I thought all 3 places were really solid and really couldn’t tell if one was better than the other.
It’s honestly all flavorful. There’s settle taste differences between all 3 but to say one is better than the other really is a personal choice. I’m pretty critical about food and believe I can maintain a fair view and maybe it was because I trying to eat too much BBQ in one afternoon, but honestly really didn’t think one shined more than the other. It’s all got great smoked flavor that you can taste throughout every bite. Even after I visited the 3^rd place and I was feeling pretty full by then, I still found my 3^rd serving really tasteful. If I had one complaint about all of them, the BBQ doesn’t eat well cold, but then what BBQ does? No BBQ sauce needed with any of it and that’s correct. Really great BBQ doesn’t need BBQ sauce, the flavor’s all in the meat.
If you’re visiting Austin or live in Austin and haven’t come down to try some of the best BBQ you’ll ever have, you should go, right now. You really won’t be disappointed.

Amazing barbecue. Can’t believe we have never eaten here before! Will be coming back!

Holy moly !!! This is hands down the best BBQ I have ever had !! And I’m truly not a big fan of BBQ !! But this place is to die for !! The meat is so soft and moist ! It’s falling off the bones and tender. The sides are ok, but the meat seals the deal !
Don’t be sticker shocked when you ring up your meal :)
It cost us $ 65 for a party of 3. The servings were huge so they are worth the $$ and you can make 2 meals out of the one.

Within the past month I’ve hit up the «BBQ Trinity» in Lockhart: Kreuz, Smitty’s and Black’s. Of these, Black’s definitely had the best brisket; moist, flavorful… didn’t need any sauce, although you can get it here, unlike at Kreuz. The jalapeño cheese sausage was flavorful and delicious (it wasn’t very spicy though).

Black’s is hands down my favorite bbq place in Lockhart! The giant beef ribs here are worth the wait alone! Speaking of which, I’ve had various experiences with the wait time. I noticed during the lunch hours, there tends to be a much longer line than at dinner. Or maybe the times I didn’t have to wait long, I just got lucky. Either way, the food here is delicious! The sides are served a la carte, where you just grab how much you want and place it onto your plate. Then you order your meat and I’m telling you, you have to to get the beef ribs. You will not regret it! I’ve had their brisket too which is pretty good as well, but I still think Austin might be the best place for brisket. Unlike the other bbq joints in Lockhart, Black’s will provide you with forks. You will also have your typical onions, pickles and bread that are self serve. Overall, I have not had better beef ribs anywhere else!

Words cannot describe how amazing this restaurant is.
Pros:
–best brisket I have ever had (not I haven’t tried Franklins).
–this place blows Salt Lick out of the water. The line is not as long as the Salt Lick. The food is amazing. And the sides are a hell of a lot better than the Salt Lick.
–Blacks is that traditional small town BBQ joint that families go to hang out after a Sunday church service or an evening out.
–the sweet tea is truly «sweet»
–love the variety of sides they have to offer. They offer everything from sweet potato casserole, backed beans, Mac and cheese and so much more.
–they offer desserts too ranging from pecan pie to banana pudding.
Cons:
–their corn bread wasn’t the best side you can get.
–the one advantage the Salt Lick has over Blacks is they are BYOB. Blacks has a very small selection of beer.
Please note that you serve yourself in regards to picking your sides. They serve you when picking your main entrée.

BOTTOM LINE:
Oh baby. Definitely worth the drive from Austin to here — the experience of blazing down Rte 130 at a speed minimum (?!) of 90mph was fun already. The town of Lockhart looks like a movie set, and is rife with huge vintage shops that were perfect spots for walking off all the meat we had just eaten.
Can’t really compare it to Austin classics like Franklin and la Barbecue… my answer to that question would be to just try all of them.
Came on a Wed afternoon and the place was almost empty.
THE FOOD:
You purchase the meat by pound, buffet style. All of the meats were around $ 15/​pound. They lay out sides, such as vegetables (!) and dessert FIRST so make sure you don’t go too crazy on those before you get to the meat! So, we just got two giant trays and shared it.
— The SAUSAGE was to die for, especially the jalapeño cheddar one. Which sounds overwhelming but it was fatty, moist, and perfectly spicy. They had frozen sausages to-​go in the freezer near the exit. We got two packs.
— BRISKET was great, although I prefer Franklin’s. Make sure to ask for the soft fatty pieces and the crunchier, less fatty pieces.
— GIANT BEEF RIB is a MUST. One is enough — it was as wide and long as my head. It’s also a really great band name.
— The BABY BACK RIBS were not memorable, but ribs are ribs and we still thoroughly enjoyed them.
— The desserts, such as the banana pudding was just okay. Felt like the puddings made from the powder, etc.
THE SPACE:
Big! There are booths for 4 – 5 people on the side, and cafeteria style tables in the middle.

I’ve been here about 3 x now, thought I’d give them another chance, unfortunately am disappointed again. The green beans were bland, the fat was not trimmed off like I requested, and their food is over priced. I didn’t even eat ¹⁄₃ of my plate and really wished I would have gone elsewhere. There are too many other options for great BBQ in the area, than to settle for this mediocre attempt.

Lockhart appears to be the capital of BBQ. There are more BBQ joints here than anywhere I know!
Black’s claims to be the oldest BBQ in Texas, now in it’s 82^nd year.
You walk in and grab a plate. Each side is $ 1.99, and help yourself. Don’t get worried if you run out of room, your meat will be placed on some butcher paper.
The meat is sold by weight, and you will find all the favorites: baby back ribs, beef ribs, sausage, brisket, turkey, chicken. You name it, they smoked it.
Not a lot of places have beef ribs, so when we saw them, we had to grab one. And one for two people is more than enough! Ours was «small» weighing in at just over a pound. But we also needed a little sausage.
For sides we tried the chipotle cole slaw, potato salad, candied yams and beans. All fantastic!
After you pay, you can help yourself to some bread, pickles and onions.
Seriously, this place is worth every calorie!

Took a trip out here with my girlfriend. We ordered brisket, beef ribs, and jalapeño cheddar sausage.
Oh man I’ve never had fall of the bone beef ribs before. Great flavor, smoke, seasoning, and tender. The jalapeño cheddar sausage was superb, crispy exterior, packed with flavor on the inside. I had high expectations for the brisket, it was OK.
I recommend anyone to get the beef ribs and sausage. It’s the highlight of this place.

Did a little BBQ crawl: Kreuz, Smitty’s and Blacks.
Overall Blacks was the best. The beef ribs were amazing. They were well seasoned, tender and moist. Maybe the best beef rib I’ve ever had. Interestingly enough it was better than I remembered it last time I went to Blacks.
The moist brisket was super tender and seasoned perfectly. This was the best brisket by far compared to Kruez and Smitty’s.
The only disappointing item was the pork ribs. They were dry and over smoked. Maybe because they were dried out, but they also seemed less meaty than I remember.
Best BBQ of the three hands down. Well worth the drive.

I figured out how to beat the crowd at this world-​class BBQ joint. I showed up 10 minutes before they closed at 8pm and I had the entire staff and facility at my disposal!
Seriously, I knew I was in for a treat as soon as I stepped inside and smelled the underlying smoke in the air. The staff was indeed cleaning in preparation for closing but dropped everything to give me info and get my meat cut and served. The staff was friendly and easy to talk with.
The fatty brisket was perfect. Ordered by weight, my ½ pound equated to 3 generous slices. I also had one original and one garlic sausage. Both were good, cooked perfectly, with a nice snap to each bite from the skin.
The pepper sauce was optional but I tried it and it was spicy and did go well with the sausage. Ended up buying a couple of bottles to use at the house.
Smitty’s is next on my bucket list and they have their work cut out for them to beat Black’s!

Having been to 30+ BBQ places in central Texas, Black’s still surprised me with its BEEF RIBS! Not only by its huge size, but also the fine texture and flavorful taste. I have not been to another place which craft better beef rib with sich a perfect conbination of lean, fat, tendon, and smokiness.
Black’s baby back ribs, brisket, and sausage are more moist and salty than other BBQ places. They are delicious but not as distinguishable as the BEEF RIBs.
If on Saturday, do make a stop at «The Southwest Musuem of Clocks and Watches» which is one blocks east from Black’s BBQ. The museum staff gave us a wonderful tour on old clocks and the history of Lockhart.

Depending on where you’re coming from, you may be thinking: «We’re in the middle of nowhere. What could possibly be out here? Is it really worth the drive?!» Yes, you are. Just wait. Hands down. I tend to order brisket my first time trying a new bbq to have an even playing field of comparison. Many bbq joints’ lean brisket is too dry. Not the case at Blacks. Best lean I’ve had. Don’t waste your time (or stomach space) on the cornbread. They have it displayed all tempting like, but resist!

What can i say. That has not already been said about this TX Mecca of BBQ!!!
The chicken is out of this world. The best. YES. The best I’ve ever had… The skin is crispy. The meat is juicy & i am a dark meat kinda guy. I had the half chicken!!! So i loved the breast but. Oh man. The thigh & drumstick are sooooooo buttery. Only if i could tell u how rock solid this Q was!!!
Outstanding food. Multiple selections of fixings. Ample parking. Plenty seating– outside & inside!!!
I will keep coming back!!! This is my Q-​joint in TX!!! Hands down. !!
Cant wait for my next trip already!!!

The wife took my parents and me out on my birthday to Lockhart for some Texas barbecue. The exact destination for my birthday meal was kept a secret until we pulled up to Black’s Barbecue. I was mildly surprised at the relatively small size of the place. However, there was no doubt that Black’s exuded, both literally and figuratively, the smoke of generations of Texas barbecue tradition.
Our food was ordered cafeteria-​style, which offered the opportunity to lay eyes on the actual food you’re getting before ordering. We picked our sides and desserts, and then ordered meat. Brisket was sliced upon order. Pro tip: While the sides and desserts are tempting, pick only one or skip altogether to save room for the meat… because that’s the real reason you’re there! I had the beef brisket, a Flintstones-​sized beef rib, and the jalapeño cheddar sausage with a side of pinto beans. I expected the brisket to be my favorite item, but the meaty, juicy, smoky beef rib blew my mind. It was easily the best beef rib of any barbecue style that I’ve ever had. The brisket was good, but paled in comparison. My only (mild) disappointment was the jalapeño cheddar sausage. It was juicy and the flavor was fine, but texturally, I would’ve liked it more if the coarse ground meat wouldn’t have crumbled apart so readily as I cut the sausage casing.
Since my experience with authentic Texas-​style barbecue from the more iconic purveyors of the genre is very limited (I’ve only been to Salt Lick in Driftwood), I can only compare Black’s Barbecue with that. Black’s offered up some excellent barbecue. The brisket was pretty much on par with what I experienced at Salt Lick. While it isn’t an «apples to apples» comparison, the jalapeño cheddar sausage was not nearly as good as Salt Lick’s house sausage. However, the beef rib was something that would definitely keep me coming back. I enjoyed Black’s Barbecue and am truly thankful that I have a wife that would treat me to lunch there on my birthday!

Black’s, you are the Penfolds Grange of Texas BBQ (if Penfolds was $ 7.00/bottle instead of $ 700.00). You only get better and more delicious as the years go by.
We skipped the beef ribs this trip, focusing on brisket, smoked turkey and sides. Oh, my! The brisket will bring to a level of BBQ consciousness that the Dalia Lama can only dream of.
«Where once was the inner smoke ring and the outer bark, the real flavor and the unreal flavor, the Self Enjoyment and the non-​Self enjoying themselves across the table, the absolute and the relative, the eternal and the temporal — there is now only Brisket.»
The smoked turkey was very, very good but not to the level of the brisket. And the sides are what truly differentiate Black’s from their in-​town rival brisket yogis. Jalepeno cornbread, chipotle coleslaw, blackeyed peas. Mmm, mmm!!!
Black’s truly is a Bucket List destination for any and all BBQ lovers.

Out of the 6 places we tried on our Texas BBQ pilgrimage this is my favorite!
(Note: we didn’t get to Franklins)
We tried the Texas Trinity. This day the owner was there and he was cutting up meat along with his workers.
Ribs — good skin with chunky seasoning, tender meat. Brisket moist end — great smoke ring, lots of moist melt in your mouth fat, great bark, meat so moist it falls apart and dissolves. A yummy brisket, I could have eaten a pound alone.
Sausage — greasy but perfect balance of meat and spices, great crisp skin, jalapeño cheese was my fav. We sampled all 3– original, jal, and garlic. Hubby like original the best.
Sweet and jalapeño cornbread. Good moist and cakey.
$ 29 for ½ brisket, 3 sausage, 2 ribs, cornbread.

muy buena comida, pero te tienes que esperar mucho para que te atiendan. pero, muy rico!!!