San Marcos BBQ - San Marcos (TX)

5 /5 Allen Shelton: With a lot of competition in the area, I was certainly impressed by the quality of the food. I got a lot of top notch BBQ for $23. This was my first time there and I definitely want to come back! The brisket was out of this world. Seriously, some of the best Ive ever had. And, Ive had a lot. The ribs were tasty and the sides were phenomenal. The Gouda cheese sausage was off the charts. Thank you for an excellent experience!

5 /5 Jay Dover: I don’t post Google reviews unless I feel that a place sticks out in a way that motivates me to advocate for it. I believe this bbq can hold its own against any I’ve had in Greater Austin. That in itself is high praise given the high bar. Love the local dive vibe and authentic Texas bbq diner atmosphere. No frills, no pretension…just a great local, friendly restaurant serving out a product to be proud of.

5 /5 Gloria Islas: A gem of a place. Barbecue was smooth and delicious Customer Service super attentive prices are fair and the place is super clean and neat. Not crowded so it was an easy out..

1 /5 Martin Rodriguez: This place reminds me of the Lockhart barbecue scene around 2010–2011, solid enough for the time, but well before Franklin, the Muellers, and Micklethwait elevated Central Texas barbecue to an entirely different standard. Unfortunately, this spot hasn’t kept pace with that evolution. I stopped by on my way to Austin from San Antonio and ordered the $29 Rudy Plate, which included ¼ lb brisket, ¼ lb turkey, ¼ lb rib, one sausage ring, two sides, a dessert, and a drink. The brisket was dry, tough, and oddly reminiscent of a Choice New York strip—minus the flavor. The turkey had no seasoning whatsoever, and even worse, I found three hairs between the slices. (I had just run the San Antonio Half Marathon that morning and didn’t have the energy to address it with staff.) The pork ribs tasted more like lunchmeat ham than barbecue. The sausage was simply a miss. The beans, potato salad, and pecan pie were fine, but nothing memorable. Given the number of far better barbecue options nearby, I can’t recommend this place.

5 /5 Vant Kham: Texas BBQ Done Right! (Even Our Boston Kids Were Impressed) ​My husband and I recently moved here from Boston, and while our kids were visiting before heading back home, we wanted to give them a truly classic Texas experience. We chose San Marcos BBQ, and the food was absolutely spectacular! ​We decided on the Family Special #1 ($54.00), which easily feeds 4–6 people. It came with 1 lb of fantastic Brisket, and instead of the standard links, we upgraded to the amazing Hatch Gouda Sausage. We chose two pints of sides, opting for the Mac N Cheese, Potato Salad, and a surprisingly delicious pint of Braised Cabbage. ​The Brisket was moist, smoky, and had that perfect bark—exactly what Texas BBQ should be. The Hatch Gouda Sausage was a huge hit; the combination of the smoky meat and the creamy, spicy Hatch Gouda cheese was out of this world! ​But the absolute standout item was the Braised Cabbage. Seriously, we never thought wed rave about cabbage, but this side dish was incredible. It was cooked down to perfection, flavorful, and unlike any cabbage weve ever had. We loved the brisket and sausage so much, we ended up ordering more to take home with us! ​San Marcos BBQ is a phenomenal spot that delivers on flavor and value. We are so glad we made this our family dinner while the kids were in town. Highly, highly recommend stopping by!