The Texas Barbecue Restaurant That’s Worth Crossing State Lines For

If there's one thing all Texans know, it's that the Lone Star State is really big — second only to Alaska, and it commonly takes hours to get from one city to another. That means that a jaunt to a must-visit restaurant or attraction can easily be a day-long affair, but there's one restaurant in Texas that I'd come from anywhere in the country for. I'm a barbecue aficionado at heart, and the simple, slow-smoked, beef-forward style of Texas barbecue will always be my favorite. And hidden away in the small town of Lockhart is a restaurant that might just be the platonic ideal of a Texas barbecue joint.

Welcome to Kreuz Market, nestled in the center of Texas and not too far from Austin, San Antonio, and New Braunfels, making it worth the trip. If you're from any of these places, you won't be driving more than an hour — but this old-school barbecue market has been bringing people from around the state and the whole country since 1900 for some of the best meats in the country. They do things a little differently in Texas restaurants, and if you're from another state, the odds are good you've never eaten at a barbecue joint like this. But that's all part of the fun at Kreuz Market.

Why This Restaurant Is Worth Traveling For

When you drive by Kreuz Market, you might not realize it's a restaurant. It's housed in what looks like an old barn, and it's much larger than you'd expect — everything's bigger in Texas, after all! But that's part of what makes it unique. Barbecue markets are very different than the barbecue restaurants in the rest of the country, and the chaotic atmosphere is all part of the fun.

At Kreuz Market, there's a huge counter with people lined up as soon as it opens. All the meats here are sold by weight, and while there are quite a few options for sides and dessert, almost everyone is here for the meat. You place your order, you get your ticket, the meat is sliced in front of you, and you find a place to sit in the bustling hall and enjoy!

The Highlights You Cannot Miss

No surprise, it's all about the meats here. The brisket is world-famous and slow-smoked, and the ribs have that perfect smoke ring. Prime rib and the lesser-known cut of shoulder clod are also available, as are pork belly, pork chops, pit ham, beef or pork ribs, chicken, and the most flavorful turkey breast you've ever seen. The hidden gem here might be the house-made sausage, in original and Jalapeño Cheese flavors. It may be one of the best restaurants in Texas!

What to Know Before You Go

Your meat comes with a few slices of bread, and that's all I usually need, although the beans and poblano cream corn also come highly recommended. This iconic Texas restaurant has become so popular that it now ships nationwide. The best news about this place is the schedule. While many Texas BBQ spots like the legendary Franklin Barbecue are open very limited hours and often feel like a competitive sport to get a spot, Kreuz Market is open seven days a week.

Have you dined at this old-school barbecue restaurant in Texas? If not, Kreuz Market is something best experienced with friends, so tell some of your barbecue-loving buddies about this article and plan your own visit! You can see the full menu on the Kreuz Market website, and the Kreuz Market Facebook page will let you know when anything changes on the old-school menu. And if you haven't had enough barbecue at this spot, compare this legendary restaurant with Black's Barbecue, the oldest barbecue restaurant in Texas.

Is Texas just one stop on a larger road trip? That'll definitely work up an appetite, so check out Only in Your State's list of the best restaurants in the USA for more foodie bucket list ideas!