Grab your friends or family and head to the Lone Star State for the ultimate barbecue tour! Texans love their barbecue, and some of the state’s most celebrated establishments are located in Dallas, Austin, and the small towns in between.
Start in Dallas, where your luxury motorcoach from Goss RV will be waiting for you. It can even be stocked with everything you need for your barbecue journey. Include a private driver and you’ll enjoy the scenery and maybe a nap between meals. The drive from Dallas to Austin is about three hours, but you won’t want to miss some of the state’s most celebrated barbecue along the way.
After climbing aboard your stunning luxury motorcoach, your first stop should be Pecan Lodge; their brisket is legendary! The dedication of Pitmaster Justin Fourton is evident in his cooking, and instead of delivering trendy sides, they stick to traditional, family recipes.
Don’t depart Dallas without trying the iconic Lockhart Smokehouse. The owner’s grandfather founded Kreuz Market in Lockhart, TX, so this restaurant is steeped in tradition. Lockhart’s specializes in sausage and a special cut called shoulder clod, along with every other meat you can imagine. And you don’t want to miss sides like brisket-stuffed deviled eggs and blue cheese slaw.
If you want to stay near Dallas to let your food settle, park your big rig and digest at one of the Sun RV Resorts locations in Arlington or Carrollton.
After checking out the barbeque in Dallas, head down the road to Waco and visit Chip Gaines of HGTV’s favorite spot, Vitek’s Market. The number one item on the menu and Chip’s favorite is the Gut Pak. This 2.5-pound meal is an elevated Frito Pie with brisket, sausage, pinto beans, cheese, and all the classic barbecue fixings.
Speaking of the Gaines family, no stop in Waco is complete without a stop by Chip and Joanna’s Magnolia Market. If you’ve had your fill of ‘cue and need some rest and relaxation, stop by Flat Creek Farms for the evening for a little slice of Texas heaven.
Make your next stop your home base for the next few days. Austin, the capital of Texas, has so much to offer — from live music and entertainment to shopping. But you’re here for the barbecue, so let’s dive right in. Franklin’s BBQ is a great place to start, claiming to serve “the best barbecue in the known universe!” Don’t miss the masterful brisket, sausage, and even turkey. Another Austin establishment to check out is La Barbecue, whose signature is perfectly slow-smoked USDA black Angus prime brisket. It will simply melt in your mouth.
Austin has several choices of places to stay to prepare for the rest of your tour. La Hacienda RV Resort, a sprawling luxury resort with premium amenities, was voted one of the top 100 parks in North America. Or try the Austin Lone Star RV Resort, located just five miles from downtown. You will certainly enjoy the comfort and conveniences at this park, along with its spacious, tree-shaded sites.
Once you have revived, it’s time to pick a direction to experience even more incredible barbeque.
Head South of Austin to Lockhart, Texas for two of the most iconic barbecue spots in the state. Black’s Barbecue, known for their brisket, has the most unusual smoking method; cooked for eight hours using only wood, stored for a couple of days, then smoked on brick pits. It’s odd, but you can’t argue with the results. Acclaimed Kreuz Market (pronounced “Krites”) smokes meats in its centuries-old pits and serves as both a grocery store and meat market. For a break between meals, walk around Lockhart State Park or go fishing in its creek.
Drive West of Austin and drive through Texas Hill Country to Driftwood, Texas, home to the family-owned favorite The Salt Lick. This sprawling “barbecue campus” is usually at or near the top of barbecue aficionados’ lists. Need a break from all the meat? This region also boasts The Driftwood Wine Trail, with six wineries nestled in the hills, each with wine tasting rooms and vineyards to explore.
Journey East of Austin to Elgin, in the area is known as the Sausage Capital of Texas. There you will want to visit Southside Market, the oldest barbecue joint in America that’s still in operation. They are famous for their sausage or “hot guts,” but if you are ready for something different, check out their mutton ribs, a rarity in Texas. If you can handle more sausage, look to Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse. The Meyer family has been making sausage in Texas for more than a century, and you will want to try all six flavors.
Need more excursions from Austin? The possibilities are almost limitless. Check out this comprehensive blog. Or better yet, contact us and let us plan the trip for you!
There is simply no better way to enjoy all that Texas barbecue masters have to offer than in the comfort of a luxury motorcoach rental from Goss RV. Browse our motorcoach collection and give us a call today at (770) 288-5945 for more details.