The staff of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post hit seven barbecue joints in Gillespie County on its quest to find the best pits in town. Before heading out, the staff set parameters. It defined barbecue joints as food vendors offering meat by the pound, with one exception.
At each of the seven venues, two people tried brisket, ribs, sausage and two sides. As they tasted, the food was labeled according to strengths and weaknesses. Also included was information about pricing and hours of operation.
If a local pitmaster was overlooked or a menu item wasn’t tasted, reach out to [email protected].
BACKWOODS BBQ
Location: 320 FM 2093, Fredericksburg
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Price: $$
Napkin count: 2
In short: Checks boxes, good for groups.
Backwoods BBQ is a fan favorite in Fredericksburg, showcased by its five consecutive wins in the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post’s Readers’ Choice awards.
Their menu has all the barbecue basics, for a wallet-friendly rate. Personal favorites were the jalepeño-cheddar sausage and any of their desserts.
The restaurant is spacious and great for large gatherings, and regularly offers lunch and dinner specials.
Before trying to scratch a barbecue itch on a Friday evening, know that at 4:30 p.m. each week, the restaurant only offers grilled steaks.
EAKER BARBECUE
Location: 607 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $$$
Napkin count: 4
In short: Unique flavors, higher prices.
Recognized on multiple occasions by Texas Monthly, Eaker Barbecue is known for its unique fusion of Texan and Korean barbecue styles. Although its menu prices can be high, the restaurant offers daily rotating specials, ranging from Korean fried chicken sandwiches to hot honey burnt ends. While everything on the menu is worth the hype, standouts are the gochujang (red chili paste) ribs and the kimchi fried rice. Alternating bites of each are highly recommended. Be forewarned, the restaurant regularly sells out and closes early, so arrive early.
DAVID’S OLD FASHIONED PIT BARBEQUE
Location: 809 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $$
Napkin count: 2
In short: Breakfast beats lunch offerings.
On the west end of town is David’s, which opened in 2006. What sets this locale apart is its breakfast taco and plate offerings, which include huevos rancheros and migas. Their afternoon barbecue fare has all the staples, with plate combos and by the pound options. The recommendation is for a double-dipping barbecue day, check out David’s for breakfast and another spot for lunch.
JUNEBUG’S BBQ
Location: 205 E. Austin St. in Fredericksburg, part of Albert Hotel complex
Hours: Thursday and Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: $$
Napkin count: 2
In short: Best for barbecue dinner, classics done well.
A newer addition to the Fredericksburg food scene is Junebug’s BBQ, part of the Albert Hotel complex.
Unlike other spots in town, Junebug’s focuses on dinner offerings and weekend visitors. Their seating is exclusively outside and is somewhat limited. This isn’t a rainy day outing or when the whole family is tagging along. With the outdoor venue and a stage, it’s a good spot for live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The personal favorite menu items were the mac and cheese and potato salad. While they don’t have a particular gimmick or twist, their favorites are done right.
LEROY’S TEX MEX BBQ
Location: 8381 U.S. 290 in Fredericksburg
Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: $$
Napkin count: 2
In short: It’s fun fusion and don’t skip the queso.
Calling this particular restaurant a barbecue joint is a bit of a stretch, but it was included for its smoked meats – chopped beef, pulled pork and turkey. This restaurant takes the Tex in Tex-Mex a little more seriously by adding barbecue offerings, including proper beef cheek barbacoa on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Leroy’s also offers breakfast, a slew of taco options and even a limited menu for dogs, but their fan-favorite menu item is the queso blanco, which has won both years of Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival’s Quesöff.
MESQUITE AT THE WAREHOUSE
Location: 305 S. Lincoln St. in Fredericksburg
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: $$$
Napkin count: 2
In short: It’s fun fusion and don’t skip the queso.
In addition to a full menu with non-barbecue sandwiches and salads, Mesquite at the Warehouse also offers meats by the pound and classic barbecue sides. The favorites were cornbread and sausage. This is a good place to dine in and enjoy the warehouse’s other offerings like a coffee bar and shopping.
TOOTHLESS BBQ
Location: 14352 U.S. 290 in Stonewall
Hours: Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $
Napkin count: 2
In short: This is an affordable hidden gem.
Toothless BBQ takes a stripped back approach, serving barbecue straight from a food truck right in the middle of Stonewall.
Most impressive were the affordable prices and generous portions.
Toothless took the cake when it came to brisket. It was peppery and balanced without any need for sauce.
While not in Fredericksburg, I think its location makes for a great option for travelers coming down U.S. 290 on a Friday afternoon.
There are some shaded areas near the truck, but no established seating, so bring a lawn chair or take it to-go.
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