When you think Texas Barbecue, you probably are not thinking about eating German and Czech food. The foods that you usually think of are bratwurst and sauerkraut. However, these two cultures influenced the types of foods in central Texas and in fact, there is some dispute about the possibility of these cultures originating what is now known as Texas Barbecue.

Back in the early late 1800s, when the German and Czech settlers came over to the new world looking for a place to live, they brought with them their vast experience making sausages and smoking meats. It was these immigrants that would go on the Texan cattle trail and cook for the cowboys that worked driving the herds across the rough Texan terrain. Because of the lack of fresh food and the conditions, there was little to eat. It was the old world tradition of slow cooking worthless meat, such as Brisket, until it was tender enough to eat. This is what became known as barbecue, the staple of the cowboy’s diet. Initially this was done over a fire in a dutch oven and thus the invention of good ol’ Texas Barbecue. Now a days, you will find most good Texas Barbecue done over a smoker.

When you are visiting Central Texas from Austin and San Antonio to the Texas Hill Country, you will encounter Barbecue joints in just about every town. It is important to be distinctive about which joint you are going to visit, as not all Barbecue establishments are created equal. When choosing places to partake in the best Texan tradition, you definitely want to make sure that you visit some of the master pit bosses that have been around for generations and generations. This way, you can guarantee that you will get the cream of the crop in taste and tradition.

If you are hankering for the flavor of good Texan Barbecue then you definitely will want to travel through Austin and San Antonio (the gateway) into the Texas Hill Country. Here, you will find some of the best tasting barbecue that will ever be put into your mouth. If this is your first time visiting the Hill Country then you will unquestionably want to visit the ‘First Family of Texas Barbecue’: Rudy Mikeska’s

Bar B Q. This is a family run establishment, located in Taylor, Texas, and has been around since the 1900s. They definitely know what they are doing in the way of taste and presentation. When you visit their establishment, you will wonder where to rope off your horse while you enjoy the amazing tastes. While in Taylor you should also visit Louie Mueller Barbecue. This is an authentic barbecue joint that makes one feel that they have stepped back in time. Everything is simple, down to getting your food served on a piece of white butcher paper. This is because it is all about the great tasting food.

If you are traveling a little more north to Llano, Texas, the best place to taste Texan Barbecue would be Coopers Old Time Pit Bar B Q. Here, you will get a taste of old Texan cowboy barbecue. They cook their meats the old fashion cowboy way, right over the hot coals. This gives the meat a wonderful flavor.

If you find yourself in the Lockhart, Texas area, you should consider yourself lucky. They are called the Barbecue capitol of Texas. Here you will many Barbecue joints to enjoy. But the ones that stand out are Kreuz Market and Blacks Barbecue. Kreuz Market serves finger licking barbecue that people travel miles to get. This is a no frills establishment that only serves meat. You will not find any other side dishes to partake in so make sure that you come hungry for good ol Texan Barbecue. You will find Blacks Barbecue as well. They have been around since 1932. They are well known for their sausages. In fact, they were served for President Lyndon Johnson in Washington D.C. during his presidency.

So the next time you are visiting Austin or San Antonio Texas, you will want to make sure check out real Texan Barbecue joints. Most of the authentic places to get your fix are only about 35 to 90 minutes away, but definitely worth the drive for the wonderfully, smoky taste of good barbecue. It does not matter where in the Texas Hill Country that you are visiting; you are assured that you will find good Texan Barbecue just around every corner.