Whenever weâre hosting someone from out of state, eating Texas barbecue is near or at the top of their list of must-dos. So-called meat pilgrimages tracing the stateâs iconic barbecue joints have become an international attraction. For Texans, driving an hour or two for a superior brisket or favorite side is as natural as spending the better part of a spring afternoon searching for a picturesque patch of bluebonnets.
While standard-bearers like Franklin Barbecue in Austin and Kreuz Market in Lockhart continue to rightfully reign as tourist destinations, our cover story this month highlights a new class of trailblazers redefining the art form. Weâre bestowing these 25 barbecue standouts with our âWorth the Driveâ designation, a program we started in 2024 with our list of top 50 burger joints.
For a compilation of attractions that have received our Worth the Drive seal so far, visit texashighways.com/worththedrive.
