Barbecue Brisket -- One of
BLACK'S BARBECUE
Many Great, Low Cost Meals

For sausage and barbecue brisket, Blacks in
Lockhart is hard to beat. Photo/Barbara Lynne

Black's Barbecue
215 N. Main St.
Lockhart, TX 78664
(512) 398-2712; www.blacksbbq.com

HOURS: Open daily, 10 am to 8 pm. Open until 8:30 pm Friday and Saturday.

I know Edgar and Norma Jean Black. Finer, more decent folks have not yet been born.

Black's meat market opened in 1932. Edgar took over from his father immediately after graduating from Texas A & M with a degree in accounting.

Edgar was the first to desegregate his restaurant in central Texas in 1949. A full five years before the Supreme Court decision. He went one step further by not segregating seating and restrooms. Unheard of at the time. In a city, where legend has it, more than a couple of Lockhart's citizens attended club meetings where they wore white sheets and hoods. To do such a thing, it seems to me, would require moose size quihones on Edgar's part.

Edgar and Norma Jean are renaissance people. Far, far ahead of their time in thought and deed.

The oldest family owned barbecue restaurant in Texas. Edgar and Norma have retired, leaving their son to carry-on the ol' family style Texas barbecue joint. I've eaten here many times. It seems to get better with age.

Don't make the mistake of comparing Black's with Smitty's or Kreuz Market, the other two Lone Star barbecue shrines in town. That's like comparing apples to oranges, cat to dogs. For one thing, in price comparison you'll see Black's is significantly less expensive than the other two. Half a pound of barbecue brisket, ribs, ham, pork loin, for only $4.99. Half chicken for $3.95. Chopped beef sandwich, $1.85.

Black's is Lockhart's version of Rudy Mikeska's Bar-B-Q Cafeteria in Taylor. Not the ultimate Texas barbecue, but underrated and an excellent value.

The constant comparison is unfair. Black's is not gourmet barbecue (is there such a thing?), it is as honest and real as water is wet.

When there, I get the sausage and eat it the way Edgar taught me… with crackers. The barbecue brisket is old school. I love it. Some of you may find the untrimmed super traditional barbecue brisket too greasy for your taste. I recommend living on the wild side and give it a shot. Barbecue ribs are good, too.

The restaurant is nice, '50s style comfortable. Like an old pair of sneakers, just feels good. The sides are homemade, good and cheap, too. This is another place where a family of four can eat for less than $20.

Because of their genuine Texas history, serving great food at rock bottom prices for 60 plus years, Back's qualifies as one of the all time great dining values. If Edgar was still stokin' oak, I would rate Black's best in Lockhart out of pure loyalty and acknowledgment of what they have meant to all Texans whether we realize it or not.

Eat at Smitty's, eat at Kreuz, but do yourself a favor…

Save some room for Black's. Then ask yourself, was Smitty's and Kreuz worth the extra you paid? I recommend Black's without reservation for those of you wanting quality and a few bucks left over for gas to get home.

Not on the highway like the other Lockhart barbecue joints, just follow the signs. They're everywhere, you can't miss. Once there, order and make yourself at home.

Many barbecue joints seduce you with age old surroundings. Historical facts and landmark credentials. All the while improving, tweaking and modernizing the entire barbecue process. This usually results in a great product.

But it's this one gals opinion that Smitty's and the new Kreuz on their best days surpass the Texas barbecue standard set by the original Kreuz Market. In short, they improved on the original.

Now, Black's smokes the same meat, in the same brick pits, with the same wood for 60 years. Haven't changed anything but the pit master. I'm sure Edgar trained him well and keeps a watchful eye on quality even today. If you want to know what Texas barbecue was like in the beginning, go to Black's.

Black's and Mueller's in Taylor are the two remaining barbecue joints in Texas where you can taste history. The way it was may not be to your liking. Or, you may love it. Heavy smoke, light spice. Grease is good because it's flavorful. Not tidy. An island of authenticity in a sea of pretenders.

A half pound of barbecue brisket for $4.99 - it's hard to beat
barbecue brisket this good at that price anywhere. Photo/Barbara Lynne

Well seasoned oak smoke is King
at Black's Barbecue. Photo/Barbara Lynne

MENU: Barbecue brisket, Pork Ribs, Ham, Pork Loin, Turkey, BBQ Chicken, Edgar Black's Homemade Sausage, numerous salads and vegetables. Sandwiches; Chopped Beef, Sliced Beef, Ham, Sausage, Pork Loin, Turkey. Family Pack - $15.75 (1 lb. your choice of one meat only) Barbecue brisket, Ribs, or Ham or 5 Sausages or 1 1/2 Chickens. Comes with 3 pints of salads or vegetables, pickles, onions, BBQ sauce & bread.

DON'T MISS: Their spicy, homemade sausage. Have it with crackers the way Edgar likes it.

MAIL ORDER: Sorry, but no.

LOCATION: About 30 miles south and east of Austin. Take Hwy. 183 south to Lockhart and follow the signs, they are every where, you can't miss it.

LINK: This will take you to their web site and open in new window – Black's Barbecue

Artz Rib House, Austin :: Ben's Longbranch Barbecue, Austin :: Central Texas BBQ Assc., Austin :: City Market, Luling :: Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, Llano :: County Line Bar-B-Q, Austin :: Crosstown BBQ, Elgin :: Green Mesquite Barbeque, Austin :: House Park Bar-B-Que, Austin :: Iron Works Barbecue, Austin :: Kreuz Market, Lockhart :: Mann's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Austin :: Mikeska's Bar-B-Q, Taylor :: Louie Mueller's BBQ, Taylor :: Ruby's BBQ, Austin :: Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q, Austin :: Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood :: Sam's BBQ, Austin :: Smitty's Market, Lockhart :: Stubb's Bar-B-Q, Austin

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