Barbecue Sandwiches To Try In Texas
Texas knows how to do barbecue right, and nothing proves that better than the incredible sandwiches served across the state.
From smoky brisket piled high on soft bread to creative combinations that mix multiple meats, these handheld masterpieces represent the best of Texas culinary tradition.
Whether you’re a longtime barbecue fan or just starting your smoky journey, these 14 sandwiches will show you why Texas is the undisputed king of barbecue.
1. Franklin Barbecue’s Classic Brisket Sandwich
Picture this: you’ve waited in line for hours, and now you’re holding one of the most talked-about sandwiches in America.
What makes this Austin icon so special is the simplicity that lets the meat shine through every bite.
The brisket gets smoked for up to 18 hours, creating a dark bark on the outside while keeping the inside incredibly tender and juicy.
White bread soaks up all those amazing meat juices, while pickles and onions add the perfect tangy crunch.
Some people think fancy toppings make a better sandwich, but this proves that quality meat needs nothing more than the basics.
I recommend arriving early because they often sell out before closing time.
2. Pecan Lodge’s The Pitmaster
Dallas knows how to bring the heat, and this sandwich proves it with every spicy, smoky bite.
Sliced jalapeños add a kick that wakes up your taste buds without overwhelming the carefully smoked meats underneath.
The combination of three different proteins means you’re getting a full spectrum of barbecue flavors and textures in one convenient package.
Slaw provides a cooling contrast that balances the heat from those peppers perfectly.
This isn’t a sandwich for the faint of heart it’s substantial, messy, and absolutely worth every napkin you’ll need.
Deep Ellum’s food scene has plenty of options, but this sandwich stands out as a true Dallas classic that represents the city’s bold approach to food.
3. Louie Mueller Barbecue’s Original Brisket Sandwich
Walking into this Taylor institution feels like stepping back in time, with smoke-stained walls that tell decades of delicious stories.
Third-generation pitmasters still use the same techniques that made this place famous in 1949, creating consistently excellent brisket every single day.
The meat comes off the pit with a peppery bark that adds incredible flavor to each bite.
They serve it on plain white bread because that’s how it’s always been done, and honestly, it doesn’t need anything fancier.
You’ll probably want to order extra meat because one sandwich rarely feels like enough.
Taylor calls itself the barbecue capital of Texas, and this legendary spot is a big reason why that claim holds weight.
4. Truth Barbeque’s Brisket Melt
Sometimes tradition needs a little twist, and adding melted cheese to smoked brisket turns out to be absolute genius.
Brenham’s Truth Barbeque takes their award-winning brisket and elevates it with gooey cheese and sweet caramelized onions that complement the smoky meat beautifully.
The bread gets grilled to crispy perfection, creating textural contrast with the tender meat inside.
This isn’t your standard barbecue sandwich it’s more like a sophisticated grilled cheese that happens to feature world-class brisket.
Owner Leonard Botello IV learned from some of the best pitmasters in Texas before opening his own place.
You’ll find yourself craving this sandwich long after you’ve left Brenham, wishing you’d ordered two while you had the chance.
5. Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ’s The Real Deal Holyfield
Who says barbecue sandwiches have to follow traditional rules when you can wrap everything in a tortilla instead?
This Austin food truck combines Texas barbecue with Mexican flavors in ways that make perfect sense once you taste them together.
Brisket meets eggs, cheese, and salsa in a warm flour tortilla that’s technically a taco but delivers all the satisfaction of a great sandwich.
Morning is the best time to grab this, though they serve it all day because people can’t get enough.
The fusion of two Texas food traditions creates something entirely new yet somehow familiar.
You’ll wonder why more places don’t combine barbecue and breakfast, because this concept absolutely works and tastes incredible every single time.
6. Kreuz Market’s Smoked Prime Rib Sandwich
Lockhart’s Kreuz Market does things their own way, including offering prime rib that most barbecue joints don’t even attempt.
Smoking prime rib instead of grilling or roasting it creates an entirely different experience with incredible tenderness and smoky depth.
The meat stays pink in the middle while developing a flavorful crust on the outside.
They famously don’t serve barbecue sauce, letting the quality of their meat speak for itself without any help.
The no-forks policy means you’ll eat this sandwich with your hands, just as barbecue was meant to be enjoyed.
This isn’t your typical barbecue sandwich, but that’s exactly what makes it special and worth seeking out in this legendary barbecue town.
7. Bodacious Bar-B-Q’s Chopped Beef Sandwich
Sometimes you want barbecue without the wait, and this East Texas chain delivers quality surprisingly fast.
Chopped beef means every bite has a mix of lean and fatty pieces, creating a balance that sliced brisket can’t quite match.
The meat stays moist because all those juices have nowhere to escape when it’s chopped together.
Multiple locations across East Texas make this sandwich accessible when you’re traveling through the region.
They’ve been serving families since 1968, perfecting their recipes over decades of operation.
Sure, it’s not a tiny one-location spot that requires a pilgrimage, but this sandwich proves that good barbecue doesn’t always have to come with a long wait or a treasure hunt to find it.
8. Tejas Chocolate Craftory’s Dessert Brisket Sandwich
Okay, this one breaks all the rules, but sometimes the best discoveries come from thinking completely outside the box.
Chocolate meets Texas barbecue tradition in unexpected ways that sound weird but taste surprisingly amazing.
Sweet and smoky flavors aren’t enemies they’re actually best friends when combined thoughtfully.
You won’t find actual brisket here, but the creative interpretation uses chocolate, caramel, and other sweets to capture barbecue essence in dessert form.
Tomball isn’t on most barbecue tours, but this quirky spot deserves recognition for pure creativity.
After eating 13 savory barbecue sandwiches, you’ll appreciate ending your Texas barbecue journey with something completely different that still honors the state’s smoking tradition in its own sweet, innovative way.
