Driftwood & Dripping Springs
east edge of the Hill CountryHome to destination smokehouses set in the oaks — a classic weekend pilgrimage from Austin.
Experience
Smoke & Barbecue
Central Texas barbecue was born in the meat markets of these German and Czech towns — brisket, smoke, and butcher paper.
The lay of the land
The Central Texas style — beef brisket and sausage smoked low over post oak, sold by the pound, no sauce required — traces straight to the 19th-century meat markets of Hill Country German and Czech towns, where the leftover cuts went in the smoker.
Today the region anchors one of the great food pilgrimages in America. Some joints draw hours-long lines; others are quiet neighborhood secrets. Either way, get there early — when the brisket’s gone, it’s gone.
Where to go
Featured spots
Llano
granite countryA legendary stop on the “barbecue belt,” famous for its no-frills, sauce-on-the-side beef.
Lockhart (just east)
BBQ Capital of TexasOfficially the Barbecue Capital of Texas — a short hop east, and essential if you’re a true believer.
Small-town meat markets
across the regionOld German meat markets in towns like Elgin and beyond still smoke their own sausage.
Know before you go
A few good tips
- Go early — the best joints sell out of brisket by mid-afternoon.
- Order by the pound, take butter paper to a picnic table, skip the sauce.
- Bring cash and patience; lines are part of the ritual.
- Pair a barbecue lunch with an afternoon on the wine road or the river.
Where to base
Destinations for this
Gruene & New Braunfels
29.738°N 98.104°WComal County
A 19th-century river town wrapped around the oldest dance hall in Texas, with the Guadalupe and the spring-fed Comal running right past the door.
Fredericksburg
30.275°N 98.872°WGillespie County
German roots, a Main Street of biergartens and shops, and the gateway to Texas wine country. The unofficial capital of the Hill Country.
Bandera
29.726°N 99.074°WBandera County
The self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World — dude ranches, honky-tonks, and trail rides along the Medina River.
Don't be a stranger —
Get the Hill Country in your inbox
Seasonal trip ideas, wildflower reports, festival picks, and the swimming holes worth the drive — about twice a month. No spam, just back roads.
★ You're on the list. Check your inbox to confirm.
Prefer paper? Order the free visitor guide →