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I-35 is the fast lane through Texas BBQ history. It starts in San Antonio, where the smoke world sits close to South Texas flavor. It runs past Austin’s weekend crowds, then cuts into the old meat market belt where brisket and sausage became a craft and a ritual. By the time you reach Waco, you have hit a full range of the state’s most copied style.
Most of this route is Central Texas barbecue at its simplest. Salt and pepper rubs. Clean smoke. Sliced brisket on paper. Sausage that tastes like it came from a butcher shop first, then a pit. That pattern goes back to the German and Czech communities that built meat markets across Central Texas, where smoking was a practical way to preserve beef and pork. The road changed, but the idea stuck.
This tour is made for a weekend roadtripper. It is also perfect for out of state visitors who want the greatest hits without guessing.
Start in San Antonio with 2M Smokehouse in San Antonio. It is a destination stop that feels rooted in the city’s own food culture, not just the Central Texas playbook. Head north and catch Terry Black’s Barbecue in Austin when the city is waking up. It is a clean way to get your bearings on what “Austin BBQ day” looks like.
Then go classic. Kreuz Market in Lockhart is part of the meat market spine that defines this region. Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor is another pillar stop on the same tradition. Keep rolling to Miller’s Smokehouse in Belton for a strong I 35 roadside play that still tastes like you worked for it. Finish near Waco with Helberg Barbecue in Woodway, a modern stop that fits the way Central Texas barbecue keeps evolving.
Use the cards to pick your stops, then use the map to stitch them into a day, a weekend, or a full blown BBQ road trip. How to Plan the Ultimate Texas BBQ Road Trip.
This corridor is built for momentum. Short drives. Big payoffs. Easy detours if you want to tack on a river walk, a small town square, or an overnight in Austin. If you are flying in, it is also the simplest way to turn “I want Texas brisket” into a real plan.
One practical tip. Do not try to do it all in one day. Pick two stops per day and split orders. Bring a small cooler for leftovers so you can keep moving without rushing bites.
Resources
🔥 Your Curated Dining Guide to the Best Barbecue in San Antonio
🔥 The Ultimate Guide to Austin Barbecue
🔥 Lockhart BBQ Capital of Texas
🔥 Waco BBQ
🔥 Exploring BBQ BBQ Joint Finder
🔥 Mastering the Art of Ordering at a Texas BBQ Restaurant
🔥 100 Texas BBQ Terms You Need to Know Before You Order
Make this list your own. Create a free Exploring BBQ account, adopt the list, and track your progress as you go. Log each stop with Visit Stamps so you can remember what you ordered, who you were with, and the meals that mattered. Learn how it works - Introducing Exploring BBQ Passport: Track Your BBQ Journey.
