Find the Heart of Texas BBQ in Lubbock

By: Avery Frazier

One of the staples of the Lone Star State is Texas barbecue. Full of fall-off-the-bone meats paired perfectly with homestyle sides, there is no place you can go wrong on this list of the best barbecues in West Texas. In the Hub City, there are plenty of melt-in-your-mouth slow-smoked briskets, sausage and pulled pork that you won’t want to miss. 

Evie Mae’s Pit Barbeque | 217 US-62

Number 8 on Texas Monthly’s 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas, Evie Mae’s cooks their meats for 12 to 15 hours on smokers using various oak varieties. Their signature smoked meats are sold by the pound, on combo plates and on sandwiches. Evie Mae’s is a can’t-miss spot when visiting Lubbock and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until sell out. Try the brisket with a side of green beans cooked in barbecue sauce and the green chile cheese grits. 

The Shack BBQ | 2309 N Frankford Ave. 

The Shack and its mobile food truck are another great brisket place in Lubbock is the barbecue shack people rave about. With the three meat plates, try the juicy brisket, green chile sausage and ribs with Texas-sized portions you will want to take advantage of. Another signature menu item is their green chili mac and cheese. Make sure to get there early to try all of the best sellers before they sell out. The Shack is open every day but Monday. 

Hill Barbecue | 3017 34th St. 

Right in the middle of town with meats served by the pound, you’ll need to stop and try this local hidden gem. Preorder catering or sit and stay a while; know that your belt buckle will be bursting by the end of this delicious meal. You’ll want to stop by for their brisket breakfast tacos in the morning. Open Wednesday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., take advantage of this yummy barbecue experience. 

Big E’s | 1802 Buddy Holly Ave. 

Located in Downtown Lubbock, this late-night food joint is open Thursday from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Big E’s is the place for classic barbecued meat wrapped in a tortilla. Whether you’re hungry from a late night on the town or want to try something different, this is the place for you. The building might look small but the meat is big on flavor. 

Bigham’s Smokehouse | 3312 82nd St | 4302 19th St | 5012 Milwaukee Ave.

This local, family-owned smokehouse is a crowd favorite with three locations across the Hub City. Open for dine-in, drive-thru, carry out and delivery, Bigham’s Smokehouse serves authentic, Texas-style BBQ six days a week. Whether you’re in the mood to sit down for a family-style meal or need an event catered, the long list of smoked daily meats, craft sides and crave-able cobbler needs to be on your must-try list!

The Escondido Grill | 701 Regis St. 

What used to be E & J Smokehouse and Grill is now the Escondido Grill and still features some of their traditional Barbecue options such as brisket, green chile cheddar sausage, turkey breast, chicken quarters, ribs and pulled pork. Or try the tacos featuring their barbecued meat options. Escondido is closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

J&M BBQ | 3605 34th St. 

Featuring Authentic Mesquite Smoked BBQ, this BBQ pit is finger-lickin’ good. With two locations, you can take advantage of this classic West Texas restaurant open all week. Try Harry’s Award-winning Chili which is only served when it is cold outside and the Bar-B-Rito, a flour tortilla filled with either chopped beef or turkey breast with beans, onions and cheese.

4 Bar K | 302 R 82nd St. 

This restaurant is open Friday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a buffet line of home-style cooking with a cold beer and live music. The cost for lunch per person is $15, including two rounds of smoked brisket, sausage and homemade sides. This unique event center hosts a friendly atmosphere that satisfies your barbecue cravings. 

Tom and Bingos | 3006 34th St. 

Just south of Tech Terrace, try the special Bingo Burger and their house-made sausage, a blend of pork and beef with chipotle pepper and cheddar cheese. Their food truck can also be seen around town, so check their Facebook for updates on where they will be next. Tom and Bingos is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to sell out for tasty barbecue treats. 

I hope you’ve got a hankering for BBQ! With a list like this, you better get to tasting your way around Hub City’s hottest spots now! Share your barbecue adventures with us using the hashtag #LiveLoveLubbock.