New Braunfels might be famous for its German heritage and river tubing, but don’t let that fool you—this town takes its Texas barbecue seriously.
The Hill Country is prime BBQ territory, and New Braunfels sits right in the middle of it all, surrounded by legendary smoke pits and pitmasters who’ve been perfecting their craft for generations.
Whether you’re craving classic brisket with a thick smoke ring, fall-off-the-bone ribs, or something with a creative twist, New Braunfels has you covered.
Here are the five best BBQ spots in town, each offering something unique. Let’s break down where to go, what to order, and what makes each place worth your time.
1. Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q
Location: 844 Loop 337
Rudy’s is the easygoing, accessible BBQ spot that never disappoints. It’s focused on serving consistently good barbecue quickly and efficiently. This makes it perfect for tourists who want quality BBQ without a long wait.
The setup is casual and self-serve. You order at the counter, grab your food, pick your sides from the buffet-style line, and find a seat at one of the picnic tables. It’s straightforward, and that’s part of the charm.
What to Order
Moist brisket is what you want here. Rudy’s offers both lean and moist, but the moist brisket ($14.99 per half pound) has the fat and flavor you’re looking for. It’s tender, smoky, and doesn’t need sauce to be delicious.
Rudy’s does have a solid sauce bar, though, if you want to experiment. It’s always a good thing to try new flavors, yes?
Another must-try at Rudy’s is their baby back ribs, available at $9.99 per half pound. They’re meaty, fall-off-the-bone tender, and have a nice smoke flavor without being overpowering.
The jumbo smoked potato is also a fan favorite. Nothing too crazy, just a massive portion of baked potato stuffed with butter, cheese, sour cream, and your choice of meat—brisket is the popular option.
At around $7-14 depending on toppings, it’s a meal in itself and perfect if you want something filling but don’t want to order multiple items.
Good to Know
Rudy’s opens early—from 7 AM—which makes it an excellent stop before hitting the Guadalupe River for tubing. Grab breakfast tacos or breakfast burritos (yes, they have those too), then pick up some meat for later.
The picnic-style seating is casual and family-friendly. And because service is fast, you’re usually in and out within 30 minutes even during busy times.
2. Black’s BBQ
Location: 936 TX-337 Loop
Black’s Barbecue started in Lockhart—widely considered the barbecue capital of Texas—in 1932, making it one of the oldest BBQ joints in the state.
Their New Braunfels location brings that legendary quality and tradition to Hill Country. If you’re a brisket purist who wants meat that speaks for itself without relying on sauce, Black’s is where you need to be.
Everything here is done traditionally: post oak wood, low and slow smoking, minimal seasoning, and a philosophy that great meat doesn’t need to hide behind anything.
What to Order
If there’s a single menu item that you shouldn’t miss here at Black’s it’s their post oak beef brisket. You can order it fatty or lean (go fatty unless you have a specific reason not to), and it runs about $32.99 pound.
It’s made with certified Angus Beef and has a beautiful smoke ring and tender texture. Its bark has a slight crunch, and the fat melts in your mouth. This is what Texas brisket should taste like.
Their giant beef rib is also a showstopper. It’s a massive 9-inch bone-in beef rib with about two marbled beef meat piled on top of each other.
This one is priced by the pound as well ($32.99/lb), and one rib typically weighs close to a pound or more. It’s expensive, but if you want to treat yourself or share something impressive with a group, this is it.
Other smoked meats such as whole chicken, pork belly, and turkey breast are available as well. These ranges from $14.99 to $24.99 per pound.
Good to Know
Black’s uses minimal sauce because their meat is designed to stand on its own. You can get sauce on the side if you want, but the philosophy here is that great barbecue doesn’t need it.
If you’re used to heavily sauced BBQ, this might feel different at first, but it lets you really taste the quality of the meat and smoke.
This is the spot for traditionalists. If you want simple, perfectly executed Texas barbecue without frills or fusion, Black’s delivers exactly that.
3. The Big Bib BBQ
Location: 508 Landa Street
Big Bib BBQ is the warm, community-centered smokehouse where you feel like you’re eating at a friend’s backyard cookout. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, the service is personal, and the food hits that comfort-food sweet spot.
The ribs here are particularly noteworthy, and the sides go beyond the standard BBQ fare. If you’re looking for a place that feels local and less touristy, Big Bib is a great choice.
What to Order
Their family packs are one of the most popular options on the menu, offering a little bit of everything:
The Little Bib ($69.99) is perfect for smaller groups, feeding about 4–6 people. It includes ½ lb each of prime brisket, your choice of mild or jalapeño sausage, pulled pork, rib tips, and smoked chicken, plus two large 16-oz sides.
For larger gatherings, The Big Bib ($109.99) doubles the portions with 1 lb of each meat, plus two extra-large 32-oz sides, enough to serve 8–10 people.
They also offer classic barbecue meats such as chicken, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and brisket—all of which you can order by the pound.
Good to Know
Big Bib is located near downtown, making it an easy stop after exploring Gruene or wandering through local shops. The pace here is slower than walk-up BBQ spots like Rudy’s, but that’s intentional. This is a sit-down, take-your-time kind of place.
So, Which BBQ Spot Should You Pick?
Choosing where to eat BBQ in New Braunfels depends on what kind of experience you’re after.
If you’re choosing based on mood or preference, Rudy’s is the best pick when you want something easy and fast—perfect after a day of tubing.
Brisket purists and traditional barbecue fans will feel right at home at Black’s. Head straight to The Big Bib if you’re craving comfort-food vibes and unforgettable ribs.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these. Each one does barbecue well, just with different styles and strengths. If you have time, hit more than one. Order meat by the pound, share with your group, and compare. That’s the Texas way.
Now, what are you waiting for? Help yourself to some brisket. You deserve it, champ!
Featured image credit: Hayden Walker via Pexels