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Lockhart, about 30 miles south of Austin, is the official Barbecue Capital of Texas.
Introduction to Lockhart
Lockhart was incorporated in 1852 as Plum Creek. It was the site of a Texan victory over the Comanche at the Battle of Plum Creek in 1840. The town was later renamed in honor of Byrd Lockhart (1782-1839), a surveyor and officer during the Texas Revolution.
The town grew with the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century. It became an important shipping hub for local cotton. In 1999, the Texas Legislature proclaimed it the Barbecue Capital of Texas.
Unfortunately we didn’t stick around to see much of the town. Obviously, there’s a lot more to do besides eat, so I hope to go back one day to see more.
Courthouse Square
Before gorging ourselves, we took a walk around the small downtown and Courthouse Square. It’s surrounded by historic buildings filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Caldwell County Courthouse
The beautiful Caldwell County Courthouse is the centerpiece of Courthouse Square. It was built in 1894 to replace a smaller courthouse. The architect was most likely Henry E. M. Guidon, who designed it in the Second Empire style. The central clock tower contains a four-faced Seth Thomas Clock Company clock and a 900-pound bell.
A controversial memorial dedicated to Confederate soldiers was removed from the courthouse grounds in December 2021. The granite obelisk was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1923 and is now at the Caldwell County Museum a block and a half away.
Where to Eat in Lockhart
Now – onto the barbecue! We visited Lockhart for one reason only – to try one of the four famous barbecue restaurants. We only had time to try one, but if I ever pass through Lockhart again, I’ll definitely try the other three places to have a good comparison.
Black’s Barbecue
It was a difficult choice but we decided to eat at Black’s Barbecue, which opened in 1932. It’s the oldest barbecue restaurant in Texas continuously run by the same family.
Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience from the start for all of us. We walked in and immediately didn’t feel very welcomed by the staff member up front. She snapped at a customer ahead of us so things got a little uncomfortable quickly. The rest of the staff wasn’t too friendly, either, and the place didn’t seem very clean.
We chose our sides, then our meats and sat down for what we expected to be a delicious meal. I had the cole slaw and mashed potatoes with brisket, sausage, and ribs. Although everything had a nice flavor, the meat was cold and the sides were lukewarm.
Maybe they had an off night, but overall Black’s was less than impressive. I’d think about giving them another shot next time I’m in town.
