City Market

I enjoy my BBQ like any other Texan. We ordered a pound of brisket and ribs. Ribs were nice and juicy, the brisket was a little dry for me. The meat needed bbq sauce to make it juicy and more flavorable. Customer service was great. The line moved rather quickly. Keep in mind, there are no plates available for use. They provide brown parchment paper and plastic utensils. Would recommend making a bigger restroom for both men and women. The size of place and the number of people that were there, the restrooms should have at least 3 stalls instead of one where you have to wait your turn. Overall, good place to eat and socialize. Great for any size groups.

Pucked up some ribs, a sausage, pickles, beans and coleslaw. All were really good. Ribs were tender. Pickles yummy. As were the sides. I do wish I remembered to get some sauce but made my own so all was well. You go to the back to get and pay for your meat. And the rest is purchased up front. Bring cash to save on credit card fees.

This is a top 5 Texas BBQ institution. It's world class. They produce some of the best BBQ on earth everyday. You won't be disappointed. Especially if you're not from Texas.

The sausage and beans are the bomb! The brisket was very dry and tough, very disappointing. Covered the brisket in sauce but nothing could revive it. The sauce is good! The sausage never disappoints.

We drove 120 miles to eat at this fantastically authentic joint. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience from meeting the pit men to coming out smelling deeply of smoke. I have a theory that any food that arrives on a piece of paper must be good and it certainly held true for this place.

Not sure what the hype was all about. I would rate this as “only stop if it’s the only BBQ joint open within 50 miles. The brisket was mid at best with mild smoke flavor. The hot sausage wasn’t hot and had little flavor. No crisp casing, meat was mushy and bland. Hard pass on the sweet yet flavorless potato salad. BBQ sauce was good and you’ll need it for sausage. The ice water was good and cold though!!! Go to one end of the store, pick your meat out and pay. Then go to the other end of the store and buy your drinks and sides separately. Very inefficient, perhaps part of the Hill Country BBQ novelty. The hype definitely was not worth it. Much better options out there if your looking for a better bbq experience.

If you’re looking for a really good BBQ meal and are passing through, I’d keep driving. This place came highly recommended, but it’s an average bbq place. While the ribs were absolutely delicious, we were hoping the small menu meant they excelled at a curated, 5 item menu. Unfortunately that was not the case. The food wasn’t bad, just average and not worth your money or getting a second time. They definitely can’t compete with some other bbq here in Texas, so manage your expectations. We took our food to-go for a picnic down the road and you’d also be insulted to be served some of the driest brisket. We always ask for marbled to ensure we get something flavorful and moist and I have no idea why any pit master would be proud to serve us these pieces. The sauce is mustard based and doesn’t complement or help a dry brisket already lacking flavor. The potato salad is average and fine for a cookout, the beans were good and had potential, but ultimately the meal was disappointing in taste. Truthfully, the brisket we had was no better than Bill Miller BBQ. I do feel like I wasted money and was still asked to tip when you go to two separate counters to order. I recommend finding somewhere else to eat or scratch that BBQ itch.

We drove from San Antonio, TX. To this place & Everything was SO amazing! Will be coming back. The pecan pie was the only this that wasn’t good. It was really dry.

Go! My standard refrain for this place. If you love Texas style Q,want to give it an ( authentic unadulterated try),go back in time, people watch or all of the above. An exception exist here that applies no where else. I worship the sausage. It's worth the trip alone. My favorite thing to do is pull into town,grab a stack of meat and big Red,drop my pick up tailgate and visit Nirvana. Everyone is chasing the Texas Monthly lastest top 50 list. Standing in lines ,1,2 hours and more. Spending outrageous sums on sides ( unessential) and dishing out $50,60,70 each. At City Market you'll be stuffed with plenty of leftovers for $30. Go!

This was an accidental find through Yelp on a road trip and ... wow! The sausage here is truly blissful -- probably the best I've ever eaten. It's a course grind with just the right amount of black pepper, and it's juicy like no sausage (in this style) that I've experienced. The brisket is in my top ten with a decent/not overbearing smoke flavor. It was also extremely moist, but that could be because I always ask for the deckle. The pork ribs here are good in flavor, but they could've been more moist. Either way, the service here is very friendly and efficient. The joint is crowded -- as it should be. A wonderful experience. I wish this place was closer to my home.

The BBQ was solid. The ribs were definitely the standout. They were tender, flavorful, and easily some of the best in the area. The brisket was good as well, but the ribs take the lead for me. The menu is limited when it comes to sides (only potato salad or pinto beans) and the drink options are pretty minimal too. Overall, great ribs and worth a visit if you're looking for quality BBQ, just don't expect a wide selection of sides or beverages.

No comment. Nice people that make this what it is, an integral part of the fabric of the Luling community.

In my top five Texas BBQ stops. Easily located in central Texas for your long-awaited BBQ-hopping excursion. Best for brisket and sausage. Stepping in to their smoke room is a joyous experience.

Not what I expected. Very subpar Won't be back Beer was cold on a higher note Brisket was gray and not rendered properly Ribs overdone Sausage very grainy and no flavor

City Market was so great. There are two lines, one that goes into a smoke room to order meat. The other, which is before the smoke room, is for drinks and sides. The service was great. The restaurant and bathrooms were very clean. The tables were also wiped off. The meats were fabulous! The ribs and sweet pickles were a dynamic duo. The mixed brisket was perfect! And I suggest you don't skip the banana pudding!

The food is excellent. Had brisket rib and sausage bread, pickles, and onions and their amazing sauce. The service is great very friendly staff. The ambience was wonderful lots of friendly people driving through town.

meat was a good but a bit dry. didn't care for potato salad, but it's personal preference. place was clean and people were friendly

I waited many years to visit city market based on all the hype I read and I was disappointed.. staff were courteous I ordered sliced brisket and sausage. It had the appearance of some very dry shoe leather flavorless fat and dry. Maybe this place did in fact had great bbq years ago or maybe the people going here are use to poor quality of meat the sausage itself was meh and I wasn't moved either way the mustard based sauce had a slight tang nothing to write home about The brisket and the sausage costed 27.00 I won't be back

Line was to the door but probably only took us 30 minutes or so to get to the smoker room and get the meat. Food is great. We did not even get sides.... Pure BBQ for us this trip. Excellent mustard based (?) sauce! Brisket was good! Ribs a little overdone But sausage was great and made it worth the trip!

Smokehouse was not too hot, plenty of staff behind both counters. Service was fast, food was hot, tables were clean.

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Came to City Market looking for a great brisket and sausage. The staff was courteous and attentive. Brisket was gray, not properly rendered and almost no smoke ring. The sausage was grainy and lacked flavor. When I cut the sausage the meat crumbled out of the casing. Pork ribs were dry and chewy. Somehow this was the greasiest bbq I have had. This was a very disappointing experience.

I just love the charm of nostalgic small country towns characterized by a railroad track running along the edge of town. Luling is that type of town and I visited for City Market BBQ. The layout of the restaurant is a little quirky with two separate ordering areas: one for the smoked meats (brisket, pork ribs, sausage, the other for sides (potato salad and beans). My wife and I ordered a little of each. By little, I mean more than two people should eat for lunch. We favored the ribs over the other meats, as they were flavorful (with or without sauce) and tender. The brisket was good, but a little light on flavor (seasoning). The sausage was lean and juicy with good flavor, but impossible to eat with knife and fork because the casing was loosely packed. All the meats were a value compared to other BBQ restaurants. The sides were good and the portions were generous for the price. Nostalgic BBQ, in a nostalgic town, at a fair price, ...worth a visit.

Just got done eating at Luling Bar-B-Q, and wow--this place did not disappoint. We ordered the barbecue brisket, jalapeño sausage, and the regular sausage, and every bite was packed with that slow-smoked, Texas-style flavor you hope for when you walk into a BBQ joint. The brisket was tender, juicy, and had that perfect smoke ring with just the right amount of bark--melt-in-your-mouth kind of good. The jalapeño sausage had a great kick without overpowering the meat, and the regular sausage was classic, flavorful, and snapped just right with each bite. No frills, just solid barbecue done the way it should be. If you're in Luling, this spot is a must. Might need a nap now, but totally worth it.

We stop here on the way to Canyon Lake from Houston cause the meats are wonderful and delicious!

Really great customer service! Food is delicious!! Brisket has great flavor. Ribs are a little sweet and a lot greasy but so worth the messy fingers! Sausage is different. Not bad just not what I am used to. Texture seems blended, loosely packed. Maybe beef? Not your typical BBQ sausage! Free bread. Free drink refills! Oh and the sweet tea... The Best!!!! I do recommend this for everyone!!

Well was a little disappointed today with City Barbecue. You can tell they are stuck in the past, which is okay if your product is world class...but. Let's start with the positives the pork ribs were very good tender and sweet. The potato salad was also pretty good. Now let's talk about the brisket it had no flavor at all, unfortunately was dry as a bone as well. I would guess they are using the cheapest, lowest quality brisket available on the market. The problem with this level of Barbecue is there are so much better choices out there buccies brisket is better. I would rather pay couple more dollars to eat prime seasoned brisket. Lastly even if the food was amazing I would not eat here again with the guy vaping behind the service line. I did give 3 stars because the meat cutter was super nice.

Best Texas BBQ! Hubby has been eating here for over 40 years! Great customer service! It's all good to the Brisket to the sauce!

Around 12:30 on a Saturday we pulled up to what looked like an old west movie set. Friends that live in Austin told us that for good BBQ we should be prepared to wait. The line was all the way to the door but moved up pretty quickly. Whatever you do, don't stand in any door way and hold open a door. You will get hollered at to not let the ac out or the smoke in, it's all in an afford to keep the dining area comfortable, which I appreciate. The long line gets you into the back room where the magic happens. The menu is not complicated and it doesn't need to be; beef brisket 4.5 stars, pork ribs 4 stars, and sausage 5 stars. For less than $3, try at least one sausage. Or just try some of everything! Get your bread and pickles here too, if you want to make a sandwich. Yes the BBQ has its own separate register. I asked if I could take a picture of the cutting board and they gratefully did that and more! One by one they opened the smokers and invited me into the pit to snap a few closeups! I was in BBQ HEAVEN!! Once you finish fan-girling over the meat (oh was that just me?!) take your paper wrapped package back up to the front counter and pick out your sides, drinks like Big Red or sweet tea, and desserts like banana pudding. Now find a table and dig in. There is sauce on the tables but it doesn't really need it. My son and I are usually die-hard rib fans but surprisingly the sausage and brisket were everyone's favorites!

A very unique restaurant. You pick the meats sausage, brisket, and ribs that you would like to eat and they slice it for you. Then you go upfront and you can choose your sides. I have brisket, ribs, and sausage. What I like about the restaurant as you get exactly what you would like to eat and how much. The food is excellent.

Hands down the best brisket and ribs! Don't even get me started on their BBQ sauce! It is a lovely mustard based sauce which is a delightful break from the ketchup based red sauce which people often make way too sweet. But let's back up a moment. Their brisket and ribs are SO good they do not need the sauce at all. So what to do? Enjoy half without sauce and half with sauce. A total win-win. There has not been one person I've brought here through the years that hasn't absolutely loved the food here. The beans and potato salad are good though I prefer to go solely carnivore here as the meat is so good and I feel why waste the stomach room when there is brisket? I love this place in its quaintness and that you walk into the pit to order, pickup and pay for the meats. People come from all over to eat here and you can always strike up a conversation with the people at the next people or by waiting in line to get in the pit. It's fun. Today's chats were all about football! Be sure and purchase a bottle of the BBQ sauce for your take home meats!

The food was absolutely amazing definitely worth the drive from Houston. However, my experience was impacted by one employee, who seemed just a few years younger than me. When I walked in, I noticed her being dismissive and rude to an older customer, even rolling her eyes when the customer left. I wasn't sure what the situation was, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt. But when she helped me shortly after, she had the same attitude and again rolling her eyes and acting irritated when I simply asked for a to-go bag. With my own experience in customer service, I know how much a positive attitude matters. This was my first time visiting after six years, and I had really been looking forward to it. While the food didn't disappoint, the way I was treated left me hesitant about coming back.

It is the best bbq I have ever had. The atmosphere is authentic old school and the aroma will have you hooked as soon as you walk in.

This is the first time and last time I will eat City Market BBQ. It won't let you give a 0 star rating. The meat department has pricing and taste issues. The brisket was extremely dry and 40% of the weight was fat. The sausage was also really dry and completely lacking in flavor. Sign says pickles are free. We were charged $3+tax. Was going to use a credit card only to find out, after WE asked, he charges a 4% credit card fee. Waste of time and money. The front takes care of the sides and is an independent business. The beans, potato salad, and banana pudding were all wonderful and priced at a great value!!! The sides get a 5 star rating!

This is Truly One of the Mt. Rushmore of BBQ in Texas !!!! The sauasge links alone can stand on there own.....This is a No Nonsense OG Pit Smoked JOINT. Ribs, Brisket & OMG the sausage links are all on point. The Respect is 100% Earned Here..... If you looking for FuFu Chipotle Burnt Ends or Blue Corn Torta Compote......BYE !!! THIS IS GROWN FOLKS BBQ. Dont play around here Ok. Give it the Proper it Deserves. Do Not Pass on the Peach Cobbler too.......

A good friend of mine took the trip out to Luling for some bbq. I had a great time waiting in line for over an hour thanks to my friend and friendly people in line. IDN revel in writing negative reviews but I was underwhelmed by the bbq. It seemed really overrated as I find a lot of bbq. There were some great character traits like the homemade bbq sauce(not bad) and the signs stating to respect employees of all backgrounds as they may have special needs. Although I tasted some pretty mid brisket courtesy of a kind patron. They ran out of it right before we made it to the pit. Sausage was ok and the ribs were -an adequately tasty bite. Best to get there early if you want a seat or a full plate of cue, and avoid the line, then arrive early because apparently there's always a long line. It's a pretty drive but other than that at least I can say I've been there and tried that.

Finding this place was just happenstance. Food was deliciously amazing. Service was inviting and pleasurable. I would definitely recommend and return

Finally got to try some of the best bbq they say. Such a cool place unfortunately it's always so busy no matter what time or day you go but for good reason it's good food you see them make it. Just for me personally I felt like it was missing some sauce because I am not really into dry rub bbq and they didn't have sauce here. Overall though it was good.

Food was great tasting! Service- not friendly!! Ambiance- layout of restaurant, Strange - restrooms, extremely filthy and full of graffiti. The overall ambience of the restaurant was rather weird energy. But if you close your eyes and eat, the food was great.

Funky, classic, old-school Texas Hill Country bbq located in a downtown Luling storefront on the town square. Looks like it's been there a long time. Smoke grabs your nose as soon as you open the door. Order your meat in the back through a screen window in front of the smokers Order by either the pound or brisket slice. Cafeteria-like service. Seating was on wooden picknick benches inside I got two slices of moist-end brisket, a jalepeno-cheddar sausage ring with requisite pickled jalepenos and a slice of white bread in the early in the AM for breakfast. Sauce available but dilutes the Texas beef flavor. The brisket was smokey with a marvelous rendered fat flavor and smoke ring while the sausage ring was nicely spicey , with and artisan grind and awesome case snap. Texas "Q" is the best.

The bbq, no matter what you order, is the best! We have been going to City Market for years and have compared it with others but the meat and sauce just can't be beat. The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that the floors, especially in the bathrooms, are filthy.

My Mom and hubby had several peoples tell them the best bbq was at City Market in Lulling. So we tried it and it was pretty good. We got ribs, brisket and sausage. Sides were potato salad and beans. Not bad but not the best to me. Ribs were tender and flavorful. Cut them this my fork! The brisket was tender but I've had some with more of a smoke flavor and juicer. Potato salad was good to my Mom and hubby & they liked the beans. The order system is different. Go in the door to the far right. Order the meat and pay for it there. You also need to get the pickles, onion, and peppers back there. If you get it for here, they will give it to you on paper only. The potato salad, beans, chips, and can/bottles of pop and beer are up front. You pay for those separately.

Luling City Market has fantastic employees and service and most importantly, AMAZING Texas barbecue. We're talking brisket, ribs, and smoked sausage! Yummy sauce that's not too sweet too. Bunch of wood tables and friendly employees from those who serve food and drinks and souvenirs. A very small Texas oil town with this gem- it's worth the hour drive from San Antonio, and there's great antique shops next door. Can't wait to make another trip out there!

On Main Street in the small town of Luling, Texas, is an old time market that makes a lot of barbecue. An after effect of the days where meat markets would smoke the excess meat that did not sell fresh quickly enough. City Market and many others did this in central Texas and thus, Texas barbecue was born. Our second stop with 2 years intervening was primarily to eat their delicious sausage and purchase a half gallon of their tremendous sauce. We were definitely not hungry after filling up at Snow's BBQ in Lexington TX. Service is good and ordering in the smoke and cutting room is half the fun. Go. Enjoy. You won't regret it

Home style restaurant and Friendly wait staff with generous portions Will return soon

My hands down favorite. Been going here since my grandparents would take me as a kid. Their bar b que sauce is AWESOME! I always take some home. My favorite is the sausage links but the brisket is great too! The little kid in me still loves that when you pay cash and your change is over 50 cents they give you a fifty cent piece.

Came here on a recommendation from a co-worker. He said it was the best BBQ he's ever had. So, to cap off a week long work trip in Laredo, we made our way to this place. It did not disappoint. The way the restaurant is setup made the ordering process a little confusing. However, the staff was patient with me and my friend and helped us out. We walked into the area where all the meat was prepared. It was so hot in the room, but the great smells made up for it. We ordered beef and pork ribs, with sausage links. As I bit into the pork rib I couldn't explain how good it was. I believe I described it as bacon on steroids. The second pork rib I ate was a little too salty, but still good. The beef ribs were flavorful. I wish we ordered more. The links held their own too. This will be a place I return to for sure if I'm back in the area.

As a kid, my dad would often stop in Lockhart or Luling for BBQ on road trips from Dallas to South Texas. So when my husband and I visited City Market for an impromptu lunch on the way home from Round Top recently, the nostalgia came flooding back. Now as an adult, I fully appreciate the dedication and skill that goes into making BBQ. It had been probably 20 years or so since I visited, so when we walked in we didn't know where to order. We were lucky enough to follow a guy in and he kindly led us to the back room where you order your meats. There in a room with smoke swirling around, the BBQ guys were all quickly slinging and slicing. There's something to be said about seeing someone prepare your BBQ that way. It's a sight to see. The brisket was everything you could dream of and the ribs....wow. They were so tender and some of the best I've had. No sauce required but the sauce is balanced and a nice complement. Now the sausage--it will turn sausage naysayers into believers! I realized the other sausages I've been eating are sub par. This is the way! For sides, they're philosophy is simple and it works. The beans were solid and the potato salad had enough creaminess and zing to it. Sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to BBQ. Can't wait to go back and carry on the tradition with my son.

Just took a hard look at my two receipts and noticed a "technology fee"!?! Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough but I didn't see anything at the registers (both for meat and sides) that mentioned an additional fee. I'm not a fan of hidden or extra fees like this.

Myself personally, I did not like the taste of the sausage I know that's what they're known for its just me I did not like it also was not impressed with the overall syrup of the restaurant store. They may be an acquired taste of the sausage.

Old style barbecue in the heart of barbecue Mecca, but man this place has some tasty food. Line situation is a little different (one for the meats, one for the sides). Sausage is off the hook. Worth the trip to Luling if you're on the IH10 passing through.

Food was terrific, Greatest food and service,seating arrangements and overall ambiance!

Favorite bbq spot for 45 years! Quality and flavor has remained consistent! Brisket, ribs and sausage are as good as you can get in Texas! This is real Texas Bbq!

Interesting experience & great meat! Head to the back for the meat-brisket, ribs or sausage (no chicken) then go back to front room for sides & drinks. We had the most fabulous ribs ever!! Beans & potato salad good but not great. You can order ribs by the amount u can eat, not by weight or rack. I really liked that. Employees very nice. Good thing I don't live in Luling!!!

WORTH THE STOP This place is simply good. The smoke house in the back and sides up front. This this Texas Bar B Q in its truest essence. Small town with good food. Food is not overpriced or over "culinaried". Don't get me wrong have have been to nearly every single one of the top 50 and everyone is trying something new like sweet and sour beans or some type of fusion side. However, there is something great about basic. Good brisket and sausage and potato salad and beans the way generations have made it. And don't forget ice cold IBC I'm a glass bottle.

If this is what represents Texas BBQ, then it is just NOT for me... Rated highly at 4.8 here on Yelp and featured as a top 50 Texas BBQ joint, to say I was disappointed is an understatement. Everything was cooked okay, the BBQ sauce was good; but overall the seasoning on all the meat was lacking and subpar. The BBQ beans were plain PINTO beans and also inedible. I only had one bite. The ribs were a bit tough, the brisket had parts that were juicy and parts that were like jerky! And again, everything was under seasoned. The ambiance had a small town feel and ordering in the smoke room was a cool experience; but that was about it for me. Guess I'm just biased towards Louisiana BBQ... ‍ Won't be trying this out again. Sorry Texas!

Great bbq would highly recommend not a lot of side opinions but the meat is great and the sauce. service is great always pretty busy but get you in and out quick