Whether your fix is a BBQ brisket, a hearty burger, a thick cut steak, or our official state dish—chili—there’s a special place in just about every Texan’s heart for food made with beef. At Goodstock by Nolan Ryan, we believe that a truly great restaurant experience—whether it sticks to the basics or pushes the culinary boundaries—must be built on quality local Texas beef.
In previous articles in our “Where’s the Goodstock Beef” series we have taken tours of restaurants around Houston and the DFW Metroplex that serve the finest beef in the land. Next up, we will walk you through the BBQ-rich land of Central Texas. From the State Capitol in Austin to Hill Country and beyond, this region boasts some of the best BBQ in the world, and a whole lot more to discover.
For more information on these restaurants and others that proudly serve Goodstock beef, visit our Restaurant Locator.
The Brisket Birria Tacos at Brett’s Family BBQ & Tacos – Rockdale, TX
A Top 50 Joint Pitmaster known for his BBQ, Brett has pushed his culinary talents to the next level by fusing Texas BBQ and Mexican flavors in this masterpiece. Smoked Goodstock brisket stewed with spices, portioned on a fluffy tortilla griddled and spritzed with lime, drizzled with crema, and sprinkled with cilantro, these tacos pair perfectly with a jalapeño cream corn bowl and put Rockdale, TX on the BBQ map.
The Brisket Mac N’ Cheese at LJ’s BBQ – Brenham, TX
This Top 50 Joint is renowned for its perfectly smoked brisket, sausage, turkey, and ribs, and it stands out even further with a side that is more than capable of satisfying as a full meal: the brisket mac n cheese. Large ridged elbow macaroni is perfectly cooked and smothered in a buttery, cheesy sauce that strikes the right textural balance. Then they top if off with a generous helping of chopped brisket for an indulgent treat. Pro tip: accent the rich gooey goodness with some of their sweet, tangy, smoky house-made BBQ sauce for the perfect bite.
The Fredericksburger at Hat Creek Burger Company – Multiple Locations
A fresh, flavorful burger that’s made to order quickly is not easy to come by. For the past 15 years, that’s exactly what Hat Creek Burger Company has been doing. An homage to the German roots of many Central Texans, the Fredericksburger starts as a Goodstock beef double patty, topped with spicy sauerkraut, American Cheese, and Hat Creek’s own mustard-based “Hat Sauce.”
The Tomahawk Ribeye at Hitchin’ Post Steakhouse – Fredericksburg, TX
Diners at this classy restaurant in the heart of one of Texas Hill Country’s most popular tourist destinations will discover a world-class Tomahawk ribeye that puts most big city steakhouses to shame. A huge hand-cut portion of premium Choice Goodstock Angus beef is seasoned with a bold blend of spices, cooked to Medium Rare, topped with house-made Cowboy Butter, and complemented with a house-made red wine Au Jus and horseradish sauce on the side to deliver a truly outstanding meal.
Sliced Brisket at Distant Relatives – Austin, TX
Tucked away in Southeast Austin’s Meanwhile Brewing, Distant Relatives boasts one of the best sliced briskets in the area. Their (not-so) secret; they take Goodstock beef briskets and serve them with a smoked mustard butter sauce. This unexpected twist firmly puts them on the “must visit” list.
The Roast Beef and Cheddar with Horseradish Aioli at Zeitman’s Grocery Store – Bryan, TX
This family-run grocery store that also serves outstanding breakfast and lunch is obsessed with delivering an authentic East Coast Deli experience in Bryan, TX. They’re well-known for the outstanding pastrami that is smoked to perfection by their local friends at 1775 Texas Pit BBQ, and they recently began making roast beef in-house with Goodstock Top Sirloin. This take on a beef & cheddar will upgrade any fond memories you’ve had of this sandwich with thin-slices of tender beef, perfectly melted sharp cheddar cheese and punchy aioli on a house-made rye bread.
The Player’s Pie at Rollin’ Smoke BBQ – Austin, TX
Can Frito Pie actually get any better? The guys at Rollin’ Smoke proved that it can. Starting with Goodstock Prime brisket, this culinary masterpiece adds house-made BBQ sauce, onions, and cilantro and chipotle cream sauce to the classic corn chips. If you’re looking for something truly different, swap out the Fritos for Cheetos!
The El Diablo Burger at Dog & Pony Grill – Boerne, TX
When you hear “family friendly,” you may not expect a burger that registers high on the Scoville chart. Dog & Pony Grill out in Hill Country does just that with their Goodstock Angus patty topped with fiery pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, and house-made Creamy Valentina sauce. Make sure to get a glass of milk on the side!
The Sliced Brisket Sandwich at JNL BBQ – Austin, TX
This relative newcomer on the Austin BBQ scene is helmed by Franklin veteran pitmaster and 8th generation Texan Ben Lambert. Swing by the Cesar Chavez location and keep things basic with a sliced brisket sandwich. The traditional Texas beef staple is prepared with just salt, pepper, and patience, and the smoke ring on each slab of Texas beef will take you back to a simpler—but no less delicious—time.
The SmokeStack Burger at Black Board Bar B Q – Sisterdale, TX
A truly map and calendar worthy burger, Black Board Bar-B-Q releases their best burger on Fridays only. Chef and Pitmaster Joe Rodriguez uses a ground Goodstock Prime brisket for Black Board’s homemade patties and tops it with hunks of smoked brisket, pickles, pickled red onions, fried onion strings, and house-made barbecue sauce: all of this lays beautifully on a garlic tallow bun. Definitely clear your schedule for this culinary adventure!
