Bar-B-Que run on Hwy 281 TX Hill Country

Over the month I have enjoyed barbecue in the Texas Hill Country at 8 different joints on or near US Highway 281. The towns were Marble Falls Hwy 281, (2 joints), Spicewood Hwy 71 (1 joint). East of 281, then Johnson City, (2 joints) Hwy 281, Blanco, (1 joint), Hwy 281 and San Marcos, (2 joints) East from Highway 281. The other day Kim, Todd and I were talking about barbecue and day trips when we came up with our favorite BBQ joints of these 5 Texas Hill Country towns.

Some say, "all barbecue is good, some better than others". I'm one of those folks that can eat barbecue often. People will drive out of their way for some good barbecue, me being one of them. Each BBQ joint has their own specialty, it may be the brisket, chicken, ribs, sausage or what ever else. Myself, I like a good sauce with the meats for an occasional dip or dunk. (I know a guy who likes to sip barbecue sauce as he eats rather than a dip or dunk). I have a child that drizzles the sauce on their potato chips. Some grill masters get all sideways of crazy at thoughts of sauce on their works of wonder. What ever floats your boat I say, no matter, no worries, chill with some barbecue, beans and a cold beer - all is right with the world.

We are not claiming these recommendations are the best BBQ joints in the world (they may be?). We're saying, if your visiting in these US Highway 281 Texas Hill Country towns or passing thru we would recommend these two places to friends and family. The unbiased disclaimer: we paid full price, we have not received any compensation, we are not related to anyone that owns or works at any of these joints. This is only our opinion from eating the barbecue & beans from the joints places/mentioned, your tastes may vary. Our Winners for first and second place are.

#1 - Rileys Barbecue, Blanco, Texas Highway 281 on the Square.

#2 - Opie’s Barbecue, Spicewood, Texas Hwy 71 east off US Highway 281 about 5 miles.

Honorable mention, Pete Mesquite Bar-B-Que. Hwy. 281 Marble Falls.

Some of the things that made Rileys #1 for us were; the meat selection, (I liked the sausage best), the beans were the best, two kinds of sauces, a sweet and a spicy, marinated onions, the locally brewed beer to wash it down.

After the BBQ in Blanco, we found a sweet-treat place tucked in an out of the way place off Highway 281 in Blanco. "The Deutsch Apple Bakery". Wholesome goodness any one will appreciate. Delicious caramel-praline glazed Apple Pecan Cakes to freshly baked Apple Pies to a wide variety of scrumptious sweets. Todd and Kim purchased a cake, with a huge chocolate chip cookie on the side, I got three different kinds of cookies. We all agreed these sweet-treats were Yum'O! 

What a fun way to spend the day, barbecue here, barbecue there, a refreshing beverage to wash it down with sweet treats to round it off. With all that rural Texas Hill Country Highway 281 landscape on the side, pretty as a picture between the stops made for a great day road trip.

Can you imagine that sweet smell of BBQ smoke drifting through the air calling you in? The barbecue temptress lures my car into the parking lot almost every time I am about to pass one by. Who wants to make a BBQ and beer run, maybe make a day trip of it?

Happy motoring, safe travels and ya'll come back to US Highway 281...