Stopped in and got 3/4 pound of burnt ends. Very good and would stop again if in the area.

The real reason we drove from Austin to Llano. This BBQ road trip was a nice drive and first stop was Cooper's. We pulled looking for a parking spot where looked there was a good crowd on this sunny hot day. The line begins in the front which looks like a cattle stall. When you get to the front the meat order sign is above you and you start selecting items you want eat. They even had goat for which I had to try. So the system is you pick your meat by the pound (cutter estimates so don't worry if over) from an open pit. I got brisket, pork ribs and goat. Next you take your meat inside where it is cooler. Another line is setup to order sides, drinks, and will weight your meat. They even cut it for you. The beans are free! You can also purchase vacuum sealed packages of meat to take home. They do sell beer too. The inside seating is tight and we were forced into the pit area to find an additional room with seating. We sit down and there is a station to get silverware and a big pot of beans. You our yourself and make sure to scoop up meat chunks with those beans. The beans were unbelievably good! The brisket was soft and very good. I even had some burnt ends. The pork ribs were also very tasty. The goat meat was actually ribs. Tiny long ribs to be exact. It had a different flavor but still was good. It has less meat than pork ribs. I finished it all with a big cup of sweet tea. So now my hand are greasy so I go through the swinging doors into the pit area and find a sink used by the pit attendants. I use it and find some soap, and it was the best soap where my hands were squeaky clean. I wave goodbye to the pit masters and a thumbs up. I have eaten at three other Cooper's across Texas but this one definitely has that old rustic country atmosphere. read more

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If you are into meeting people and general good feeling of a fun afternoon drive in the hill country, it's awesome. Lean brisket doesn't mean lean brisket. It means less grissel than the non- lean. Pinto beans are fantastic and you can refill them at the condiment bar. It's good, but not the best. . Staff is awesome, fun and friendly, but it can get a little hectic so be patient and have fun. read more

Over priced and over rated. My family; me, wife, daughters (9 and 14), stopped here to see what all the fuss is about. This is the original Cooper's after all. We got a pound of brisket, one sausage, one beef rib, some pork ribs, three 4 ounce Mac and cheese, one 8 ounce potato salad, one 8 ounce Cole slaw, and four drinks. Total was $115. That would have been fine if the BBQ was above average but it wasn't. It was dried out and the seasoning was overly salty. The sides were decent but nothing to write home about. This place is coasting on its past reputation and has way inflated prices. That same spread at Tumlinson's Smoky Top would be $60-$70 and a hell of a lot tastier. I felt like I had been lured into a tourist trap by this place. I've gotten better BBQ at Dickey's. Not sure if the standard is way higher than it was 25 years ago when this place made a name for itself or if it has fallen off. Either way we aren't coming back unless it gets better. read more

There was a man in front of me named Garry He ordered 17 pints of mac and cheese and i thought this was rather odd so i got some for myself. by the time i sat down i was very suprised to see that Garry was sitting by himself with his 17 pints of mac and cheese. he devoured this mac and cheese faster than Noah lyles runs the 100m. i was feeling kinda wimpy with my 1 pint but i still put it down like a boss. to my pleasant suprise it was #bussin. the bbq itself was average but man that mac and cheese #slays the day. read more

Place was a gem!! Had the chicken. Late night before closing at 8pm so it presented a little dry but oh wow was the flavor and taste amazing. The bbq sauce (which was liquid) was perfect on the chicken. Really added to the juiciness and flavor rather than just covering it up. The side of bacon and jalapeño Mac was the best I've ever had, and I've had a lot of Mac! Finishing with the ice cream topped apple cobbler was absolutely perfect! Couldn't have asked for a better meal! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - The pits outside where you order your meats. - Barbeque Near Me - Llano, Texas

Fantastic ! I don't eat barbecue very often because it has to be wonderful or I don't want it. Theirs is definitely wonderful. We got the moist brisket and sausage. We also got sides - Mac and cheese, coleslaw and potato salsa - and they were wonderful as well. The seating is - not sure what to call it - but you sit at picnic tables inside. But that was fun. The staff were excellent. They made jokes and laughed while we waited in line so it made the time pass. They were also very patient when they explained that the paper the food was wrapped in was also our plate. This was a very fun experience. If I ever find myself in the area I will definitely go back. read more

This place is by far one of the best bbq places in central Texas. The meat was so moist and would literally fall apart when you pulled it. Not to mention the spicy jalapeño sausage was to die for. Beans jalapeño pickles onions and bread are complementary l of course! Man this place was so good I'll be back or course. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Beef brisket and jalapeño sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Llano, Texas

Cooper's does not disappoint brisket, goat, beans, potato salad and sausage are the best of the best.

Food was delicious. We had brisket, turkey, and jalapeño sausage with jalapeño Mac and cheese, green beans, potato salad, and green beans plus blackberry cobbler. read more

Hands down THE BEST BBQ!!! Love how you can see what their smoking and actually pick the type of meat and size you want! Highly recommend to go whenever in Llano, Texas!! read more

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If you are anxious about covid and taking extra precautions this might not be the spot for you right now. Ok, on to the food. I got brisket and beef rib. It's a lot of meat but I wanted to taste so went all out. I liked the beef rib more as it was more flavorful. The brisket had quite a lot of salt on the outside which was not to my liking. Cutting that away made me sad as I love the crispy outside bits! But it was too salty otherwise. Side of Mac n cheese was nice, clearly not needed but wanted to try. I had heard great things about this place hence my visit. It was ok, not amazing, but it was good read more

As a life long Texan, I understand good barbecue. My favorite is Kreuz. Second is City Market. We found ourselves headed home today in Llano at 10:50. Friends have suggested Cooper's. We stopped. First you approach the pit. Two young men will take your order, and cut it for you. I ordered Brisket. Usually they slice it 1/4" thick. The pit master sliced it 3/4", asking if that was okay. I added Jalapeño Cheese sausage. My wife got the smoked steak. It was about 12 ounces. Our friends got 1/2 chicken, and brisket. They wrap your meats, put it on a tray. Then you head inside for sides. We got the brisket jalapeño Mac & cheese. You get free jalapeño beans. Also free onions and sliced pickles. No sauce, but they do have utensils. The brisket is fantastic. Not "fall apart in your hands" but wonderful. Very tender and tasty. The jalapeño cheese sausage was good. The casing was tough. The chicken was very good, and moist. Sides were perfect. The employees are all young. Hard workers, and super polite. Cooper's is on my top 5. read more

The BBQ was delicious but never having a menu of prices to follow we (2 of us) ended up with a $90 lunch. Still not sure how it got so high! Nothing all that huge. We got small portions on the meat ( after weighing it all came to $28), 3 sides(Cole slaw, potato salad, and jalapeño bacon Mac and cheese)1 beer and 1 water. Just can not afford those prices for a lunch. read more

Best BBQ in Texas! Everyone that works here absolutely loves their job and it shows. I only wish I lived closer...

Once again Cooper's in Llano Texas did not disappoint me one of the better barbecue places they take pride in customer service and also they have some great BBQ. Beef Ribs were great along with Jalapeño MAC & Cheese read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Llano, Texas

While we're traveling west on 71 We were hungry we turned on yelp and then LLANO Is the city in Texas and this barbecue place is the bomb I'm sure it's good for here but it's fantastic those have never been here huge ribs huge double cut pork chops incredible brisket Redskin potato salad macaroni salad all wooden benches schoolhouse style jalapeño peppers in gallon buckets on the table all kinds of Texas people Cowboys cowgirls Cooper's Old time pit barbecue is unbelievable read more

Nine years on Yelp. Hard for me to award top honor to a BBQ place. Yet, on a recent visit Cooper's earned it. As for BBQ, I thought I had it all. Stand in line for hours in Austin...check. Lockhart times four...check. Lexington...check. What was this magical combination of events? Turns out it was a car club run fashioned by Ol' Rooster a few hours before we dined. We met at 620 and 2222. Lime Creek over to 1431, quick stop in Marble Falls, Kingsland, and onto Llano. Noticed something in Kingsland; place called the Pizza Box. Need to add that to the list thanks to fellow Yelper and weather guru Ardie S. We had a member that was a late arrival to the party. He went thru the line about 10 minutes after we did. Two pork ribs for me and a cut of sirloin. Sides consisted of the jalapeno bacon mac and cheese and a cobbler. I did try the free beans. I've heard that a few businesses have copied said practice aka Opie's in Spicewood. Beans in a BBQ category aren't my thing. Much better in a Tex-Mex setting like Chuy's with the same ingredients adding flavor. Ribs were quite good. Fave still is the Salt Lick in Driftwood. That sirloin was one of the best bits I've ever tasted. Non dipped (pay attention folks); sweet medium rare bites of beef pornography. Add in the cheesy noodles; my request of a half filled bowl of the apple cobbler...wham bam thank you ma'am. I drove home happy. Server dude had a bit of confusion understanding that I didn't want the full serving of the Apple Cobbler. Just had a small heart attack dude; less is more from now on. Can't wait to lead more cars out to Llano! read more

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Continues to underwhelm. Brisket was dry and flavor was definitely lacking. Jalapeño Cheese Sausage was undercooked and flavor was bland. Per members of our group, the beef and pork ribs were not very good, dry & tough. BBQ sauce is not the original George Cooper sauce, way too much vinegar. IMHO, still "trying" to ride the wave of the old Cooper's BBQ. From my perspective not worth a drive to Llano. Too many other good BBQ places to keep this on your radar. read more

I was very impressed as I walked up to Coopers, seeing the rows of bbq pits filled with an endless supply of meat. The food was hands down some of the best bbq we've ever had. We had the pork ribs, sausage, potato salad, and green beans. Friendly staff and lots of open seating. This place is awesome! read more

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I love picking out my meat outside on the pit. The smell alone is worth the drive. We enjoyed the brisket, ribs, jalapeño cheese sausage, corn on the cob, green beans, bbq beans (serve yourself after you pay), pecan cobbler and banana pudding. I didn't try their bbq sauce because their meat is so good without it! read more

Ribs, turkey, and jalapeño sausage were great! Brisket was a little dry, but had real good flavor. Very friendly staff. Inside had an "old time" feel. read more

Unbelievable BBQ and cobbler! Maybe the best I have ever had and I have had a lot of BBQ. The Pork Chop was incredible as well. The people are friendly too!!! read more

It's the place from the Josh Abbott song. You ain't met my Texas yet. If you hadn't eaten Cooper's down in Llano. read more

Continues to underwhelm. Brisket was dry and flavor was definitely lacking. Jalapeño Cheese Sausage was undercooked and flavor was bland. Per members of our group, the beef and pork ribs were not good, dry & tough. BBQ sauce is definitely not the original George Cooper sauce. IMHO, still "trying" to ride the wave of the old Cooper's BBQ. From my perspective not worth a drive to Llano. Too many other good BBQ places to keep this on your radar. read more

This is not one of those fancy or trendy bbq places. This is the place you go if you love grilled meat and don't mind enjoying in a very casual environment. This is the place where a large section of wax paper is considered a plate. If you want fancy dining I suggest you get your bbq to go. The decor is rustic with a capital R. You will find photo's of the local basketball team, a few deer head mounts and cute signs with witty sayings on them. The seating is wooden park benched and the napkins are paper of course. I didn't try the ice tea but from what I gather it must be good everyone seems to order it. When you approach the grilling station have a game plan. It is best to know exactly what type of meat you want. I was offered several types of sausage, brisket, pork ribs, goat (cabrito), porn loin, rib-eye, chopped beef, half chicken, pork chops, sirloin, and turkey. This is where they trick you into thinking your at a Backyard bbq. No mention of prices will happen unless you directly ask. This is where they show some of the prettiest meat you have seen in a life time and tell you, YES you can have anything you want. Remember if they say what they are cutting is half a pound it's more then likely a whole pound. It's easy to purchase more meat then you need. After you pick your meats it's time to head inside and get the side items. The side items I happen to noticed were a couple types of cobbler, potato salad, cole slaw; there might have been more options but honestly I didn't look. I was more concern with the meat. Now on to the sauce it's more of a ketchup vinegar based sauce. I just the word sauce liberally here because it's more of a flavored liquid that really does nothing more then wet the meat. I am more of a thick sweet sauce sort of chick but never the less it was tasty. This is one of those places where they do not over dress the meat. It' stands on it's own and sauce isn't really needed. I believe the meat is seasoned with salt and pepper only. I found the bbq pork rib a little salty and I thought the goat was pretty boney. Keep in mind that these thoughts came to my mind while I was shoving all of the meat goodness in my mouth. Okay I got it out of the way those are my only complains, but they were over shadowed by the delicious pork loin and the super tender brisket. Another thing most of the time BBQ places have sucky side dishes but I honestly enjoyed their potato salad. I would dine here again but I would stick to the meats without bones. On the salad bar area you will find all you can eat beans and there is all you can eat sliced bread and picked jalapenos on the table. Lastly if you have no self control like me.... Bring an ice chest. read more

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If you like dry roast beef this place is for you. Brisket was dry and stringy. Sausage was pretty good. Everything was overpriced. Fed 3 people for $150. Would not recommend or return here again. read more

Cabin Fever needed some relief. So we headed out for a short day trip with no destination or direction in mind. When it got near lunch time we found ourselves near Llano Texas. When it's lunch time on a day trip and your in Llano, what do you do? Why you go to Cooper's of course. Well at least we do, and this time was no different. We had no idea if they were open or what services were available in this crazy Corona virus time. They were open yahoooo! They were providing curbside service with signs posted at every parking spot with directions on how it worked. They were also open inside if you felt brave enough. We went inside. This was the very first meal we have had in a restaurant for over 3 months. Unheard of. We noticed changes right away to protect the workers and customers. There were plastic shield barriers everywhere. Even on the picnic tables to separate parties. We felt very comfortable with our safety level. As far as the food is concerned everything is pretty much the same. Except the communal pot of free beans has been eliminated for health reasons. The beans are still free but in individual bowls with covers. If you have been here before you know their brisket has a salt based rub. Mine was extra salty this time. The wife said she liked it just fine. It was a little much for me and by the time I finished my mouth was a little raw from the salt. Both of our slices were from the same piece of meat. So you can see it is individual preference. We finished it off with a shared apple cobbler. Oh my!. Fantastic. This was a good topper to our short day trip that was much needed. We will return when in the area again. read more

By far the best BBQ ever. Not your everyday day road side restaurant. You select your meats right from the pit. Everything from beef ribs, pork ribs, pork loin, pork chops, chopped beef, beef brisket, and much more. My favorite is the pork chop followed by the brisket. The sides are typical for BBQ. Beans (self serve), potato salad, coleslaw, and several cobblers. My favorite again is the pork chop. Weight of 2.0 pounds and I picked the smallest of the chops. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Llano, Texas

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Feeling challenged by Josh Abbott's song, My Texas, and having not met it yet, my boy friend and I set out to meet his Texas. We had never "eaten Coopers down in Llano" until now. Definitely will be back. This was some of The Best bar b q we had ever eaten. The ribs were fall off the bone wonderful. The pork chop melted in your mouth. And the brisket was out of this world. Thanks Josh Abbott band for the tip!! Oh yeah, we had a Shiner in Luckenbach! But Enchanted Rock was closed due to rain! read more

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We heard the hype, but couldn't believe it was as good as they say. It wasn't. It was SO much better! The bark on the brisket is like meat candy. My eyes are welling up just thinking about how delicious it was. My husband still sort of drools when he thinks about the mac and cheese with jalepeno and bacon. He also loved the jalepeno and cheese sausage - seeing a trend are ya? We are cheesy. The sausage was too spicy for me, but I have issues, hubby loved it. The pork ribs were perfect. Sirloin perfect. Prime Rib had my kid begging for more. Cole slaw was a perfect combination of sweet and crunchy. The beans were the best I've probably ever eaten. The cobbler. Oh the cobbler. We stopped off and grabbed more on our way out of town and I was so sad hubby only bought one each of peach and apple. Apple wins by a tiny margin, but both are SO good. This was a total win all around. read more

Holy crap! This BBQ is absolutely wonderful! This place was recommended by a customer and I'm so glad I came! Walking in, I felt like such the novice- you pick out your meat from the huge pit. They then serve it to you on a tray where you proceed indoors for the guys inside to slice up your meat for you. Potato salad and Cole slaw are individually served in containers. Beans, BBQ sauce, jalapeños and bread are all you can eat the tables or at either end of the room. Butcher paper is given to you for your plate so clean up is easy! All the sides were just as flavorful as the meat and the sweet tea is perfect! Seating is intimate and on picnic tables where people are sitting and chatting with each other. On this visit I'm sitting with Canadians, folks from Austin, Tx and myself from San Antonio. The Canadians last visited 5 years ago and talked about eating here at Cooper's for the last 2 years! I also ordered the peach cobbler and look forward to eating it to top it off - of course with the ice cream! I think I'm calling hm to see if BBQ will be on the dinner menu for tonight and bring some home.......it's really that wonderfully delicious! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - So I wasn't familiar with the format.....pick what you want from the huge pit, they place it on a tray and you're good to go! - Barbeque Near Me - Llano, Texas

Warning! If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, you just might find yourself choosing $75 worth of meat for lunch! Thankfully you can wrap up your leftovers to take home for dinner! This particular Cooper's has remained in my Top 10 best places to obtain Texas BBQ for more than 30 years. I eat here every single time I'm in Llano and it has never disappointed me. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Vegiterians are not welcomed here. - Barbeque Near Me - Llano, Texas

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Phenomenal as usual. They have adopted to the COVID-19 pandemic! You pull in to a numbered parking stall much like an old fashioned drive-in Call in your order or give it to a car hop. Food is delivered shortly and in a friendly manner. Thanks Cooper's for staying open and being resourceful during this debacle read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Pandemic dining at its best!!! Thank you for staying open!!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Llano, Texas

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This used to be a destination place, it still could be. Menu boards!!!!! For the love of all that is smoked and customer friendly, get some visible menu boards! WITH PRICES!!!!! Carry the meat inside, sell it there. Cut it and weigh it in front of customers. Having people pick it up outside with the insects, and not having ANY idea of how much you have or what it costs is crazy! Display the sides! People coming in have NO IDEA what is under those food warmers. I can appreciate keeping the food warm and fly free, so maybe you use pictures with prices on the glass counter sneeze guard Noise damping tapestries, foam, ceiling tiles. Put on some classic rock. Make it an enjoyable experience so people want to come back or tell friends. For the love of the health department, CLEAN THE TABLES. They are grease covered. The meat, excellent taste. Can't argue that. Give the pit boss a raise. However, 85 dollars for two people with only potatoes for sides and 1 tub of Pecan cobler is exorbitant and insane. Even by the legends standards. read more

Very good beef ribs & Brisket. Not to smokey very moist with good bark. You pick your meats outside, then go in to the restaurant & pick your sides. The tables are set up family style so you can visit with your neighbors. Friendly staff & I would go back if I was in the area. read more

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People were very nice loved how the place looked and the smell of the bbq food was amazing

Let me preface this by saying I understand how restaurant food preparation works. Even very good restaurants are going to have misfires and out of the ordinary, unpleasant experiences for diners from time to time. And I also know how cooking barbecue works. As the old Czech cowboy from Wise county who taught me how to smoke meat some thirty-five years ago used to say, "Cooking barbecue is like (well, you know what :). Same bed. Same sheets. Same woman. But sometimes is better than others". I wanted to love this food from the moment I entered the store from the east side and saw the operation. On the east side of the store is an open shed with at least eight or ten rectangular, floor mounted steel pits. The wood here is mesquite and it is prepared for the smokers in two outside firepits where the wood is rendered down to white coals before being carried by a large shovel to the fireboxes of the various pits. The serving process begins outside the restaurant door at a brick pit with a steel lid upon which is resting every meat they serve. And they do a bunch of stuff here. A bunch! Very nice. Just tell the server "I'll have this much of this and this much of that, etc." I ordered a 1/4 lb. of brisket, two pork ribs, and half a sausage link. No sides. I ate no bread. No dessert. And I could not finish it, so be careful. The meat cutter slices it and asks if you want sauce. Yes, he dunks it in a pot of sauce and throws it onto a tray. No, he just chunks it on the tray. When your selections are cut you're given the tray and you take it in the door where someone takes it, weighs it, and slices it appropriately. Each meat is separately wrapped and labeled and put on another tray and handed to you. You select sides and a drink and it is then rung up. You sit at community tables and benches typical of central Texas BBQ joints. A very enjoyable experience actually. It is fun talking to either locals or other BBQ questers like yourself. We sat across from one of each today. A local who once worked here and a BBQ lover like us from Midland. My disappointment came in the eating. I requested brisket from the fatty end and it was the first cut from that end which means it came with the coveted burnt ends. But in this case the burnt ends were tough and dry with way too much salt and pepper (Which is, I think, all they rub with...as it should be). The meat of course was much more tender and moist as you moved in. But still, it just wasn't ringing my bell as I anticipated. I thought the bark was still too salty, and the meat was not as silky smooth as I would like from that end of the brisket. The ribs were OK, but again, no wow factor. I wish I could put my finger on it. The ribs just were not rolling my socks up and down. The jalapeño sausage is quite good, but I would have liked a little more smoke flavor. One thing I REALLY do not understand is how a bbq joint of this stature produces a sauce like this. Who am I to question the success of a place like this, but I have never, ever had such a bland and uninteresting bbq sauce. I don't use sauce on brisket in premier joints like this, but I do like some on pork ribs. But this added nothing to the ribs that I already thought were pretty ho-hum. I know these guys have got it going on. And I will definitely be back. Next time I will be more specific about where I want my brisket cut from, and I will order a slice of the sirloin. The sirloin is what the former employee said he always gets. And it was beautiful from across the table. If you're in Llano. Go here. UPDATE Yesterday 4/19/18 The first time here my friend and I sat across the table for this cat that a huge hunk of something amazingly pink and glistening. Turns out he's a regular and it is sirloin, and that's all he ever gets. So this visit I'm having me some you know what. But I also wanted to try the brisket again after my first experience above and also a rib. I ordered a slice of sirloin, brisket and one lovely rib from toward the top end of the rack. In my book brisket from the fatty end (which is all I order) ought to be very soft (there's gotta be a better word for this than "soft") and glisteningly moist. This again, was not, but it was nonetheless pretty tender and the bark was, I'm tellin' ya, out of this world delicious. So good. Awesome good bark. The sirloin? I don't care where you live, drive here for this. Wow. Just wow. And the rib this visit was perfection. Tenderness, smoke flavor, everything. Lovely. This is a killer venue for the variety of meats, the awesome precision you can request from the cutter at the meat pit, and the real deal BBQ joint ambiance of the whole shebang. My opinion above of the sauce stands. Second visit takes me though to 5 stars for the overall experience. read more

Absolutely disgusting my husband and I just ate there, 2 unsweet ice tea's, 2 baked potatoes, 2 Ribeye steaks, almost a $100, and the steaks were so salty, We could only take a few bites of them. It was like we drank salt water from the ocean. No Stars. No service. read more

Please go back to the old peach cobbler. Very disappointed today. Outstanding service and great group of people. Barbecue is always excellent. read more