Wow! 4 of us just arrived from Boston. We were seeking local BBQ. This is not the New England definition of BBQ. This place is heavily! We all agreed best Brisket and Ribs we ever had. The sides were outstanding. The people awesome! If you're in the area it is well worth the stop. read more

A BBQ Experience Worthy of Its Ranking! LJs BBQ is a Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ award winner, and it's clear this spot absolutely deserves the recognition. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was welcoming, with a nicely decorated dining area and plenty of seating. The staff was incredibly friendly, which made the experience even better. But of course, the real star was the food. Let's start with the brisket. I tried both the lean and the moist cuts, and they were both cooked to absolute perfection. The bark was fantastic--a deep, flavorful crust that gave way to incredibly tender meat. We were also offered a sample of the burnt ends, and they were delicious, a rich and savory bite that left me wanting more. The Hatch Chili Oaxaca sausage was another highlight. It had a smooth, mild flavor that let the sausage itself shine. The cheese had a nice texture and a subtle hint of chili that wasn't overpowering. The ribs were also outstanding. They had a great bite, just the right amount of pull from the bone, and a wonderful flavor. The classic salt and pepper rub was perfectly balanced, enhancing the meat without dominating it. For the sides, I was impressed with the potato salad. It was wonderfully creamy, loaded with big pieces of potato and bacon, and had just the right amount of onion for a nice tang. The mac and cheese was also great, with a very creamy sauce that had a fantastic flavor. While the noodles were a little on the softer side, it didn't take away from how delicious the dish was overall. Overall, this is a top-tier barbecue joint that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a truly great BBQ experience. read more

LJ's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

Great food and friendly staff. We tea enjoyed the brisket, sausage, and potato salad. read more

The brisket and mac & cheese are SOO good!! We love coming here anytime we're in town!! read more

LJ's BBQ - Brisket, Mac, Potato salad, beans - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

Dropped in late afternoon after a Blue Bell visit and, despite being past prime hours, the team was warm and welcoming. Decent amount dining space, and a lot of country music décor on the walls. Brisket and pork steak were sold out, so we went with what was left--pork ribs and smoked turkey. The ribs had that deep, smoky bark with a bold salt-and-pepper crust, while the turkey was unexpectedly the standout: tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Sides included silky braised cabbage (a sleeper hit) and Mexican street corn, which was decent but not a highlight. A solid BBQ stop in Brenham--worth seeking out! Will definitely be back for their brisket and pork steak. read more

LJ's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

See all

This pound for pound one of if not best BBQ restaurant in Texas . They have specials every day, like a burger, brisket enchiladas, cajun turkey sandwich that are incredible. They are a Texas Monthly picked 2 times top 50 BBQ restaurant in Texas. The BBQ stands alone , but today I had a pork sandwich . Their pork is not shredded , like 99.9% of BBQ pork, it is sliced....it's awesome. And healthier than brisket. It's so good ! Plus they have some non traditional sauces like a beer mustard sauce. read more

Wow! Finally found great BBQ! I had the ribs and my wife had the pulled pork. Absolutely amazing. We both had the Mac n cheese. YES! Coleslaw and potato salad definitely accompanied everything. Went on a Saturday morning. Got there about 10:30am. They open at 11am. Line was already forming. Once the doors open the line moves at a good pace. Most everyone has their order ready. The staff is amazing and the decor inside is my type of style. Highly recommended and can't wait to get up there again read more

See all

We pulled into Brenham with stomachs growling and fingers crossed that LJ's still had burnt ends. The sign didn't say SOLD OUT, so we jumped out of that truck like we were running from a vegan potluck. TL;DR: LJ's BBQ in Brenham delivered on brisket bark, burnt-end brilliance, and a cold elote curveball that worked. Mac and cheese got the daughter's stamp of approval, and I got my 31st Texas Monthly passport stamp. It was midday on a Saturday and the BBQ roadtrip was rolling hard. My daughter decided to join me for a father-daughter bonding session forged in smoke and meat. We pulled into LJ's around 1:45 PM, praying to the brisket gods, and were rewarded with the best news you can see on a Texas BBQ door: no sold out sign. I've been here before, and last time I left with tears in my eyes and a sausage-less soul. But not today. The line was gone, the staff was smiling, and the counter was still slinging burnt ends. We ordered a two-meat plate with burnt ends and moist brisket, plus sides of mac-n-cheese and elote. The burnt ends were barky, rich, sticky, and divine. If a cube of brisket and a candy bar had a lovechild, this would be it. The slice of moist brisket was textbook central Texas. Fat cap rendered just enough, deep pink smoke ring, bark that snapped back like a good comeback. Now listen, this BBQ dad has a strict no-fly zone when it comes to mac and cheese. I didn't even flinch in its direction. But my daughter? She dove in like it owed her money. One bite in and she gave it that look: eyes closed, slow nod, total reverence. She called it cheesy in all the right ways. I call it: not my business. Then came the elote. We both bit in and paused like someone had hit the mute button. Cold? Cold corn? We hadn't read the menu close enough. But then... we kept eating. It was creamy, cheesy, tangy, and hit different on a warm day. That cold elote snuck up on us and stuck the landing. The vibe in LJ's is old-school butcher paper, red-and-white checkered tables, and good tunes humming low. Before we left, we got the all-important stamp in the Top 50 passport and snapped a pic outside by the mural. I rocked my orange shirt like a man on a mission. And I am. Why did the burnt end break up with the sausage? Because it needed space to meat its true potential. read more

LJ's BBQ - Tray of deliciousness - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

BBQ sleeper!! Everything was great, loved the brisket, ribs, and sausage! Service was very friendly and accommodating.

Love the place. Always checking in the weekly menu. It changes each week. Banana pudding is super good. Brisket cheese steak was fabulous.

There's a reason why LJ's is listed in Texas Monthly's best new comers; the food is outstanding and it's a throwback to classic Texas BBQ joints. LJ is right there behind the counter asking what you want and cuts your protein. The rest of the staff were friendly asking about sides and drinks and settling the tab. Sausage was good and crisp but not one ounce of grease dripped. The ribs were tender and juicy with a light taste of seasoning that complements the Smokey flavor. Brisket was super tasty, flavorful bark and very tender. The only thing I didn't like is that two of my slices were too think, like a quarter-inch. It's a small dining area but there is outdoor seating and the ambiance feels like a small town joint selling good Texas 'Que. read more

See all

Went here on a recommendation from a local we had work meeting with. Definitely worth a stop! It's most nostalgic for me when I walk into a BBQ joint that has the red and white plaid table cloths. I love that the line moved quickly and the staff was attentive. We had the chopped beef & sausage Big Dog sandwich, the brisket Mac n cheese and a side of coleslaw. I liked that they cut the brisket off the slab and chopped it fresh in front of you and did not sauce it. Don't sleep on the marinated onions and homemade pickles!!! I added some chopped beef from my sandwich into the boat with those with a touch of sauce and could literally could eat that all day. The sauce was good and peppery, not too runny and not too sweet. The brisket is the star here for sure. Great flavor, moist and good bark. The sausage has good flavor but for my personal preference, was ground to smooth inside. Mac n cheese was cheesy and they use white cheese. Would return if I'm in the area to try some other meats and sides and get more brisket read more

See all

I'm not sure it's only me but the last 3 times I have been to LJ's there has been and insanely huge amount of pepper on the pulled pork and the chopped brisket. I hope they fix this, I loved their food before. read more

Wow. What a great meal! The brisket was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The pork ribs were great. I would have liked a touch of sweetness to them, but it was not at all necessary. Just my opinion. The pork steak was smoked just right. The jalapeño cheese sausage was incredible. Don't miss the Mac and cheese. Maybe my favorite of any BBQ place I have been, ever. You can tell that everything is made with love. Great job. We will be seeing you again soon. read more

LJ's BBQ - Two meat plate. Definitely get your moneys worth!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

Amazing BBQ! A bunch of "good ole boys" making great BBQ! If you are anywhere close it is worth the trip. read more

LJ's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

Both the Brisket and ribs had absolutely zero flavor. Zero smoke flavor. Zero salt. They really tasted steamed, more than anything. Meat was soft and juicy, but again zero flavor. Cabbage was good Beans were good Best part: pickled onions. I had to put them on everything just to get some flavor. Not really sure why this place is rated so high. Maybe because there is no strong bbq competition in brenham? Maybe an off day? read more

LJ's BBQ - Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

See all

The best BBQ within 100 miles. On Main Street in Brenham. Brisket is fantastic. Turkey is excellent, chicken is excellent. Sides dishes: green beans (fresh), macaroni and cheese (to die for). Go early --the line is out the door and when they sell out, that's it for that day. read more

Such an easy stop off 290. And there were only a few folks ahead of us. Just enough time to decide on an order. We went with the 3 meat plate (moist brisket, ribs, peppered turkey) with 2 sides (mac n cheese and pinto beans). Ribs and brisket were both excellent- smoky and moist. We'd get these again and again. Turkey was disappointing since there wasn't a smoky flavor and wasn't very moist. It was also peppery, which I need to start asking about when I order turkey. That's on me. The mac n cheese had what I'd call white queso component. This isn't your kids' Kraft mac and cheese. Very creamy, slightly spicy and kinda addictive. Yum! read more

LJ's BBQ - Get the ribs, brisket, and mac 'n cheese. - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

Good barbeque and sides Ill be back Had the brisket and beans and cold slaw Really good read more

This places Ambiance is welcoming and private. The staff is the most welcoming as they come. But has amazing array of dishes that you would not include when you think of BBQ. Like Brisket and Kale egg rolls. Wow! Pastrami Reubens, Brisket fried rice, Brisket Mac and Cheese is a favorite... EVERYTHING is top notch. All the regular Items are here and are excellent! To me Bbq is either good or not, no middle ground. But this is leaps and bounds above the rest. The pride these folks seem to have in their products shows. NOTHING is average! And the cost is reasonable, considering the care put into the products. This is not one of those places you get 2 plates and drop $100!!! This has become a Destination Spot, don't miss this one! Only open a few hours a day so be there by 11am. read more

Stopped by for the first time today and WOW--one of the best cheese steak sandwiches I've ever had! Friendly service, great flavor, and I'll definitely be coming back. read more

I've lived in Texas for most of my life. (40+ years) I've had church bbq, gas station bbq, homemade bbq. This one tops them all. I believe the words that came to mind as I ate were: T R A N S C E N D E N T and brisket N I R V A N A. The brisket is so luscious that it melts in your mouth. That is, if it doesn't fall apart before it reaches your mouth! The bark and smoke ring are perfection. The star of the meat show. Get it by itself AND on the brisket mac n' cheese. You'll be transported to another place. The jalapeño cheddar sausage has a nice heat to it that complements the meat. When you take a bite, it has a good snap. The cheddar helps to tame the jalapeño, but you still have some lingering heat. The turkey is exceptionally moist and expertly seasoned. The best I've ever had. The green beans were tender, fresh, and super flavorful. The elote corn salad was tangy, zingy, and a refreshing departure from traditional sides. The homemade pickles were crunchy and delightful. The perfect ending to the meal was the homemade banana pudding. It was perfectly sweet, creamy but whipped, and banana-y. I ate the whole thing! Upshot: LJ's is as legit as it gets. It'll make you wanna slap yo mama, slap yo daddy, slap yo dog. (But don't.) The love that goes into the food will infuse you and make you wanna hug the proprietor. Do that instead. (I did!) No pics except this one of the empty nana puddin. You'll have to go experience it for yourself. read more

LJ's BBQ - Nana puddin - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

OMG! Chopped Brisket Baked Potato. All. The. Way. Mmm Can't go wrong with. Better get here early or they run out.

Good people and great food! You feel welcome here if you are a BIB or a BOB The important stuff, brisket. Clearly they know what they are doing here. The brisket was so moist you could cut it with your folk. Ribs were fall off the bone, and I will dream about that Mac and cheese. If you are not from Brenham stop in to a place they call you friend Tip- make it in early before the Mac and cheese sells out. read more

LJ's BBQ - The spread - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

See all

My wife and I stopped here for our anniversary weekend. We food tasted amazing. We love these "hole in the wall" places to eat. Everyone was very polite and friendly. We will be returning to this restaurant in the future. read more

Here we go with another Top 50 visit! We're out here in Brenham, TX visiting a local's favorite, LJ's. We came in o. a Saturday (1/27/24) about 30 min after they opened. There were maybe 10 people ahead of us in line which moved pretty quick for a BBQ joint. Quick shout out to the super friendly and welcoming staff here! They were all in great spirits and amazingly friendly, despite me wearing my Dodger hat in the Houston area lol. After I saw what they had on special, I decided to keep it simple with a 2 meat plate so I can try their General Tso's Pork Belly Burnt Ends and their Green Chile and Queso sausage. Despite serving a massive brisket portion (thank you) I have to be honest when I say it was a bit on the pot roast side for me with not a lot of smoke. But the beef was cooked beautifully and noticeably moist and tender. If you like peppery ribs, and I do, you'll love these ribs! Really easy to eat, lots of meat on the bone, great flavor. The pork belly burnt ends were also some delicious eating, I always enjoy any kind of Asian spins on Texas barbecue. Despite not being much of a looker, the green chile and queso sausage stole the show for me, wow!!! Sooooo much flavor and ooey gooey cheese. Great texture on the meat and casing too! My wife enjoyed the sides more than I did, I thought the elote salad was a bit too cold to savor the flavors in it and the potato salad was a bit in the unseasoned side. Regardless, it was a wonderful experience that I wholeheartedly recommend! read more

LJ's BBQ - Always try the specials! - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

See all

What went well? Everything. Their costumer service and the quality and flavor of their food is beyond TOP NOTCH!

BBQ and service here are great. Brisket Nachos are worth the hour + drive Everything was very good. read more

See all

We made a quick stop at this place for a small snack and I was not disappointed. The brisket sandwich was delicious - you could taste the butter all over the bun! The ribs were fall off the bone good, too. The BBQ sauce was good just like it - TANGY. And I'm a fan of elote so I had to try it. Yummy, yummy, yummy - you gotta try it! Next time I go in, I must try that brisket mac everyone was ordering! read more

See all

Driving around eating BBQ on the Texas Monthly Top 50 list so we drove to LJ's BBQ in Brenham Texas. We pulled up around 2:15pm on a Thursday in June. And we were very excited as they were still open and they had BBQ left for us!!! We had already eaten at several other BBQ places so we only got brisket and pork ribs. This place is ok, and the food here is average. The brisket looked really good but it was really salty, glad we did not get too much. The pork rib looked and tasted good. The people looked ready to go home as nobody was smile nor were they friendly. The place has indoor seating. The ambiance here is country BBQ. Nothing really special about this place, but needed to try it as it was on the list. read more

See all

This might be my new favorite bbq place. The people are so nice and all the meats are awesome especially the brisket and turkey.

Brisket was way too salty! Sides were pretty good but couldn't get past the about of salt in their rub.

Very good bbq! The brisket, cold slaw and pinto beans were outstanding! Would definitely stop again when in the area. read more

LJ's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

Back again a little after 1 pm. They were out of both brisket and sausage. There goes my two meat plate. The only meat left was the pulled pork, definitely not my first choice. It was good but I was really set on brisket and sausage . The whole area has a smoky aroma as soon as you get out of your car in the parking lot. I liked that. The Cole slaw was fresh made and very crunchy. I like mine a little wilted. The potato salad reminded me of German potato salad. Chunks of potatoes with very little mayo or other emolument added. The service is at a counter and you carry your plate to a table yourself after you pay. Don't like that the register asks you to tip. Not sure what for but the cashier seemed a bit disturbed with me when I checked no tip. Serving size of the pulled pork was very big and I couldn't finish it all. l I hope to come earlier next time as their brisket and sausage were very good last visit. read more

See all

Driving through Brenham looking for a decent BBQ spot. Yelp had LJs listed as 5 stars and it was within 1/2 mile from 290. Thank you YELP! I would have never known about this hidden gem. Without hesitation, I too must give this five stars. Excellent ribs, the Mac n cheese was like no other. I decided to order brisket and ribs to bring home to Houston area. My husband agreed this BBQ was amazing. Fall off the bone ribs, juicy brisket , excellent flavor. I also had their blueberry cobbler and it was delish! Small and quaint, don't miss this spot! read more

LJ's BBQ - One meat plate-pork ribs, Mac n cheese, collard greens - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

Everything was top tier and delicious! We were a party of 10 and everyone had nothing but full bellies and smiles!

I arrived at 10:30am and was surprisingly first in line. However, within minutes there were ~5 people behind me. Talk about timing! By the time they opened there were ~20 behind me so it really didn't seem that bad. For good BBQ, you gotta expect to be waiting in line and they really go thru at a pretty good clip. Since there were four of us, we went all in and ordered quite a bit. I think we got twice as much as we needed! These portions were huge. I think they gave us more than the minimums and we definitely got our money's worth. Also, being the first in line on a Saturday Morning, the team were in a GREAT mood. I think excellence of employees continues to be a hallmark of a Top-50 BBQ joint. The BBQ was very good. Anywhere you go this will hold its own. If I could lay down a 4.5, I would. But to be a 5 in a Top-50, don't think it was really there. You will NOT be disappointed and I'd go again. Not sure I would drive 2 hours out of the way, though... First up we got the Big Dog. It was HUGE. The bun was just spanking and I think it was toasted. The brisket was solid and better with the BBQ sauce. It was chopped brisket and that's the best way to serve this sandwich. The BBQ was good but seemed to be a bit dry. The sausage slices gave it a nice kick along the way. Next up we went with the Sampler. WOW that was a lot of meat. The turkey was good but the bark was intense! It was a bit bold for turkey. The pulled pork was my favorite. Just the way it should be. The brisket was likely not my favorite as it was pretty much on the dry side. It passed the pull test (it would fall apart when you picked it up) but it was definitely on the dry side. The ribs were solid but not much personal flavor in them. All good and solid, but I wouldn't go huge distances unless I was ticking the Top-50 list. The Brisket & Mac was just as good as everyone raves. In fact this was the best Mac & Cheese I've had at any BBQ joint so far. I'm not a big fan of mac & cheese, but I could definitely be a fan of this. The cole slaw was huge and chunky. That was new and not quite the style I rave about. Maybe you will. The bacon & potato salad was definitely my favorite. Great potato salad and then it went over the top with some pretty good chunks of bacon. Well done there. We had a mac & cheese side (without brisket) and this was raving good! Get it. Seating was great. They have a few tables inside and a few outside. There's a bunch of wooden spools that used to hold hose that are on their side out back to serve as tables, but we couldn't tell if it was for next door or for the BBQ spot. We ate there so beware if someone kicks you out. We were fine, but pretty much unsure. read more

See all

Y'all haven't lived until you eat a fabulous meal at LJ's, everything ordered was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection, the staff is very friendly and welcoming. The brisket is so moist and yummy that it melts in your mouth. I tried the Mac n Cheese with Brisket, OH MY, I was in absolute Heaven. read more

Local find, diamond in the rough. Great plate of Texas BBQ, everything was on point, with great smoke taste. Enjoyed the sides and freshly made pickles. If your in the area, definitely a must tey. read more

LJ's BBQ - 3 meat plate - Barbeque Near Me - Brenham, Texas

I found this place not too far from home off the tip from a relative. Being a small place they tend to run out of food quickly so I advise y'all to get to this location at least an hour before closing. My brisket was quite good, and although most of the side dishes were in short supply, I managed to gather up some baked beans and coleslaw . The gentleman serving the food was very friendly, and I look forward to coming here again earlier in the afternoon, so as to have a wider selection of their food. read more