Who doesn’t like some good barbecue?
It doesn’t matter if you prefer Carolina, Kansas City, Memphis, Alabama, or Texas style BBQ. And whether you like ribs, brisket, pulled pork, or chicken with sauce or without sauce, there are some great barbecue joints near Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) to satisfy your craving!
We polled our readers and checked reviews for specific recommendations. Prices are based on a scale of $-$$$, like those on Yelp. Check out one of these spots near Fort Cavazos!
1) Miller’s Smokehouse
- Location: Belton
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to Order: Brisket and Coconut Pecan Pie
About: Miller's Smokehouse was voted one of "The Top 50 Best BBQ Joints" by Texas Monthly Magazine. Reviewers rave about the ribs, chicken, sausage, but the brisket and coconut pecan pie are the biggest crowd pleasers at Miller's.
With these great reviews, this is the place to bring your out-of-town guests!
2) Vitek's BBQ
- Location: Waco
- Price Range: $
- Catering: Yes
- What to Order: the Gut Pak
About: Vitek's is a Waco classic. Founded in 1915, the restaurant and biergarten have been featured on The Travel Channel, Cooking Channel, HGTV, Texas Monthly, and more. Offers pick-up and catering. Try their famous Gut Pak. It's a delicious combination of Fritos, cheese, chopped brisket, beans, sausage, and more!
3) Backyard Bar-B-Q Bar and Grill
- Location: Belton
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to order: Bubba Fries
About: Backyard Bar-B-Q Bar and Grill is a family-owned restaurant great for the whole family. Reviewers love the atmosphere, the friendly staff, and of course, the food. The menu ranges from delicious brisket to steak, burgers, chicken, and sides--it’s the Bubba Fries that keep you coming back for more.
Bonus: Happy Hour Tue-Fri 12pm-6pm
4) Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
- Location: Killeen
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to order: Brisket and Creamed Corn
About: You might’ve heard of Rudy’s before. They’re a chain with locations all over Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Their pits are 100% wood fired oak, which is what makes their food so delicious, and their signature creamed corn is something special.
Bonus: They sell their rubs, sauces, gifts baskets, gift cards, apparel, drinks, and candies in their store.
5) Schoepf's Bar-B-Que
- Location: Belton
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to Order: Sausage and Cheesy Potatoes
About: Schoepf's has been featured in Texas Monthly Magazine, Ride Magazine, Texas Highways Magazine, Taste of the South Magazine, Food Network, and PBS. Besides the delicious mesquite smoked meat served, the restaurant’s frequent events make this BBQ establishment one of the best.
6) Lucille's Links and Bar-B-Q
- Location: Harker Heights
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to Order: Brisket and Green Beans
About: Lucille’s is a veteran-owned business passionate about serving real, authentic BBQ to the community. They’re a proud member of the National BBQ Association & KCBS (Kansas City BBQ Society), Certified Table Captain & Judge, and a BBQ Competitor.
7) Big Hoss BBQ
- Location: Killeen
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to Order: Pulled Pork
About: Voted 2015’s Small Business of the Year by the Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Big Hoss BBQ is one to try. They offer all you can eat options, as well as individual plates and servings.
Bonus: Their uniquely blended BBQ sauce and dry rubs are available for sale.
8) Jasper's Bar B Que
- Location: Waco
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to Order: Ribs
About: Opened as a fruit stand in 1915, Jasper's is a fixture in Waco and known for its big lunch plates, brisket, and ribs. One reviewer on Trip Advisor says,
"Happened across this joint (And this is indeed a true BBQ joint) and all I can say is, WOW. Easily the best ribs I’ve ever had."
Image via Canva
9) Bare Bones Barbeque
- Location: Gatesville
- Price Range: $$
- Catering: Yes
- What to Order: Ribs
About: Bare Bones is located on the north side of Fort Cavazos, and they deliver. But you might want to just come in for your meal on the first and third Saturdays of each month for the live music. They serve traditional barbecue here, plus you can order sliders, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and flautas.
10) Choice Bar-B-Q Restaurant
- Location: Killeen
- Price Range: $
- Catering: No
- What to Order: Chopped Beef Sandwich
About: Choice Bar-B-Q is great for a quick, counter-serve bite to eat. They offer traditional Texas barbecue brisket, beef, ribs, collard greens, black eyed peas, potato salad, mac ‘n cheese, and more!
Honorable mention: Bucee's in Temple. While you might be surprised to see a rest stop/gas station on this list, check out their BBQ menu, especially the popular brisket sandwiches.
Happy eating!
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