Our Cookout Guide includes tips and best practices from local chefs and experts as well as suggestions for where to buy ingredients so readers can grill their favorite meats, vegetables and other foods. For those without grills, a variety of restaurants in western Travis County serve barbecue, grilled items and other options.

1. Grilling preparation

The grill should be hot and well-oiled, said Robert Randolph, assistant general manager at Stuffed Cajun Meat Market. “It gives you those good grill marks on your meat,” he said. “[Oil] prevents sticking and makes it a lot easier to cook and clean up.”

2. Choosing your fuel

Charcoal, wood and natural briquettes (available at stores such as H-E-B and Whole Foods Market) can be used for grill cooking—each one has different effects on flavor, Randolph said.

3. Selecting ingredients

Vance Ely, Central Market Cooking School chef, said grillers can pick out their favorite produce items, such as baby portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers, and combine them with meats or fish to make their own kebabs to grill.

Vegetables used in grilling should be firm. Zucchini, squash, thick-sliced onions and portobello mushroom caps work well on the grill, Randolph said.

“You don’t need to get all crazy with them,” he said, noting a little salt and pepper go a long way.

4. Sauces v. spice rubs

Rubs and sauces can both be used for grilling.
“If you’re going to use a sauce it’s best to cook the meat first, and then right before the meat is cooked you add a fine layer of sauce,” Randolph said. “Most [sauces] are going to have a high sugar content in them, and sugar tends to burn. So the less [time] you can keep it on the grill with sauce on it, the better it will come out.”

5. Using a grill

When grilling meats, Jack Gilmore, owner and chef at Jack Allen’s Kitchen, said he uses direct heat for anything he wants to eat within the next 20-30 minutes, such as steaks, fajitas, burgers or fish. He uses indirect heat for a “less than favorable” cut of meat—such as brisket or ribs—to enhance the flavor.

Shopping for Ingredients

H-E-B
Four locations in Lake Travis and Westlake
www.heb.com
Options include: charcoal, meats, chicken

Hudson’s Bend Meat Market
5000 Hudson Bend Road, Austin
512-266-6333
Options include: jalapeno sausage, bacon sausage, fajita steak, marinated chicken

Lakeway Market and Deli
2114 Lakeway Blvd., Ste. 100, Lakeway
512-261-5091
Options include: steak, barbecued pork, chicken

Randalls
5145 N. RR 620, Ste. A, Austin • 512-266-3168
2301 S. RR 620, Lakeway  • 512-263-6420
3300 Bee Caves Road, West Lake Hills
512-327-1881
www.randalls.com
Options include: carving station with seasoned and marinated meats, fish, organic produce

Stuffed Cajun Meat Market
12226 N. RR 620, Austin
512-918-1600 • www.stuffedfoodstores.com
Options include: sausage, bacon-wrapped stuffed pork tenderloin, deboned stuffed chicken

Trader Joe’s
2805 Bee Caves Road, rollingwood
512-306-1032 • www.traderjoes.com
Options include: baby back ribs, seasoned carne asada beef sirloin, uncured turkey hot dogs

Whole Foods Market
12601 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave
512-206-2730 • www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Options include: salmon burgers, tofu burgers, vegan fish fillets

Local Eats

For those who do not own a grill, there are a number of restaurants and food trailers in the Lake Travis and Westlake areas making barbecue, grilled meats and other provisions. Hours of operation and prices vary. This list is not comprehensive.

Bee Cave B-B-Q
8414 Bee Caves Road, Austin
(food trailer)
512-306-9040
Options include: brisket, sausage, ribs

Chew Chew BBQ
3595 S. RR 620, Bee Cave (food trailer)
512-573-8646
www.chewchewbbq.com
Options include: chopped barbecue sandwich, pork ribs, smoked sausage

The County Line on the Hill
6500 W. Bee Caves Road, Austin
512-327-1742
www.countyline.com
Options include: fish, chicken, steaks

The County Line on the Lake
5204 RR 2222, Austin
512-346-3664
www.countyline.com
Options include: fish, chicken, prime rib

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
11416 N. RR 620, Austin
512-250-8844
www.dickeys.com
Options include: beef brisket, pulled pork, ham, polish sausage, turkey

Donn’s Texas BBQ
7001 Oak Meadow Drive, Austin
512-288-4060
www.donns-bbq.com
Options include: brisket, sausage, turkey, beef and pork ribs

Hudson’s on the Bend
3509 N. RR 620, Austin
512-266-1369
www.hudsonsonthebend.com
Options include: pecan-grilled venison chops, smoked duck breast, smoked elk back strap

It’s All Good BBQ
22112 Hwy. 71 , Spicewood
512-264-1744
www.itsallgoodbbq.com
Options include: smoked brisket, pork ribs, smoked chicken, turkey plate

Opie’s Barbecue
9504 Hwy. 71, Spicewood
830-693-8660
www.opiesbarbecue.com
Options include smoked brisket, ribs; sides incl. butter beans

Rudy’s Country Store
2451 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin
512-329-5554
7709 N. RR 620, Austin
512-250-8002
www.rudysbbq.com
Options include: smoked brisket, ribs, turkey, chicken

The Salt Lick
18300 FM 1826, Driftwood
512-858-4959
www.saltlickbbq.com
Options include: brisket, pork ribs, beef ribs, turkey breast, sausage

Schmidt Family Barbecue
12532 Bee Caves Road, Bee Cave
512-263-4060
2125 Lohmans Crossing,
Ste. 400, Lakeway
512-906-0760
www.schmidtfamilybarbecue.com
Options include: smoked brisket, ribs, sausage; beer

Smokey J’s BBQ
7008 N. RR 620, Austin
512-331-4888
Options include: chopped beef sandwich, sausage tacos, jerky