10. Opie’s Barbecue
Hwy. 71 W. (20 miles past the intersection of Hwy. 71 and RR 620, turn right at the gas station) beyond Spicewood, 830/693-8660
Mon-Sat, 11am-8pm; Sun, 11am-until the meat runs out
Opie’s Barbecue is the second place that now puts Spicewood on the Central Texas barbecue map. Herbie Lynn opened his own meat-smoking operation in Spicewood, where true barbecue aficionados are discovering him in droves. Outside the informal restaurant is a 12-foot smoke pit where you can choose from pork chops, pork ribs, two kinds of sausage (regular or jalapeño), chicken, brisket, and sometimes even cabrito (kid goat). The meat is mopped with a vinegary sauce and plopped on a cafeteria tray. Inside the restaurant, they’ll weigh the meat, place it on butcher paper, and return it to your tray. The seating is informal at the indoor picnic tables. Utensils, drinks, and fixins such as onion, pickles, warm sauce, and a big vat of pinto beans are available on the sideboard. The pork chops here are not to be missed, and be sure to try the cabrito if they happen to have it when you visit. Top it all off with blackberry cobbler for dessert.
This article appears in March 16 • 2001.