Great bq in town have to get their early cause they sell out quick
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gary Woodard
Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher Armstrong
LJ’s BBQ and Truth BBQ are the best BBQ spots in Brenham. This place has very finicky hours and is only open on lunch—making it difficult to dine here if you're not a local—but if you do happen to make it work, I’d highly recommend it.
My favorite menu item is the turkey with mustard-based BBQ sauce. Try it! The brisket comes in close second. Their cabbage is excellent as well—as is all of their scratch-made sides. Just make sure to order early in the day, as they tend to run out of certain meats and sides throughout the day.
You can really feel the passion and handcrafted food in the place, which is hard to come by in chain BBQ joints. They also serve free beers daily, which is a nice touch 🍻
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Tim Rainwater
Excellent BBQ, haven't had anything bad here but get there before 1230 or they may be sold out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gregery Davis
Lots of places think they have good barbecue! LJ's definitely knows what they're doing! Perfect cooked brisket with real cucumber pickles in great barbecue sauce! You guys definitely deserve being in the top 50! I would say top 10 if you ask me! Had to make a trip to Brenham today and I asked two people where I should eat & both said LJ's! Keep doing what you're doing! 5 Stars
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ronald Freitag
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liz Adams
Almost as food as my dad's brisket! I'd give them 5 stars if they'd had dry (lean) brisket available but the wet (fatty) brisket still had a wonderful flavor. The smoked sausage was also a must. Extremely friendly service. Authentic Texas brisket shop atmosphere. We'll go back, but get there by 11:30am. ;)
Hannah Kirk
I would give a million stars if I could! These guys actually saved my wedding. For 10 months we had Truth BBQ scheduled to cater our wedding of almost 200 people as we have loved their food for years. I wont go into the details but their catering team totally dropped the ball, leaving us having to search for a new caterer 2 weeks before our wedding. We reached out to LJ’s and they just happened to have our wedding weekend available. They pulled together an amazing spread under a crazy time crunch and were so kind and professional throughout the process. And the food was AMAZING. I can not thank the team at LJ’s enough for what they did for me, my husband and my family that weekend. If you have a big event, you can trust that they will take care of you and will make good on their promises. THANK YOU LJ’S!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Adams
Thanks to a friend who recommended LJ's, while I was in Brenham at 10:50am, and feeling a bit undernourished, and needing a fix of that Texas Meat Crack most call BBQ, I made a beeline to beat the crowd once I was reminded this place was recognized with a 2021 Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints by Texas Monthly. Texas Monthly has never steared me wrong, and again, they are spot on.
Simple: I'm a meat guy. Sides are good, but normally it's all meat for me. The $40 1/4# of 4 meats was just perfect! Brisket, Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork, and Jalapeno Cheese sausage was the call, and it hit the spot! No need to direct the situation any further, it ALL was on point, and the steady line of people ahead and behind seemed to all agree.
The atmosphere was great, the team is enthusiastic, talking while in line, and making sure the Q was satisfying. Don't hesitate to make a trip to LJ's for dome excellent TX BBQ, it's worth it! Just don't show up late, or you might not get any!!!
Average TX BBQ spot . The brisket lack seasoning , The ribs, sausage and chicken were good, sides were decent had Mac n cheese and green beans Friendly and helpful staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Danielle Holle
Such great BBQ with a great selection of sides. Their mac and cheese is my favorite ever!! Loveliest owners & people working there. A true gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Uncle Sean
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jesse H
Great BBQ with a great atmosphere! Get there early or line can get long or they may run out. Got to try the brisket or brisket Mac n cheese!
Great bq in town have to get their early cause they sell out quick
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LJ’s BBQ and Truth BBQ are the best BBQ spots in Brenham. This place has very finicky hours and is only open on lunch—making it difficult to dine here if you're not a local—but if you do happen to make it work, I’d highly recommend it.
My favorite menu item is the turkey with mustard-based BBQ sauce. Try it! The brisket comes in close second. Their cabbage is excellent as well—as is all of their scratch-made sides. Just make sure to order early in the day, as they tend to run out of certain meats and sides throughout the day.
You can really feel the passion and handcrafted food in the place, which is hard to come by in chain BBQ joints. They also serve free beers daily, which is a nice touch 🍻
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Excellent BBQ, haven't had anything bad here but get there before 1230 or they may be sold out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lots of places think they have good barbecue! LJ's definitely knows what they're doing! Perfect cooked brisket with real cucumber pickles in great barbecue sauce! You guys definitely deserve being in the top 50! I would say top 10 if you ask me! Had to make a trip to Brenham today and I asked two people where I should eat & both said LJ's! Keep doing what you're doing! 5 Stars
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Almost as food as my dad's brisket! I'd give them 5 stars if they'd had dry (lean) brisket available but the wet (fatty) brisket still had a wonderful flavor. The smoked sausage was also a must. Extremely friendly service. Authentic Texas brisket shop atmosphere. We'll go back, but get there by 11:30am. ;)
I would give a million stars if I could! These guys actually saved my wedding. For 10 months we had Truth BBQ scheduled to cater our wedding of almost 200 people as we have loved their food for years. I wont go into the details but their catering team totally dropped the ball, leaving us having to search for a new caterer 2 weeks before our wedding. We reached out to LJ’s and they just happened to have our wedding weekend available. They pulled together an amazing spread under a crazy time crunch and were so kind and professional throughout the process. And the food was AMAZING. I can not thank the team at LJ’s enough for what they did for me, my husband and my family that weekend. If you have a big event, you can trust that they will take care of you and will make good on their promises. THANK YOU LJ’S!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thanks to a friend who recommended LJ's, while I was in Brenham at 10:50am, and feeling a bit undernourished, and needing a fix of that Texas Meat Crack most call BBQ, I made a beeline to beat the crowd once I was reminded this place was recognized with a 2021 Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints by Texas Monthly. Texas Monthly has never steared me wrong, and again, they are spot on.
Simple: I'm a meat guy. Sides are good, but normally it's all meat for me. The $40 1/4# of 4 meats was just perfect! Brisket, Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork, and Jalapeno Cheese sausage was the call, and it hit the spot! No need to direct the situation any further, it ALL was on point, and the steady line of people ahead and behind seemed to all agree.
The atmosphere was great, the team is enthusiastic, talking while in line, and making sure the Q was satisfying. Don't hesitate to make a trip to LJ's for dome excellent TX BBQ, it's worth it! Just don't show up late, or you might not get any!!!
#TXBBQ #TexasMonthlyTop50 #WellDeserved
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best in Brenham!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket Sandwich
Restaurantji Recommends
Best in Brenham!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket Sandwich
Average TX BBQ spot . The brisket lack seasoning , The ribs, sausage and chicken were good, sides were decent had Mac n cheese and green beans Friendly and helpful staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Such great BBQ with a great selection of sides. Their mac and cheese is my favorite ever!! Loveliest owners & people working there. A true gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great BBQ with a great atmosphere! Get there early or line can get long or they may run out. Got to try the brisket or brisket Mac n cheese!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket Mac-N-Cheese, Brisket Sandwich
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