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Southside Market & Barbeque
Categories: Food Specialty Food Meat Shops Restaurants Barbeque Event Planning & Services Caterers Meat Shops, Barbeque, Caterers [Edit]
1212 Hwy 290 EElgin, TX 78621
(512) 281-4650
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 8 am - 8 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am - 9 pm
Sun 9 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
50 reviews for Southside Market & Barbeque
Review Highlights
"Save room for the thick and creamy Blue Bell ice cream."
(in 7 reviews)
"...stopped here to get some hot sausage to take home with me..."
(in 7 reviews)
"Pork ribs: HUGE."
(in 9 reviews)
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50 reviews in English
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Review from David B.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/15/2012
Driving in to Austin from Houston for a conference, I'd made a brief stop at the Southside BBQ in Elgin (which, unlike the County Line in Austin, actually is near a county line). I'd already had lunch that day so I didn't order anything, but I did peer at the menu board and find that in addition to the house specialty sausage and ribs of beef and pork, they also had mutton ribs.
Mutton. For years I'd been dreaming of trying some mutton. Characters in pseudo-olde-Englishe fantasy novels are always eating mutton, but I'd never been able to find any. Even in England it was never on any menu I saw. Butchers shrugged their shoulders. Whenever I raised the question among knowledgeable friends I got one of two useless answers: either I should buy a sheep (I don't want a whole sheep! Where would I keep it? How would I ever eat it all? And nobody keeps sheep around here anyway. I just want a little mutton: if I want beef, do I have to buy a cow?) or else people who knew no more of mutton than I did would tell me I wouldn't like it: it's too strong.
I doubted that. You could draw a parallel. Mutton is to lamb what beef is to veal. I like beef better than veal and lamb better than either; why shouldn't I like mutton best of all?
Elgin is only 20 miles out of Austin; later I drove back with an equally adventuresome colleague from the conference for company. And we ate mutton. The taste was unimpaired, for Texas bbq is cooked only with a dry rub, the sauce being left to the discretion of the diner. It was very fatty but quite satisfactory. The taste was not too strong, but it was a lot more like lamb than beef is like veal. -
Review from Martha R.
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place lacks the ambiance of some of the other well-known BBQ joints surrounding Austin.
HOWEVER, they have Blue Bell ice cream, and the best sausage I have ever had. Their ribs weren't too bad, but the sausage is where it's at. Full of fat... just the way I like it. -
Review from Aaryn P.
Cedar Park, TX
10/15/2011
We were in the area today and decided to stop in, as we have seen Southside along the highway several times. After reading all of the Yelp reviews, I was left skeptical and worried about consistency. However, if you're there, why not!
We came in around 3pm after a long day of driving and it was mildly busy. We liked the idea of the two separate lines, as they were moving pretty smoothly getting everyone taken care of. We ordered the chicken plate with beans and potato salad, and the brisket and sausage plate with beans and coleslaw.
The chicken drums and thighs were fairly good, but the breast was really dry. The brisket, unfortunately, lacked flavor and the sausage was oddly mealy. The beans had nice flavor to them, but were luke warm. The potato salad and coleslaw were very standard. We spent $21 on two plates and fountain drinks.
I'm not sure if I have have just been spoiled by the multitude of great barbecue here in Austin, or if I have become a true Texas Barbecue Snob, but this place just didn't do it for us. Don't get me wrong..it was alright, but I think my standards are much higher now that I've had Rudy's, Coopers and Salt Lick.
Also, ladies - a word of warning about the bathroom: The door is oddly placed, so if you're standing waiting for a stall, washing your hands or getting paper towels to dry your hands, make sure to be aware of the door, and that you don't get clocked by it, as I did! -
Review from Stephanie M.
Austin, TX
1/3/2012
I've been here a few times in the past, and went with a group from work today. I got a combo sausage and brisket plate with potato salad and beans. I traded some of my meat for some chicken on someone else's plate. The chicken was awesome! The sausage was a bit like a greasy sponge and the brisket was nothing special. Both the potato salad and beans were tasty, and I usually don't even like beans. The portions were huge, but that seems to be standard for most barbeque joints. If I were to come here again, I would definitely get the chicken.
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Review from Craig'd I.
Los Angeles, CA
12/30/2011
Been going here for years, back to when it was in Elgin near the railroad tracks. Still really good but definitely like going there for the sausage. Though I do like the brisket, I've had better. The sausage really stands out and I love that you can pick it up at H.E.B. and I always take some when I go back to Cali. Pop it in the freezer and it's nearly as good months later as it is fresh.
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Review from Vanessa D.
Pflugerville, TX
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been going here off and on for years...mostly for the chicken. I can't think of anyone who does chicken better. The ribs are really good also. The sausage is okay. Not too crazy about the brisket...too fatty and too thickly sliced for my taste.
Next time I plan to try the mutton and visit the meat market.
We have tried Meyer's but it doesn't compare...except the brisket was a little more to my liking but not enough to give up the delectible chickens... -
Review from jeremy w.
Austin, TX
1/5/2011
I have been here twice, and each time I have been disappointed. The first time was early in my BBQ education, but even then I knew that what I was eating was bland, like nibbling on a test-tube baby (because we all know that you can't beat the real thing). I tried the brisket on my second go around, but it was dry, tasteless, and uninteresting (like my latest belly-button exploration).
Please see other BBQ joints in this list for what I expect good BBQ to be. What is interesting is that fact that I love Branch BBQ, which serves Elgin sausage. As a result, I have determined that something must happen in the delivery truck from Elgin to Austin. My theories include (but are not limited to):
290 is poorly paved, and sometimes sausage just needs a good bit of jostling.
Titus Andronicus rules (please note: this is fact).
They hit a lot of roadkill,but hate to waste things. Therefore, all those stops result in the sausage soaking in its juices a little longer.
BBQ saxophone. Enough said.
The Baron has something to do with it.
I was drunk when I wrote this.Listed in: BBQ joints I've been to
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Review from Greg F.
6/12/2011
Most excellent -- I'm not even really sure I'm allowed to review this place because I was never here. WHAT? Then why are you reviewing this?! Well, its because they brought their BBQ to a Houston Costco and I tried it there! And I can tell you I was impressed enough with their beef brisket that I bought an entire slab of it -- yes, 7.12 lbs of this fine, yummy brisket. I also sampled their chicken and pork, and those were sold out quickly (within a day). That beef brisket is something awesome! And everyone knows that good brisket doesn't need sauce if its smoked and cooked right. So yeah, awesome enough that I'm going to make it a road trip on a Saturday to get the stuff straight from this place.
Listed in: WTFBBQ -- BBQ to enjoy and…
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Review from Zach M.
7/12/2011
If you're driving down 290 from Austin to Houston or vice versa, this is your best stop for BBQ. This place makes great, greasy, fresh sausage and damn good brisket. If you're driving and you see the sign for Meyer's, ignore it. Its such a let down and pales in comparison to this place.
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Review from Mark H.
Dallas, TX
10/18/2010
Stopped on way back to Austin from Houston - first place in town was "sold out" but Southside still was serving. Got in line behind a couple of van loads of people so the line moved slowly. Of course, when you're hungry, all lines move slowly...
Brisket was very good but my sausage was just ok (meaning I didn't finish it). Sides were average. Guy in front of me asked for jalapenos - wished I'd thought of that as there was no relish noted after you left the line.
Surprisingly, the iced tea was STRONG - not sure I've ever seen tea that dark.
Moreover, while standing in line to eat, Yelp refused to let me check in as it seems the location is wrong (according to Yelp I was six miles away while being the 10th person in line. Go figure.
The restaurant was doing a big business - lots of take out from the meat market, too. Blue Bell ice cream cones looked tasty. I will stop again if (for no other reason) to try the blackberry cobbler. -
Review from Nathan T.
Austin, TX
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Visited Southside Market in Elgin today to use some Groupons which were expiring the following day. That made everything roughly 50% off, but honestly I don't think I'd eat the brisket if it was free. It was awful. Grey in color, fatty even in the lean cut and without any sort of appreciable taste from the seasoning. The sausage was good, but honestly the Meyer sausage, also from Elgin, which you can get at any HEB in Austin is better. Southside advertises itself as being part of the oft written about Texas BBQ trail, but I would advise everyone to skip it and go right into Lockhart, TX.
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Review from Ryan J.
10/19/2010
I really really want to like this place, but I've not been impressed with their Q the 2 times I've been.
Last time I hit up Southside before Meyers, this time I hit up Meyers first so I was pretty full and only ordered brisket and pork ribs. Also there were quite a few flies at the register area which was an immediate downer.
Brisket - wasn't impressed, my 1st visit it was better. I got a dry end piece, I should have paid attention while they were cutting it.
Pork rib - was huge for starters but something about the rub turned me off today and it could have been more tender.
What I do like is all their spices and their butcher area, they have some great looking raw meat and the butcher is super helpful. Next time I'll buy my meat here uncooked and smoke it at home. -
Review from Steve S.
Elgin, TX
11/14/2011
This is the place to buy Ground Hamburger Meat, because they use the fat in their Sausage, the meat is really lean. I mean like no grease in the pan after you fry it.
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Review from Brittany R.
Del Valle, TX
8/17/2011
Heard great things about this place before coming. We were told we had to try the jalapeno (cheese) sausage. My husband and I tried almost everything between the two of us: ribs, brisket, sausage and mutton. Everything was delicious and neither us needed any sauce. The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the beans. If we are ever in the Elgin area and get hungry, we would come back and probably buy something from their store as well.
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Review from Charles G.
Austin, TX
7/13/2010
Back in the day when Southside was downtown it was THE place to go in Elgin. Before food inspections and such, the knives were chained to the tables and shared by every customer, the floors were covered in saw dust, and the place just had character.
After moving out to the highway, they lost their character, lost the knives chained to the tables, and worst of all, changed their sausage recipe to cater to the tourists. Removing most the spice from the sausage recipe made what was once a great link into just another ordinary link of sausage. I used to visit almost weekly, post their move, I'm only been in maybe a handful of times. Everytime I go, it brings me down, missing the old place with the great original Elgin sausage, the atmosphere and the good memories. Sad to see another institution fold to the pressures of the tourist trade, I won't be going here much any more. -
Review from Jay J.
Las Vegas, NV
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
It was ok, the sauce was very runny. But over all I would go back, not really much to brag about.
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Review from Sam V.
Houston, TX
3/16/2010
Hell yes!
For years, I have always stopped here to get some hot sausage to take home with me on my way back to Houston from Austin. To this date, I have NEVER been disappointed with the BBQ I get here.
The atmosphere is what a BBQ joint should be. Simple tables, paper towels and the meat served on butcher paper. The sausage is still the best around, hands down. This last time I tried the pork ribs for the first time and "just plain wow". The sauce is great, but I rarely ever use much here. It just isn't necessary.
Nice work, guys - keep up the great quality! -
Review from Kendall C.
Los Gatos, CA
8/18/2010
Now this is some really great BBQ. You get your food in a paper sack type material. This is good ole TX BBQ at it's finest. Take extra home and I recommend ordering the smoke Elgin Hot Gut. I know in the Bay Area...I order some of this for me and friends. It goes fast.
A fav of mine: Elgin Hot Link Sausage, Pork Steak, Briscuit, sliced bread, onions, pickles, beans and a big glass of sweet iced tea. It will be the only meal you eat the entire day!
Go online and order some smoked sausage.
If you ever go there...definitely try the pork steak. You've probably never had pork steak that tasted so good. -
Review from Brandon E.
Forest Park, GA
7/15/2011
I really like this place. The brisket is great. The sauce is really good too. I don't really do sauce on my brisket but, I found myself dipping my bread in that stuff. I would have given 5 stars but the beans are pretty weak
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Review from Al A.
5/2/2008
Ah yes, Southside!
My first and second Texas BBQ experience.
A carnivores paradise.
Beef brisket, sausage, ribs all served on butcher paper. Get them with a loaf of bread and a cold bottle of Big Red. I don't remember ordering any side dishes. Order your bbq meats at the counter, bring your tray to the picnic tables and go to town.
I swear, I never had BBQ this good before.
My uncle had to FedEx me a couple beef briskets to SoCal so I can re-live the experience.
Like Arnold says, "I'll be back!" -
Review from Ron W.
Killeen, TX
5/7/2007
In a word ... wonderful! THIS is my fav place for BBQ chicken and sausage. The brisket is lean, fork tender, and has that authentic, black char on the edge. The half chicken is recognizable and just melts in the mouth; the mesquite flavor soars taking the pallet to hights of celestial BBQ ecstacy.
Seems as I travel around the state I will stop and sample a new (to me) BBQ eatery often. It is not unusual to find all their offerings cooked at the restaurant EXCEPT the sausage and will have a signboard exclaiming their's comes from the Southside Market in Elgin! Now that is as good an endorsement as I can think of.
The place is easy to find right on U.S. 290 and is LARGE! Besides all the usual brisket, chicken, ribs, Southside Market offers turkey and other meats plus the beans, slaw, potato salad. One gets white bread, dill pickle chips, fresh onion, and a very good sauce. I only taste the sauce though and am not much of an expert on it but my honey is and gives the sauce an 8 out of 10.
Long, wooden tables and lots of taxidermy plus a Blue Bell ice cream shop and fresh meat to go area are nice bonuses.
Prices are quite reasonable (especially compared to the sky high Salt Licks in Austin and Driftwood. Couldn't get the $ sign thingy to work but I would have selected $$ out of 4-$. Elgin is only about 45 min from Austin making it comparable to the Salt Lick in distance.
Great food prepared in the TRADITIONAL Texas style. Ask for a tour of the cook pits if you want. We did so and almost swooned from the aroma alone. -
Review from Chad S.
Fayetteville, AR
10/18/2008
Southside Combo Plate - $10.98. DEALS! Being my first stop at Southside Market, I figured I had to try more than one or two items...enter the 4 Meat Southside Combo Plate. Beef ribs. Pork ribs. Brisket. Sausage. Slaw. Potato salad. Beans. Pickle. Bread. DEAD!!!
Actually, I'm still alive...with a slight food coma, but this is a good thing, and to be expected after eating at a decent BBQ joint. I'd put the quality of the BBQ about on par with the Salt Lick, but without the ambiance. However, they serve beef ribs here, and they are pretty damn good...probably my favorite of the four meats. Worth a bonus point. The renowned Elgin Hot Sausage is plenty tasty, but a bit on the fatty side. Pork ribs and brisket were solid...not much to complain about there. Bottom line here - if you're looking to get your meat on, indulge the carnivorous side of your palate, then I'd venture to say that the Southside Combo will not disappoint.
They're obviously doing something right here, because the place was packed on a Saturday afternoon. Looks like they sell a lot of their sauces here (or at least try to), but I wasn't a big fan of any of them. I generally believe good BBQ shouldn't require any sauce, but I do like to sample it, and maybe dip some lean brisket in for lubrication and spice. Didn't do much for me.
Also, they've got a little Blue Bell ice cream parlor, which is a bonus if you've got kids along. That'll keep them in their seats for a good 5 minutes or so. And do wonders for the clothes they're wearing.
Next time I'm in Elgin I'll have to try Meyer's, and do a little comparison. Problem is, why the hell would I have any reason be in Elgin? [We were visiting the christmas tree farm pumpkin festival today, something that I would not want to do on anything more than an annual basis.] But hey! The Hog Eye festival is next week, and I dig on swine, so you never know... -
Review from Brad N.
5/28/2010
After our main stop at Louie Mueller's in Taylor, Southside was our next point of interest. We selected the same meats as before: Sausage, brisket, beef ribs and pork ribs.
Sausage: Good flavor and texture, a definite step above Mueller. Very nice, a good example of the German/Czech-influenced style of this region.
Brisket: The reverse of the Mueller's: Not as moist, and not quite as tender, but the smoke was very noticeable. This drew an interesting philosophical discussion amongst our diners, with me favoring smoke over texture, but most of my fellow diners preferred the more moist product at Mueller's.
Pork ribs: HUGE! We asked for 6 bones without seeing how big they were. The flavor was good, as was seasoning and texture; a pretty good meat.
Beef rib: In a word, bad. Meat was very tough, barely able to be liberated from the bone with a plastic knife. Very chewy, not a ton of flavor, dry etc. Would likely not buy again.
So, I liked the brisket and sausage here for sure, but we didn't eat a ton, because we were soon headed down the street to Meyer's to complete the trifecta for today. -
Review from James R.
Lockhart, TX
2/26/2011
My FIRST visit to Southside Market was in 1960 when it was located on the "south side" of the railroad tracks downtown.
My LAST visit was today.
This BBQ joint USED to be a reliable stop for average brisket and sausage at really cheap prices, but it AINT anymore.
The BBQ is still average by Central Texas standards but they have jacked the prices up so much over the past couple years its not worth my money ever again. They use to "serve the community" locals (mostly poor folks) that would buy "$5 worth of sausage" but now the prices have run those nice folks off to Davis Market and left Southside to the TOURISTS that drive US 290 from Austin to Houston.
Two or three years back you could get brisket around $7.00/lb and sausage for $4.00/lb but prices have STEADILY risen to where today I walk in and see BRAND NEW pricing signs showing $10.95 for brisket and $6.95 for sausage. Are you freakin kidding me?
Last time I checked the United States was in a RECESSION, and meat/beef prices are stable, not increasing 20% every year. Needless to say I was pissed and so were MANY others in line griping about the new prices. But unlike most of them, I took my business out the door.
And I wont EVER be back.
I'll be a few miles north at Louis Muellers in Taylor where the BBQ has actually gotten better and more consistant since Bobby "left the building". RIP, BM.
BTW, you can buy Southside Market sausage at EVERY HEB in Texas for around $3.99-$4.99 a pound so paying $7.00 for the SAME thing here is not very smart. -
Review from Deanna S.
Atlanta, GA
6/17/2007
Elgin is known for its sausage, but there's a feud over who has the best - Meyer's has its Elgin sausage, and Southside has its Elgin Hot sausage. Subtle difference, but I hear neither place has the rights to the name. Coincidentally I like Southside's better because it's not as spicy. It's gooood.
So enough about the sausage, the briskett is pretty good too. But according to Texas Monthly's lists of best barbecue joints in the state, the two places in Elgin don't rank too high. As far as the feel/ambiance, anyone who knows good Texas barbecue knows you have to get it on butcher paper. And you have to eat with sawdust on the floor. So wear your boots! -
Review from Tammy P.
Santa Monica, CA
1/24/2009 7 photos
There are so many things I love about Austin. I was born here for one. Great music, fun bars on 6th Street and...THE FOOD! I get giddy as the plane descends into AUS. My mind races like untrained puppy. What will I have first TexMex or BBQ.
I don't come home often...I know shame on me. (Trust me I hear it from my mother.) Anyways, some how because I am the only family member that is an expat and lives at the beach I somehow qualify for celebrity status. Translation: A 35 mile trek to Elgin,Texas
I have been coming to Southside Market since it's original location in downtown Elgin. A huge scale, sawdust on the floors, picnic styles tables, butcher paper for plates and tender cooked to perfection sausage, brisket, and perfectly smoked ribs. The sides are nondescript beans, potato salad, coleslaw, pickles, and white bread...(yes as in Wonder.) I think there is a method to the madness..it's all about the meat.
The new location is glitzy and and a lot bigger. And, ahem...decked out with animal busts...kinda a like a pro NRA commercial. Still, I come for the meat not the décor. Order the cut with a fork brisket...it is smoked for 24 hours. Yes, there is some fattiness to the meat, but that is indicative of the cut, plus it adds to the flavor of the meat. Next, do not miss the main attraction...Elgin Hot Sausage!!! Douse it liberally in the homemade vinegar hot sauce. Wash it down it with a Big Red or Shiner Bock. Save room for the thick and creamy Blue Bell ice cream. -
Review from Solomon W.
Austin, TX
7/26/2009
Kudos for offering many meat choices for carnivorous human beings, and for cheap! Less stars for not really having a star player in the lineup.
Amazingly, for having such a mainstream sort of atmosphere, e.g. huge dining area, commercialized clothing, selling meat, doing a restaurant, all at the same time, this place holds some classic BBQ character.
The first thing to cross my mind was WHOA, beef ribs at 5.99 a lb. and pork ribs at 7.50 per. Then: mutton ribs. So I had 1 of each rib, and wasn't terribly hot on any particular organ-encaser (rib). The baby back was not tender, and the spare rib was unflavorful. The beef rib definitely had that great beefy, smoky flavor, but some parts were tough like jerky, and others yielded almost no meat. Not worth $3.50 IMO. The mutton rib is an absolute must for any game-flavor lover. It yields that insane tanginess, which I am actually not too much a fan of. Aside from the flavor, it was a definite winner in texture. Silky tenderness made it fall clean apart from the bone.
Brisket: not bad, tad on the lean side.
Pork steak: BAD... think of a pork chop. But a little drier.
All in all, a good place to take a large group as it accommodates well. Not the greatest BBQ, but if you're in Elgin, pick up some sausage de Elgin.Listed in: The Status Que
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Review from Jon T.
11/16/2009
A Sunday morning drive took the five of us out to Elgin to Southside, which is now on the north side. This is a big commercial establishment. If you are looking for charm or small-joint atmosphere, you will have to go elsewhere. The ordering process is very efficient and they are clearly geared for large crowds.
The brisket here was very good and probably most like what I expected from this trip to Texas. It was tender and juicy, with more smoke than most places. I would probably have it tied with what we had at Snow's, each was great in its own way.
This is the only place we had mutton and it was excellent, very rich and juicy and full of good flavor. It is so rich, I'm not sure I would want this as my whole meal. I liked the pork ribs, the best of any we had on our trip. The famous Elgin sausage was not as good, in our opinion, as what we had at Snows and Vic's. It was a medium grind, but not as smoky and flavorful.
The sauce was probably my favorite, but was the least favorite of the group. It was what I expected to find in Texas. Not sweet, with some chile and probably a little tomato. They also had a vinegar sauce, much like eastern Carolina. Having lived in eastern NC, I also like this style.
The sides were fairly standard. The slaw was typical creamy style, OK. The potato salad was one of the better ones we had on our trip, for those of us who like it creamier and less sweet. The beans were good plain pintos but this batch was slightly underdone for me.
All in all this was a very good meal, somewhat like Cooper's. Not the absolute tip-top, but certainly worth the trip and it is worth going back. If you like the little earthy places, this will look like a food factory, but they do know what they are doing and it became this size for a reason.Listed in: Texas Barbecue, Austin Area BBQ
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Review from Amanda T.
Arlington, VA
10/27/2009
What a gem!
A couple coworkers and I used to take hump-day field trips. We get an hour for lunch and work in the middle of nowhere, so we drive as far as we can for half an hour exploring and turn back. We were hunting for lunch and came upon this fine establishment. It said "famous hot sausage" on the sign, and we were sold.
You stand in line and order cafeteria-style. I did not order any food but my co-worker opted for a sausage sandwich. He didn't really know what to expect, and was more than pleased when he found himself with a grease-stained paper bag containing three pieces of sausage on two pieces of white bread. The sandwich was only about $3 and he said it was so delicious that he was full but still tempted to run back for another one.
They also have a neat meat market inside as well as hot/bbq sauces, brittle and other delicious desserts. And of course, a Blue Bell ice cream counter.
It wasn't until later that night when I told my roommate about my lunchtime adventure that she informed me that Elgin is well known for their sausage. My co-worker couldn't stop talking about his sausage sandwich for a few days.
We will be back. -
Review from Pat C.
Round Rock, TX
5/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
On our way to Houston we stop by Southside for some BBQ...the brisket was tasty but a bit more moist than I wanted, The mutton ribs were to die for! The sides are mediocre. The portions were good and the staff friendly.
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Review from Todd M.
Elgin, TX
9/28/2011
I'm from Elgin, so I've eaten here a lot over the years. It is decent bbq overall. It seems all the meats are pretty greasy, but that isn't too horrible. The flavor of the brisket is ok, but it doesn't have that pizzazz that you are looking for. The ribs are a little below decent, and the sausage is above average. I don't judge bbq joints on side items, just like I wouldn't judge McD's for their salads. You go to Texas BBQ joints for Brisket, Ribs, Sausage and sometimes chicken. This place is 3 stars, no more, no less.
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Review from Sarah S.
Round Rock, TX
12/9/2009
Apparently, this is THE PLACE to be after getting you Christmas tree, as the parking lot was packed full of cars with trees on their roofs.
We arrived about lunch time, went in and found a massive line.....and I mean MASSIVE!!! OK....so the place is popular, that's a good thing, right? I was thinking that the line would move a bit faster, but it didn't. This wasn't the fault of the staff, it was the customers holding up the line. The man in front of me had to get a look at every steak they had available twice before he could pick one out. And I'm sure he wasn't the only one that was picky.
And so we finally got to the front of the line. We ordered two brisket plates, which comes with an enormous amount of brisket, some beans, and a choice of cole slaw or potato salad, a yummy pickle, some onions, and a couple of pieces of bread. All for less than $10. Good deal, if you ask me!
The brisket was very juicy and tender....soooo good! I didn't really like the sauce that they also offered, but it worked out because I had in a separate cup instead of dumped all over the meat.
The bread, which I normally don't enjoy at BBQ joints, was surprisingly good. It was a bit sweet! And it didn't have that strange aftertaste that Wonderbread (and other cheapo white breads) has.
I didn't really like the dining area with all the dead animals all over the wall. Yes, I eat meat, but I don't particulary enjoy having dead animals staring down at me while I savor the brisket. But that's just me!Listed in: Texas BBQ
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Review from ryan c.
Jacksonville, NC
9/3/2011
I remember eating here when they were still downtown when I was a lot younger. You had to walk THROUGH the meat market to the restaurant. There was saw dust on the floors to help soak up grease. They served the meat on butcher paper, which would be all greasy. Used to get RC cola in glass bottles that were packed in ice in an old Coke cooler. I don't think I've ever had anything but the sausage, since that is mainly what they are known for. The sausage was excellent. Juicy, not to spicy, and not tough.
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Review from John S.
Austin, TX
12/24/2008
Yeah, uh, I don't get it. I'd heard this place was AWESOME barbecue... and, I mean, it's okay... but I was expecting more, guys. The prices are okay, there's no selection as far as sides go (beans and/or slaw), and the meat? Well, it's good, not spectacular, and really pretty fatty (and I'm a guy who usually orders 'a little bit of flava' at my favorite place, Mann's on 183-- be there!). Also, the sauce (a personal thing, in my opinion), sucks.
If I pass through Elgin again I may give Southside another shot (assuming I've hit Meyer's up at some point)-- but for out of town guests, gosh, take em to Mann's, Rudy's or Ruby's. -
Review from Geoff S.
Temecula, CA
7/25/2009
Anyone who does not give this place at least four stars is clueless.
I've had BBQ all over the country and (so far) Southside has the best brisket bar none! If you like your brisket lean, boiled, smoked over sawdust/chips or some other half assed way; don't eat here.
Southside brisket is smoked over REAL wood (look at the woodpile out back) and has the smoke ring to prove it. The sausage is also good, but the brisket is the must. I've had the mutton ribs too and they were just OK IMHO. Who cares about sides, you eat BBQ for the MEAT not the slaw. -
Review from Tony B.
Morgan Hill, CA
2/28/2011
Had an excellent evening here. I'm a Brit and was visiting from California. Nice, friendly service, great choices, smoked turkey, brisket, sausage were all great. The ice cream was also wonderful.
A great night. -
Review from Brad D.
Leander, TX
6/1/2011
Very busy place and stood in line to order food. The BBQ was extremely bland and their sauce pretty bland also. Sausage was under cooked (smoked) and was greasy and very loose. Potato salad and cole slaw had little taste. Save your time and money, much better BBQ almost everywhere plus it is not cheap.
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Review from Eddie C.
Austin, TX
1/5/2011
Had sausage wrap, little dissapointed wasn't in tortilla, but still good
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Review from Dennis C.
Austin, TX
12/26/2010
After spending the day at the Elgin Hogeye Festival, my wife and I decided to try Southside Market. The lines were long but moved pretty fast. We ordered the normal variety of "moist" brisket, ribs, and coleslaw. Yawza! This is by far the worst BBQ we have tasted, EVER! The moist brisket was bone dry and not much of smoke flavor. The ribs were chewy like rubbers. What the hell is this?! Heck, I would rather prefer those pre-cooked babyback ribs sold in HEB than this. The coleslaw is also one of the worst we've ever had. If you absolutely have to have BBQ at Elgin, go to Meyer's, or better yet, come to my place. My ribs and briskets are much better than Southside.
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Review from Kirkwood J.
Houston, TX
8/21/2010
Enjoyed both ribs & sausage more than Meyer's, brisket equivalent.
