Kreuz Market (pronounced "Krites") has been smoking meat in Lockhart, Texas since 1900, making it one of the oldest and most celebrated BBQ joints in the Lone Star State. Operating under the creed of no sauce and no forks, the pitmaster tradition here focuses entirely on the quality of the smoke — oak-fired brisket, beef ribs, pork chops, and handmade sausage rings sold by the pound straight off the pit.
Signature items
All meats are priced per pound unless otherwise noted. Sausage and chicken are sold per piece.
| Item | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket | per lb | $32.90 |
| Beef Ribs | per lb | $32.90 |
| Shoulder Clod | per lb | $32.90 |
| Prime Rib | per lb | $39.90 |
| Pork Spare Ribs | per lb | $22.90 |
| Pork Chop | per lb | $22.90 |
| Turkey Breast | per lb | $22.90 |
| Pit Ham | per lb | $19.90 |
| Pork Belly | per lb | $19.90 |
| Half Chicken | each | $7.00 |
| Original Sausage (Hot) | each | $3.70 |
| Jalapeño Cheese Sausage (Hot) | each | $3.90 |
Per-pound brisket price comparison at iconic Texas BBQ destinations.
| Item | Kreuz Market | Franklin BBQ | Terry Black's BBQ | The Salt Lick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisket (per lb) | $32.90 | ~$35.00 | ~$28.00 | ~$22.00 |
| Pork Ribs (per lb) | $22.90 | ~$27.00 | ~$24.00 | ~$20.00 |
| Sausage (each) | $3.70 | ~$4.50 | ~$4.00 | ~$3.50 |
| Half Chicken | $7.00 | ~$18.00 whole | ~$14.00 whole | ~$14.00 whole |
Kreuz Market opened in Lockhart, Texas in 1900 as a meat market and grocery store run by Charles Kreuz Sr. Like many Central Texas BBQ joints, the tradition began as a practical solution: butchers smoked unsold cuts of meat to preserve them and sold them over the counter on butcher paper, with no plates, utensils, or sauce needed. That utilitarian philosophy — smoke the meat, serve it simply — is alive and well at Kreuz Market today, more than 125 years later.
The restaurant is famous for its strict house rules: no sauce and no forks. The idea is that great smoked meat needs nothing extra. Meats are sliced and served on butcher paper, and diners eat with their hands or a knife. The menu centers on brisket, pork ribs, shoulder clod, and house-made sausage rings — all smoked low and slow over post oak wood in massive brick pits. The sausage recipe, passed down through generations, is one of the most celebrated in Texas BBQ lore.
In 1999, the Kreuz family relocated the business to a purpose-built 22,000-square-foot facility on Colorado Street in Lockhart — a town the Texas legislature officially dubbed the BBQ Capital of Texas. The original location became Smitty's Market, run by a different branch of the family. Kreuz Market remains family-owned and is consistently ranked among the top BBQ destinations in the country by Texas Monthly, Bon Appétit, and travel publications worldwide. A pilgrimage to Kreuz Market is considered a rite of passage for any serious BBQ enthusiast.
Find current hours, confirm today's meat prices, and plan your Lockhart BBQ pilgrimage on the official site.
Visit Kreuz Market's websiteNo — and that's intentional. Kreuz Market is famous for its strict no-sauce policy. The philosophy is that properly smoked meat should speak for itself. If you're looking for sauce on the side, you won't find it here.
No forks. Kreuz Market's long-standing house rule is no utensils. Meat is served on butcher paper and eaten by hand or with a knife. This tradition dates back to the restaurant's origins as a meat market counter in 1900.
The shoulder clod is a large beef shoulder cut — the same cut used in many Central Texas BBQ traditions. Kreuz Market has been smoking it since the early days and it remains one of the menu's signature items alongside brisket. It's priced at $32.90/lb.
Brisket at Kreuz Market is $32.90 per pound as of current menu pricing. A typical serving of brisket for one person is roughly a quarter to half pound. Prices may be updated seasonally — confirm at the restaurant.
Kreuz Market smokes all meats over post oak wood, which is the traditional fuel of Central Texas BBQ. Post oak burns hot and clean, imparting a mild, sweet smoke flavor that complements beef without overpowering it.
Kreuz Market is located at 619 N. Colorado Street in Lockhart, Texas — officially designated the BBQ Capital of Texas by the state legislature. Lockhart is about 30 miles south of Austin and is home to several legendary BBQ institutions.
Hours can vary seasonally. Kreuz Market is generally open for lunch and early dinner Tuesday through Sunday. It's best to confirm current hours at kreuzmarket.com before making the trip, as they sell out when the meat runs out.
Yes — Kreuz Market offers mail-order sausage through their website. You can purchase boxes of 25 original or jalapeño cheese sausage rings. A box of 25 original rings is $80; jalapeño cheese is $85 per box.
Both share a common history. When the Kreuz family split in 1999, Rick Schmidt moved the Kreuz Market name and business to a new building on Colorado Street. The original location on Commerce Street became Smitty's Market, run by Nina Schmidt. Both smoke meat over direct flame in brick pits and maintain the no-sauce tradition, but they are separate businesses with their own distinct pit setups and recipes.