Unearth The Voyage
Deep in the heart of Texas, where barbecue isn’t just food but a way of life, stands a legendary joint that has been serving hungry customers for over 140 years. Southside Market & Barbeque in Elgin claims the title of Texas’s oldest barbecue restaurant, and its incredible survival story is worth telling. While many restaurants come and go, this remarkable establishment has weathered everything from economic downturns to changing tastes. What makes this place so special that it continues to draw crowds generation after generation?
1. The Claim: Texas’s Oldest Barbecue Joint
Walking through the doors of Southside Market feels like stepping back in time. The restaurant proudly displays its 1882 founding date, making it the oldest continuously operating barbecue joint in the Lone Star State.
Both the Texas Historical Commission and Food & Wine magazine recognize this impressive claim. The business has survived multiple wars, the Great Depression, and countless changes in American dining habits.
While other barbecue joints have opened and closed over the decades, Southside has remained a constant presence in Texas food culture, earning its place in culinary history books.
2. The Nuance: 1882 vs. 1886
Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn has carefully studied Southside’s timeline, finding their claim believable despite some missing documentation. The story connects an 1882 slaughterhouse operation to what became the official Southside Market by the late 1910s.
Historical records show gaps, which is common for businesses from that era. Many early Texas establishments kept informal records or lost documentation over time.
What matters most isn’t the exact date but the continuous tradition of smoking meat that has passed from generation to generation at this location.
3. It Started as a Meat Market Serving Necessity Barbecue
Before electric refrigeration existed, smoking meat wasn’t just delicious—it was essential for survival. Founder William J. Moon understood this necessity when he started his meat delivery business in the 1880s.
Using a horse-drawn wagon, Moon traveled throughout the area selling fresh meat to families and businesses. When meat didn’t sell quickly enough, smoking it over wood fires prevented spoilage and waste.
This practical approach to food preservation accidentally created one of Texas’s most beloved barbecue traditions, proving that sometimes the best innovations come from simple necessity.
4. Elgin Hot Guts Made It Famous
Ask any Texas barbecue lover about “Elgin hot guts,” and watch their eyes light up with recognition. This coarse-ground, all-beef sausage put Southside Market on the culinary map across the state.
Employee Bud Frazier helped perfect this spicy creation, smoking the links over oak wood and seasoning them with a pepper-forward spice blend. The sausage earned its colorful nickname from locals who appreciated its bold flavor.
Today, people drive hundreds of miles specifically for these famous sausages, making them the restaurant’s signature item and a true Texas treasure.
5. Still Serving Crowds by the Pound
Numbers don’t lie when it comes to Southside’s popularity. Every Saturday, the Elgin location alone sells approximately 1,400 pounds of sausage to hungry customers.
Whether visitors eat at picnic tables or carry out links by the dozen, the massive volume speaks to the restaurant’s enduring appeal. Lines form regularly, especially on weekends when families make barbecue pilgrimages.
This incredible demand keeps the pitmasters busy around the clock, constantly tending fires and preparing fresh batches to meet customer expectations throughout each busy day.
6. A Family Torch Passed in 1968
Family ownership often makes the difference between restaurants that survive and those that fade away. Ernest W. Bracewell, Sr. and his wife Adrene purchased Southside Market in 1968, beginning a family legacy.
Today, their grandson Bryan Bracewell serves as the third-generation pitmaster and owner. He maintains the same recipes and smoking techniques that have made the restaurant famous for decades.
This continuity ensures that customers receive the same quality and flavors their parents and grandparents enjoyed, creating loyal multi-generational customer relationships that many businesses can only dream about.
7. New Home Since the Early 90s
Change isn’t always bad, especially when it means better serving your customers. After decades in downtown Elgin, Southside Market moved to a larger Highway 290 location in June 1992.
The spacious new building accommodates the crowds that the original downtown location simply couldn’t handle. More seating, better parking, and improved kitchen facilities enhanced the dining experience significantly.
This smart business decision allowed the restaurant to maintain its traditional recipes while providing modern convenience and comfort for families traveling from across Texas to sample the famous barbecue.
8. One Brand, Multiple Restaurants
Smart expansion has helped Southside Market reach more barbecue lovers across Central Texas. Beyond the original Elgin location, the brand now operates restaurants in Bastrop, Austin, and Hutto.
Each location maintains the same high standards and recipes that made the original famous. This consistency means customers know exactly what to expect regardless of which Southside Market they visit.
The multiple locations make it convenient for travelers and locals alike to enjoy authentic Southside barbecue without making the trip to Elgin, though many purists still prefer visiting the original location.
9. A Recognized Texas Treasure
Official recognition came in 2022 when Southside Market received designation as a Texas Treasure Business. This honor acknowledges businesses that have significantly contributed to Texas culture and history.
The designation recognizes not just longevity but cultural impact on the state’s identity. Southside Market has helped define what Texas barbecue means to people around the world.
This official recognition validates what customers have known for generations—that Southside Market represents something special in Texas culinary tradition, deserving preservation and celebration for future generations to discover and enjoy.
10. From the Pits to Your Grocery Cart and Doorstep
Modern convenience meets traditional flavors through Southside Market’s expanded distribution network. The restaurant now ships its famous sausages nationwide, bringing Texas barbecue to homesick Texans everywhere.
Major grocery chains like H-E-B and Walmart carry Southside’s distinctive red-labeled sausage packages, making the taste accessible far from Elgin. Online ordering allows customers to have authentic Texas barbecue delivered directly to their homes.
This expansion strategy keeps the brand relevant in today’s market while introducing new customers to the flavors that have made Southside Market a Texas legend.
