Riley's Pit BBQ

Celina Lagace

Great food, lots of parking, big portions, the people are super friendly. The food can't tell you how good it is. Quick service.

R “Gonzo” G

Don't let this small venue fool you. It packs a big punch compared to the other Bigger barbecue joints. Its interior carries a more home-like appeal. I was greeted by the friendly owner Riley. A nice big welcome was a good start. I ordered One of the specials which came with two meats, two sides and a drink. I immediately noticed the proportions which I have to say were impressive. My order included chicken (leg and thigh) and brisket with two sides, one green beans and the other potato salad. To me, sides are just as important as the main course. And I must say that my two sides delivered equal satisfaction to the main course. The brisket was moist and juicy. The outer bark of it was toasted and cooked to perfection. However, my chicken was a bit on the dry side for my taste. I do know that some people like their chicken like that. So a bit of barbecue sauce provided a decent correction. Their sausage was packed with a lot of seasoning. It might have been a little too much seasoning. Their potato salad was, in my opinion, The highlight of the meal. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for more homestyle barbecue. This was my first time trying. Riley's BBQ. I got to talk to him a little at the end. And learned a little more about him. With his welcoming character, I definitely will be returning.

Archer Midland

It took me a while to start going to Riley’s eating at all the more famous BBQ joints here in the capital of BBQ. This is where I come now though. Its the local joint. Great, filling meals that won’t break yr wallet and a nice relaxing place to eat. Super nice staff and as folks have said, Riley’s the best. Lots of BBQ joints in this town, but when I just want a good meal this is the best choice. And they got free WIFI. ;)

Shelly Hubbard

There are 7 different BBQ places in this town, and we picked Riley's. We are so glad that we did. It was absolutely amazing. We had brisket, ribs, and chicken all moist and full of flavor. I wish I could have eaten it all. If you are ever in Lockhart, please stop by and give this unassuming place a try. You will be happy you did!

Eric Lundquist

I really enjoyed the brisket and ribs. The sides were good as well. Coleslaw and macaroni salad were creamy. The BBQ sauce was not overly sweet. Friendly service. A solid BBQ joint!

Glenny Compton

Thank you Riley for being such an awesome host at your restaurant and the warm welcome. Food matches the service and friendliness. Delicious all around and I'm bringing friends!

Christy R

Great food, friendly and fast service. Smelled amazing when we walked in as good bbq should. They even came by to check how food was and if we needed refills on our drinks even though its more cafeteria style kind of place. Will be back!!

Ricardo Lopez

Absolutely worth the money and time to go visit this place, I kept hearing all of the BBQ joints in Lockhart and once I was told to try this out, it lived up to the hype. Can’t wait to to visit again someday when I’m in the area

We absolutely love to eat here! I especially love their fish!

I’m originally “MIT”—Made in Taiwan—but currently in Cambridge, MA, pursuing a PhD at an institute with a similar name. This summer, I’m interning at Synopsys in Austin, and as every good Texan would advise: you haven’t really arrived until you’ve had BBQ. So I drove to Riley’s Pit BBQ, located at 1326 S Colorado St, Lockhart, TX—just next to a McDonald’s but worlds apart in flavor. I ordered a three-meat plate—brisket, ribs, and sausage—with sides for just $18 (tax and tip included). In 2025, that’s a steal. The brisket melted on the tongue with a smoky bark, the ribs were juicy, and the sausage casing offered a satisfying snap. It was hearty, flavorful, and generous in portion. The plate came classic-style: with pickles, onions, a slice of white bread, and rich sides like potato salad and mac & cheese. Inside, the dining room was decked with Texas memorabilia and BBQ signs, giving it a warm, laid-back feel. Behind the scenes, you can see piles of smoking wood stacked out back and a working pit smoker—a sign that the meat is done the traditional way. While the meat quality was excellent, one suggestion for improvement would be switching from plastic to wooden chopping boards, as the latter is more durable and won’t risk microplastic debris in food. In a town saturated with legendary BBQ names, Riley’s felt humble, genuine, and full of heart. I plan to return, and if you appreciate honest, affordable BBQ in a no-frills setting, you should too.

Had a great experience here and it is now my favorite spot in Lockhart to get some BBQ. I had my 2 year old son in my arm while I ordered and the owner (I think) walked my food out to my car to help me out. Brisket and ribs were delicious! Beans, potato salad, and okra hit the spot! Looking forward to coming back soon.

The brisket was very good, tender and tasty. The potato salad was delicious. We’ve been to Lockhart many times but our first time to try Riley’s. The prices were very fair we had a 2 meat plate that came with 2 generous side servings for under $16. The owners were so friendly we enjoyed visiting with them. I would definitely recommend you give them a try you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t miss this place when in Lockhart it’s better than anything in town and less expensive. I’ve been going to this town for years and we love the old historic bbq spots but Riley’s is our new first stop. Owner’s are very friendly and happy to visit. Ribs are excellent!!!!

This is a very underrated bbq joint in Lockhart. I LOVED their chopped brisket sandwiches, and they're so cheap! My daughter got a frito pie, and she devoured it. The couple running the place is super sweet as well. They were kind and very attentive. The place is also very clean and cozy. I HIGHLY recommend checking it out. We were not disappointed.

C Webster

Don’t miss this place when in Lockhart it’s better than anything in town and less expensive. I’ve been going to this town for years and we love the old historic bbq spots but Riley’s is our new first stop. Owner’s are very friendly and happy to visit. Ribs are excellent!!!!

Pam Webster

The brisket was very good, tender and tasty. The potato salad was delicious. We’ve been to Lockhart many times but our first time to try Riley’s. The prices were very fair we had a 2 meat plate that came with 2 generous side servings for under $16. The owners were so friendly we enjoyed visiting with them. I would definitely recommend you give them a try you won’t be disappointed.

Ed Chen

I’m originally “MIT”—Made in Taiwan—but currently in Cambridge, MA, pursuing a PhD at an institute with a similar name. This summer, I’m interning at Synopsys in Austin, and as every good Texan would advise: you haven’t really arrived until you’ve had BBQ. So I drove to Riley’s Pit BBQ, located at 1326 S Colorado St, Lockhart, TX—just next to a McDonald’s but worlds apart in flavor. I ordered a three-meat plate—brisket, ribs, and sausage—with sides for just $18 (tax and tip included). In 2025, that’s a steal. The brisket melted on the tongue with a smoky bark, the ribs were juicy, and the sausage casing offered a satisfying snap. It was hearty, flavorful, and generous in portion. The plate came classic-style: with pickles, onions, a slice of white bread, and rich sides like potato salad and mac & cheese. Inside, the dining room was decked with Texas memorabilia and BBQ signs, giving it a warm, laid-back feel. Behind the scenes, you can see piles of smoking wood stacked out back and a working pit smoker—a sign that the meat is done the traditional way. While the meat quality was excellent, one suggestion for improvement would be switching from plastic to wooden chopping boards, as the latter is more durable and won’t risk microplastic debris in food. In a town saturated with legendary BBQ names, Riley’s felt humble, genuine, and full of heart. I plan to return, and if you appreciate honest, affordable BBQ in a no-frills setting, you should too.

Amanda Barney

This is a very underrated bbq joint in Lockhart. I LOVED their chopped brisket sandwiches, and they're so cheap! My daughter got a frito pie, and she devoured it. The couple running the place is super sweet as well. They were kind and very attentive. The place is also very clean and cozy. I HIGHLY recommend checking it out. We were not disappointed.

Rogelio Rayos

Had a great experience here and it is now my favorite spot in Lockhart to get some BBQ. I had my 2 year old son in my arm while I ordered and the owner (I think) walked my food out to my car to help me out. Brisket and ribs were delicious! Beans, potato salad, and okra hit the spot! Looking forward to coming back soon.

Cool little bbq place! When we arrived we were greeted by the most amazing smelling bbq smoke. The owner Riley, is super friendly and I just love friendly people! We got to talking about Kansas City BBQ and how it’s a little different and Texas doesn’t really offer burnt ends like KC, so Riley surprised us with a to-go of some of his burnt ends, I thought that was THE MOST thoughtful gesture! Our experience here was great. I really like the barbecue sauce and sausage.

The brisket and ribs were tasty, but I couldn't eat the sides. They were very bland to me. Not the best BBQ I've had by any means, but certainly better than merely "edible". Not worth driving out to see them, but if you're passing through I recommend giving them a try.

While on a road trip and wanting to try several different BBQ places in Lockhart, we stopped here for a final sampling of Texas BBQ. We were met by the owner and his crew who were very welcoming and eager to show us their products. We ordered brisket, regular and jalapeño cheese sausage, and several sides to go. As Riley was cutting the brisket, he offered us several pieces to sample as he filled our order. The brisket was moist and juicy. I got talking with him about his process of cooking brisket and he took me to his pit to show it to me. Can’t say enough good things about his willingness to share his process to me. Worth a stop if you are in Lockhart.

J K

Cool little bbq place! When we arrived we were greeted by the most amazing smelling bbq smoke. The owner Riley, is super friendly and I just love friendly people! We got to talking about Kansas City BBQ and how it’s a little different and Texas doesn’t really offer burnt ends like KC, so Riley surprised us with a to-go of some of his burnt ends, I thought that was THE MOST thoughtful gesture! Our experience here was great. I really like the barbecue sauce and sausage.

Andy Thunder

The brisket and ribs were tasty, but I couldn't eat the sides. They were very bland to me. Not the best BBQ I've had by any means, but certainly better than merely "edible". Not worth driving out to see them, but if you're passing through I recommend giving them a try.

rich troutman

While on a road trip and wanting to try several different BBQ places in Lockhart, we stopped here for a final sampling of Texas BBQ. We were met by the owner and his crew who were very welcoming and eager to show us their products. We ordered brisket, regular and jalapeño cheese sausage, and several sides to go. As Riley was cutting the brisket, he offered us several pieces to sample as he filled our order. The brisket was moist and juicy. I got talking with him about his process of cooking brisket and he took me to his pit to show it to me. Can’t say enough good things about his willingness to share his process to me. Worth a stop if you are in Lockhart.

Pretty good place, locals were eating here when we go there. Didn't have a big line and prices were really good! Sausage was good, lean portion of the brisket was slightly drier than we liked. Pea salad was great, and the owner and his son were really good people even came to the table and chatted with us! Overall a good place especially for the price 🤗

Riley's Pit Barbecue gives off that classic "hole-in-the-wall" vibe from the outside—something that promises great food and an authentic experience. Unfortunately, my visit didn’t live up to the hype. The brisket was dry and lacked tenderness, which was disappointing for a place known for its barbecue. The potato salad was bland, and the beans tasted like they came straight from a can of Ranch Style Beans—nothing special at all. With all the glowing reviews, I was expecting much more, but I just can’t join the chorus of five-star praise. Maybe I caught them on an off day, but based on my experience, I can’t recommend it.

Kaleb Smith

Riley's Pit Barbecue gives off that classic "hole-in-the-wall" vibe from the outside—something that promises great food and an authentic experience. Unfortunately, my visit didn’t live up to the hype. The brisket was dry and lacked tenderness, which was disappointing for a place known for its barbecue. The potato salad was bland, and the beans tasted like they came straight from a can of Ranch Style Beans—nothing special at all. With all the glowing reviews, I was expecting much more, but I just can’t join the chorus of five-star praise. Maybe I caught them on an off day, but based on my experience, I can’t recommend it.

This place is deceiving. I state that because in the parking lot it smells amazing of the watery bbq you can't wait to try but once you walk in it smells like going into a nursing home, just not pleasing at all and although I wanted to walk out I did order and had the toughest in edible brisket and semi ok sausage. It was truly a waste of money but it was cheaper than other bbq places that I have had.

Angelique Rodriguez

This place is deceiving. I state that because in the parking lot it smells amazing of the watery bbq you can't wait to try but once you walk in it smells like going into a nursing home, just not pleasing at all and although I wanted to walk out I did order and had the toughest in edible brisket and semi ok sausage. It was truly a waste of money but it was cheaper than other bbq places that I have had.