Snow’s BBQ is a popular Texas barbecue restaurant known for selling out of food quickly. The limited availability and incredible demand for Snow’s BBQ has led many fans to wonder – when exactly does Snow’s BBQ sell out each day? Here is a deep dive into the operating hours, ordering details, and insider tips on timing a Snow’s BBQ meal just right to get some of the most sought-after barbecue in Texas.
An Introduction to Snow’s BBQ
Snow’s BBQ opened in 2003 in Lexington, Texas, a small town about an hour northeast of Austin. The owners, Kerry and Tootsie Tutt, decided to open up a barbecue joint in an old dairy barn on weekends only.
On Saturdays and Sundays by 5 AM, pits are loaded with meat and the fires are started. The fires are stoked using post oak wood to get the perfect smokey flavor. Briskets, pork butts, and ribs are smoked low and slow all morning.
By 8 AM when doors open, lines are already wrapped around the building of barbecue pilgrims hoping to score some meat. Snow’s is only open until they sell out, which usually happens in just a few short hours.
Snow’s barbecue has developed a legendary status in Texas and has been named the best barbecue in Texas multiple times. Food critics tout it as some of the best barbecue in America. Their brisket has a dark, smoky bark on the outside and juicy, tender meat inside. The ribs are also popular for their perfect tenderness and robust flavor.
So what makes Snow’s BBQ sell out so fast, almost like a flash in the pan on weekend mornings? Here’s a look at why the demand is so high.
Why Does Snow’s BBQ Sell Out So Quickly?
There are several key reasons Snow’s BBQ tends to sell out in just a few hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings:
Limited Hours and Quantities
Snow’s is only open Saturdays from 8 AM to Noon and Sundays from 8 AM to 2 PM. They only smoke a limited amount of meat each day. Once it’s gone, that’s it for the day. The short 5-hour window on both days and limited daily quantities make for high demand.
Top Rankings and Reviews
Snow’s has been ranked the #1 and #2 BBQ restaurant in Texas by Texas Monthly in 2008 and 2017, respectively. They have also been featured on Food Network and other national media. The barrage of positive reviews and five-star ratings drive people from all over to wait in line for hours to try it themselves.
Legendary Status
As a newer restaurant, Snow’s was an overnight success in the Texas BBQ scene. They have garnered a legendary status which makes eating there a sort of pilgrimage for barbecue enthusiasts. Their lean brisket and flavorful ribs are spoken about in legendary terms by BBQ connoisseurs.
Worth the Wait
Despite the limited quantity and hours, BBQ fans report that the recipe and flavor make Snow’s worth getting up early and waiting in line for. The rave reviews keep demand high and orders flying out the door during their short operating hours.
Limited Seating
The small dining area only has a few picnic tables to sit and eat at. Most customers get their food to go. The limited seating also keeps turnover high and lines long outside as people have to leave quickly after getting their food.
What Time Should You Get in Line?
So when exactly does Snow’s BBQ sell out each weekend day? Here is a timeline of when to get in line to optimize your chances of getting Snow’s legendary brisket and ribs:
Saturday Timeline
On Saturdays, Snow’s opens at 8 AM. People start lining up as early as 4 or 5 AM. By 7 AM, there is usually a line wrapped around the block an hour before opening.
They typically start selling out of meat by 10:30 AM. By 11 to 11:30 AM on Saturdays, they are often completely sold out.
To ensure you get some barbecue, it’s recommended to get in line by 7 AM at the absolute latest. Earlier than that (5 – 6 AM) is best for the highest chance.
Sunday Timeline
Snow’s opens at 8 AM and closes at 2 PM on Sundays, so they are open for twice as long as Saturdays.
People still begin lining up between 4 – 6 AM for opening at 8 AM. Because Snow’s Sunday hours go until 2 PM, they don’t sell out quite as quickly.
Typically on Sundays, some meat begins selling out around 12:30 PM. They often completely sell out right before closing time at 2 PM.
On Sundays, lining up by 7 AM will still get you barbecue, but a little later like 9 – 10 AM can also work. Late morning around 11 AM may be risky.
The key is to get there as early in their opening hours as possible, especially right when they open at 8 AM. Later in the day is riskier.
Ordering Tips to Get the Barbecue You Want
Here are some useful tips for ordering at Snow’s BBQ to increase your chances of getting their famous brisket, ribs, and more before they sell out:
Order Fatty Brisket
The fattier brisket typically sells out first, so order this if it’s a priority. The lean brisket tends to stick around a bit longer into the day.
Get Ribs Early
After brisket, ribs are typically the next thing to sell out so prioritize ordering ribs early if you want them.
Expect To Wait for Food
Even once ordered, your food may take over an hour to receive since they’re cooking it fresh. Be prepared for a wait to pick up ordered food.
Bring Cash
Snow’s is cash only so bring plenty of cash on hand to order food and drinks. ATMs have high fees so avoid needing to take cash out there.
Order To-Go
With very limited seating, most people order to-go. This allows them to keep churning through the long lines. Ordering to-go avoids having to wait for one of the few picnic tables.
Get Drink Cups Early
Drink cups often run out so grab drinks cups to fill while you can. If you wait, they may be out of cups by the time you want to fill up.
Menu Items Most Likely To Sell Out First
While everything on Snow’s menu is incredible, these tend to be the menu items most likely to sell out first:
- Fatty Brisket – The fattier cut brisket sells out extremely fast. Lean brisket sticks around a little longer.
- Ribs – Both baby back and spare ribs tend to sell out fast after the fatty brisket each day.
- Sausage – Their smoked sausage is available in limited quantities and runs out quickly.
- Drink Cups – Drink cups always run out at some point so prioritize getting them early.
Other items like turkey, pulled pork, beans, slaw, bread, and sides tend to be available longer into the day compared to the extremely limited fatty brisket, ribs, and sausage.
Why Snow’s Closes When They Sell Out
Snow’s BBQ closes up once they sell out of food each day rather than remaining open. There are some very practical reasons they adhere to this early closure policy:
Limited Food Quantities
Snow’s only smokes a certain amount of meat overnight to be ready for each day. Once that food is gone, there isn’t any more ready to serve.
Maintaining Quality
Remaining open once food runs out would lead to extremely long order times and a decline in food quality as items sit. Closing avoids this.
Preventing Waste
Closing when sold out helps reduce unsold food waste at the end of the day since supply is matched with demand.
Discouraging Late Arrivals
The early sell-out time discourages very late arrivals who are unlikely to get food. This prevents excessive crowds at the very end of the day.
Rewarding Early Birds
Closing once the food is sold out rewards the customers who arrived early and waited in long lines by ensuring they get barbecue before latecomers.
Favorite Menu Items To Try Before They Sell Out
When planning your Snow’s BBQ meal strategy, these are some of the most popular, must-try menu items to prioritize ordering before daily quantities run out:
Brisket
Snow’s brisket is available in lean and fatty/moist cuts. The fatty brisket melts in your mouth and is the most sought-after menu item. The lean brisket is still full of flavor and a perfect mix of tender and crispy bark.
Ribs
Both the baby back ribs and spare ribs have meat that is literally fall-off-the-bone tender. They come coated in a slightly sweet, peppery dry rub that forms a crusty bark after smoking.
Smoked Turkey
Smoked turkey may not be on your standard barbecue radar but it stands out at Snow’s. It’s juicy and full of smoky flavor. Try it if you see they still have some available.
Sausage
The smoky sausage links have the perfect snap when bitten into. It’s spicy and full of flavor from the high-quality meat used.
Sides
The sides like pinto beans, coleslaw, and potato salad are all house-made from scratch and the perfect complements to the meat.
Is Eating at Snow’s Worth the Hype?
Despite the limited hours, huge crowds, and selling out daily, is eating at Snow’s BBQ really worth the legendary hype?
For true barbecue fans, the answer is almost universally – yes!
Here’s why the Snow’s experience is worth arriving early, waiting in line, and scoring barbecue before they sell out each weekend:
One-of-a-Kind Smoked Flavors
The taste of the brisket, ribs, sausage and more is unmatched. There’s a depth and character to the smoke flavors that come from years of honed technique.
Texas BBQ Perfection
The meat exemplifies what perfect Texas barbecue is – smoky, melt-in-your-mouth moist, and full of rub flavors.
Can’t Be Replicated
Even trying to replicate Snow’s recipes at home cannot reproduce the magic of their smokers and methods. You have to get it fresh from the source.
Legendary Status
There’s a huge satisfaction and bragging rights that come from actually sampling what many consider the best BBQ in Texas.
Celebrity Spottings
It’s common to see celebrities and famous chefs lining up too, adding to the appeal and one-of-a-kind experience.
Is Snow’s BBQ Worth the Hype? Conclusion
In closing, Snow’s legendary barbecue fully lives up to the hype. The taste is unrivaled, the meat cooks for hours over firewood embers, quantities are limited, and the experience is an authentic Texas tradition.
Arriving early, waiting in the characteristic lines, and timing your visit right to score food before they sell out is all part of the fun. Snow’s is a bucket-list BBQ icon worthy of a pilgrimage for any true barbecue fan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snow’s BBQ Selling Out
Q: What time should I get in line on Saturday and Sunday?
- Saturday: Get in line by 7 AM at the absolute latest (5 – 6 AM is better).
- Sunday: Get in line by 7 – 9 AM. 11 AM may be too late.
Q: Which menu items sell out first?
Fatty brisket, ribs, and sausage tend to sell out first. Turkey, pork, sides, beans, bread last longer. Go for fatty brisket and ribs first.
Q: Why does Snow’s BBQ close early when they sell out of food?
Closing avoids long wait times, food waste, and poor quality. It rewards early arrivals who wait in line and matches supply to daily demand.
Q: How late have people gotten in line and still gotten food?
On Saturdays, 10:30 AM may be the latest to get food. Sundays have a 2 PM close so people may get food later like 12 PM.
Q: If Snow’s sells out at 11 AM on Saturday should I still go in line at 11 AM?
No, on Saturdays at 11 AM they will likely be sold out already. At that time on Saturday they will be closing soon so it is too late.
Q: Does Snow’s take credit cards or only cash?
Snow’s is cash only so bring plenty of cash to order food, drinks, and avoid ATM fees. Cards are not accepted.
Q: Is the wait and hype at Snow’s BBQ really worth it?
Yes, the wait is worth it! The food, flavors, and experience can’t be replicated. Snow’s is a Texas BBQ pilgrimage destination for a reason.
Conclusion
Snow’s BBQ’s legendary status in Texas and incredible barbecue make it easy to see why they sell out so quickly every Saturday and Sunday. Arriving early, well before open, and ordering fatty brisket, ribs, and sausage fast are key tips to getting their amazing food before they sell out. Snow’s BBQ is a one-of-a-kind experience worth the crowds, wait times, and early mornings. For true barbecue fans, it offers some of the most mouthwatering brisket, ribs, sausage, turkey, and sides in Texas.