This city began as a railroad stop in 1872, named for the railroad commissioner. Often mispronounced (it rhymes with “again”), Elgin is known for two products: bricks and sausage. Red Elgin bricks are seen throughout Texas.
Around Texas, the town of Elgin is synonymous with sausage. The small community, located about 25 miles east of Austin, produces the sausage sold by many barbecue joints through the state. Spicy Elgin sausage is the standard against which other Texas sausages are judged, so much so that the city has been named by the Texas Legislature as the “Sausage Capital of Texas.”
Much of the city lies along U.S. 290, but its real history is found off the highway in its historic downtown. Named a Main Street City for its preservation efforts, the downtown is home to several renovated buildings that now house shops.
If some of those historic buildings look familiar, you might have seen them in the movies. Thanks to its proximity to Austin and its genuine small-town look, Elgin has appeared in many Hollywood productions, including Texas Chainsaw Massacre, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, A Perfect World, Michael, Varsity Blues, Picnic, The Alamo, and Friday Night Lights.
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Attractions
Historic Tour. Pick up a copy of the free historic tour brochure at the Chamber of Commerce office at 114 Central Ave. Or download a walking-tour brochure by visiting www.elgintx.com.
Elgin Depot Museum. Elgin’s historic Union Depot was built in 1903 and now it houses this local history museum with exhibits on the influence of the railroad and Elgin’s agricultural heritage.
Where to Eat Barbecue in Elgin
Meyer’s Elgin Sausage.
Since 1949 this sausage has been a regional favorite. The restaurant includes plenty of sausage as well as smoked turkey, ribs, and more. You can also purchase gift boxes of Meyer’s sausage to go.
Southside Market and B-B-Q.
This casual barbecue eatery has been the source of Elgin sausage since 1882. For generations, Southside was located in a smoky den that spoke volumes about the history of barbecue. Sadly, the business outgrew its old home and now sits in a tin building with a concrete floor. Although the market has moved from its original downtown location, the dining room is still filled with Formica tables, the smell of smoke, and happy customers.
Southside is one of the most recognized names in the Texas BBQ business, at least when it comes to sausage. Not only well known throughout the Barbecue Belt, the Southside Market is definitely the biggest thing in the community of Elgin. You’ll also find Southside Market locations in nearby Hutto, Bastrop and Austin.
In business since 1882, the market is known for its Elgin hot sausage, sometimes known as Elgin Hot Guts (no, we’re not making this up).
Festivals
OCTOBER:
Hogeye Festival. Called “a time for warm hearts and hot guts,” this event celebrates the sausage heritage of Elgin with events like the Hogalicious Dessert Contest, a hog calling contest, the crowning of King Hog and Queen Sowpreme, and a pork barbecue contest.
DECEMBER:
Holiday by the Tracks. Elgin gets in the holiday spirit with live entertainment, downtown shopping specials, photos with Santa, an art show and a lighted Christmas parade. Veterans’ Memorial Park, 109 Depot St.