The county seat of Llano County, the town of Llano is situated on the Llano River in a unique part of the Hill Country known as the Llano Uplift. This region is characterized by rugged hills and valleys which are punctuated by outcrops of red granite. Llano’s rich deposits of minerals was responsible for the town’s growth, once the home of ten granite quarries. In all, the Llano area boasts nearly 250 different kinds of rocks and minerals including garnet, amethyst, feldspar, quartz and tourmaline, and rock hunting is still a popular pastime for visitors.
In the 1880s Llano was a boom town, filled with rock hounds in search of minerals: garnet, amethyst, and even gold. Today the gold is found in this hill country town’s barbecue joints. What makes Llano unique among the central Texas barbecue towns is its cooking style. Most pit masters in this town rely on indirect barbecuing. In a firebox, wood burns down to coals, then it’s transferred to the main section of the pit beneath the meat. Here it imparts a delicate smoky taste that is subtler than can be achieved through ordinary smoking.
Another kind of hunting draws even more visitors; white-tail deer season is one of the town’s biggest industries, earning Llano the title of “Deer Capital of Texas.”
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Attractions
Llano County Historical Museum. Visitors find this museum housed in the old Bruhl Drugstore, with displays on the area’s early Indian history and Llano’s boomtown days. An exhibit contains samples of Llano’s many rocks and minerals. 310 Bessemer Ave. (TX 16).
Llano Historic Railyard District. The importance of the railroad in Llano’s history is explored here at the Railroad Museum. An adjacent Chamber of Commerce visitors center offers information on other attractions in the town, as well. 100 Train Station Dr.
Don’t Miss
Cooper’s Old Time Pit Barbecue
Once named his favorite barbecue restaurant by then Texas Governor George W. Bush, Cooper’s has long been one of the best known pits in Texas. From its huge rectangular pits located by the front door to the dining room dotted with loaves of white bread and jars of jalapeño peppers, Cooper’s is a true Texas bbq joint.
Cooper’s is the legacy of the late Tommy Cooper, whose father operated another Cooper’s in Mason. Cooper’s has brought the attention of the world to Texas barbecue, thanks in part to President George W. Bush. While his father often selected Otto’s Barbecue in Houston, the younger Bush opted for Cooper’s smoky meats. Cooper’s drew national attention when it catered a lunch for Republican governors at the Crawford ranch.
Before you step foot in this Llano restaurant, you will walk past those pits and place your order. At the pit, the pitmaster opens the huge vaults to reveal a king’s treasure: brisket, pork ribs, beef ribs, chicken, goat, sausage, sirloin steak, and pork chops.
Name the meat (brisket is the top choice) and the amount and the pit man will carve it off and drop it on some butcher paper for you to take inside for weighing.
Inside, pick up some potato salad or chips, then head to the cinderblock dining room. Here simple rows of picnic tables are topped with white bread and condiments. The room is usually filled with Llano locals, deer hunters, and travelers alike.
In the back of the dining room, cauldrons hold pinto beans and sauce. Help yourself. The sauce is tart with vinegar, a thin concoction that makes a good dip for the white bread that’s yours for the taking.
When you’re done, just drop your silverware in the utility sink and head reluctantly on your way.
Festivals
APRIL:
Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail. Along with neighboring towns, Llano is part of this celebration of the state flower which blooms in profusion on roadsides and in pastures. Visitors can stop in town for art shows and arts and crafts.
Llano Crawfish Open. This weekend event draws thousands of visitors each year for Cajun cooking, live entertainment, a golf tournament and team roping contests on the banks of the Llano River. Robinson City Park, 2 miles west of Llano on RM 152.
JUNE:
Llano Open Pro Rodeo and Parade. On the first weekend in June, Llano invites professional cowboys from all over to compete in bronco and bull riding, team roping and barrel racing. A rodeo parade winds through the downtown, followed by a barbecue. Llano Rodeo Arena, 2200 RM 152.
OCTOBER:
Llano Heritage Weekend. Llano celebrates its western heritage with this annual festival with antique shows, traditional craft demonstrations, hay rides and even a cowboy shootout reenactment. Downtown Llano.