Elgin wears its nickname proudly. As the Sausage Capital of Texas, it is home to two barbecue institutions that put the town on the map. Southside Market & Barbeque has been smoking since 1882 and invented the Elgin Hot Sausage, and Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse has been family run since 1949.
Beyond the smoke, downtown Elgin has quietly become a fun place to spend a day. Local coffee houses and a wine bar anchor a walkable square, and Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse is the family-friendly favorite for pizza and craft beer. For tacos, you cannot go wrong with the many authentic taquerias around town.
Elgin also has the everyday essentials covered, from H-E-B and Walmart to a deep bench of trusted local trades. Find them all in the directory.
Good to know
- Known as the Sausage Capital of Texas
- Home to Southside Market (est. 1882) and Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse
- Historic brick downtown square
- About 25 minutes from Austin
What is Elgin, Texas known for?
Elgin, Texas is best known as the Sausage Capital of Texas, a title earned by its century-old barbecue houses and made official by the Texas Legislature. Beyond the smokehouses, Elgin is a fast-growing town in Bastrop County, Texas with a walkable historic brick downtown square, an easy commute to Austin, and a strong small-town identity that keeps drawing new families.
Where to Eat in Elgin
Food is the main event in Elgin. Start with the barbecue that made the town famous, then work your way around the square for tacos, pizza, and coffee. Browse more local spots in our Bastrop County restaurants directory.
The legendary barbecue
Southside Market & Barbeque has been smoking since 1882 and invented the Elgin Hot Sausage, the coarse, peppery all-beef link locals call hot guts. Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse, family run since 1949, is the other institution, known for German-style sausage, brisket, and ribs.
Tacos, pizza, and the downtown square
Around the historic square you will find taquerias, a wine bar, and local coffee houses, plus Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse, the family-friendly favorite for pizza and craft beer.
Things to Do in Elgin
Eat your way through the barbecue joints, stroll the historic brick downtown, and time your visit around one of Elgin’s signature festivals. See more ideas in things to do in Bastrop County.
Annual Events and Festivals in Elgin
Elgin’s calendar is anchored by three big gatherings: Western Days, the town’s homecoming celebration held the last weekend of June; the Hogeye Festival, which takes over downtown the fourth Saturday of October; and the Elgin Juneteenth parade and festival the second weekend of June. For what is happening this week, get the free Bastrop Current newsletter.
A Little Elgin History
Before it was the Sausage Capital, Elgin was known as the Brick Capital of the Southwest for the clay brick plants that shaped its downtown. The town grew up around the railroad in the late 1800s and still wears that heritage in its historic square.
Living in Elgin | Moving Here
Elgin has become a landing spot for buyers priced out of Austin who still want an easy commute. The town offers a walkable square, everyday essentials like H-E-B and Walmart, and a genuine small-town feel. Newcomers fixing up a place can find help in our Bastrop County home and trade services listings. Most of Elgin is served by Elgin Independent School District (Elgin ISD), with several elementary campuses, a middle school, and Elgin High School.
Elgin at a Glance | Practical Info
Elgin sits about 25 miles northeast of Austin, Texas, roughly a 30 to 35 minute drive on US-290, in northern Bastrop County, Texas, with a small portion in Travis County. The city had 9,784 residents as of the 2020 census and has kept growing since.
Nearby Towns in Bastrop County, Texas
Exploring the county? Visit nearby Bastrop, McDade, and Paige.
Explore Elgin by category
Find local favorites by category: Restaurants & Food, Things to Do, Home & Services, Shopping, and Faith & Community. You can also browse the full Bastrop County directory.
Elgin, Texas FAQs
Why is Elgin called the Sausage Capital of Texas?
Elgin earned the title for its century-old barbecue houses. Southside Market invented the Elgin Hot Sausage in 1882, and Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse has smoked sausage since 1949.
What is there to do in Elgin, Texas?
Eat world-famous barbecue, explore the historic downtown square, grab coffee or wine locally, and enjoy pizza and craft beer at Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse.
What is the best BBQ in Elgin, Texas?
The two institutions are Southside Market & Barbeque, opened in 1882 and famous for its hot guts sausage, brisket, and dino ribs, and Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse, a family-run smokehouse known for German-style sausage and ribs.
What annual festivals happen in Elgin?
Western Days runs the last weekend of June as the town’s homecoming, the Hogeye Festival takes over downtown the fourth Saturday of October, and Elgin holds a Juneteenth parade and festival the second weekend of June.
How far is Elgin from Austin?
Elgin is about 25 miles northeast of Austin, Texas, roughly a 30 to 35 minute drive on US-290.
What is the population of Elgin, Texas?
Elgin had 9,784 residents as of the 2020 census and has continued to grow, making it one of the faster-growing towns in Bastrop County, Texas.
What school district serves Elgin?
Most of Elgin is served by Elgin Independent School District (Elgin ISD), which includes several elementary campuses, a middle school, and Elgin High School.
Is Elgin, Texas a good place to live?
Many newcomers think so. Elgin offers a historic walkable square, everyday shopping like H-E-B and Walmart, an easy commute to Austin, and a strong sense of community, all at a lower cost than Austin.