Bill Miller's is renowned for its budget BBQ plates, as well as some pretty darn good sandwiches featuring barbecued or smoked meats. If you are a true southern carnivore, Bill Miller's ought to be on your bucket list. It shouldn't be hard to tick off, they have methodically staked the claim all over Texas, and it's not surprising how.
Bill Miller's is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – They open at 5-6 am every morning and close at 9 pm.
Bill Miller's has had a pretty darn interesting life in its run-up to being a successful BBQ chain. In the early 1950s, the restaurant began life as a poultry and egg business off the back of a personal $500 loan. From there they expanded into a fried chicken shop and then ultimately a BBQ joint by the end of 1953. To the locals, it probably seemed like Bill Miller (founder and CEO) had lost direction and was desperately trying to save a struggling business. They were wrong. Since 1953 Bill Miller's BBQ has not only survived but thrived and now has 76 affiliated locations all over Texas.
You can find out a little more about Bill Miller and his story on Bill Miller's website by clicking the link here.
What makes Bill Miller's BBQ special?
Bill Miller's BBQ has had a reputation for a long time of being great quick-to-go food before that was even a common concept. In the late 1950s, Bill's business model of hot food to go made in five minutes or less was seen as much of a gimmick. Today, we almost expect that as a standard from most fast food places. Where Bill Millers stands out is how they have so clearly managed to slowly improve the quality of their food and service over time without having to sacrifice speed or feeling the need to charge extortionate prices to hungry customers. Bill Miller's BBQ uses industrial-sized BBQ pits that allow them to produce gigantic quantities of authentic Texas BBQ at relentless speeds.
How does Bill Miller's remain so cheap?
Bill Millers utilizes huge BBQ pits and industrial-sized smokers that have allowed them to reduce the number of staff needed as well as reduce running costs. Bill Miller's meat is sourced responsibly from local suppliers and farms, which reduces transportation costs as well as guarantees quality and freshness. It is often speculated that Bill Miller's BBQ can't be making a massive profit with such low prices. This is a fair point, but they are continuously growing, so who knows? They certainly have a loyal customer base, which probably helps a little!
Are there good vegetarian options?
BBQ joints are not necessarily the best choice for vegetarians. Unfortunately, Bill Miller's BBQ isn't much different. However, they do have a few solid veggie choices that you might be interested in. Their baked potatoes are definitely a fan favorite, and their bean and cheese tacos are pretty darn good. Most of their sides are veggie-friendly such as slaw and cream corn, so there are absolutely choices out there for veggies, and in a pinch, vegans. If you were hoping for some elaborate faux-brisket dish, then unfortunately you are out of luck. But, for a BBQ establishment, there are enough decent options for veggies.
Does Bill Miller's serve alcohol?
Bill Miller's BBQ is a dry restaurant. That means no beer, no wine, no alcohol of any type. If you were hoping for an ice-cold beer to wash down your ribs with, then you are out of luck, unfortunately. Additionally, to no alcohol, there are no soft drinks available. Nope, not even Coke. Bill Miller's BBQ is a classic southern joint, and they only serve sweet ice tea. Which, let's be honest, is all you really need when eating BBQ. Why would you want anything else? Homemade tea is delicious, and Bill Miller's does it better than most.
Why does Bill Miller's open so early?
Cooking BBQ can be an all-day process. It is not uncommon for some cuts of meat to take over a day of slow cooking to reach their desired state. Bill Miller's opens pretty early for breakfast, but often doesn't start serving until 7 am. Many BBQ joints open early and close when they run out of meat, so it's a tradition for BBQ restaurants to open long hours and for pit masters to work pretty darn tough schedules. Bill Millers' BBQ breakfast is pretty great, but stops serving at 11 am. If you want to sample their breakfast, it may require an early rise!
Is Bill Miller's authentic Texas BBQ?
Authentic Texas BBQ is generally considered to be seasoned smoked meats of varying cuts. Texan cuisine has deep roots in German and Czech cooking, so you are likely to find lots of smoked sausages, brisket, and pork ribs. Texas BBQ has certainly developed into a cuisine in its own right, and many would argue that Bill Miller's BBQ has been at the forefront of that. They have been open for over 70 years, after all. You tend to learn a thing or two in near enough a century at the BBQ pit.
Are there any Bill Miller's BBQ franchises outside of Texas?
Bill Miller's is a Texan BBQ institute through and through. All of their 70+ locations are found in Texas, and it doesn't seem like there are plans to change that up any time soon. Part of the charm of this BBQ franchise is that they source all of their ingredients from Texas and cook local cuisines. Perhaps there is a belief that this doesn't translate to expanding out of state financially or socially. This is a shame because the world needs more of Bill Miller's BBQ!