You have to go to Cooper’s. It’s a true experience. Their huge smokers are outside. The pitmasters don’t look like butchers, rather like they’ve spent time on the range. The Texas of my imagination was found there. I went to City Market at about 6 in the morning and was also blown away. Unfortunately I only ordered a half pound to leave room for the Lockhart trio. Now I regret it a bit. After my long tour of the Austin/ Hill Country area, Cooper’s was my favorite by far. The meat, location, customers, and overall vibe cannot be matched.