Louie Mueller Barbecue has been serving barbecue in Taylor for more than 75 years, and now the longtime business is being recognized by the Texas Historical Commission as a historic Texas business.
Last month, Louie Mueller Barbecue was featured in the commission’s “Texas Treasures of the Table,” a collection showcasing restaurants in the Greater Austin area that have been recognized through the Texas Treasure Business Award Program.
In a press release, the commission said the restaurants represent more than places to eat, pointing to their role as gathering places where families and friends have celebrated milestones and traditions over generations.
The program recognizes Texas businesses that have operated continuously for at least 50 years and have made lasting contributions to their communities.
According to Louie Mueller Barbecue’s website, Louie Mueller opened the restaurant in 1949. His son, Bobby Mueller, took over the business in 1974, and Bobby’s son, Wayne Mueller, became the third-generation owner and pitmaster in 2007.
The restaurant remains at 206 W. Second St. in Taylor, where it has become one of the city’s best-known barbecue institutions.
“By highlighting these businesses, we want to encourage everyone to visit the restaurants that make our communities special, while having some darn good food along the way,” said Chief Preservation Officer Bradford Patterson in a press release.
Louie Mueller Barbecue is joined on the list by several other well-known Central Texas restaurants, including The Original Black’s Barbecue and Kreuz Market in Lockhart, The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood and Southside Market in Elgin.
More than 700 businesses across Texas have received the Texas Treasure Business Award since the program began in 2005, according to the commission.
Louie Mueller Barbecue’s inclusion highlights a barbecue tradition that has been part of Taylor’s history for more than seven decades.
Louie Mueller Barbecue has been serving Taylor since 1949. Photo by Emily Treadway
