The first time Kel and I tried Sunday breakfast at Burnt Bean Co., we messed up. We arrived mid-morning, but by the time we reached the counter, breakfast was over, and lunch had started.
The brisket and beef rib were excellent, and among the best barbecue I've had in Texas, but the huevos rancheros and breakfast tacos I wanted were already sold out.
Ever since, I've wanted to return and try Sunday breakfast the right way. This time, we stayed at a nearby hotel, just like we did for Snow's BBQ.
The Burnt Bean opens at 8 a.m. on Sundays, but if you want their breakfast, you can't just show up at 7:45 and expect to get it. You have to line up early.
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Breakfast at Burnt Bean
Getting in Line Before Sunrise
We arrived at 6:20 a.m. It was mid-November, about 60 degrees, cloudy, and breezy. Seven people were already waiting in folding chairs. Kel and I were numbers 8 and 9. Within minutes, ten more people joined the line behind us.
Burnt Bean was named the top barbecue spot in Texas by Texas Monthly and earned a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide's inaugural Texas edition. Even so, this was the shortest wait we've ever had at a number one spot.
What Makes Sunday Different
Sunday breakfast at Burnt Bean isn't just brisket and eggs. Pitmasters Ernest Servantes, known as The Pope of BBQ, and Super Dave Kirkland bring bold morning flavors while keeping that smoky taste.
You'll still find Prime brisket, pork ribs, sausage, and turkey by the half-pound. But you'll also see Mexican and South Texas flavors, bold sauces, and tasty desserts.
For example, the Blue October is a salty-sweet croissant sandwich with brisket, egg, jalapeno cream cheese, and strawberry jam. And the Conchita Bowl is a soup with beans, chopped brisket, jalapeno, and queso fresco.
We ordered:
- Huevos rancheros
- Pastrami beef cheeks
- Barbacoa taco
- Cactus Jack taco
- Cowboy beans
- Big Red tres leches cake
- German chocolate cake
We spent $55 on savory dishes and $14 on desserts. It was more than enough for both of us, and we had leftovers that tasted just as good the next day.
Huevos Rancheros
If there's one dish that sums up Sunday breakfast at Burnt Bean Co., it's the huevos rancheros. This isn't a small brunch plate. It's hearty and layered, with two housemade tortillas, two eggs, brisket, beans, salsa ranchera, and queso fresco.
It's Mexican-inspired comfort food, elevated by smoke and scale. The portion was so big I had to take half home. There's also a version called the Casanova that adds barbacoa.
Breakfast Tacos
The barbacoa taco had everything you want in a slow-cooked beef taco: lots of flavor, juicy meat, and a tortilla that stayed firm and didn't get soggy.
Kel ordered the Cactus Jack taco, which combines brisket, sausage, and potatoes. It leaned heavier, and I didn't care for it as much as the barbacoa.
Additional Sunday morning breakfast tacos included:
- Carne guisada
- Chorizo and bean
- Chorizo and potato
- Molleja (sweetbreads)
- Picadillo (traditionally ground beef, tomatoes, and spices)
- Chili Colorado
Pastrami Beef Cheeks
The pastrami beef cheeks were the surprise hit for me. Slow-cooked beef cheeks are already rich, but making them into pastrami with a peppery, cured flavor adds even more depth. The texture was tender but still held together, and every bite had smoke and spice.
Brisket might be the classic Texas barbecue, but the pastrami beef cheeks show that Burnt Bean Co. goes beyond the basics.
Don't Skip Dessert
Historically, barbecue places haven't paid much attention to dessert, but Burnt Bean does. That's why we tried four desserts on our last visit.
For the second time, I got the Big Red tres leches cake, which feels truly Texan. It's sweet, nostalgic, fun, and pretty dense. The cake was soaked but still held together, and it wasn't too sweet.
The German chocolate cake was a classic, with moist layers, rich frosting, and a big enough slice to share with two or three people.
Was It Worth the Early Wake-Up?
Definitely, for $69, we enjoyed a meal that was creative, ambitious, and showed off the best of Texas BBQ today. It was a chef-driven interpretation of what Sunday morning in Central Texas can look like.
In 2024, Burnt Bean earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. After two visits, I think their restaurant is more deserving of a Michelin star (alongside Austin BBQ standouts like InterStellar and LeRoy and Lewis). They show creativity, consistency, and great execution.
If you're planning a breakfast at Burnt Bean Co.:
- Arrive early. 6:15 to 6:30 a.m. felt comfortable.
- Bring a folding chair.
- Expect cooler temps in the early morning, even in Texas.
- Order broadly and share.
- Save room for dessert.
If you've already tried their lunch, don't think you've seen everything Burnt Bean has to offer. Sunday breakfast has a wide range of extra menu items.
We've waited in line for up to three hours at the most famous barbecue spots in Texas over the years. This was the shortest wait and one of the best mornings we've had. This time, we didn't miss breakfast.
Burnt Bean Co. Barbecue
108 S Austin St, Seguin, TX 78155
burntbeanco.com
