Battle of the BBQ | Austin Texas
Barbecue in Austin…
…this can be a touchy subject. But I know that Austin has some of the best of the best.
I won’t put this list into any particular order but the ones I like the most will probably end up towards the top… just sayin’ LOL
ALSO, this list is featured on the Austin Food Blogger Alliance 2023 AFBA City Guide, check out the other categories from fellow talented & knowledgeable Austin bloggers HERE!
updated march 9 2024
franklin barbecue
-east atx-
900 east 11th street atx 78702
hours: tue - sun 11am to sold out (2 or 3pm) mon closed
we are now back to the frankLINE! I include whether it’s worth it or not in this article but the tldr; version is that it is worth it, don’t go the morning after a large climate shift overnight, and stick to the meats.
what to order: allll the meats [$25-29/lb]! don’t forget to get a pie [8] as well.
website | facebook | instagram
leroy & lewis
-south atx-
121 pickle road atx 78704 | FOOD TRUCK
Hours: w - sun 11am to 5pm or sold out
5621 emerald forest dr atx 78745 | brick&mortar
hours: w, th, sun 11am to 9pm f&sat 11am to 10pm
earned #5 in texas monthly’s best bbq list
my previous favorite bbq spot in austin (freedmen’s) closed and their pitmaster, evan leroy & sawyer lewis went and opened this delicious bbq food truck in the cosmic coffee beer garden. after being open (and very successful) for 7 years, they opened a brick-and-mortar only a couple miles from the truck with a beautiful space (indoor & outdoor) along with a bar and happy hour (wed & thur)!
specials | friday: beef cheeks. sat: brisket & bacon rib. sun: lamb & beef barbacoa, porkchop
what to order: at the truck - burger [15] or cosmic bowl (w/tri-tip)
at the restaurant - sliced beef, chicken, onion rings, pork burger, miso glazed carrots, banana tiramisu
website | facebook | instagram
valentina’s bbq & tex-mex
-BUDA-
308 s main st buda tx 78610
hours: currently temporarily closed
a family-owned & operated food trailer in south austin serving up some of the BEST bbq and tex mex moved up and opened a brick-and-mortar in buda! this huge space offers a bar and ample amount of parking and sitting inside to dine and enjoy those insanely delicious tortillas
what to order: breakfast - real deal Holyfield breakfast taco or any other meat+egg+tortilla any other time - brisket, pork, queso, homemade tortillas
website | facebook | instagram
Photo Credit: Bianca Delmar at ATX FYI
Photo Credit: Bianca Delmar at ATX FYI
Photo Credit: Bianca Delmar at ATX FYI
INTERSTELLAR BBQ
-nw atx-
12233 rr 620 n #105 atx 78750
hours: w - sun 11am to 5pm
texas monthly’s #2 top bbq is hidden in a plaza near cedar park with pits sitting in the middle of a busy parking lot. the owner, john bates, opens the door at 11am himself and walks around to all the tables checking on his customers. they offer preordering and they have very nice bathrooms. BUT on to why you came here.. the bbq.
what to order: peach tea glazed pork belly 🔥 (13 for .5lb), brisket (16 for .5lb), smoked scalloped potatoes (4/7/12), taco special (8), smoked gouda mac&cheese (4/7/12), & banana pudding (5).
an ATX fyi: come out at 10:30am on wednesday or thursday to avoid long line or wait.
website | facebook | instagram
la barbecue
-east atx-
2401 e cesar chavez st atx 78702
hours: wed - sun 11am to 6pm closed m & t
this woman-owned bbq counter in a local market offers spicy meats, gourmet hot dogs, my favorite macncheese in austin, & more!
what to order: brisket, mac n’ cheese, beef ribs if they have them
website | facebook | instagram
Photo credit: Distant Relatives IG
distant relatives BBQ
-Se ATX-
@ meanwhile brewing
3901 promontory point dr atx 78744
hours: w - sun 12pm to 8pm m&tu closed
mentioned on texas monthly bbq’s list
Damien Brockway has given us a “modern African American” menu that originated in West Africa, These are not typical menu items you would see at a traditional bbq joint, but don’t let that scare you away.
fyi: get there early because they do sell out often!
what to order: brisket, spareribs, beans, chicken
website | instagram
Photo Credit: Bianca at ATX FYI
Photo Credit: Bianca at ATX FYI
LORO
-South ATX-
2115 south lamar blvd atx 78704
hours: daily 11:30am to 10pm
japanese smokehouse - collab between Aaron Franklin & Tyson Cole (owner/chef at Uchi) made to perfection
what to order: brisket sandwich (prob my fave in town), oak-smoked snap peas, mango sake slushee
website | facebook | instagram
Photo Credit: KG BBQ FB
KG BBQ
-east atx-
@ ODDWOOD BREWING
3108 MANOR RD atx 78723
hours: th - sat 11am to 8pm sun 11am to 5pm
this bbq food truck has been changing the game with chef/owner kareem el-ghayesh incorporating his egyptian roots with central texas bbq. for example, they offer pomegranate za’atar glazed pork ribs… yum!
what to order: lamb chops, kofta, or brisket in a rice bowl or a shawarma pita pocket!
website | facebook | instagram
Photo Credit: Bianca at ATX FYI
CM SMOKEHOUSE
-S atx-
@ bouldin acres
2027 s lamar blvd atx 78704
hours: sun - th 11am to 11pm f&sat 11am to 11:30pm
cade mercer knows how to mix things up offering things like brisket crunchwraps. but his traditional platters are also delicious without the flair
what to order: brisket, patty melt, burger, crunchwrap
website | facebook | instagram
Photo Credit: Stiles Switch FB
Photo Credit: Bianca at ATX FYI
STILES SWITCH BBQ
-NORTH ATX-
6610 north lamar blvd atx 78752
hours: tue - thur 11am to 8pm fri & sat 11am to 8:30pm mon closed
this bbq joint in the violet crown shopping center has classic bbq, old school feel, and fun collabs
pictured: nervous charlie’s bagel + brisket | 12 (specialty collab!)
website | facebook | instagram
Photo Credit: Bianca at ATX FYI
Moreno BBq
-south atx-
5608 menchaca rd atx 78745
hours: w 11am-3pm th&f 11am-7pm sat 11am-4pm sun 9am-3pm
this south austin spot is a bit of a hidden spot that is serving more traditional bbq including smoked brisket burgers and wings. I think it’s a good option if Valentina’s is closed or sold out. the burger was better than I expected, smokey and flavorful.
pictured: brisket | 44 farms (30lb), spare ribs (23), turkey breast (24), sausage | heartbrand akaushi beef (18), gouda mac (14.50), Crawford bock beans (4/6/8), potato salad (4/6/8) & smoked brisket burger (10.75).
website | facebook | instagram
credit: SLAB Instagram
credit: SLAB Instagram
the slab bbq
-n, SW, & S ATX-
north: 9012 research blvd atx 78758
south: westgate lanes at 2701 w william cannon dr
cp: 905 e whitestone blvd cedar park
hours: m - sat 11am to 8pm sun 11am to 6pm
this hip-hop styled spot has my favorite barbecue sandwiches and bbq nachos
what to order: texas two-step [11-18] or double meat bbq nachos [16]
website | facebook | instagram
Photo Credit: Terry Black’s FB
terry black’s
-downtown-
1003 barton springs rd atx 78704
I want to preface that each time I’ve had Terry Black’s, I haven’t been too impressed. BUT I believe it might be because my bbq caliber might be too high (LOL). This spot feels like a touristy spot because it’s in such a great location, and the bbq is great versus other national spots.
Another reason why I included Terry Black’s is that they are a spot that will have bbq for dinner - where most of the options on this list sell out early afternoon. So this could be a good option to bring people visiting for dinner.
website | facebook | instagram
kerlin bbq - now closed
2505 webberville rd atx 78702
kerlin is closed but you can get kolaches at kerlaches that contain bbq from kerlin!
where is YOUR favorite barbecue joint in austin?
comment it down below!