Best barbecue near Austin, TX

[wadesworld]

Heading down to Austin a week from Wednesday. Wondering if anyone has recommendations for the best barbecue in the area. Will have a rental car so will be able to head out of downtown if needed.

Was in Austin in 2010 for a week so have some ideas of things to do but if anyone wants to make any suggestions those are also welcome. Just a quick Wednesday to Saturday trip.

Thanks in advance. Scoop is always great for travel recommendations.

[Hards Alumni]

Heading down to Austin a week from Wednesday. Wondering if anyone has recommendations for the best barbecue in the area. Will have a rental car so will be able to head out of downtown if needed.

Was in Austin in 2010 for a week so have some ideas of things to do but if anyone wants to make any suggestions those are also welcome. Just a quick Wednesday to Saturday trip.

Thanks in advance. Scoop is always great for travel recommendations.

Uhhhhh Franklin's.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Easy
https://saltlickbbq.com/

[wadesworld]

Easy
https://saltlickbbq.com/

That looks fantastic.

The last time I was in Austin I think I remember driving about 30-45 minutes outside of downtown to the middle of nowhere to get barbecue.  It was at a giant barn looking place with like school cafeteria tables, school lunch trays with no utensils or sauces, bought meat by the half or full pound, and they threw a stack of Wonderbread on your tray as a side.  Does anybody have a clue what I'm talking about?

[T-Bone]

Easy
https://saltlickbbq.com/

Seconded.
If in the mood for beer and a long afternoon, check out Jester King.  Great pizza too.

[T-Bone]

That looks fantastic.

The last time I was in Austin I think I remember driving about 30-45 minutes outside of downtown to the middle of nowhere to get barbecue.  It was at a giant barn looking place with like school cafeteria tables, school lunch trays with no utensils or sauces, bought meat by the half or full pound, and they threw a stack of Wonderbread on your tray as a side.  Does anybody have a clue what I'm talking about?

Sounds like Salt Lick.
https://saltlickbbq.com/private-dining-room/
Navigate the image map out of the private room, and that's the main room.

[wadesworld]

Sounds like Salt Lick.
https://saltlickbbq.com/private-dining-room/
Navigate the image map out of the private room, and that's the main room.

Ahh awesome. Thanks much!

Seconded.
If in the mood for beer and a long afternoon, check out Jester King.  Great pizza too.

Will definitely look into that. Thank you.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Seconded.
If in the mood for beer and a long afternoon, check out Jester King.  Great pizza too.

Jester King is cool.  They have some really funky beers.

IIRC, they actually teamed up with Saltlick on a beer.  They took some of Saltlick's pecan wood and used it to smoke the malt for one of their beers.

On edit:  Here it is:

Salt Lick


Pecan Wood Smoked Saison



Salt LickSalt Lick is made in the once commonplace Old World tradition of bière de coupage. Young dry-hopped ale is blended with old barrel-aged sour beer fermented with naturally occurring wild yeast. A portion of the pilsner malt was smoked over pecan wood at The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, Texas. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% naturally conditioned.

Packages: 750ml bottles
Category: Bière de Coupage
ABV: 6.7%  FG: 1.002  pH: 3.8
Water: Hill Country Well Water
Grains: Pilsner Malt, Pecan Wood Smoked Pilsner Malt,
 Wheat Malt, Munich Malt, Flaked Oats
Hops: Fuggle, Czech Saaz, U.S. Golding, and/or other varieties depending on availability
Fermentation: Farmhouse Yeast, Wild Yeast from the Texas Hill Country, Brettanomyces Yeast, Souring Bacteria
Last Release: Batch 1, bottled 1/16/2013, 1/17/2013, & 1/18/2013

[forgetful]

Easy
https://saltlickbbq.com/

Saltlick is over-rated.  More of the touristy destination place. 

Better BBQ at:

Micklethwait Craft Meats
https://craftmeatsaustin.com

or
Franklin's
https://franklinbbq.com

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Saltlick is over-rated.  More of the touristy destination place. 

Opinions may vary.  However, yours is WRONG! 

[forgetful]

Opinions may vary.  However, yours is WRONG! 

Don't get me wrong, Saltlicks is great bbq, Austin just has so many phenomenal options. 

And my wife tells me I'm wrong all the time, so this wouldn't be the first time.

[WarriorDad]

I visit Austin probably 8 to 10 times a year.  Franklin's or La Barbecue


Also good is Freedmen's.  Some people like Black's and Mickelthwait

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Franklin's is overrated. Not worththe wait. I prefer salt lick of the two

[CreightonWarrior]

I co-sign Salt Lick

[speri]

Take a drive down to Lockhart and go to Kreuz Market.

If you stay in town go to Terry Blacks' BBQ.

I like salt lick, but it is more about the vinegar based BBQ sauce than the meat. Also, if you go its cash only and BYOB.

Franklin's is trendy, but not worth the time commitment with all the other available options.

[tower912]

I visit Austin probably 8 to 10 times a year.  Franklin's or La Barbecue


Also good is Freedmen's.  Some people like Black's and Mickelthwait

Family there.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I’ve only gone to Black’s once but I was disappointed.  I went late in the evening, however, and the meat was pretty dried out.

[real chili 83]

If you are up for a road trip, some dude tipped me off to Fargos bbq in Bryant   Good recommendation... dude was kinda shady though.

[forgetful]

Usually the best bbq is found at the places not on any list.  I keep trying to remember the name of the place, but my favorite bbq I had was some hole in the wall place in a small town somewhere between Temple TX and Austin. 

You could actually talk to the pit master as he pulled your meat out of the pit and cut it up for you.  Unbelievably good.

[Herman Cain]

There are so many good places, it is almost better to identify the few that suck so you can avoid those. I am a big fan of the no name hole in the wall types.

[T-Bone]

Wait! Who are we??
There's gotta be an Arby's nearby.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If you are up for a road trip, some dude tipped me off to Fargos bbq in Bryant   Good recommendation... dude was kinda shady though.

Ha! Fargo's is the best in Aggieland for sure. But if he's going to commit to that long of a drive, might as well head out to Blue Moon BBQ. It's about 40 minutes from me but is so worth it that I make the drive almost once month. Now THAT is a shady place. Looks like half a trailer that got abandoned in a field but it's the best bbq in my neck of Texas.

[forgetful]

If you are interested in a drive. 

Snow's bbq.  Hole in the wall.  Middle of nowhere.  Fabulous bbq.

Pretty sure this is the place I remember.

Looks to have gotten quite popular since I went there a decade + ago. 

[TSmith34, Inc.]

With this many options you have no choice but to extend your trip to visit them all

[GooooMarquette]

Wait! Who are we??
There's gotta be an Arby's nearby.

NM...or MN.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Wait! Who are we??
There's gotta be an Arby's nearby.

How Arby's does Texas.

[🏀]

Currently in Austin, where's everyone going for tacos? I'm trying to eat 36 tacos before leaving.

[Jon]

I was just in Austin last week. Forget Franklin, Black's and Salt Lick.

In Austin, try La Barbecue. They operate out of a trailer on Cesar Chavez in East Austin - pretty close to Franklin, actually. Superior to Franklin in every way. Brisket and chipotle sausage are stellar.

In Texas, Louie Mueller's is likely the best (his daughter owns La Barbecue) but my favorite is Rudy's which is started in SATX. Rudy's is the favorite of Air Force guys for a reason: Rudy's takes care of the troops.

DFW is a rotator site where guys leave for and return from the Sandbox. Rudy set up a stand at the rotator gates where he gives the guys and their families free BBQ. He feeds thousands of military every week on his dime. Such a magnanimous gesture needs to be recognized and celebrated.   

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Currently in Austin, where's everyone going for tacos? I'm trying to eat 36 tacos before leaving.

Even though it isn't great and probably overpriced, Torchy's is an Austin institution.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

In Texas, Louie Mueller's is likely the best (his daughter owns La Barbecue) but my favorite is Rudy's which is started in SATX. Rudy's is the favorite of Air Force guys for a reason: Rudy's takes care of the troops.

I'm glad Rudy's takes care of the troops...but in Texas they are considered about the lowest quality barbecue you can get in the state. I've heard they used to be good but they've really commercialized and now have become a chain with no semblance of the flavor they were once known for.

Haven't tried La Barbecue yet, I'll need to next time I'm in Austin. Franklin's is an overrated tourist trap but I did quite enjoy Salt Lick when I went. Woulda been about 4 years ago now.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Even though it isn't great and probably overpriced, Torchy's is an Austin institution.

This is a perfect description of Torchy's. Not great and overpriced. In a state full of great tacos, Torchy's is decidedly underwhelming.

[reinko]

What's the take on Snow's?  I have seen the place profiled a few times on TV and looks like my kind of place...

[Jon]

I'm glad Rudy's takes care of the troops...but in Texas they are considered about the lowest quality barbecue you can get in the state. I've heard they used to be good but they've really commercialized and now have become a chain with no semblance of the flavor they were once known for.

Haven't tried La Barbecue yet, I'll need to next time I'm in Austin. Franklin's is an overrated tourist trap but I did quite enjoy Salt Lick when I went. Woulda been about 4 years ago now.

Rudy's has three locations that I am aware of. I have been eating Rudy's for several decades and it's still the same from what I can tell.

They give away 2,000 meals a week to men going off to serve their nation in combat. That alone makes it the best BBQ in Texas.

La Barbecue is a trailer and operates on Chavez in East Austin. Superlative. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Smile as you drive past the line at Franklin knowing full well that you will be eating better, cheaper Q sooner than the fools in line at Franklin.

[🏀]

Guys I had Torchys.


Need more tacos.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Rudy's has three locations that I am aware of. I have been eating Rudy's for several decades and it's still the same from what I can tell.

They give away 2,000 meals a week to men going off to serve their nation in combat. That alone makes it the best BBQ in Texas.

La Barbecue is a trailer and operates on Chavez in East Austin. Superlative. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Smile as you drive past the line at Franklin knowing full well that you will be eating better, cheaper Q sooner than the fools in line at Franklin.

I'm wondering if there is a different Rudy's BBQ. Is this the Rudy's you are talking about? https://rudysbbq.com/. They are in 5 states now with over 30 locations in Texas alone.

I'm always looking for new barbecue so I will check out La Barbecue. If you are ever in my knick of the woods, try Blue Moon BBQ http://bluemoonbbqtexas.com/. Best Texas style BBQ I've found so far. Get there early, they run out of brisket and ribs before lunch is over.

[🏀]

I'm wondering if there is a different Rudy's BBQ. Is this the Rudy's you are talking about? https://rudysbbq.com/. They are in 5 states now with over 30 locations in Texas alone.

I'm always looking for new barbecue so I will check out La Barbecue. If you are ever in my knick of the woods, try Blue Moon BBQ http://bluemoonbbqtexas.com/. Best Texas style BBQ I've found so far. Get there early, they run out of brisket and ribs before lunch is over.

Dude. Tacos.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

This thread is killing me! I only had Texas BBQ once, about 8 years ago in some place outside Barton Creek,but it was downright memorable. #foodporn

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Dude. Tacos.

Honestly, I'm not much help with tacos in Austin. You can get great tacos anywhere in Texas so if I go to a foodie city like Austin I'm going to gets something else. The one place I can vouch for is Nonos (don't know how to put accent marks over the ns). It's a cash only place next to a gas station and is a little outside of downtown but I remember the tacos being very solid. Makes tochy's taste like crap. It's been awhile, probably 3 or 4 years since I've been but that's the last time I had tacos in Austin.

Everyone always vouches for Tyson Tacos. Haven't been myself but have had several friends swear by it.

[Jon]

I'm wondering if there is a different Rudy's BBQ. Is this the Rudy's you are talking about? https://rudysbbq.com/. They are in 5 states now with over 30 locations in Texas alone.

I'm always looking for new barbecue so I will check out La Barbecue. If you are ever in my knick of the woods, try Blue Moon BBQ http://bluemoonbbqtexas.com/. Best Texas style BBQ I've found so far. Get there early, they run out of brisket and ribs before lunch is over.

That is amazing. Rudy's must have gotten outside investment. I thought it was just the three stores in SATX.

Reminds me of Famous Dave's. We had a lake house in northern WI and found a great BBQ place in nearby Hayward. Actually met Dave Anderson who saw my wife wearing a Harvard sweatshirt. Turns out he went to the Kennedy School.

Years later we saw a Famous Dave's in Chicago. He sold out to the Carlson Group whose execs knew his Q from Hayward. They took him national.

Is Dave's worse today? I don't know that I can say that. I am not a fan of sauce based bbq and that is Dave's swim lane.

Is Rudy's the worst in Texas? Not to the thousands of men and women whose last meal before going to the combat AOR is Rudy's. And frankly, that means a lot to me. Rudy does that because he is a patriot and he genuinely has nothing but gratitude for the brave men and women who climb on a jet and go off to war. 

I admit that I like Rudy's. I was at the Leon Springs venue on Friday night and the brisket was as great as ever. Part of that might be personal sentimentality - it is an Air Force tradition that goes back decades.

Is it as good as La Barbecue? Probably not.

I do get to Houston so I will check out Blue Moon. Like you, gnawing one's way through the greatness of Texas BBQ is a passion that must be indulged.

[Benny B]

That is amazing. Rudy's must have gotten outside investment. I thought it was just the three stores in SATX.

Reminds me of Famous Dave's. We had a lake house in northern WI and found a great BBQ place in nearby Hayward. Actually met Dave Anderson who saw my wife wearing a Harvard sweatshirt. Turns out he went to the Kennedy School.

Years later we saw a Famous Dave's in Chicago. He sold out to the Carlson Group whose execs knew his Q from Hayward. They took him national.

Is Dave's worse today? I don't know that I can say that. I am not a fan of sauce based bbq and that is Dave's swim lane.

Is Rudy's the worst in Texas? Not to the thousands of men and women whose last meal before going to the combat AOR is Rudy's. And frankly, that means a lot to me. Rudy does that because he is a patriot and he genuinely has nothing but gratitude for the brave men and women who climb on a jet and go off to war. 

I admit that I like Rudy's. I was at the Leon Springs venue on Friday night and the brisket was as great as ever. Part of that might be personal sentimentality - it is an Air Force tradition that goes back decades.

Is it as good as La Barbecue? Probably not.

I do get to Houston so I will check out Blue Moon. Like you, gnawing one's way through the greatness of Texas BBQ is a passion that must be indulged.

My introduction to Texas BBQ was Rudy's in San Antonio.  Not sure if it was a Rudy's or the Rudy's, but it was in a gas station, where - I've come to discover - all good BBQ joints should be located.  What I do remember is my first night in SAT wanting to hit up some real BBQ (something other than the Manwich crap people think of back home) before leaving town and seeing Rudy's on one of the Food Network shows that evening.  So obviously, it was Rudy's on Sunday afternoon before my flight back to IND.

I'm with the fixed wing-jockeys from Randolph and Lackland... Rudy's is Texas BBQ.  That said, BBQ in Texas is extremely provincial, so once Rudy's expanded, I would be shocked if everyone else in the state wasn't calling it garbage simply out of pride, fear and/or jealously.  If you want to start a riot in Texas, tell a native Austinian (Austophile?) that Dallas is the best city in Texas and watch the shiit ensue.

I will happily concede that although Rudy's may not be the Alpha-Omega, it certainly was my Alpha, and frankly, it inspired the following:

1) My sacred pledged and unequivocal love for Texas BBQ over any other style.

2) My purchase of a real smoker-grill with a side firebox.

3) My exclusive use of cherry wood when smoking (actual wood, not chunks or pellets)

4) My cream corn (read: not creamed corn; cream corn, as in actual heavy cream) recipe which I make no secret that I ripped off from Rudy.  [Incidentally, I am literally asked to make this at every holiday gathering... so much so that I've considered the risk-reward of mixing in a few Lipitor tablets with the corn just so I don't have to the dishes by myself since everyone else keeled over after dinner with fatal heart attacks.]

[Jon]

My introduction to Texas BBQ was Rudy's in San Antonio.  Not sure if it was a Rudy's or the Rudy's, but it was in a gas station, where - I've come to discover - all good BBQ joints should be located.  What I do remember is my first night in SAT wanting to hit up some real BBQ (something other than the Manwich crap people think of back home) before leaving town and seeing Rudy's on one of the Food Network shows that evening.  So obviously, it was Rudy's on Sunday afternoon before my flight back to IND.

I'm with the fixed wing-jockeys from Randolph and Lackland... Rudy's is Texas BBQ.  That said, BBQ in Texas is extremely provincial, so once Rudy's expanded, I would be shocked if everyone else in the state wasn't calling it garbage simply out of pride, fear and/or jealously.  If you want to start a riot in Texas, tell a native Austinian (Austophile?) that Dallas is the best city in Texas and watch the shiit ensue.

I will happily concede that although Rudy's may not be the Alpha-Omega, it certainly was my Alpha, and frankly, it inspired the following:

1) My sacred pledged and unequivocal love for Texas BBQ over any other style.

2) My purchase of a real smoker-grill with a side firebox.

3) My exclusive use of cherry wood when smoking (actual wood, not chunks or pellets)

4) My cream corn (read: not creamed corn; cream corn, as in actual heavy cream) recipe which I make no secret that I ripped off from Rudy.  [Incidentally, I am literally asked to make this at every holiday gathering... so much so that I've considered the risk-reward of mixing in a few Lipitor tablets with the corn just so I don't have to the dishes by myself since everyone else keeled over after dinner with fatal heart attacks.]

Once again Benny sees all, knows all, tells all.

Your statement, "Texas is extremely provincial" nails it.

Fact is, Franklin, Salt Lick, La Barbecue, Rudy's all make outstanding BBQ. It really boils down to the fact that if you are in SATX (or meet an Air Force fighter guy) they will say Rudy's.

Someone from Austin will say Franklin. And someone from Amarillo will say Tyler's.

BBQ, like women, is a matter of personal preference. The Ginger/Mary Ann algorithm applies. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The provincial thing is definitely true. But most Austintonians in my experience will tell you that Franklins is a tourist trap that's not worth the wait nor the price. There is a "BBQ hipster" phenomenon that definitely occurs in Texas. If everyone else likes it, then the locals will tell you its no good. Many are only loyal to their favorite hole in the wall "that you've probably never heard of."

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Once again Benny sees all, knows all, tells all.

Your statement, "Texas is extremely provincial" nails it.

Fact is, Franklin, Salt Lick, La Barbecue, Rudy's all make outstanding BBQ. It really boils down to the fact that if you are in SATX (or meet an Air Force fighter guy) they will say Rudy's.

Someone from Austin will say Franklin. And someone from Amarillo will say Tyler's.

BBQ, like women, is a matter of personal preference. The Ginger/Mary Ann algorithm applies.

Some like their BBQ dry.
Some like their BBQ covered in sauce.
Some want their BBQ to taste like vinegar.
Some want their BBQ to be hot and spicy.
Some want a McRib.

[real chili 83]

Speed Queen, baby!

http://www.speedqueenbbq.com/about-us/

[Herman Cain]

This place is a meat lovers delight:

https://www.bellvillemeatmarket.com/

I highly recommend the Pecan Smoked BBQ

[speri]

Guys I had Torchys.


Need more tacos.

Taco Deli for breakfast tacos is a must (they have really good lunch tacos too). If the weather is nice hit up the original on Spyglass.

[🏀]

Taco Deli for breakfast tacos is a must (they have really good lunch tacos too). If the weather is nice hit up the original on Spyglass.

Headed there for lunch today.

[HouWarrior]

Austin--

Franklin
Terry Blacks
County Line
Stubbs
Stiles

[forgetful]

Guys I had Torchys.


Need more tacos.

Torchys is drunk people tacos. Not nearly as good sober.

Wouldn't make my top 5 taco stands.

[DFW HOYA]

The provincial thing is definitely true. But most Austintonians in my experience will tell you that Franklins is a tourist trap that's not worth the wait nor the price. There is a "BBQ hipster" phenomenon that definitely occurs in Texas. If everyone else likes it, then the locals will tell you its no good. Many are only loyal to their favorite hole in the wall "that you've probably never heard of."

The hipsters in Austin simply want some place they show up an hour after it opens and hang around all day.  And to his credit, Aaron Franklin doesn't overcharge, as his prices are comparable to other locations in town.

Franklin is #1 on my list for sheer consistency, but if your travels ever take you to the middle of Central Texas early on a Saturday morning, the next choice is pretty strong, too.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/s/the-golden-age-of-barbecue/