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Author Topic: Best barbecue near Austin, TX  (Read 6812 times)

ZiggysFryBoy

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #25 on: April 04, 2018, 09:08:49 AM »
Wait! Who are we??
There's gotta be an Arby's nearby.



How Arby's does Texas.

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #26 on: March 04, 2019, 12:58:42 PM »
Currently in Austin, where's everyone going for tacos? I'm trying to eat 36 tacos before leaving.

Jon

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #27 on: March 04, 2019, 02:03:08 PM »
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 Sultan of Semantics

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #28 on: March 04, 2019, 02:18:51 PM »
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.
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TAMU, Knower of Ball

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #29 on: March 04, 2019, 02:26:40 PM »
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.
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TAMU, Knower of Ball

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #30 on: March 04, 2019, 02:28:15 PM »
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.
TAMU

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reinko

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #31 on: March 04, 2019, 04:01:54 PM »
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

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #32 on: March 04, 2019, 05:54:32 PM »
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.

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #33 on: March 04, 2019, 07:37:01 PM »
Guys I had Torchys.


Need more tacos.

TAMU, Knower of Ball

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #34 on: March 04, 2019, 08:54:18 PM »
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.
TAMU

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #35 on: March 04, 2019, 08:55:22 PM »
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

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #36 on: March 04, 2019, 09:06:46 PM »
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

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #37 on: March 04, 2019, 10:58:27 PM »
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.
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Jon

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #38 on: March 05, 2019, 02:04:47 AM »
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

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #39 on: March 05, 2019, 09:03:05 AM »
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.]
Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny.  Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.

Jon

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #40 on: March 05, 2019, 12:54:22 PM »
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

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #41 on: March 05, 2019, 02:07:50 PM »
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."
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ZiggysFryBoy

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #42 on: March 05, 2019, 03:26:11 PM »
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

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #43 on: March 05, 2019, 07:20:42 PM »
« Last Edit: March 05, 2019, 07:24:22 PM by real chili 83 »

Herman Cain

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #44 on: March 05, 2019, 10:33:43 PM »
This place is a meat lovers delight:

https://www.bellvillemeatmarket.com/

I highly recommend the Pecan Smoked BBQ

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speri

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #45 on: March 06, 2019, 07:57:28 AM »
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.

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #46 on: March 06, 2019, 08:24:41 AM »
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

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #47 on: March 07, 2019, 07:29:56 PM »
Austin--

Franklin
Terry Blacks
County Line
Stubbs
Stiles
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

forgetful

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #48 on: March 07, 2019, 11:55:16 PM »
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.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2019, 12:43:39 PM by forgetful »

DFW HOYA

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Re: Best barbecue near Austin, TX
« Reply #49 on: March 11, 2019, 11:05:06 PM »
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/





« Last Edit: March 11, 2019, 11:07:37 PM by DFW HOYA »

 

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