We’ll be in Austin for a week starting Thursday evening for a convention, so we’ll be down near the convention center. What’s some good BBQ places to visit while there. Hoping to find a few to enjoy. Any places to avoid while there?
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There are so many places it is hard to name just a few. Here are the places that I have been:
KG BBQ, a food truck located at Oddwood Brewing, corner of Airport and Manor. Egyptian - Texan fusion BBQ, I was really impressed by them and they have many rave reviews including from Texas Monthly. My favorite menu items were the pork ribs and the lamb chop. https://www.kgbbq.com/menu/
Interstellar BBQ on the NW side of town, #2 on the Texas Monthly top 50 list. https://www.theinterstellarbbq.com/
Leroy and Lewis, where Bradley Robinson of Chuds BBQ youtube channel used to work. South of downtown. Also on the Top 50 list, new brick and mortar location. https://leroyandlewisbbq.com/
Franklin BBQ, you can order three days in advance (or up to a month in advance), prepay, and pick up without waiting in the long line but there is a five pound minimum. https://franklinbbq.com/
There is more in depth commentary on these places (and more) from our San Marcos Meat-Up in April: https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...country-meatupLast edited by 58limited; June 24, 2024, 03:58 AM. -
Our son has lived in Austin for a number of years and we try to hit a different spot every year. We haven't hit a bad one yet. Have you ever had real Texas Red, (chili)? That's what I'm gonna try on our next visit, and the Texas Chili Parlor's chili is on more "best" lists than any other chili. And it's downtown near UT.Comment
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I was only there for 4 days, and didn’t make it to Austin. But in just that short time, and less than half a dozen meals, it is pretty obvious that deciding the best bbq places in Texas is an exercise in parsing excellence.
I will say that there are competing strategies, and both are valid, but it depends on what you want. One strategy is that you want to try the absolute very best: then you’ll wait in line somewhere. The other strategy is to go where you’ll get a great meal, right now; just pick a place that’s on the top 50 list in Texas Monthly where there’s no line.
It’s an exercise in parsing excellence. You can’t lose.Comment
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I would keep in mind Terry Black’s, mainly for scheduling reasons. They are open until 9:30pm and will have fresh brisket, ribs etc. available. So, if you do not want BBQ first thing in the morning or are scheduled to do something else, you can get some outstanding BBQ much later in the day.
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tamidw Just a few tips here that might come in handy. Before you visit any of these spots, I’d call them before hand and ask them what kind of lines they might have on that particular day. A weekday visit will probably have shorter lines than a Saturday or Sunday. This can help prepare you ahead of time so you’re not surprised in case of a lengthy wait. Another reason to call is to verify their hours, days open and what time they usually sell out of the more popular items….brisket, ribs etc. Ask them what’s a good time to arrive for the shortest lines. It’s gonna be pretty warm so having some shade is a good thing. You might want to bring a folding chair, umbrella or bug spray applied ahead of time. These days several of the top BBQ spots even supply their customers with folding chairs to use, ask them if they do. A lot of them also offer free water and or beer for the folks in line. Asking ahead of time can spare you having to bring your own.
Waiting in a line at a top notch BBQ spot is not necessarily a bad thing. You’ll meet some great people who all share the same passion, mouth watering delicious BBQ! You’re gonna have fun Tami, be sure and take plenty of pics for The Pit and post about your experience!Last edited by Panhead John; June 24, 2024, 09:49 AM.Comment
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Franklin has chairs that you can borrow. And John is right - it's not like waiting in line at the DMV. People are there to have a good time. Franklin has someone selling beer to people in line, but you'll have to wait until around 9 AM fer beer.
Interstellar has, (or had 2 years ago), free beer near the entrance. -
I don’t know why the DMV doesn’t hand out free beer…it would sure make for a better experience.
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I actually just got back from Austin earlier today. We only hit two barbecue places, Leroy & Lewis and Distant Rrelatives, which is a food truck at Meanwhile Brewing Co. Leroy & Lewis is very, very good and I recommend it. Distant Relatives was superb. Go there, Meanwhile has stuff for non-beer drinkers and there's also several other food trucks, but if DR has the tomahawk pork chop? get that, it's absoutely phenomenal.
There's also Con Todo, a James Beard nominated taco truck at Celis Brewing.
I could probably think of some other stuff, but my brain is pudding right now.Comment
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Awesome! Thanks so much. Will definitely try at least a couple of these.Comment
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We went to Salt Lick since we went out to Dripping Springs to the Deep Eddy distillery and my husband remembered it was great years ago when we were here before. Then we went to Franklins. At Franklins, we got there about 1:30pm and were told that there may only be chopped brisket by the time we got up to counter. We decided to wait anyways. They yelled out no more sausage while waiting and also pulled pork. By the time we got up to counter, we were able to get brisket, ribs and turkey. There were 4 of us. All of it was superb. We all agreed that Franklins was better, but both were way better than we have in Oregon.
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We’re now in Houston for the night (after taking a small jaunt to Arkansas overnight for the 4th to visit family). Will see my daughter I haven’t seen in a year Saturday. Then we rush back up to Austin tomorrow evening for our flight on Sunday. Trying to beat Beryl to see my daughter. 😁Comment
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I’m watching the first episode of season 3 of Barbecue Showdown (love this show). I’m assuming that the guy Kareem is the same one from KG BBQ? I remembered reading this post and when I hear a him tell his story it rang a bell. Take that memory loss!Comment
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