Went to Coopers on a recommendation and it did not disappoint. I'm a huge fan of smoked turkey and this one was excellent, super moist and flavorful. Definite Texas feel inside and you get to choose the sides you want I had the green beans and Cole slaw. You order you food and pay and go and sit but all The people working were very nice and friendly. I will be back. read more

Huge fan of this place. We got brisket, chicken, and jalapeno cheddar sausage with potato salad, warm potatoes, and mac and cheese for sides. Super sad we missed the ribs! Brisket and warm potatoes were my favorite. Nice to have a bar inside too! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Brisket Half Chicken Sausage Potato Salad Pickles - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Fun popular place in downtown Austin. Got the meat sweats from eating so much! Love the decor and bar area. Ample seating upstairs for larger groups. The sides were my favorite - banana pudding, cobblers, grilled corn. Pro tip: Can get pretty crowded so be patient as you wait in line to order. read more

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The first night we walked by and we were still adjusting to the time so we weren't hungry yet but decided to pick up some brisket to take back to the hotel for dinner. It was delicious. The next day we had prebooked a Downtown Austin walking food tour and this was also on the tour guide's list. (So you know it's legit). Personally enjoyed the brisket and their bbq sauce (sauce was not too sweet and more towards vinegary side which I really liked). This place is spacious! It has a bar upstairs and a backyard with tons of tables and seating. The great thing about this spot is they cook all day so food is usually ready to order. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Backyard - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is our first meal in Aus, just a few steps from our hotel. Food is good, there is a lot of selections and complementary side dishes. Their brisket is so good & their beef rib falls off the bone, not a fan of their sirloin though, its a little bit chewy. Their meat is not that as seasoned which I don't mind bec i would like to taste the beef. When i tried their sauce, its too vinegary for me. Desserts are good as well. Overall it did not disappoint, given the ambiance & friendliness of their staff. read more

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I had a lunch meal here in January while in town and was pleased with my experience. Coopers is located downtown but don't think that you can't get very good barbecue here because you can. I ordered the 1/2 chicken for $13.75 and added potato salad for another $5.50. Beans come with the meal. Inside there is a downstairs dining room and upstairs a large dining area with a full bar and a small stage. This is a counter service restaurant with a serving line. My chicken was juicy and flavorful (4). The beans were also very good (4). Here you serve yourself the beans from their bean bar. I like that concept. Refills allowed. The potato salad was mustard based and was just ok. Not bad but not something I wouldn't order again (3). My impression of Coopers is positive and believe this is a good place to come get your Q fix without going to other places and waiting in line for 2 hours and paying X3 more $. read more

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I got one beef rib and half pound of brisket. I would've been fine with a quarter pound of brisket because the beef rib was so big. It was so rich that I couldn't finish it. Firstly, the texture was good and tender. But I agree with some of the other reviews where the singular tangy sauce without alternatives made it one-note. And I'm not a big sauce on my bbq guy. I did appreciate the free bread and beans, along with raw onions and pickles and jalapeños. I also got the coleslaw which is a good decent version of it that I'd get again if I came back here. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Small coleslaw - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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If you're looking for classic Texas BBQ with a lively Austin vibe, Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar‑B‑Que is a must-visit. The BBQ was exactly what you'd hope for -- tender, juicy brisket with great smoke flavor, flavorful ribs, and generous portions. The sides hit the spot too: creamy potato salad, beans, fresh bread, and perfectly grilled corn on the cob. Simple, hearty, and done right. What really stood out was the atmosphere. It was busy and energetic, with people lining up to grab their plates, chatting, and enjoying the experience together. It felt very "Austin" -- casual, social, and welcoming. Great place for groups or when you want that authentic BBQ hall energy. We had a group and ordered food ahead of time. Service moved efficiently even with the crowd, and everything felt well-organized. No frills, just good food and good vibes. Definitely a spot I'd come back to when craving real Texas BBQ. Highly recommend! read more

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I love the decor inside the restaurant. It may seem small up front, but they have plenty of space in the back for seating. The food was great, but some of the things we got were a little too salty for us. Wished they lightly salt their food so you can add more if you want. They actually have some really good BBQ sauce. It is self poured. Service was great. The staff were friendly and gave us some good guidance since it was our first time at the restaurant. Prices are about average compared to other BBQ places around Austin. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

my first BBQ spot at my first trip to Austin did not disappoint. LOTS of options for meats and sides - I opted for brisket and burnt ends for my meats and Mac and cheese for my side. The meats were phenomenal. The burnt ends were super rich as expected... a little goes a long way! Succulent and moist and flavorful, just delicious. The Mac and cheese was okay but I snagged a few bites from my friend's loaded mashed potatoes and I've been dreaming of those since. Next time I would definitely get that! read more

Came in as part of a food tower and loved it! The food, service, decor. Everything was great! They have several items you get for free; bread, pickles, beans and the beans were some of the best I've ever had. I want to go back outside of the tour to try their sides, they looked amazing. read more

We arrived at 11am. Looks like we had leftover brisket that was super dry. Wouldn't return and wouldn't recommend it. check out Terry Blacks if you want juicy brisket. Bummer was hoping this spot was good. Wouldn't recommend sad to say read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Brisket. Ribs. Chicken. Sausage. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

So disappointed. Brought friends from out of town. First, the pit master completely over sold how much meat a table of four would need. We kept telling him not to add so much and no beef ribs. He seemed angry and told us this brisket and beef ribs is what Texas barbecue is all about. Thanks for the schooling, I've only lived here 65 years. The pork ribs were horrible. Over cut and way way over salted. The sausage was ok as was the brisket. The beef ribs were very fatty and not in a melts in your mouth kind of way. All this and sides for $215. There are too, many option for great BBQ in this town for any thing like our experience. read more

Yum!!! I was out in Austin and decided to check this lace out as I don't eat red meat and they had chicken. Cute concept, you walk in, pick your meat. Side are partial prepackaged, some they pack for you. Pay and sit down and the few picnic bench tables they have. So yum! The bacon Mac & cheese was so good! So yourself a favor and get that. read more

The BBQ here was great. We absolutely loved the beef ribs, the brisket was good too. The large pickle was too salty for my taste (and I love salt!), and had I known there were pickle slices for free at the buffet table, I wouldn't have paid for the whole pickle. the buffet table also had some complimentary hot peppers and beans. Definitely take the sauce, it was good, albeit on the vinegary side. This is a casual place with some good food. read more

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I was excited to try Texas bbq since it's the one food you always hear about when people think of Texas. However, our first time getting Texas bbq was underwhelming at Cooper's. Walk up to the front, order your meat (let them know how much you want either by the pound or by slices or bones), then everything is weighed. Pick your sides and then pay at the register. Everyone recommended the brisket so I asked the guy handling meats how big one slice was. He showed me a pretty thin slice so I said 4 slices would be perfect as I was hoping to aim for 1/4 to 1/2 lb of brisket total. He nodded and then proceeded to cut a very large chunk. The total weighed 1.5 lbs. We also ordered a small piece of sausage and two pork ribs. We got a side of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese plus one cornbread. Because of the brisket weighing so much, the total was through the roof. What was more upsetting was how salty the brisket was. It felt like pure salt crystals in my mouth and their homemade bbq sauce did not help cut the saltiness. In addition, the brisket was extremely fatty to the point we just had to discard the fat. Pork ribs were okay - actually a bit on the dry side. I heard the beef ribs are better. Sausage was pretty shriveled on the outside which makes me wonder if they were overcooked. Wasn't super snappy but the flavor on the inside was good. I ended up just liking the sides (potatoes, mac, and cornbread) the most, which is sad for a Texas bbq spot. Overall, not a good first impression for Texas bbq. Next time we will need to try a more popular bbq spot and just wait out the line. read more

Nice bbq spot. Very causal and large space could for groups. Bar is also large and bartenders are excellent. All of the usual Texas bbq meats and sides. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Party tray - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This is what Austin BBQ is all about. Cooper's is classic pit style - watch them work the meat on the 'Pit' and cut your order right in front of you. Doesn't get more authentic than this. Lines can be long, but servings are generous. Get a variety if you can; that's the move here. It's tangier than what I'm used to, took a minute to adjust. But this is no-frills Texas BBQ done right - get your meat, eat it, move on. Worth the hype. read more

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Ok the wife and I were trying out some barbecue places. We walked by this a few times and decided to give this a try so glad we did. We got the ribs and two different kinds of sausage regular and jalapeño cheddar. Oh my god the ribs were amazing. Sausage was really good. The sides that we got were coleslaw and the beans they have for free are delicious. So glad that we tried this place out. They have a full bar. The bartender was nice and drinks were good. The wife got the cucumber special which was delicious. My beer was yummy. The place is got a really cool laid back vibe. Would definitely come back to this place again. As we were on the plane we were both craving the ribs again! Cheers read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Ribs and Sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

The ordering setup and the interior space at Cooper's is first rate, and very traditional for Texas BBQ, despite being in the heart of downtown. Your first stop is The Pit, where they have all the meats. How can you choose? This place is famous for the Pork Chop, which they will happily dip in their homemade BBQ sauce. I say skip The Big Chop unless you're going to share it with someone else. It's great, just too big and they don't cut it up---and you really want to taste a few items. The beef rib and the brisket are must-have items. Keep in mind that the outer bark of the beef rib is heavily seasoned (as it should be). It's a salt bomb. However, if you're going to have it on your own, get a center piece rather than an end piece to have a better balance of beef, fat, and seasoning. The sides are good. If you like creamy coleslaw, this place really knows how to do that. It's my favorite side. The corn, beans, and other sides are are well made, but not so exceptional that you should go out of your way for them. Just get what you like. Now, dessert is another story. Get a cobbler, whichever flavor you like, and this place will surprise you. Remember, you're in Texas and this place is out to prove that Texas hospitality and friendliness is second to none. The staff here is special. They're so courteous, professional, and efficient. You'll leave with a smile on your face, and not just because the food was great. read more

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One word: disappointing. I brought some out-of-town friends here due to the proximity of the hotel they were staying at. The healthy crowd at lunchtime that we found seemed to be a good sign of the quality. However, the brisket was bland. It seriously needed the BBQ sauce. If your brisket can't stand alone, that's a problem. Based on other reviews, it seems we got an off day for the brisket or a bad cut. I don't know. But it was unsatisfying. Also, there were issues with the sides. The peach cobbler I received seriously lacked peaches, and the pastry was mushy. The banana pudding was gritty. The green beans were so mushy they were practically greens. The potato salad simply tasted off. I will say, however, that the corn on the cob was fine. read more

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It was so great we had to go back for dinner....and this was too much food! We sat at the bar and had a great time - it's a fabulous spot to catch-up w friendly service from the bartender. And the cornbread.... read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Beers - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I'm newish to Austin and passed this joint walking downtown. Full disclosure, it looked like a spot for out-of-touch locals or a tourist theme park-like bar/BBQ. I'm sorry, I was wrong. This place is sooo good. At least for my taste buds. Hear me out. I don't like sweet BBQ. I hate it. Don't mix sweet with the meat. IMO. So knowing that, this will hit it for your BBQ cravings or it wont. Every food item I got was so effin' savory, including the beans. It's maybe a *little* pricey but probably due to location...and quality. Also beans are complimentary so do your calculations before picking all the sides. Speaking of ...garlic mashed potatoes. Period They were out of brisket but I'm kinda glad as I had to break from the norm. I got the pork rib and am in love. I will come back for the brisket tho. Finally I got an old fashioned at the bar. And it was so tasty...I got another :) Final conclusion: recommended for locals and tourists! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Pork ribs, jalapeno bacon Mac n' cheese, savory beans, amazing pork ribs, and delish old fashioned - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que isn't the best BBQ you'll find in Austin, but it's in a really convenient downtown location, which makes it an easy stop if you're already in the area. The décor is top-notch and gives off that classic Texas BBQ vibe, which adds to the experience. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to eat here, but if you're nearby and craving BBQ, it's a charming spot to grab a meal without having to trek far. read more

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A very solid choice for BBQ! A central spot with a lot of seating and options. I highly recommend the jalapeño cheddar sausage and the beef rib! The corn on the cob side and tricked baked potato casserole were phenomenal! Service was good, they were quick and snappy and kept the line going. read more

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It was decent BBQ, but I asked for a normal amount of food which I received. I don't know how a normal BBQ lunch of brisket and a beef rib came to $70? I asked her to double check and she verified yes this is what you ordered. Didn't weigh it again or anything, because there is no way. I wish I had just left. Writing this review to warn people to check prices here otherwise you'll end up with $30 worth of food and they charge you $70. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Average amount of food for one person - $70? - be careful here !! Tourist trap - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

They just celebrated their 10 year anniversary and it's as good as ever. The original location has been around since 1962 the Wootan family makes sure this location is as good or better than the original. Managers Eddie, Matt, Darrelle, and Oscar are always around checking on everyone. What sets this location apart from all the others is the bar staff. Not only are they incredibly good looking but they know just what to serve you to make your meal even more enjoyable. I know most of the staff have been around since the beginning or shortly afterwards. Is this day and age that's a rarity that is much appreciated. Upstairs there is a lounge and banquet area big enough for most any convention crowd. Whenever you're there tell them Big Jim sent ya and let them treat you to an amazing experience. read more

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We were sorely disappointed by this barbecue spot. We got one quarter of a pound of brisket and one half of a pound of pork ribs. They eyeball it and cut it. I did not see them weigh it. The brisket was overly salty. The pork ribs were alright, and the potato casserole was okay as well. Certainly not worth $50 for two people. They ask for a tip at checkout when you have to add toppings, get bread, and get sauce by yourself, and clean everything up by yourself. Taking both the price and quality into account, this is probably my least favorite barbecue restaurant in Austin that I have been to. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Brisket, Pork Ribs, Potato Casserole, Boiled Corn - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great experience here today dining for an early dinner with my husband and daughter. We enjoyed the brisket most of all! Cooked to perfection and you could cut it with a fork. The ribs were yummy and so was the cheese and jalapeño sausage. It was so cool how they have all the meats displayed! The Mac and cheese was delicious as well as the potato salad (more like a cold mashed potato- we never had it this way!). Lastly the corn bread was the perfect ending to our bbq meal! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Let's just say this BBQ was so awesome, I hit it up two nights in a row...I have eaten a tremendous amount of BBQ and I can attest there is no better beef rib than Coopers. Although Terry Black is close, I believe these ribs are a bit more charred and Smokey. The grill corn on the cob was fantastic too. The icing on the cake is the amazing local favorite Hazy IPA-Jellyfish. If there is anything I think they could add would be a second BBQ sauce option like many do in E.TX. Maybe a mustard or sweeter sauce. Their sauce is solid, but a bit stronger on tangy/vinegar side to say "perfect!" read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - 2nd night with incredible beans. Pretty tasty sausage too. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Man, this place was fire! Doing a BBQ restaurant cafeteria-style is such a smart idea, everyone gets exactly what they want, and the service is lightning fast. The BBQ was delicious and a great value for the price, plus the portions were huge, everyone went home with leftovers. The whole setup makes for a fun, easygoing dining experience. We'll definitely be back! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Brisket, Potato Salad, Corn on Cobb, Pickles - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Best barbecue ever First time in Cooper's Thomas, the pitmaster, recommended the brisket and the beef rib Got them both of course Did not disappoint Thank you !!! :) read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

TLDR: Cooper's downtown has great sides, solid desserts, and a lively vibe, but the barbecue is salty, bland, and overpriced. Worth a visit for atmosphere, not for meat; best enjoyed on someone else's dime. Overview: Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que has brought its famous barbecue from Llano to downtown Austin. Located on Congress Avenue, the space itself captures a classic Texas vibe with exposed brick walls, picnic tables, and a big wooden bar. Ordering is cafeteria style, where meats are cut to order and served by the pound, and there is a self-serve station for bread, beans, and condiments. Before you visit, keep in mind that being downtown, parking is very limited. Food: I sampled a little of everything: brisket, sausage, and the weekend-only prime rib, along with mac and cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. The brisket was disappointing, with the end piece I received turning out overly salty to the point of overshadowing its natural flavor. There was some beefiness there, but none of the smokiness you'd expect from Texas brisket. The sausage was fine, cooked well enough but ultimately unremarkable. The prime rib, despite its impressive cut, was bland even if it was tender. The sides and desserts were the highlight of the meal. Each one felt like a faithful, straightforward take on a classic. The mac and cheese was thick, creamy, and cheesy, seasoned well enough to avoid being bland. The coleslaw had the right crunch and balance of creaminess. The cornbread carried the right flavor profile, though it was a bit dry. The desserts were strong too: the peach cobbler was warmly spiced and sweet, though the crust could have used more crunch, and the banana pudding stood out with soft wafers and fresh banana slices. Final Thoughts: While Cooper's nails the atmosphere and serves sides and desserts that are well executed, the barbecue itself falls short, especially given the steep prices. With brisket at around $40 per pound, prime rib over $50 per pound, and sausage near $25 per pound, the value just doesn't line up with the quality. For a city with such a strong barbecue scene, it's hard to justify choosing Cooper's for the meat alone. If you're downtown and looking for a lively spot with classic sides and a fun vibe, it works, but otherwise, this feels like a place best saved for the corporate card rather than a personal splurge. read more

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The type of barbecue that you can get all day long and not a type of place that sells out like most other bbq spots leaves you kind of questioning things. The barbecue was fine. Was it something i would get again if we were in town again. Most definitely not. I thought the sauce area was odd. There wasn't like an array of sauces to go with your food to see what would be best just hot barbecue sauce in a bucket. We can say we tried it along with franklins and not one thing from this place stood out to be remembered other than the fact they don't sell out of meats and weird hot barbecue sauces. Just not my cup of tea. read more

I don't normally leave reviews, however, if you are looking for backyard BBQ, this is the place. Ribs- taste seasoned perfectly and tender,Brisket- moist and juicy, Sausage - great taste. I had all with no sauce. Staff was Great!!! read more

This bbq joint reminds me of the old style joints that are decked out in all wood, where there's no fancy decor to distract from the good old tasting bbq. I can't believe what I'm about to say, but I think the beef rib is the choice to take here. It is juicy, tender and seasoned right. Ask for a bone will little fat unless you like eating fat. One bone is enough for one to two people depending on how big an eater you are. I also had the brisket which was salty, but had a nice bark and texture. Dip it in the bbq sauce to dilute the saltiness. As for sides, the cole slaw is a winner since it gives a good contrast to all the meat. For dessert, I chose the banana pudding. It had a tad too much sugar in it that overpowered the taste of banana and felt like you were eating banana flavoured icing. One big tip is that unless you come often, you don't know that everything is by the pound and it is weighed after you order it. A 1/4 lbs of meat (about 3 slices) is good enough for one person. One beef rib will feed two people. The person slicing the bbq will try to make you take more meat than what you order. Better to take a little and go back and order more after. We ordered one beef rib and he ended up giving us two. We ordered 1/2 pound of brisket and ended up with a little over a pound. Keep your eye on the meat slicer and if you think it's too much tell him to take some back. Second tip is that there are free pickles, beans and bread next to the bbq sauce. Keep this in mind when ordering sides. Third tip is to order dessert after you are done eating to make sure you really need it. Final tip is that there are takeout containers next to the bbq sauce for you to take leftovers home. read more

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Someone asked me to bring them good Brisket. Coopers was recommended. While the brisket was tender and melted in your mouth it was over salted. I love salt, but even for me it was too much. The prices are steep, but the meats are generally good. The sides are yummy. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Different meats - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

5 stars just for the free beans!! You can also get as many bread slices as you like. The brisket was perfect. what i didn't love is that we ordered a half pound of two meats, but was given .75 lbs of each and therefore paid for a lot more than we expected. Felt a little bamboozley. but again, everything was still very delicious. The atmosphere is very cool with plenty of seating too. read more

Food was great and loved the whole vibe. Its right in downtown so very accessible. You order by weight or pieces that are available. I went 40 mins before closing but still got to experience their amazinggg sausages and pork chops! Totally recommend. One of the most hyped bbq in city and the place lived up to it. Quick service and loved their mac and cheese side. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

As my other reviews explain, my husband and I are on a bbq kick while we both do keto diets for a month. This week we biked along Lady Bird Lake and took a stop at Cooper's. I'd been years ago, and remembered it was ok. Still, my verdict is ok. It serves its role as being an authentic bbq spot for downtown tourists and businesspeople, but us locals are better off going to other spots. We got our usual brisket, turkey, and chicken. The turkey was a little dry but had a strong peppery flavor. The skin was the best part. The brisket met the minimum requirements for Texas brisket, but didn't go above and beyond. The chicken was dry, but one drumstick was enjoyable. I showed my husband the upstairs dining room, and we got a seat by the window, looking down on Congress below us. In the private room next to us, we could hear what sounded like some sort of livestock association awards meeting, which truly added to the ambience. That being said, the ambience is already on point. It's rustic, with ample space and seating. I discovered they even have a patio out back, which I'd never noticed before. Normally I like to sit outside, but I was hot from our bike ride, so sitting in air conditioning was a welcome break. I was hungry enough that the dinner was enjoyable, but given the choice, I'd choose other bbq spots over Cooper's. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Brisket Half Chicken Turkey - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas