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Franklin Barbecue

4.5 (6.4k reviews)
ModerateBarbeque
Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Franklin Barbecue Photos

Business Info

FRANKLIN BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Franklin Barbecue

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Reviews With Photos

Johanna C.

I think this is the disney of bbq lol.... line is really looongg :-( on a rainy Friday, we did not hesitate to go to experience the hype. Finally after 2 hours (12-2pm), we finally made it to the counter, unfortunately they ran out of beef ribs. We ordered 2 lb of brisket to go & the food we plan to eat in. There are a few tables but you'll get seated. Their brisket is really the winner & their jalapeno sausage plus their key lime pie. They have a variety of sauces which is good but few sides. Staff are nice and friendly too. There is also a little shop inside to stall you while in line.

Waiting in line
Kristina H.

We arrived around 12:15 and the line was wrapped! By the time we got to the counter it was 1:35. We were the last ones to actually get pulled pork because they ran out. That is the longest weve ever waited for bbq, BUT SO WORTH IT! I do not ever order brisket because it's usually disappointing, dry and bland. However, this brisket was none of those things. It was everything a brisket should be!!! The other meats were delicious as well. The banana pie was incredible, the crust tasted almost like a cookie crumble. The potato salad is more of a mustard base, and cole slaw isn't too wet but I filled up on everything else and didn't eat much of it. After we finished eating, we even got a tour of the smokers! They are on a rotation, always smoking brisket and rotating staff to keep watch over it, and they use post oak wood. The staff were all so precious and friendly. My family thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would totally stand in line again :D

Indoor seating
EJ J.

Yea! The votes are in! Franklin is the clear winner for me. I saved reviewing two of the best BBQ joints in Austin for last and I came to the conclusion that Franklins has better quality meat but their sides aren't as good as the competitor I reviewed. When we first arrived, the line was out the door and down the street, which was kind of understandable after trying the food. The line moved pretty slow at first and they came out to tell us that by the time we get to the front they may be out of certain meats. Luckily, they had everything we wanted when we ordered. The place totally gave off that Texas vibe, was a decent size and I wasn't sure there would be enough seating once we had our food but it all worked out. They kept the place clean after people left and they were pretty quick to clean the tables. As for the food, we ordered a a half pound of: Beef Brisket - 5/5 Pork ribs - 5/5 Sausage link - 4.5/5 Pulled pork - 4.5/5 Potato salad - 3.5/5 All I can say is, the meat was so juicy and tender and was seasoned to PERFECTION! I was fighting with myself to determine if I wanted to dip the meat in the bbq sauce I had or not. I was literally arguing with myself whether to dip or not because either way it gave you a different experience and each experience was soooo dang good, I don't even know man! Lastly, you don't need any sides (the sides are limited and not as good as the other place I reviewed) or bread or anything with the meat. I was mad at myself for wasting a few bites of getting full on two bites of the potato salad. I wish I could have those bites back and apply it to the meat. Anyway, I WILL be back to Franklin and there is no other choice for me. I was on Zillow looking up house listings and how much it would actually cost to move there lol. No joke! That's how good that meat was. If you are in Austin, please go try Franklin BBQ and let me know if I'm tripping or not because that was life changing for me. OOOOO 5 out of 5 Afros

tray
Zachary S.

In this long barbecue journey, it took me long enough to finally make it to the Texas Mecca, Franklin Barbecue. It's located right off I-35, just a few breaths away from the Texas Capitol. It was always an attainable restaurant to go to in terms of distance, but the rumored line could bring more agony than ever expected. I arrived at Franklin at 9 a.m. on a Sunday. A time too early to some, but experts would suggest I might have been too late. The restaurant itself recommends lining up starting at 9 a.m. on a weekday and closer to 8 a.m. on the weekend to have a better chance to try their full menu. With us losing an hour from daylight saving time the night prior, I assumed people would already be too exhausted to be there as early as I was. I was about the 20th head in line, which didn't seem too shabby. In front of me was a guy visiting Austin from Missouri, and he just had to try Franklin's before returning back home. It's cool how well known this establishment has become that people will travel all over for it. I can only imagine how bad the line can get with SXSW starting up. Two hours in line at this point is nothing. I always think waiting on the front end is always better than the back end because you're guaranteed a good meal if you get there early. Two hours went by in a blink and the doors opened. By 11:15, we were watching our meat get sliced by the pitmaster for the day. It was not Aaron Franklin, sadly. We sat down with our tray just about five minutes later. For our three meats and some extras, Franklin ran us about $40 a head. I'll write about everything I had: Brisket: I know in Texas, brisket is king and Franklin is supposed to be the prime example of it. It was very good, but I think these new school barbecue joints are doing it better. You can't get this level of brisket everywhere though. It was still savory and flavorful. Pork ribs: These are some of the best I've had. I feel like I say that at every barbecue restaurant I go to, but the meatiness, the bark, and the flavor were all exceptional to a point that it made my eyes water. They fall off the bone like every good Texas joint does, but the flavor they brought out on these is next level. Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage: This sausage was crunchier than most. More compact. I think this is pretty middle of the road in my sausage power rankings, but still pretty glorious. Pinto Beans: I'll just quote what my buddy said: "I wouldn't even give these to a homeless person." I don't know what it was about these, but they were not good. Potato Salad: I am a mayo-based potato salad guy, so I am already disappointed when I order it and it's shockingly yellow. It was bland but could work well as a palate cleanser after a meaty meal. I tried their barbecue sauces and was impressed by the existence of their roasty espresso BBQ sauce. It has this rich flavor that blended well with the brisket. I never would have thought this would be good. Now we need barbecue sauce flavored espresso. I am so happy that I got to finally go to Franklin's. I don't think I will be joining the 100 club like some members have because while it is good and worth a visit, it is definitely not the best barbecue in Austin. There are places with better prices or better meats nearby. I don't think it's unimpressive by any means, and it is nice to pay an ode to a legendary place like Franklin. It was honestly a dream come true. RIYL: Waiting. It's kind of its thing.

Menu
Kara M.

OVERVIEW: A legend for a reason. The brisket is seriously the best I've ever had, as well as the juicy turkey! Worth the wait if you have a day off or just want to go on a BBQ adventure. Having tried the brisket both secondhand (pre-order pickup/leftovers) and in-person, I can confidently say it's worth the wait for in-person! Huge difference. Fun experience. 10/10 would do it again. QUICK FACTS: - Parking? Yes, there are a few spots in the lot behind the restaurant if you're early enough or street parking around the area. - Reservations? Nope, walk-in only. You can order ahead for pick-up online with min. spend requirements. - What time to get in line? On a Tues. we got in line around 8:15am and were 5th in line. By 9am the line was down the ramp; by 10am it was to the parking lot. Chairs are available. Bathrooms and merch are available around 9am. FOOD RATINGS: - Brisket (5/5, duh) - Turkey (5/5) - Sides (3/5 - nothing to write home about, but let's be honest, no one's visiting here for the sides!) - Pies (5/5 - pricy but delish) - BBQ sauces (5/5 - love the variety; spicy and vinegar were the favorites but espresso was most unique!)

Brisket, Single Potato Salad, sliced bread
Sylvia N.

There has to be a better way that Franklin Barbecue can operate to move the line faster.. I don't know what it is, but the line was very long, and it moved very slow. The food itself was really good, but you should be prepared to wait if the line is long.

Sarah S.

For me, Franklin Barbecue lived up to the hype. My friend and I arrived at Noon on a Saturday, met with a long line but friendly face. Staff told us the wait was 3 hours and they would be out of beef ribs. I'm bummed on missing out on the beef but the wait only ending up being 2 hours so that was a win. Even though the line is long, it was a happy atmosphere with everyone anxiously awaiting delicious eats. Plus they have chairs you can borrow to sit in! That was so appreciated and a huge bonus for me. I like sitting. All the staff was so pleasant in the line and in the shop, during the ordering process they kept those smiles and cheery demeanors up! Gotta be rough with so many eager eaters so kudos to them. There is enough turnover that even if tables are scarce, after a few minutes you should be able to snag a spot. My friend and I had a nice little two top we sat outside at to take in the Austin sunshine. The pork ribs were absolutely mindblowing. It should be a given to get these but truly, they were the most juicy and flavorful I had not just on my bbq-hopping in Austin but my life. We also had the brisket which was equally tender, the turkey and the sausage...all good...but those pork ribs. And I will forever think of what could have been with the beef ribs. Fomo! As I started out, Franklin's was worth the hype and the wait for me. I love food and this is some downright good eats and a must do for any true 'foodie'!

Sarin P.

We were apprehensive about having to wait in line for "hours", but Sunday felt like a breeze. In line by 1130am, bellies full and happy by 130pm. I will say the beef rib was sold out by the time we made it in but all the meats were superb. The brisket melts in your mouth like butter! I loved their house sausage and pork ribs as well. It was super cool to hang in line, meet other friendly food enthusiasts, and just start the day off strong.

Inside Seating
Samantha J.

We've experienced Franklin a couple times before -- once during COVID for a to go order and once when we won a private dinner experience through a blood donation (still one of the coolest wins ever, unfortunately we didn't win this year, lol). This time, we were actually on our way to try a different BBQ spot when we noticed there was no line?? It was only 30 minutes before opening. This was right before the big freeze at the end of January, so everyone was huddled inside the patio trying to stay warm, but the vibes were still laid back and friendly. One thing we absolutely LOVE about Franklin is how they handle the wait. Doors are open before service starts, you can use the restroom, even grab drinks while you wait. That alone is elite level hospitality in the BBQ world. They also had someone walking around asking what people were thinking of ordering so they could gauge inventory, which is genius and helps manage expectations before you even get to the counter. Service was super friendly across the board. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there and wanted to make sure guests were taken care of. What we ordered: * Turkey - Moist and lightly seasoned, letting the meat shine. Simple and done right. * Beef Rib - Massive, tender, incredible smoke and bark. Surprisingly needed a little extra salt (yes, I said it ), but once we added it? WOW. * Brisket - We didn't think it would taste that different from the beef rib, but texturally it absolutely was. Melt-in-your-mouth tender with beautiful bark and the perfect level of seasoning. * Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage - Great snap, LOVED the gouda flavor * Pork Ribs - Fall-off-the-bone tender, smoky, and honestly some of the best we've had. We grabbed some bubbles (basically prosecco) while waiting and a Roadhouse beer. Alcohol prices are on the higher side, but the convenience of being able to sip while you wait, especially since we stopped in last minute, makes it worth it. We did forget to order the sausage initially, but it was super easy to walk over to the drink counter and add it without standing in the full line again. Also appreciate the free bread, pickles, onions, and sauce setup. It's the little things. Only slight hiccup: when it was time to line up for opening, they ask guests to honor the order of arrival. Unfortunately, people are people and not everyone follows the honor system. But that's not on the staff, they can only do so much. Overall, incredible food, thoughtful hospitality, and a super smooth experience even on a cold morning right before a freeze. Franklin continues to live up to the hype, and we'd absolutely go back.

Brisket, turkey, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad
Ashlee S.

While in Austin for a team offsite, we had a private dinner at Franklin BBQ and whew... it was worth the hype. And this is coming from someone who is not a BBQ person at all. Our meal was served family-style with classic sides: coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, pickles, onions, and bread. Everything complemented the meats perfectly without trying to steal the show. Now let's talk about that brisket. ‍ It was incredibly tender, flavorful, and basically melted with every bite. The turkey? Hella moist which is not easy to pull off. I don't eat pork, but the rest of the table devoured the ribs and sausage, so I'll take that as a glowing review. Each table had three BBQ sauces: original, spicy, and vinegar. The spicy was my favorite - bold but balanced. The original was solid. The vinegar sauce wasn't my personal vibe, but I appreciate having options. Beyond the food, the service was excellent. The team was kind, attentive, and on top of everything. I'm sure they rolled out the red carpet since we were hosting a private event, but great service is still great service and I notice it. The restaurant itself is quite large, with long rows of tables that are perfect for big groups or communal dining. There's also an outdoor space that I imagine is amazing when the weather cooperates. There's a bar as well, though not much bar seating. Even as someone who doesn't typically gravitate toward BBQ, I genuinely enjoyed this experience. Franklin lives up to the legend.

Two pork ribs, half pound brisket, jalapeno sausage, and pint of coleslaw
Austin K.

I got here at 10:10 or so on Tuesday morning and came down to eat around 11:40am. I was at the front side by the stairs that has the chairs underneath. So the brisket was good, and sliced more thinly than Cooper's as a comparison which I appreciated. I got the pork ribs and jalapeño sausage as well. Again, all good but was it the best bbq? Hutchins in Dallas holds that for me, but honestly it's probably all comparable. I can say that I don't think it's worth waiting in such a long line for. I did like the 4 different sauces - the spicy and original were my favorite. Jalapeños are an extra charge and the coleslaw is not as saucy and taste healthier than most. You can ask for as much bread as you want. The service was great though. And there's a person who gets your order in line who can answer questions but you can always change your order when you get in front.

Brisket, pulled pork and jalapeño cheddar sausage rounds
C W.

This beloved award-winning BBQ icon is worth the wait (come early as they can sell out QUICKLY.). The moist brisket is TENDER with a good "bark" on it. Pulled pork is tasty and the vinegar based sauce adds a nice zing. Jalapeño cheddar sausage rounds it out nicely! The spicy sauce is my fave. Great service (lawn chairs and restrooms available for the long but fun wait) and fun merch, too.

mini pie (ruby dang and bourbon banana)
Victoria W.

brisket is still the most elite out of all the bbq places! turkey was a bit dry sides were more limited than the other places - only had potato salad, slaw, and pinto beans. i liked the potato salad the most the mini pies (which i searched, seems to be a collaboration & it is made by a different vendor that they sell) is sooo good! ruby dang and bourbon banana were not too sweet & very balanced in their flavor came here for a wedding reception - didn't know that they could do private party! very cool! they were very organized and everyone seemed to have gotten their food relatively fast (so good service even for private parties)!

The menu on the wall

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Franklin Barbecue Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Franklin Barbecue

It appears that the dining area is small and the food is very popular. Are there any parks with picnic tables nearby?

There was at least 1 long picnic table outside. I took my food back to my hotel so I'm not sure about nearby parks. Looking at the map there are a couple parks nearby, but I don't know about tables there. What I do know is that they are camping… Read more

Are there restrooms available or nearby for those that choose to line up early?

Yes you can use the restrooms at the restaurant as well as buy water. They also provide lawn chairs.

Is there a way to "miss the line"?

Yes, not go. It does slow down around 1 or so on certain days. However, the later you go, the greater the chance of them running out of stuff

What Gluten Free Options do you have?

All of our meats by the pound, as well as all 3 of our sides are gluten-free: Brisket, Pork Ribs, Turkey, Sausage, Pulled Pork,… Read more

What us the chair situation while you wait?

There are folding beach chairs under the steps for customers to use while they wait.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

In the main line, it actually goes through a ramp, but if you also use the sidewalk and go around up to the front door, there's only one step to get inside. Hope that helps!

Take out versus Dine in, is the experience the same? Or is the experience dining in worth the long wait?

I've only been there once (visiting from Las Vegas). I waited an hour and a half or a bit longer and though the weather was nice and the line conversation was good, I hate waiting that long for anything. Upon getting in, it is very small inside… Read more

Can they do half pound when ordering meat? Or does it have to be 1 lb

You can order 1/2 lbs

What do they mean by chilled meats only?

It means we have sold out of our hot/ sliced meats for preorders on that date.

What's the least busy day of the week to visit? I'm hoping to come up during the week with the hope of minimizing the wait.

Go when it's raining! Doesn't matter which day of the week, the stronger the weather, the shorter the line. There will still be some folks there, but just bring a rain slicker and grab a beer. 😊

We did a pre-order to pickup next week. Will we be able to eat there or is the Lee-order takeout only?

Thank you for thinking of us! Pre-orders are to go only.

Going to Texas in March, what is the process of ordering here? Is it strictly pick up or is dine in available ? If there is dine-in, how long is the wait and when should I start waiting if they open at 11am?

I literally just visited yesterday (from Las Vegas). We were told to get in line before 11 but we ended up getting there around 11:30 and the line was already pretty long. An employee came down the line saying what was available and getting your… Read more

How early have people started to get in line on Saturday?

It varies, I have heard as early as 7am.

Is Franklin BBQ open for dining on Saturdays? I am a little confused as to what the website says.

Yes, we are open Saturday. The only day we are closed is Monday. We are only open for lunch and folks start lining up a few hours before we open.

Do they serve beef ribs every day?

If we have them in stock, we have them available Saturdays and Sundays at the restaurant. We do not offer them for preorders.… Read more

If I am by myself and I have a dog with me, can I bring him inside simply to order and eat outside?

I don't think they want dogs inside but I saw a lot of people with them and order. I'm sure they can figure it out and help you!

Is merch available for pickup. What's stocked in the restaurant for pickup?

Yes they do. If you go to their website and do the "order ahead" all the items that they sell can be selected at the bottom of page after all the food items. I think it's all the merch that they will mail you: shirts, stickers, hats, etc. Take a… Read more

Hi, I am going to stay in Austin next week for two days and planning to get around the city without driving a car. Will I be able to show up not in a car to pick up the preorder? Thanks!

Yes you can. Just be prepared to perhaps wait up to 15-20 min. There were other people who picked up without a car. You can always arrange a ride to and from pickup.

Do they provide side of bbq sauce with curbside order?

Yes, they sure two. We got two types. One coffee based and the other I believe was their pork bbq sauce.

Is it possible to walk up and order same day, or is it only preorder asking due to COVID times we live in.... Thinking of making a trip and don't want to drive and get nothing?

Check their website for what's still available for the day. You must preorder online. They do not accept walk-ups and I saw people get turned away while we were picking up our online order.

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Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que

4.0(2.3k reviews)
0.8 miDowntown
$$

This was a good barbeque option within close walking distance of the JW Marriott downtown…read more The atmosphere was fun and what you would expect for a BBQ restaurant. The bench seating added to the family style dining. My group of three ordered two types of meat, coleslaw, potatoes, and mac & cheese for roughly $60. Being from the Midwest, the three of us weren't quite sure how much food to order. The staff clearly picked up on this and recommended what to order based on our group size, even demonstrating the weights of different cuts of meat. This was greatly appreciated and demonstrated good service. We had a bit of food leftover so we clearly got our money's worth at $20 a person.

Service is quick and easy as you just make your way down the line similar to a cafeteria line. You…read morepay for the meat by weight so it's easy to get food family style. The meat is wrapped in butcher paper and they have foil and bags available for leftovers. We had pork ribs, brisket, and turkey along with corn on the cob, potato salad, beans, pickles, and apple cobbler with ice cream. The turkey was ok but not as flavorful as I've had. I loved the ribs and brisket. The potato salad also wasn't my favorite so I will definitely get other sides on my next visit. I did like the cobbler and ice cream for dessert. The cobbler was hot with not too much crust and crust that had a slight crunch. The dog friendly patio was a great searing option with large tables and fans that made it extremely cool and comfortable on a hot day.

Photos
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Interior fun

Interior fun

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Smoked turkey

Smoked turkey

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Dining room

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Dining room

Moonshine Grill - White chocolate bread pudding

Moonshine Grill

4.4(6.4k reviews)
0.6 miDowntown
$$

Came here with a large 25 person group all from out of town and it exceeded expectations. Our…read morewaitress McKenna was super sweet and gave great recommendations. Since we ordered basically one of everything - here are our recommendations. Appetizers GET THIS: 1. Corn dog shrimp (think shrimp tempura) - light, flavorful, crunchy YUM 2. Cathead biscuits NOT THAT: 1. Street corn queso dip not a favorite for our table. The cheese tasted thick and plastic like... Velveeta vibes... not much flavor Meals GET THIS: 1. Hangar Steak 2. Creole shrimp & grits 3. Chicken fried steak Not that: 1. Horseradish crusted salmon - I didn't try it but the two people who ordered at our table were disappointed and wished they would've gotten one of the above Desserts GET THIS: 1. Bread pudding was delicious! Not overly sweet & the added white chocolate gives it that dazzle dazzle 2. Chocolate Espresso Brownie - perfection NOT THAT: 1. Banana cream pudding. This was a no for the table because it was over the top sweet (I think because of the added butterscotch) 2. Peanut Butter Mousse Pie super super thick & sweet. Didn't taste much other than PB - it was like eating a giant spoonful of it and trying to swallow.

We had a group here for dinner and were excited to try it, due to reviews. The ambience is lively,…read moreloud, and buzzy. Looked super fun. Service was good, no issues there. Friendly staff overall. The food fell flat for almost all of us. The salads were fresh and good. However, the ribs were below average. Cornbread was stale and not tasty. Biscuits tasted more like firm bread and not at all flaky/soft. That seemed weird to all of us. Chicken fried steak was soggy and not crispy. Drinks were ok. Not quite sure why the food was subpar, but there were 10 of us who all agreed we wouldn't return for food. There is a swanky little cozy speakeasy in the basement that may be good? We didn't try that.

Photos
Moonshine Grill
Moonshine Grill - Garlic appetizer

Garlic appetizer

Moonshine Grill - Bourbon pour

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Bourbon pour

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Brisket Taco Mac n cheese with pulled pork

Rollin Smoke BBQ

4.5(432 reviews)
0.9 miEast Austin
$$

Review: Fierce Flavors at Austin's Top 100 BBQ Tucked into a…read morequintessential corner lot, this Austin food truck isn't just serving barbecue; it's serving a certified experience. As a recipient of the prestigious Texas Monthly Top 100 BBQ Award, the expectations were high--and for the most part, they were met. The venue itself provides a fantastic, relaxed vibe, complete with plenty of TVs and a music stage, making it the perfect spot for chilling out on a lazy afternoon or settling in for an evening hang. The Main Event: Pitmaster Excellence The true test of a Texas BBQ joint is the holy trinity, and here, they nailed the fundamentals: * Brisket: This was Texas BBQ as it should be. The brisket was super juicy, delivered a profound, deep flavor, and possessed a flawless, great bark that spoke to hours of skillful smoking * Spare Ribs: A study in contrast and texture. The ribs offered a satisfying "good pull"--firm enough to bite but still falling cleanly off the bone. The thick, peppery bark was beautifully balanced by a slight sweetness from a pepper jelly glaze, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor you don't always find. * Pork Belly Burnt Ends: These were pure decadence. Each bite provided a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth experience with a distinct and welcome hint of Fierce Whiskers bourbon woven into the smoky, fatty flavor. They are so rich and irresistible, you know you shouldn't eat too many, but good luck stopping. * Jalapeño and Cheese Sausage: This locally sourced link brought the heat with a good level of spice. The flavor was excellent, though the texture leaned slightly toward the processed side, which was the only minor drawback among the meats. The Supporting Cast: Sides A great plate of BBQ requires sides that stand up to the meat, and while two of these were stars, one needs a little work. * Mac & Cheese: An absolute winner. It was cheesy, creamy, and featured an excellent smoked flavor that permeated the dish. The slightly charred edges added a delightful textural counterpoint. * Hash Brown Casserole: This was a surprisingly strong contender, offering a nice assembly of savory flavors. The secret weapon was the corn flake topping, providing an unexpected but welcome crunch, complemented by a satisfying hint of bacon. * Creamed Corn: Unfortunately, this side was the weakest link. It tasted primarily bland, despite a slight peppery note. It desperately needs some fresh jalapeños mixed in to cut through the creaminess and add the essential Texas kick. Final Verdict The meat selection here is truly Top 100 worthy, excelling in technique, flavor, and execution (especially the Brisket and Burnt Ends). The atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed gathering. While the Creamed Corn missed the mark, the stellar Hash Brown Casserole and Smoked Mac & Cheese prove that their side game is usually strong. Come for the high-quality, authentic Texas barbecue, stay for the great outdoor patio.

Rollin' Smoke is a bbq joint located inside Chalmers. We…read morewere there earlier today to get lunch at our beloved Discada. A friend is in town for work so we decided to grab bbq as well. We got the chopped beef sandwich and decided to share it between three people since we just wanted a taste. Gotta say it was darn good & I'll definitely go back to try more. The beef was so tender and juicy that it really did melt in our mouths. The bun was soft and fresh and held the sandwich together well.

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Rollin Smoke BBQ - Chalmers Grounds

Chalmers Grounds

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Rollin Smoke ATX BBQ Brisket

Rollin Smoke ATX BBQ Brisket

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Menu

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Menu

Stubb's Bar-B-Q - Fried okra is delicious here

Stubb's Bar-B-Q

3.4(1.6k reviews)
0.3 miDowntown
$$

Good food, great vibe, big price. I wish this wasn't so much of a tourist trap but it is. The price…read moredoesn't match the food unfortunately. But the experience makes it worth it in most cases.

I had a lot of great BBQ while in Austin. Unfortunately, this wasn't included among it. Stubb's was…read morea name I recognized because I actually like their BBQ sauce a lot, and buy it at home to adorn all sorts of meats I make myself. This spot was close to my hotel, and on my departure day, I decided to have one last hit of Q. It's a big restaurant, and it appears to also be quite the music venue. When I went, a little on the early side for a Friday dinner, there was not a wait and I was sat immediately. My server was attentive, and got me in, fed, and back out in plenty of time to catch my already delayed flight. I ordered their 3 meat combo plate, which also came with two sides, and added on a piece of cornbread. I chose brisket of course, as well as turkey and sausage. The server recommended the serrano pepper spinach (like a creamed spinach) and onion rings, and I took those recs. The best of the three meats was the turkey. Not a good sign. It was moist and tender, though not particularly smokey. Even so, I enjoyed it more than the brisket and sausage, which I would have guessed the reverse when ordering. The brisket was on the dry side and kind of bland, it did not smack of being freshly carved. The Stubbs BBQ sauce helped me eat some of it... now I see why they are famous for their sauce. I had a couple bites of the sausage and pushed it aside, I didn't enjoy their recipe on that at all. It was cooked seemingly well, but the blend of spices and meat they use wasn't pleasant to me. The sides, the onion rings were very crispy which I like, but again... something in the batter. Maybe even the oil they were cooked in, I did not enjoy as much. The spinach was actually quite enjoyable, maybe even a little rich. I think if it were warmer, if might help milden out some of that. It was really thick. The cornbread wasn't worth the add-on. No sweetness or anything to make it memorable. Vessel for butter. The portion was massive, and I had leftover food, but did not take it... and that would have been the case even if I wasn't headed to the airport. I wouldn't recommend this spot.

Photos
Stubb's Bar-B-Q - Nice rustic dining area full of music posters from multiple bands.

Nice rustic dining area full of music posters from multiple bands.

Stubb's Bar-B-Q - Chicken Sandwich

Chicken Sandwich

Stubb's Bar-B-Q - Exterior

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Exterior

Iron Works Barbecue - Sampler platter

Iron Works Barbecue

3.7(1.3k reviews)
0.7 miDowntown
$$

I came here for the beef ribs and they did not disappoint. Are they expensive? Most definitely, 2…read moreribs cost $54 (they weigh them so prices can vary). Were they 100% worth it? ABSOLUTELY. When I tell you these ribs were a religious experience I am not embellishing. Full disclosure: I do not currently live in the south so I don't consider myself a BBQ connoisseur, but I did spend 4 years in the south and have sampled many BBQ joints in the meantime. Take this review as someone who really enjoys BBQ (and any slow cooked meat for that matter) but who could not list more than 10 BBQ restaurants they have eaten at in the last 5 years. So the beef ribs. Great texture, tender meat but still had a bite to it. Expertly seasoned so they were not wet with sauce but still moist. I would consider 1 beef rib a snack, 2 a small meal. I also tried the chopped brisket (brisket and burnt ends sitting in a soup of BBQ sauce). That was also delicious (and more reasonably priced), but I could have done with slightly less sauce. It really was like a soup and while the sauce was tasty, there was too much of it. I went later in the afternoon (around 2/2:30pm) and got their last two beef ribs so going earlier is better. You order at the open kitchen and then pay at the counter when your food is ready. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, you can take your food and sit at any of their tables of which they have many (this place is pretty big). I cannot comment on how this place stacks up to other BBQ spots in Austin, but I very much enjoyed the beef ribs.

I really wanted to like this we wanted to try TX bbq and we could walk here from our hotel in…read moreAustin. This place has the country vibes, old school store front with bottled cokes in old ice coolers, walk up order, get food handed to you then head to the register to pay. Prices were high for bbq, side options were Mac n cheese, beans, coleslaw, potato salad. Etc. Our group had pork ribs (2) with sides of beans, potato salad, coleslaw & mac n cheese, and a pulled pork sandwich served with pickle and raw onion on the side. Plates came with a slice of white bread. Unfortunately the food was okay but not amazing for what we paid, We will be searching for a good quality bbq still!!!

Photos
Iron Works Barbecue - Cool atmosphere

Cool atmosphere

Iron Works Barbecue - Sampler with sides

Sampler with sides

Iron Works Barbecue - Shiner Ruby Red

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Shiner Ruby Red

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Austin - 2 piece white + additional wing

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Austin

4.3(3.4k reviews)
0.8 miDowntown
$$

Gus's was fantastic. We came on a Saturday at 6pm and had no issues with seating. We ordered the…read moretwo piece dark chicken and the special that comes with four pieces. We both subbed beans for mac and cheese. My friend appeared the most jolly I'd ever seen him and thoroughly enjoyed the chicken. I really liked the mac and cheese, and I liked the chicken as well. The coleslaw was decent, and I often don't like coleslaw. The skin was tough and too much for me, but the food itself was great. The two piece was substantial for me, and the four piece seemed to be a little too much even for a big boy. The restroom floors were suspiciously very wet. I feel like they could provide some moist towelettes because the chicken was very greasy, and we had to just pour water on the napkins. Downtown street parking was a struggle, but I found 2/3 of a spot close by that I decided could count as a spot.

I heard a lot about Gus's and finally got to try it this weekend…read more I ordered the 2 Piece Dark Plate and substituted the beans and coleslaw for seasoned fries and mac & cheese. There was a small hiccup with the sides, but the staff was quick to fix it. The sides were good, and the chicken was juicy, flavorful, and didn't need any extra seasoning at all. I just wish the chicken pieces had been a little bigger! Overall, I had a good dining experience. The restaurant was clean and cozy, the service was great, and the chicken was delicious!

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Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Austin - Inside dining

Inside dining

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Austin - 2 PC special with baked beans, greens, fried green tomatoes and mac & cheese

2 PC special with baked beans, greens, fried green tomatoes and mac & cheese

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Austin - Aftermath

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Aftermath

Gebby's BBQ & Catering - Absolutely delicious (just fyi, I brought the sauce)

Gebby's BBQ & Catering

4.6(96 reviews)
0.9 mi
$$

This review is for their catering service. I work for a government entity and we are required to…read morereceive numerous quotes before choosing a vendor. We found Gebby's BBQ to be reasonably priced compared to other Austin BBQ restaurants. From the beginning, both Chris (The Owner and Master Pit Man) and Elizabeth to be extremely professional and prompt. Any questions or changes needed on the quote, they were on top of anything we needed. The day of the event, they arrived early as they said they would and set up quickly. The aroma of the food was wonderful throughout our venue. We had a handful of vegetarian/vegan employees and the offer a smoked vegetable tray with corn tortillas as one of their options. The food we chose was a 3 meat plate with 3 sides and cookies for the dessert. We chose Brisket, Turkey and Sausage. For the sides, we had Gouda Mac and Cheese, Creamed Corn and Beans. Everything was extremely delicious and the feedback I gathered from numerous employees was nothing but positive reviews on the food. They even allow us to KEEP the leftover food! This was awesome as we had a few bbq quotes that STATED that we could not keep the leftover food! Overall, our experience with them far exceeded our expectations and I would recommend them for your catering needs!

Amazing food! Ordered from here for a family gathering and…read morethe food and service was excellent!! Highly recommend!!

Photos
Gebby's BBQ & Catering - Catered Meal - Brisket, Sausage, Mac & Cheese, Pork, Beans, & Banana Pudding (sorry for zoomed out photo)

Catered Meal - Brisket, Sausage, Mac & Cheese, Pork, Beans, & Banana Pudding (sorry for zoomed out photo)

Gebby's BBQ & Catering - Brisket Mac Bowl

Brisket Mac Bowl

Gebby's BBQ & Catering

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Franklin Barbecue - bbq - Updated May 2026

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