First off, I'm so glad I made it here today. Just found out it's their last day ever! I bought Al pastor ribs, turkey, lean brisket, a smoked hamburger with bacon, and a peach glazed pork belly biscuit. I just had to stock up! The service was so sweet, and the wait was short. I consumed the hamburger on the spot. It was amazing & perfectly cooked. I'll try the other items tonight! read more

See all

This past Sunday at midday was gorgeous so I ventured over to The Buzzmill for a lite afternoon snack from JNL BBQ and a pint from The Buzzmill. One of my favourite snacks is the BLT with a slice of their smoked Cajun Butter Turkey Breast added for good measure however Ben suggested that I try the Bacon, Turkey, and Guacamole sandwich that was on the Sunday Brunch menu that out turned out to be a big winner for me with the amazing combination of the smoked turkey, house cured and smoked bacon, and a very savory guacamole and for digestive purposes only, I had a pint of the Pecan Porter draft from The Buzzmill. I definitely need to start frequenting JNL more when I'm in town. read more

See all

Solid BBQ. As good, maybe better, than Terry Black's. They do some specialty menu items on certain days of the week/month. Recommend coming during the day when it's hot outside, there won't be a line. read more

JNL Barbecue - Two meat platter - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

JNL Barbecue is seriously underrated when it comes to best barbecue joints in Austin and I KNOW it's going to blow up in popularity once more people catch wind about how amazing it is! I got a big spread on their final day at the brick and mortar location on E Cesar Chavez before they return to Buzzmill and enjoyed every single bite! SERVICE - The gentleman and lady who helped prepare all the meats, sides, and sandwiches could not have been nicer! The guy arranging the meats by the pound kept the slicing area super clean and took such delicate care arranging each item on the tray... it was truly like art! He cut off a few small pieces of burnt ends as complimentary samples for us and the people behind us in line while we waited AND included a few pieces of burnt ends from the pastrami (part of the special that day) on our tray for free. Amazing customer service and made the experience of ordering barbecue even more enjoyable! PRICING - The total was just over $200 after tax but before tip for all of the following: * 2 lbs brisket * 1 lb pork ribs * 1 lb turkey * 0.5 lb pulled prok * 2 BLT sandwiches * 1 pastrami sandwich * Pint of green beans * Pint of mac & cheese BRISKET (9.5/10) - I'd put this brisket right up there with Franklin and Interstellar BBQ, which are my two favorites in Austin. Incredibly tender and moist, as you would expect with any brisket in Texas. The bark has great flavor but the seasoning is light so the flavor of the meat really shines which is exactly what you want for great brisket. AL PASTOR PORK RIBS (9.5/10) - Some of the BEST pork ribs I've ever had! They were SO tender, but not to the point where the meat is actually falling off the bone (which is a good thing because you want to still be able to eat it like a rib). The al pastor seasoning on the outside is delicious! PULLED PORK (8/10) - Pulled pork is never going to be the highlight of my barbecue platter but I always love to try it out anyway. It was tender, juicy, and had great flavor. It pairs nicely with the sauce since it's Carolina style with a vinegar base. CAJUN BUTTER TURKEY (8/10) - Similar to the pulled pork, turkey is just never going to be the BBQ hero and that's okay because Thanksgiving is it's day to shine. That being said, this turkey was very juicy (it's hard not to be when doused in butter) and wasn't dry at all. The seasoning is a little more peppery than the bark on the brisket which helps make up for the lack of natural flavor turkey has. BLT SANDWICH (10/10) - I understand it's just a BLT sandwich but this was the BEST BLT sandwich I have ever had and probably ever will have in my life. I'd probably trade a kidney to have an endless supply of these... it's that good! There are no words for that bacon besides LIFE CHANGING! PASTRAMI SANDWICH (9/10) - This was a special... half pound of pastrami served on a dark pumpernickel with housemade 512 Pecan Porter mustard and pickled red onions. The pastrami was INCREDIBLY flavorful... wow! The mustard and pickled onions were delicious as well... it was just hard to beat the BLT. MOM'S GREEN BEANS (7.5/10) - When you add that bacon into anything, it's going to be good! These were a nice palate cleanser between bites of meat! MAC & CHEESE (8.5/10) - SO CREAMY! Pretty basic flavor wise but the texture was incredible! Having good mac n' cheese with my barbecue always elevates the experience and this didn't disappoint! I almost don't want to tell people about JNL Barbecue because I don't want to have to wait in ridiculously long lines to get it... but if you're reading this review, the secret is already out. If you want a barbecue place where ANYTHING you get is going to be amazing, JNL has you covered! read more

See all

I really enjoyed this place; in terms of taste and quality, it's close to Terry Black's. The highlight for me was the al pastor pork ribs, which were super tender and had perfect flavor. Some of the best I've ever had. The brisket was great too, no complaints. Another thing that really impressed me was the sauce, tangy with just the right kick. My only minor gripe is the sides, which were only ok. Some of the prices are also a little high. Another plus: There was no line, which is rare for good barbeque. read more

JNL Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Quality meat. Quality Service. Quality Sauce. Austin and Texas are no strangers to making some mean BBQ, and JNL is now one of my faves. My friends and I ordered the ribs (Al pastor style), brisket and turkey. Everything was smoked to perfection and the sauce helped the meal come all together. I wish I would've ordered more of the ribs because they were phenomenal! Don't skip on this item when you're here- the seasoning is delicious! read more

JNL Barbecue - the outside of the restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Exicited to check out JNL at the location that had previously hosted La Barbecue and Kebab Inn. The choice of sides--potato salad, beans, mac, green beans--suggest it shares Franklin's old-school approach to BBQ, but the meats are definitely trying to be innovative. The results were good, but a bit hit-or-miss. What was good was the delicious brisket, as befits owner/pitmaster Ben Lambert's experience at Franklin BBQ. The Cajun Butter Turkey Breast was moist and tasty, though I could have used a bit more cajun seasoning. I also loved the green beans, cooked with bacon. However, there were some significant misses. Most of all was the al pastor pork ribs. Lamber says that it's in homage to his favorite taco style, and smothers the ribs in an al pastor-like chile marinade. But the marinade never seemed to get into the meat, resting instead only on the surface. Likewise, the coffee & chili rubbed pork tenderloin was an intriguing use of a rarely-seen BBQ cut. But while the tenderloin itself was tender and moist, the coffee and chili bark didn't add much. I think they're just too dry/astringent flavors for such a lean cut. Overall, I still think JNL is a good BBQ option, especially if you're coming from the airport. I applaud the experimentation, but there's still a little room to improve on the execution. read more

JNL Barbecue - Brisket, Al Pastor Pork Ribs, Cajun Butter Turkey Breast, Coffee & Chili Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, Mom's Grean Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

I don't know if it was the smell of the smoked brisket or the kind and welcoming attitude from the owner that made me want to try this food.....ok, I can't lie... it was the smell first, but the kindness made it even better! When I attempted to go yesterday, they were already sold out, but I told him I would be back the next day, in which I kept my promise. I believe the owners are a married couple, who both exerted great energy and customer service. They saw I was a first responder, and gave a discount. But more importantly, you want to know about the food... let's just say it's 5 stars for a reason. The brisket is off the chain! And they are one of the few places that actually know how to make good potato salad! I am so glad I live so close, because I know I will be a consistent customer! read more

JNL Barbecue - The smell from this truck lingered me in... - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Chopped brisket sando was amazing. Corn was okay. Vibes were immaculate. However wait time was rough--55 minutes from arrival to plate. Would go again on a lazy day, but not as a stop en route to the airport. read more

JNL Barbecue - Chopped brisket sandwich, creamed corn - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Tried their food truck outside of the Buzz Mill. Best cole slaw I've had in my life. Great service and friendly staff as well. read more

JNL Barbecue - Thinly sliced cole slaw with a healthy oil and vinegar based dressing. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Old school BBQ food truck serving some of the best smoked meats in Texas. . : Food (5/5 Stars): Again - no doubt some of the best smoked brisket we've tried in Texas! They offer a simple menu of meats, sandwiches/plates, and sides. The Brisket and Carolina-Style Pulled Pork were both SO tender, moist, and delicious. The other meats (Cajun Butter Turkey, Pork Ribs) were already sold out when we arrived - so definitely try to get there early! The sides did not disappoint either - especially Mom's Green Beans. . : Service (5/5): Fast and friendly service! The staff were very welcoming and happy to give recommendations. Our food was ready within minutes of ordering. . : Atmosphere (5/5 Stars): Very casual atmosphere - located inside of Buzz Mill. Plenty of picnic tables with fans to keep you cool outside. read more

JNL Barbecue - 3 Meat Plate with Brisket (x2), Carolina Style Pulled Pork, Mom's Green Beans, & Pinto Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Welcome to some of my favorite bbq in Austin List JNL BBQ! This was a great experience from both the service and food standpoint. I would say that this bbq has its own unique style it's Texas BBQ with a twist. The ribs fall if the bone, the brisket was moist tender and most of all flavorful. The hidden jewel here is the Turkey! Yes I said it! They changed the game for me with their smoked Turkey that wasn't dry, had great flavor (buttery). I could have really eaten a whole pound of just the Turkey. The owners were very friendly and accommodating and very gracious hosts. Definitely a must!! read more

JNL Barbecue - 3 meat plate with brisket sausage and ribs. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Mmmm yum! JNL Barbecue is located in the Buzz Mill Shady backyard. The pitmasters are Franklin BBQ alum and it shows. The brisket was perfectly moist. JNL is definitely smoking top-tier meat in a very competitive town. I'm happy that I can eat such good brisket with NO LINE! The pulled pork and pork ribs were tasty too. The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender. The sauce leans on the more vinegar-y side. No complaints about the potato salad. Go check out JNL! You'll be glad you did. PRO TIP: When ordering brisket at any BBQ spot, you should always specify 'extra moist'! read more

JNL Barbecue - Brisket, pulled pork, and pork ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cajun butter turkey. That's it. That's the post. I wish I had photos but it didn't last long enough for a photo-op. Plus the staff are super lovely. read more

What a time to be (deathly afraid with the pandabeardemic climate) alive. As noted in the first review, this lil ol' food truck is located in the Buzz Mill Shady backyard surrounded by a few other specialty food trucks. I unfortunately was unable to pinpoint the other food trucks as I was just picking up food, but the place looked pretty cozy and nice. By the time I got to JNL Barbecue around 2PM, they only pulled pork and ribs left! If that's already any indication of their popularity, well park your horseas cowfolk and get yourself some early barbecue! Inside(maybe?)/Outside - N/A I can't give the surrounding area a score as I only picked up food, but I imagine since it's next to Buzz Mill you may be able to bring food inside? I'll swing back around when we're allowed to play outside again to check, but if anyone knows beforehand let me know! Otherwise the outside is huge with plenty of picnic tables and relaxed scenery. I enjoyed the open sky and space while I waited for my food. Food - 5/5 My first go-around I got pulled pork sandwiches, a pint of pinto (say that three times fast) beans, and a pint of potato salad (say this maybe once). First off - damn the pulled pork sandwiches were g o o d. Starting from the outside-in, the buns were fluffy and large! A great juxtaposition to the juicy pulled pork and slaw in the inside. The crew really were generous with the portion that I ended up only eating half of the sandwich. TIP - make sure you eat 'em hot! Or the meat will get tough as it cools down. The beans were had a nice viscous sauce, not too runny, with enough sweetness. The potato salad was chunky, but soft - love me a good potato salad. Service - 5/5 Food trucks are hard to grade because a person's interaction is usually with the order and pick-up of food. Nevertheless the crew of two were in great spirits given the public health circumstances and conversed with me as I waited. Real fun and joyful individuals that I wouldn't mind getting a beer with. TLDR; Overall - 5/5 - Get food early or you'll miss the different meats! - Take a seat, the outside is nice and from what I can see in pics, Buzz Mill looks pretty dope too - Pulled pork sandwich is hefty and you can save some for later! Just make sure you eat it while it's hot - Talk to the crew; they're funny people and you'd get to know the locals just a bit more read more

JNL Barbecue - 15 March 2020 - Full on truck view - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Best bbq I've had. Seriously unbelievable, if you want to get away from the downtown area and enjoy a cool spot this is the place. It's situated inside of a market, has indoor seating and plenty of outdoor. Big beer selection in the fridges. The food was awesome. Went with ribs and brisket, both were insanely tender, barely had to chew lol. Loved the flavors of both. Coleslaw and smoked jalapeño are a must as well, the sauce was just right vinegary and a good amount of spice. Will for sure be back. The service here is also outstanding they really care and you can tell read more

JNL Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Had brunch at JNL BBQ and it was delicious. The sliced brisket was moist and had great flavor. Carne Guisada tacos were tender and were very flavorful. It's worth the trip to southeast Austin to get good food!!! read more

It's really hard for me to judge bbq since there's so many options in Austin! Ordered the 2 meat plate with green beans (has bacon so that's always good), pinto beans (had a charro bean feel so also good), brisket (moist, 'nuff said) , and turkey (nothing special but good). Also tried the pulled pork and this is where the miss is. Too much of a vinegar taste. Potato salad was average. Great location and service was friendly. read more

JNL Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

WOW! Simply amazed at this BBQ restaurant, nothing better than good old Texas BBQ! The brisket is moist and nice cuts! Love their BBQ sauce, it's homemade and comes out warm. Coleslaw is acidic, which i like. read more

JNL Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

I ordered the BBQ rib and sausage plate. The BBQ ribs were excellent, fall off the bone. The sausage tasted like rubber, not beef or pork. The BBQ sauce had too vinegar in it and the potato salad was ok. My daughter ordered a brisket plate. The brisket was tender, smoked well but the seasoning was missing. Just a small amount of salt used in the rub would have been the star. The Pinto beans were too salty, could not eat them. The owners were very nice and what small view we saw of the food court looked well. No recommendation at this time. read more

See all

Everything on the menu is fire but I especially love the smoky, meaty brisket burger.

Frozen wings. Not freshly smoked. They taste like smoked wings but they are also clearly frozen at some point because i can feel the coldness coming from the bones. The meat is tough. Shame because i can tell they are properly smoked. Freezing ruins the meat. read more

If have not been to JNL BBQ yet, it's time. I have heard great things about the brisket, bacon, Coffee and chili rubbed pork tender loin so i stopped by and it appears i ordered everything. It is one thing to cook brisket, it is another thing to understand how it works, and JNL knows. It was obvious in the LEAN. Absolutely amazing. Very moist, Is deep rich flavor, Not dry or ties like most lane you get at other places. I don't know which I liked better the lean or the moist. Absolutely fantastic. The house made bacon is a must if you're a bacon fan. I ate one pound of cooked bacon there and took 2 pounds home. The coffee chili rubbed pork tender loin was amazing. You will just have to try this for yourself. The pulled pork was moist and flavourful. Is solid sides across-the-board. I have to give one more shout out to the brisket. If you have been spooked by lean brisket in the past then this is your place. I will be returning as soon as i can read more

See all

The wings were pretty tasty with the golden sauce however they were SO SMALL and had NO MEAT on them and definitely way overpriced for the amount they give. Also not very smoky or crispy either. Probably won't be coming back due to the size of the wings. read more

Before and after moving to Austin, all I hear about are the food trucks, unique tacos, yoga, traffic, hiking...blah blah. Do not let the randomness of Austin allow your stomach to forget some good ol' BBQ. I wasn't even personally excited for BBQ, as I was #hashtagfat and prefer "hood" tacos as my go-to indulgence. Well, once I tried JNL-I was hooked. My stomach and taste buds had an epiphany and spoke to me. I've since tried their whole menu except their coleslaw as I personally DESPISE coleslaw (though I've only heard it was amazing). I have even had their food twice in the same day, by instinct, multiple times. Despite being #hashtagfat upon arrival, I have been able to associate their menu with my new diet and still maintain a decent physical and mental state. In fact, at times I feel like re-enlisting in the 'Corps again after getting out 8 years ago, as I feel so American every time I have me some JNL. I have tried other BBQ trucks and they simply just don't compare...I won't even try another. I have followed JNL since their time in the Shady Buzz Mill location. This business is family-owned and the "man on the grill" has cooked in the past for the premier/tourist BBQ spot in Austin (Franklin's). He has built his reputation and the lovely couple and staff add their own unique twist with passion. I truly believe this family has and always will have a passion for their cooking. Grab a bite and you won't be disappointed. At worst, the location they're at now (OG Buzz Mill) has plenty of other quality options, but I suggest you don't forget about some good 'ol BBQ...as JNL is way better. read more

Amazing, gotta get there early though the city of Austin already knows about this place. The staff too are the best thank you jnl I'll be back tomorrow for that spicy burger I saw. read more

Amazing barbeque! Probably the best I've ever had. Consistent every time no matter what you get.

Stopped by on Mother's Day and they did not disappoint. The brisket had a great smoke on it and was very tender. My favorite is their smoked turkey! It melts in your mouth and is so juicy. We usually order for Thanksgiving dinner and is a big hit with my family. The sides are excellent, cannot go wrong with the pinto beans and the mac and cheese is the best I've every had. Give them a try at their brick and mortar restaurant. They have a casual inside and outside seating. Go early as they do sell out. read more

The couple that runs this trailer are the nicest, sweetest people I've had the pleasure of buying bbq from. They are just so friendly. Even after I ordered a brisket plate, the dude offered me a free little bit of brisket to eat while I waited. But the bbq is DELICIOUS. Omg I'm so glad there's bbq close by now because the food these guys make is way above average. The brisket is my favorite, but the turkey and ribs are just as good. They even do whole turkey's for Thanksgiving! There's hardly ever a long line either (which there honestly should be). I'd take advantage of their short lines now before the place pops off. My only suggestion is to add mashed potatoes to the menu!! read more

All I can say is MUST TRY!! We just moved here from Coppell, Texas. Our daughter insisted we come to Buzz Mill for HH. We wanted to try a new Food Truck. Delicious food, fabulous service and locally owned!! Support small businesses in Texas! read more

Amazing barbecue!!! The Sunday special (BLT) and tacos are truly heavenly. Ben and Sarah are both sincerely committed to their craft and it shows in every aspect of the JNL menu. Pro tip: add turkey and sliced jalapeños to the BLT for a sandwich that will haunt you in your dreams. They absolutely nail the Texas barbecue standards (brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and smoked turkey), but don't sleep on the sides!! Honestly, the love that they put into every menu item is apparent from the moment you take a bite and you will not regret trying this out. They 100% hold their own with all of the major barbecue players in central Texas and, dare I say it, they just might be #1. read more

JNL Barbecue - Sunday Special: BLT + Turkey with sliced jalapeños - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

So freaking good and the owner is ridiculously nice. Everything I tried was amazing and I'll definitely be back.

The 5 stars are definitely worthy of this place. The brisket juicy (we purchased mixed lean and wet). The beans bomb !!! Smokey, peppery, and so worth getting. The kids loved the pork ribs, commented they were tender and well seasoned. So much so no bbq needed to enjoy. The potato salad great, but needed salt otherwise flavorful. Nice outdoor spot for such great Spring Break weather!!! This is why I miss Austin and it's bbq spots. Houston's bbq is poopy and nothing to write home about. As stated above, Definitely 5 starts and will return! This spot is worthy of a weekend drive just to eat and chill. read more

Really great food. Got the chopped beef sandwich and it was worth every dollar. Everyone inside was great, and i'm looking forward to coming back in the future. read more

Pulled pork sandwich tasted like it had been cooked in an oven. Zero smoke. Zero flavor. With so many really good options in ATX, don't waste your time. read more

Great food. I've tried just about everything on the menu except two items. The quality is awesome and they put a lot of effort into making great BBQ. I highly recommend them. read more

See all

The little train that could of Austin BBQ. Give them a try. Husband and wife team with a dream and a big smoker!!!

Ok ... so .... BBQ in Austin I know what you are thinking, Franklin and for good reason. Ben, owner and pit master of JNL, spent 5 years at Franklin before opening JNL with his lady. Located in the super kitchy , rustic, delightfully hip outdoor food truck court Buzz Mill you are in for a real treat. Simple menu overall Brisket ,AL Pastore style pork ribs, cajun style turkey , sausage , and pulled pork. An array of sides, even bacon by the order of slab. In the tradition of any mom and pop BBQ spot they run out when they run out. I went with the brisket and pulled pork, potato salad, and green beans.... Now, I've eaten BBQ all over this amazing country and have had the best of the best of ALL of it and JNL has the absolute best beef brisket I've ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth! I cut it with with a plastic fork and the smoke ring on this brisket said one thing to me ... this man knows what he's doing. The pulled pork was surprisingly DELICIOUS, I was just in Memphis at my beloved Marlows and I have to say side by side JNL got em beat. The house BBQ sauce, tomato based, nice spice and balance of flavor. The potato salad was delicious, tasted like Mom used to make and the green beans ( duh my poor heart give it some green ) were excellent. This whole spread was BOMB ! So incredibly impressed with JNL! Austin get your butts over here NOW! Joe P , you are 3 for 3 my good man ... amazing recommendation. read more

See all

This place is as good if not better than all the big name Central Texas barbeque spots! read more

JNL Barbecue - Unbelievably good!! - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Haven't even finished my meal yet and I had to pause to write this review. I'll forever remember this moment as the time I tried the best barbecue human is capable of crafting. The brisket is smoked perfectly with the sticky fat you'd hope to get from an expert smoker, but the Cajun butter turkey.. Oh my God.. The Cajun butter turkey has the most fabulous taste I think I've ever experienced. I could try to explain it but words don't do it justice. Try it for yourself and you'll understand. read more

JNL Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas