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It was ok. I gave it a little bit of a higher review because nothing was really that bad, but I was not impressed. It was good, but not Michelin quality. First of all, this place has a super small ordering area. While I appreciated the efficiency of the ordering once I got in there, they can only take one order at a time. This means that lines snake outside the place and it can take forever to order. I waited in line for about an hour. Not great, but not a dealbreaker. As for the food, the brisket and chipotle sausage were lukewarm by the time I got it to the table. I think they slice and handle the meats so much that it cools quicker. The meats tasted good, but the temperature might be the problem. The sausage was also way too crumbly, but it tasted great! The presentation of the meats could have been better, especially with LeRoy's doing it elevated. I really liked the mac and cheese. That was hot! I actually disliked the BBQ sauces. The original was fine, but the rest were too vinegary. People talk about the service being great. Maybe I was there on a bad day because the service was average. I didn't have an issue, but they didn't wow me. I also found out that I was supposed to get free beer? Where? Why did nobody tell me this? The one saving grace was compared to other higher end BBQ spots, this place was more economical. I paid about $30 for two meats, a drink, and a side. Not too bad! I think I wanted to like this place more, but was disappointed. I gave it a 4 because it was fine and had some good meats. However, it's not as good as LeRoy and I don't know why it (and Interstellar) have a star in the first place. It was fun to try, but I think I'm a one and done
I found bbq SO DIFFICULT to acquire in Austin, even though it's around every corner. The barbecue places tend to be so popular that they either sell out or are closed on odd days. We visited La Barbecue, unplanned, on a suggestion from a local friend. You definitely have to have patience as we waited in line for about an hour before ordering and sitting down. There is a line that forms outside in the hot sun as they only let one customer group in at a time to order at the counter . However, they are thoughtful and they have some complementary umbrellas to help shade you while you're standing outside. Once you get inside the process includes ordering at the register, paying at the register and they will bring it out to your table. We arrived and joined the line around 1 PM and eat around 2 PM. By the time we ordered they added three items to the out of stock list (including the one item I was interested in). The food was fine for me. I'm sure it's so popular because it's amazing to people that love barbecue. I did enjoy the mac & cheese and the slices of bread that I ordered on the side. Overall, give yourself some extra time for parking in the tight parking lot adjacent as well as to wait in line for your food. Arrive early maybe that helps with reducing the wait time!
I was so eager to try La Barbeque after its recent Michelin star acquisition! We got there shortly before 5pm but the line was already out the door and they'd run out of everything except pulled pork and chili. This was a bummer, but we made the best of it and had pulled pork sandwiches + a pint of chili to share. Pulled pork was tender and good, but the chili to me was the winner. Super flavorful and very delicious! Sides were average IMO - potato salad was too mustard heavy for my liking and black beans were just basic, nothing special. We didn't take advantage of this but they also offer customers free beer with the meal. Make sure you do your research and arrive here early if you want to try the chopped brisket which is what they're actually known for! We will be back to give it another try.
I'm grateful that they allow you to order ahead and pick up when you get there. The process was super convenient. However, my meal was hit and miss. The hits: Brisket - absolutely amazing. One of the best I've ever had. Mac&Cheese- I would come back to Austin just for this Mac& cheese. The misses: Sausage- skin was tough, it wasn't sliced and the meat was dry. One of the worst I've had from a bbq place-bordering on criminal. Beans- avoid! No flavor at all. Not even salt. I ate about as much as what you see on the picture. Bread charge- just charge me more for the meat . Why charge for something that should come standard. Not going to break the bank but it was weird. Was I glad I tried it? Yes. Do I recommend this place? Yes as they could've had a bad day with the sausage. 5 stars for the brisket, Mac and ordering ahead (with no minimum). The beans and sausage dropped it down to 3.
My friend and I headed over to la Barbecue (that's pronounced L.A. not like lala land) after hearing that their BBQ is the best in Austin! Now when doing BBQ spots in Austin, everyone wants to know about the wait! We went on a Saturday right around Noon and ended up waiting 90 minutes in line to order. Their playlist was soooo~ good though! Myself and others in line were boppin' to Keyshia Cole & Billie Eilish which made the wait not half bad. The brisket is nice and juicy. Pork ribs were also nicely seasoned, plump and lovely. I really like that they had 4 options of BBQ sauces and enjoyed trying them all. Admittedly though I enjoyed the basic one the best on my proteins. The mac & cheese was spicy and so cheesy, loved this and enjoyed it as leftovers, too! And then I met my match. They only serve the Beef Ribs on weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) and I so highly recommend them. Oh my goodness, it was the best thing ever. The thick crust was so full of well seasoned flavor, it was heavenly. I wish I could eat this every day for the rest of my life. Open a LA la Barbecue please! :P Staff was nice, food was worth the wait and even the bathrooms were cool here.
Brisket A+ moist, consist throughout, just missing a little kick on the bark like Franklin Pork B- just not hittin with smoke/flavor Pork Rib A+ fall off the bone, great sauces flavor Shells- A really good, had that south west spice and some peppers on there that were good. The line moved in a real weird way only letting one ordering group inside at a time. I could see how this might be frustrating if you were deep in the line. But I had a great experience!
Overall high 4.5 stars...Not many talk about the pork ribs but those to me were the standout ...tender enough to fall off the bones with first bite. Brisket was good tasty but not as tender as I imagined but still very good. BBQ sauce was delicious. Turkey was tender but a bit salty for me. No sausage or beef ribs when we finally made it in the door ... arrived Sun at 1145 in line and finally ordered at just before 1? There's plenty of picnic table seating outside and inside. Potato salad was good... I liked the mustard taste and esp the dill, kimchi picked cucumbers are a must try... quite good!... spicy chipol cole slaw had no sweetness and disappointed me since with all the saltiness a bit of sweet slaw would have been great.
I've always seen the line for La Barbecue whenever I'm at Rockman, so this time I finally decided to commit. I got in line around 10:30 AM and didn't have food in hand until 12:30 PM -- so expect a 1-2 hour wait, depending on where you land in line. That said, there were some real highlights. We loved the pork ribs and brisket. They were perfectly tender, fall-off-the-bone, and honestly amazing piled onto the bread with pickled onions, jalapeños, and a little sauce. That combo was delicious . For sides, the mac and cheese was hands down the best one they have: super creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. Definitely don't skip it. That said, the jalapeño sausage didn't quite live up to the hype. It was a bit colder and saltier than expected, and not as flavorful as everyone says it is. Shoutout to the staff, who were incredibly sweet and even handed out free beer to people waiting in line, which definitely made the long wait more tolerable. Pro tip: have one person from your group stand in line while someone else saves a table for your party -- it makes the experience way less stressful.
This was our backup bbq spot and so glad we ended up here. Waited in line for about 30 mins. Arrived there around 2pm. As we waited they sold out of the beef ribs, tradition sausage and brisket. We ended up getting what they had left which was pork ribs, chipotle sausage and chopped brisket. The pork ribs were falling off the bone tender and were delicious. The sausage as just okay and the chopped brisket was pretty good. I bet the sliced brisket would have been way better. The shells and cheese were excellent! They had several sauces available at the table. They had patio and indoor seating. Service was fast and friendly. Gave it a 4 star since we didn't get to try the items they were sold out of.
"Fa La La La La La La Barbecue." The holiday season is about family. It's about togetherness. It's about finding comfort in the people around you. Why not celebrate the people around you with slabs of brisket? I have been waiting for the right moment to check out La Barbecue. It is one of the only few "major" barbecue joints in Austin that I have yet to visit. With me on this beautiful Sunday morning was my cousin and her fiancé, plus my other cousin and her boyfriend who were both visiting from Virginia. They were finally going to get a true taste of Texas barbecue for the first time that is not called Rudy's. We got to La Barbecue a little after 10:00 am and there was no line, so we grabbed some coffee across the street before getting in line. By 10:30, the line had turned the corner, and by 11:00 am it had grown quite a bit. La Barbecue lets one party in at a time, so expect to spend some time waiting outside. The good news is they offer two free pours of beer from Zilker Brewing per customer, and they had them available while you waited in line, which rocks. We were the second party in line and quickly realized that La Barbecue moves pretty slowly. One thing I've learned on this barbecue journey is to not rush greatness. By 11:15, we were finally sitting down with our motherland of food. The team at La Barbecue was very kind and welcoming. Our order totaled around $150 plus tip, which felt pretty fair for barbecue. I'll break down everything on the plate. Brisket: I love a brisket where the lean is almost as flavorful as the fatty. Everyone can do moist brisket right, but when the lean is exceptional like it is here, whew mama. Pork Ribs: You do not often see pork ribs come out pre-sauced like these did. The ribs were excellent. Not revolutionary, but extremely solid and very flavorful. The sauce on top really added to the experience. Traditional Sausage: La Barbecue offers three different sausages. We tried both the traditional and the chipotle. The traditional sausage is significantly spicier than most places' versions and has a great bite to it. I liked it quite a bit. Chipotle Sausage: This one was milder than the traditional and the mildest option on their menu. It was good, but the traditional sausage was significantly better. Shells & Cheese: People say that La Barbecue's mac and cheese is the best in Texas, and I think they are right. The shells and cheese here is next level and easily some of the best I have ever had. It is well seasoned with spice from the jalapeño and poblano peppers and is just simply gas. We ate a quart of it. No joke. Chipotle Slaw: Another solid side and a nice spicy take on slaw. Beans: Their black beans are also spicier than traditional black beans, and they were solid. Potato Salad: This is a mustard-based potato salad. I am not a big mustard guy, but I can admit that this would be good for the right people. After we destroyed our tray, I went to the bathroom to wash my hands and was immediately shocked by the club-like atmosphere. Between the mural of a club crowd, a spinning disco ball, and an LED sign that said "Fantasy," I was taken aback. It was pretty funny. This is easily a top five barbecue joint in my opinion and absolutely deserving of its Michelin star. Most of the sides are spicier and more seasoned than what you'll find at other barbecue joints, so if you are spice intolerant, be warned. The parking lot can be a little chaotic, especially if you arrive after opening. I had no problem getting a spot when no one was in line, so my best advice is simple. If you are not early, you are late. Wait an hour before they open so you do not wait two hours on the backend instead. Trust me. La La La La La. RIYL: Texas barbecue with a kick.
There's a reason it's received a Michelin star. The brisket doesn't try to be something it's not and is well seasoned, the fat is rendered down and Smokey and sweet and melts in your mouth and the flat is extremely tender and still moist. The bark is well developed and had a nice little crunch to it. The pork ribs are probably my favorite here of all the places in Austin where it comes sauced but it is very balanced and not too sweet. It goes really well with a little bit of their vinegar sauce at the table. Nearly fall off the bone and can be cut with a plastic fork. As for the sausages, my group and I tried the jalapeño sausage and the chipotle sausage. The jalapeño sausage has a nice jalapeño kick in it and is worth it. As for the chipotle sausage, I'd say it's 4/5 as it was a bit saltier and while the flavor is good, just didn't hit the spot for me. A little unique thing I recommend trying is to get the brisket chili and the shells and cheese and mixing them together. That flavor combination was amazing! As for service, the place was a bit small so get here early but the staff was friendly and attentive.
This may have been my first time trying TX BBQ and it was AMAZING!!! I'm so happy I got to try this very popular spot while visiting Austin for a few days. When we got to La Barbecue there was line around the corner!!! Apparently, there's some Michelin star talk and it shows. Luckily, we ordered in advance and my coworker just walked in past the line and grabbed out order and we were headed back to our hotel to enjoy. Literally everything was incredible! But that BRISKET, honey! Magnificent. It almost melted in my mouth, it was so tender, juicy and yummy!!! The mac was insanely good!!! The bbq sauce was also the sar of the show. I wish I had a bigger stomach to fit more food LOL. read more
6 months ago
This may easily be the best barbecue I've had in Texas. And that is saying a lot. I've lived in Houston for 5 years and Austin for 3 years. I've eaten a lot of barbecue over that time. But when I went here with my wife, I was blown away. It's a bit of a wait to get the food as there is usually a line out of the door. But it is well worth it. read more
6 months ago
Was recommended to come here over terry b bbq! It was great! We ordered the brisket, pork ribs, jalepeno sausage, pulled pork sandwich, shells and cheese, beans and potato salad. Everything was delicious! The brisket and pork ribs were super tender and went great with their bbq sauce! I also really liked the mac and cheese. read more
6 months ago
6 months ago
TLDR: la Barbecue turns out solid Central Texas barbecue, but the Michelin star feels undeserved given the uneven experience. Due to the wait, I don't recommend a visit. Overview: East Austin's la Barbecue sits on East Cesar Chavez with a backyard pit and a bright, casual dining room. It carries a single Michelin Star and is now run by owner-pitmaster Ali Clem, continuing the legacy of the late LeAnn Mueller. Parking is mostly neighborhood street spots with a few paid options nearby. The set-up is counter service by the pound. The ordering process is incredibly inefficient. On my visit, the line stretched to roughly two hours, wrapping around the corner of the restaurant and reaching the houses directly behind it. Despite this demand, the dining room itself was half-empty. They let one group in at a time to order and pay before waving another in. Therefore, each group takes a few minutes to order: multiply this by 30+ groups waiting, and you get a line that moves at a snail's pace... almost literally. Food: I ordered the Texas trinity with chipotle slaw and shells and cheese. The brisket was solid: moist and beefy with a pepper-forward bark. It was a little greasy, but the slices were still good. The pork ribs came with a shiny, sweet glaze. They were tender and came right off the bone with a tug. I got both of their flavored sausages: jalapeño and chipotle. Unfortunately, they were both cold. The texture and moisture were fine. The jalapeño link brought a real green heat, while the chipotle link tasted a lot like a standard sausage with minimal extra depth. The sides were uneven. The chipotle slaw had crunch but almost no flavor. The shells and cheese were made with pimento: creamy and lightly sweet. They were satisfying but not exceptional. No desserts available during my visit. Prices are in line with other Austin spots: brisket at $36/lb, pork ribs at $31/lb, and house sausages at $5.25 per link. Final Thoughts: The meat is good, but the overall experience does not justify a Michelin star, and the slow, inefficient line makes the payoff feel modest. If you collect Austin barbecue stops, you'll find dependable brisket and respectable ribs. If you are weighing limited time, there are smoother, equally strong options in town that respect both your appetite and your afternoon. The star raises expectations that the operation does not meet. read more
Everything went well here if you must know. From the food to the ambience and the staff, perfect isn't something that I can easily say. No long lines, quick service, and bets of all the meats were just soo tender the juicy. I honestly cannot eat any other bbq places back in SoCal after coming here. It is also easily top 3 for me in Austin. Glad our friends took us here. Perfection. read more
1 year ago
They say Anthony Bourdain was in Austin and stopped by a place I won't name here and said he had life changing brisket there. Well he must've made up his mind on it after stopping there because the line at La Barbecue was too long. Today it was dang long as well and was even getting frustrated waiting there. Upon taking that first bite the frustration was washed away by a tidal wave of flavor. First things first. Brisket. Soon as you walk in they give you a sample. They could've slapped me in the face with a slice and I would've been tongue out drooling begging for it. It's WORTH IT. Just dang delicious brisket. This is Texas brisket. Un matched. Now moving onto the ribs. Another flavor punch. They put BBQ sauces on the table. Why? Ribs are coated with deliciousness. Bones slip right out. Seriously I went to pick up a rib and put it in my mouth for a bite, I bit down on bone because I wasn't paying attention and all the meat stayed on the tray! Once I finally got some meat in my mouth the pepper packed punch hit me nice and hard. Flavor flavor flavor! The slaw also fire. I do mean hot. Chipotle sausage, excellent. Beans pretty darn good. Overall place is a fair size. Outdoor seating is ample. The wait is worth it. They even provide umbrellas in case it starts to rain. Staff are very friendly. I think even saw the chef owner walk in while eating. Always awesome to see a master chef practicing their craft. She was probably out back checking on the smokers. read more
6 months ago
It was good food, but it wasn't astounding by any means. I ordered 1/2 lbs brisket, a jalapeño sausage, and a side of mac n cheese. The mac n cheese was good, and it might be the best mac n cheese I've had in Texas (which isn't saying much imo). The brisket was also pretty good, but I hold central Texas brisket to a high standard, especially since Lockhart is so close, and this brisket was nothing to go bragging about. The sausage was the worst thing I ordered. The line was pathetically slow, and watching it move was like watching water boil. Also, in terms of ambiance, I'm currently sitting here listening to them blast "Get Low," and I'm unsure if that's the vibe I'm looking for at a BBQ place haha. Overall, good food, but given the hype and the time I spent in the line, I wasn't too impressed and probably won't be coming back. read more
We got here later in the day, so they were sold out of the ribs unfortunately.... I ended up getting a sloppy joe, but not just any old Joe, a brisket sloppy joe. It was delicious! The brisket was cooked and seasoned perfectly, the sandwich was balanced with spice and acid, and the bun held up to the sloppy. We also got some Beans and slaw, which I actually thought were both pretty boring and bland (the Mac N Cheese was sold out which I am guessing is because it is great). They also have a small list of local beers if you are thirsty. read more
La Barbecue was awesome. We timed it perfectly late on a Wednesday afternoon. I've attempted to dine here at least a few times and there's always a long line. Not today, although a line formed as soon as we were done ordering! The sides were delicious as well as the mains of brisket, sausage, tater salad, slaw, and all the fixin's. The dining area and the ladies were charming and businesslike! Loved the sauces, beer / beverage selection & the nanner puddin'. I will surely return. read more
L.A. BBQ in Austin was the first of 3 BBQ stops that I stopped by. The moment I walked in, I already knew this would be another great joint when the staff offered my friends and me a taste test of the brisket. There is an outdoor seating area to sit where we devoured our BBQ. We ordered a variety of meats from the brisket (which was amazing and tasted like I imagined out of Texas), the pork ribs (smokey and sauced perfectly), pulled pork (surprisingly good), and a sausage (Texas classic) along with other sides. The flavors were redundant with all of them being pepper-based but they were ridiculously tender. The side of the slaw was just average but the pickled pickles and jalapenos were amazing and a must-try. The staff was super welcoming and made great recommendations (though I feel like they could have warned us for slightly overordering) Plus, the prices are super reasonable for the quality of BBQ you're getting (Just under $200 after tax and tip). L.A. BBQ was a great choice to start off my BBQ journey and I would recommend others to come try this 1 Michelin-star place. read more
Let me sum it up, looks better than it taste. Sadly the wait and BBQ is not worth the hype. Having frequented Terry Blacks, Franklins, Interstellar, Snows, etc. I like to think BBQ is my thing, that said I wanted to like this place. Start with the obnoxiously long and slow moving line. Add to it the bar across the street which you can get drinks from but you shall not enjoy while waiting in like (per their petty sign/policy). When you finally arrive at the front door you'll be greeted by 1) what they are sold out of 2) continuing to wait until you are "waived" in. Not a great experience just getting in the place. While waiting you'll see plenty of empty seating inside and in the patio, why you ask? The answer is pretty obvious, one "group" at a time allowed in and there is one person slicing up the BBQ, at a snails pace. Compare this to Terry Blacks where there is usually no less than 4 people working registers and slinging BBQ. Things could easily move faster here if they put a little more effort into their counter service or maybe use an app to place your order while standing in line, or walk the line like Franklins and ask folks what they want, lots of options to fix this. As for the BBQ, it looks amazing, but the pork ribs, brisket, sausage, and sides are ok, on par with what you expect from someone in Texas who knows how to do BBQ. Personally the amount of seasoning and heavy handed use of pepper, doesn't add much. The bark and Smokey flavor is ok, but I think I get more out of my Traeger. The Mac and cheese and turkey was probably my favorite, but not good enough to stand in a long line for. The pulled pork is just gross, very gamey, heavy pork flavor, and just not good. A few pounds will easily cost you $100+ and 1-2 hours of waiting in line. There's not much sitting room inside so even after you get your food you might be standing around waiting for a table unless you opt to sit outside or just pack it up to go. Overall myself and guest were not impressed, spent part of our day and a few hundred dollars for at best "typical" BBQ, certainly not Michelin caliber. If you haven't been and have some time and money to burn then have at it, but if you want to spare yourself either the time or money you won't be missing out on much. read more
Meats: beef ribs (fri-sun only) the best. then pork ribs, then jalapeño sausage, and lastly the brisket Mac n cheese is also very tasty and would recommend. More on the creamy liquidy side. The wait is definitely real. We got there 45 minutes before opening time at 11. We were about third one line. The line really picked up around 10:45am. It moves very slowly because they only take in 1 group at a time. Inside, they have really vibey bathrooms! The left one is more club vibes. The right one has a disco ball inside. Worth checking out for fun read more
Be ready to wait in line! It is overall worth it if you are into the bbq scene here in Austin, especially for a place with a Michelin star. I will say, while I agree it deserves that star, it was not as good as some of the other heavy hitters I've had in town, like Leroy and Lewis. The sides were excellent tho, I am still thinking about the Mac and cheese and both the pork and beef ribs were unreal. There is a small indoor area but most the seating is outside. Must hit for any Austin local. read more
1 year ago
After two failed attempts today, we finally got an opportunity to try la Barbecue, one of three bbq Michelin restaurants in Austin. I met a girlfriend of mine there for a birthday lunch and we targeted to get there by 10:30 since the place opens at 11 and the two failed attempts arrived with my husband at 11 when the line was super long and then another time I arrive with my brother at 11:30 am and the line was even longer. So our strategy today was to get to the restaurant by 10:15 am and already there were people sitting in the tables in front of la barbecue and I thought are they serving breakfast now. The customers were just sitting patiently . My initial thought was this was not original idea to get here early so we formed a line fortunately I was probably sixth in line so basically two other parties in front of us but they were about 50 people behind us. This is even before the place opens. I'm told that during the week is not quite this congested however, today the whole time we were, there was a constant line. I had the ribs and brisket and it's important to know that I'm not a brisket eater. After the brisket sample, I couldn't resist. It was perfectly cooked brisket. I also had pork ribs which were equally delicious. My sides were this mustard, flavored potato salad, which was so good and a chipotle slaw, which was very good as well. My friend had pulled pork and ribs and she loved her items and she also got some of the macaroni and cheese shells. I tried her macaroni and cheese shells. I'm sure most people considered these the bomb but I thought they were good not great. We both got their world, famous banana pudding. Lots of whipped cream...we were in like. Our food was served pretty quickly and we had a short wait in line ( yay!). Overall the La Barbecue experience was two thumbs up. I was very pleased with the food overall and our servers were very patient and kind. I will definitely go back but maybe during the week. read more
Just off of I-35 lies newly Michelin minted La Barbecue. When judging Michelin rated restaurants we try to tame expectations because we understand that hype may sometimes be greater than bite. Unfortunately, this is experience is one of those instances. La Barbecue has a nice location. It's quiet and unassuming (except for the line out front). The staff is welcoming and the place is clean. We preordered the food as usual for when we go to BBQ and here's what we experienced... The brisket is okay. The bark is far too peppery and the meat could benefit from salt which is a rare occurrence of us saying that. The sausage was flavorful with a good amount of kick, not black pepper like the brisket but more of a red pepper. The best art of the meal were the pork ribs. Rich and juicy, they go head to head with Interstellar. For sides we ordered the mac and cheese and potato salad. The mac and cheese was okay, the shells and cheese were good but the peppers sprinkled in felt like an unnecessary addition that took away from the flavor. As for the potato salad it was very much on the mustardy side although the taste was still good. Altogether, La Barbecue was very hit or miss with the highs being a bit too low to consider it among the best BBQ in Austin. It is still a solid barbecue spot, but as for its Michelin rating it leaves a big question mark as Terry Black's, Franklin's, etc feel a clear step above it. This is a place you stop by if you have tried the aforementioned spots, but if you're making a trip into Austin we wouldn't recommend this being the stop you circle. read more
10 months ago
We actually didn't intend on going here, but glad we did. We were sitting at a bar waiting for another barbecue place to open. We asked the bartender how it was and said"It's good but there is better" and told us about here. At first, we were like what the heck. The line is outside. I don't know if y'all know, but Texas is hot. Anyway, it was worth the wait The brisket is to die for. We also had the pulled pork The coleslaw is good just different and the mac & cheese is a must try (it is a little spiced) read more
1 year ago
Had trouble figuring out what my third barbecue spot on this Austin trip was going to be. But my decision was made a lot easier by the fact la Barbecue literally earned a Michelin star earlier in the week. Easy enough decision after that! Getting here an hour beforehand seems to be right move, although there were several people in front of us. They only let one party in at a time, which is great because that means they really focus on you when you order. Only downside is that it does mean there is more of a wait. Didn't get in until 40 minutes after it opened, but that's fine. For the meats, ordered a 1.5 lb beef rib, 2 lb moist brisket, 1.25 pork ribs, 0.5 lb turkey, 1x regular sausage, and 1x chipotle sausage. For the sides, ordered 1 pint each of potato salad, chipotle slaw, brisket chili, and shells and cheese. Really liked all the meats here, all of them hit the spot! Same with the sides, they were all great. Only thing I wasn't sure about was the chipotle slaw, because it actually tasted a bit too much like kimchi for me. Not that it's bad, I just had to be in the mood for it. Staff here are really friendly! They let us try some lean brisket ends since we were getting all moist brisket. Overall, they were great. I can see why la Barbecue got its Michelin star. Overall great experience, would love to come back! read more
4 months ago
Yep, it was worth the hour and a half in line. The brisket was amazing, the ribs were so good I wanted to cry, and the sides were all so dang good. Get there early and know that your wait will be well rewarded read more
La barbecue was our first stop on our Austin trip. We even came before checking in to our hotel so we were in line with luggages in hand. The line didn't look long but it will be one of the slowest moving line I have been in. There needs to be a better system. We finally got to enter into the restaurant and were awarded a sample of the best tasting piece of brisket. It was melt in your mouth good. I thought it was good, my friends thought it was super peppery. We enjoyed the brisket, the pork ribs were something we could pass on, the sides were okay. We got the potatoes salad and shells and cheese. I do like that they come in side, pints, and quarts size. My friend and I did enjoy the frito pie. Overall, great bbq but prepare to wait. read more
10 months ago
According to me this was my favorite bbq for pork ribs in Texas. Was in line for about an hour. Compared to the other famous places I tried. These ribs were way more tender and juicy and fall of the bone and saucy. But if you prefer smokey like my friend then your choice may differ. But for me this was the best. Even their banana pudding was good. Keep checking on their board as they tend to run out of items as well. Line moves fairly decent speed. Theres some outdoor seating which good as well. read more
Stopped by on a weekend trip to Austin and definitely think this is worth the hype! Service was super friendly and loved the fact they gave us a sample of the brisket. I ordered: Sausage / pork Rib - 3/5. These were alright. Didn't love the sausage texture and I personally just don't like ribs (but had to try it). Brisket - 5/5. Delicious. Definitely recommend using the jalapeño infused sauce to cut the fat read more
1 month ago
9 months ago
Great spot This was really good _turkey Mac sandwich Hands down one of the best bbq spots in Austin Will be back soon to try the rest read more
5 months ago
I was SO upset when I first arrived and they had a full sold out list at 4 pm on a Wednesday, but they did have one thing left, and that was the brisket. We did plan on ordering brisket, but also wanted ribs and sausages.. so when we had to compromise it was a bit upsetting BUT as soon as we came to the front of the line there was a sample of brisket waiting for us and we were SOLD. We got brisket, mac & cheese, pickles, turkey, and the banana pudding. Could've done without the turkey, not that it was bad but it's just not my favorite personally, but the brisket was genuinely phenomenal. Can't recommend it enough. The mac & cheese also was some of the best I've had with a perfect balance of spice. read more
Ordered: la Zilker Beer (~$7) ~1lb Brisket (~$34) Shells & Cheese Side (~$6) Potato Salad Side (~$4) Sweet Pepper Cucumber Kimchi Side (~$3) Pickled Red Onions Side (~$3) Martin's Potato Bun (~50¢) Banana Pudding (~$9): organic, scratch-made custard with real vanilla bean, homemade cookies, and banana Aya's take: First stop in Austin and we decided it should be some Michelin starred Texas BBQ! The line honestly didn't look that long but it moved painfully slow. We waited over an hour and once we got inside, I absolutely could not understand why. Most of the tables were empty. They serve one party at a time which is pretty unreasonable when you see a line of 30 people or so outside. It's a bit inconsiderate and can easily be streamlined if they wanted to. After waiting over an hour and being literally next in line, one of the workers came out and put the "sold out: beef ribs" sign up. We were pretty bummed out but thankfully, everything else made up for it. The Brisket is unbelievably delicious and probably my favorite yet out of anywhere in Texas. It's tender, juicy, and buttery. I loved the Sweet Pepper Cucumber Kimchi - definitely not a side you see at any BBQ place but a must-get as it cuts through all the savoriness and fattiness from the meat. The Shells & Cheese were also solid and the Potato Salad was decent, especially if you like the mustard-forward flavors. The Banana Pudding didn't look like much and for ~$9, I thought to myself "this better be good" and it was! So rich, creamy, and delicate with real vanilla bean. They take quality and clean ingredients seriously here at la Barbecue! I also got the la Zilker Beer which is a gold medal award-winning beer and I can see why. It's super light and crisp which is typically my go-to and paired perfectly with their BBQ. All in all, this is definitely a top contender for BBQ in Austin! If it wasn't for the inefficient wait times, this would be a solid 5/5. read more
1 year ago
From the first bite, this brisket was absolute perfection. The brisket? It was melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Each slice was so juicy that it practically glistened, with fat rendered down to buttery perfection. What I liked most was the subtle spice rub. It wasn't overly peppered or seasoned. It was just perfect. I ate the brisket with the kimchi and pickled onions. Delicious. I also ate it with the accompanied house barbecue sauce which was rather tasty. But, I preferred the brisket naked. I also had the potato salad and jalapeño sausage which was alright. Sides are always hit or miss for me at barbecue places. The brisket alone is worth the trip, the wait, and probably a lifetime of cravings. Pro tip order ahead. read more
Was told to check this place out while visiting. Not only was I amazed at the line, but when we made it to our turn to order it made perfect sense. The restaurant doesn't have much space inside at its ordering desk. To add to that, our cashier didn't even make us feel rushed. We were able to ask questions and taste test a couple of things just to be sure. Now for the food, it caught me by surprise but this was absolutely the best pulled pork I've had since some solids bbq pulled pork I've had at some barbecues in Tennessee. The brisket was also amazing and not overly fatty even on the fattier pieces. The lean was also not too dry, although the next time I'd just get lean because it was still juicy like I like it. Mac and cheese was also a great dish that we enjoyed. The only thing that we didn't enjoy was the brisket chilli, but that's just because it wasn't up to what we were wanting. We were able to give it to a table next to us who LOVED it and were happy to take it. All and all can't wait to visit this place again on my next visit. And on top of that it's definitely a highly recommended stop for me going forward, to anyone that I know hitting the Austin area. read more
1 year ago
We got here at 11 AM on an overcast and slightly drizzly Friday and still waited an hour. It seems like everyone else had the same idea. But we made friends along the way! Sadly they sold out of beef ribs right before they got to us. The pork ribs and brisket were still tasty. Most people are a huge fan of the Mac, but it was too soupy/creamy for my taste. I actually think the best thing on the menu was their new banana pudding. Overall a fun experience to have in Austin, if you have the time to wait. read more
1 year ago
Yup, I understand the hype. I went on a Sunday afternoon around 12:30 pm, and we waited in line for roughly 45 minutes. Luckily, they weren't out of anything except the beef rib. We ordered brisket, pork ribs, sausage, and the shells and cheese. All were SO delicious - packed with flavor, nicely tender, and omg I could swim in a tub of the shells and cheese. Don't let the long line deter you, it's definitely worth the wait. Also don't miss the party bathrooms while you're there. So fun! read more
5 months ago
We waited about an hour and couldn't understand why there was only one person cutting meat & why it took another person having to go to the back to retrieve the sides. There were lots of available seats & tables yet lots of people still waiting in line. I don't know. Maybe I'm missing something. I interpret that as a lack of regard for customers. All in all the food was delicious. Oh- there's free beer for those in line. Could be a lifesaver when the Texas sun heats up in the triple digits. read more
More info about la Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78702
East Austin
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(512) 605-9696
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http://www.labarbecue.com
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Ask the Community - la Barbecue
Estimated wait time for dinner on weekends?
Do I have to wait in line if I preorder a sandwich?
If you preorder there is a separate side you enter ...you will be asked to wait u til they bring your order to you, but it is not the general line that is the long wait ...I ordered brisket, sausage and ribs with all the sides and waited about 10… Read more
How long is the average wait on the weekend?
Is there a separate line for pickup orders?
Yes! As you face the front of the restaurant, go into the door on your left. There is lettering on the door that references " PREORDERS "
Are there any delivery services they partner with if we don't want to go pick up our order?
no we don't. it's stand in line our order ahead of time and pick it up.
How early should you start lining up on a Saturday?
Depends on if you're talking before COVID or now: Pre-Covid 9 am to eat at 11 am is a good marker.… Read more
How much is a beef rib? Just trying to price out a meal for 14 people
Not so invested in BBQ that I can give you the dollar amount but i'm sure the beef rib is higher than the other meats which are $20-22/lb. Some reviews noted $30-40/rib (they are massive).… Read more
Want to visit on a Tuesday for lunch. Is there anything I need to know? Do we need to come early? How busy is it in a Tuesday afternoon?
There's always a line - usually at least 30 minutes. I've been there before opening and been the 30th person in line. It's worth the wait though!
Do they still offer free beer for those waiting in line?
During my visit, they did not.
Is it possible to drop by Saturday at 4:30 pm? Will we be able to get in or will we be turned away?
I've done it before around the holidays. But they're usually sold out by then. Just call ahead.
If I pre-order my food can I get meat by the half or fourth pound or do I have to order it in full pound increments? When I looked at the pre orders online it seemed I could only do full pound amounts
I'm fairly certain they only allow pre-ordering by the pound. But if you pre-order, they do let you eat it there as opposed to some other BBQ places in the area that you require you to take it out.
How's the lunch crowd on a Friday?
I was there on a Tuesday and the wait was more than an hour. It would not be less on a Friday. If you order online 3 days in advance, you can skip the line and pick up your order at the window on the side patio. That's what I would do in the future.… Read more
Any recommendations on what time to arrive to get lunch on a Sunday (want to eat around noon or so)? Visiting from out of town. Thanks!
I would definitely recommend ordering online! You completely skip the line- there's a window in the back where you just let them know you're there and you can tell them that you plan on eating onsite (other BBQ places force you to take it to go). We… Read more
If I pre-order and pick up late afternoon, is it guaranteed that I receive the order? I am afraid they will run out of meats :(
It's rare that they're open much past 4 and the preorders usually need a couple of days.
Will there still be food if I get in line at noon or 1pm on a Friday?
Maybe but will be out if somethings
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la Barbecue - bbq - Updated May 2026
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