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    Terry Black's Barbecue

    4.5 (8.9k reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Terry Black's Barbecue Photos

    Business Info

    TERRY BLACK'S BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Terry Black's Barbecue

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    Interior
    Leah M.

    This delish bbq spot was a few blocks from our air BNB where we stayed for a 17 person bachelorette party. The line wasn't too bad at 630pm on a Saturday night. It was very efficient getting thru the line. You pick your sides then go to the meat carving station. Highly recommend the Mac and cheese brisket and jalapeno cheddar sausage. The potato salad was good but not my favorite. I did hear from the bride the creamed corn was her favorite so I would try that next time. They have lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Because we had 17 girls we ended up sitting on multiple picnic benches near each other but it was great for big groups. They have a bar inside with beer and wine and some frozen slushies. I don't remember if they had cocktails. One thing I did really like was they listed which of the meats, sauces, and sides were vegetarian and which were gluten free. Being a gluten free girlie I loved knowing which items I could have confidently. The sauces are posted at all the tables to try. I loved the spicy one, I ended up buying two bottles and they're were at a great price! It was very busy but everything was very efficient, you got your own drink and they had to go boxes off to the side to grab as needed. Highly recommend this spot! We all loved it and it satisfied a huge bachelorette party!

    Christine V.

    Visited Terry Black's Barbecue recently and overall had a really good experience. The line moved pretty fast, only about 10 to 15 minutes when we went. The food definitely lived up to the hype. My favorites were the beef ribs and the mac and cheese. We also tried the brisket, pork ribs, cornbread, creamed corn, and chocolate pudding, and everything was flavorful and really well done. The only part I didn't love was the beginning of the line when ordering sides. It felt a little overwhelming because things were moving very quickly, and the staff there did not seem very patient or friendly while we were deciding. Once we got to the meat station though, the experience completely changed. The guy helping us there was kind, patient, and answered all of our questions, which made the experience much better. Overall, really great BBQ and definitely worth trying if you are in Austin.

    BBQ time
    Frankie M.

    Food was amazing! There is a lot of hype about this place and coming over here to experience it, was so worth of it! Place gets busy and crowded but the service is fast and you'll be enjoying their BBQ in no time. The place is not that big inside and outside and can get crowded quick. I was glad I was able to get a table outside. Overall all, so worthy!

    The spread!!!
    Stephanie A.

    As someone who doesn't really know BBQ I can still say that this was really heckin good. My friends pre ordered a family meal with a bunch of sides (fave sides were the potato salad, Mac and cheese, and peach cobbler) the brisket was my favorite meat but it was all really good. The trick to this place to avoid waiting in an hours long line is to pre order. We asked if we could still eat there and they said if you can find a table it's yours! So we skipped the line and still got to eat at the restaurant. Beware of the birds that will come for your food though! If you can get a table with an umbrella, do it. You'll be a little bit more protected from both the sun and the birds. It's honestly the only reason I'm docking a star which isn't fair to Terry Blacks but it did impact my experience!

    Steven P.

    I love bbq and Texas does bbq well! Terry Black's is legendary, and I was fortunate to try it for my first time. Lunch on a Monday around 11:00 am was a good time to arrive - the line was short with just a few minutes wait. 30 minutes later it was filling fast though! I tried the potato salad, a piece of lean and a piece of fatty brisket, and one pork rib. The potato salad was chunky which I like. It was not mustard though - I do prefer mustard. It was still a nice potato salad and helped cut through the rich meats. The lean brisket was a bit dry even though it was sliced to order. The fatty brisket was tender and moist - my piece had a fairly decent fat pocket though, which I did not eat. The Texas salt and pepper rub stood out in a good way. The pork rib was not my favorite. Maybe it was too smoky, maybe the texture was a bit soft too. The bark was decent though. Pickles and onions were complimentary and help with the meat richness. Beverages were self serve and the team worked hard to keep the restaurant clean. Overall it was good, and I would recommend people try it.

    Ribs, brisket, corn, coleslaw
    Wincy Y.

    Terry Black's is frequented by tourists and locals alike, and you can already smell the smoke as you line up by the door. Like typical Texas BBQ places, you line up to get sides before getting cuts of meat near the front. The place was packed when I went, and there was barely any seating inside. I went during the summertime, and they don't have AC so it was also very warm inside. Nevertheless, the brisket and ribs were really good and flavorful. My favorite was actually the sides: the corn had a lot of cream but was also very sweet, and the coleslaw hit the spot in the hot weather. Though there are many BBQ places in the area, I would recommend trying them out first as a baseline for tourists!

    Hanlin W.

    I've been to Terry Black's Barbecue multiple times, usually when friends are visiting from out of town because of all the hype. This particular location, which as of this review is the only one in Austin, can be very difficult to get into. It sits in one of the most traffic-heavy areas of downtown Austin, parking can be extremely hard to find, and yes, there are a lot of tourists. There is usually a long line, and the crowds often overflow outside the restaurant. It's great for the business, but if you're visiting, definitely be prepared. As for the BBQ itself, I would say it's pretty decent. Over time, I've tried almost everything on the menu at least once, and the flavor is generally solid. That said, the portions feel pretty small, and the prices are on the higher side. Personally, I only come here when friends are visiting from out of town. If I'm going just for myself, I usually head to Lockhart, which is only about a 50-minute drive from Austin depending on where you're located. Honestly, 50 minutes is not that bad compared to dealing with heavy traffic, finding parking, and waiting in a long line. You might even get your BBQ sooner at the Lockhart location.

    All the fixings plus banana pudding & chocolate pudding
    Judy M.

    We almost passed up coming to Terry Black's, but we came right before they opened. When they opened up there was a line, but that line moves pretty quickly. The only worry is probably parking, they do have a small lot but you likely can find spots across the street. To the food... I was on a mission to try some Texas brisket. This spot was amazing and worth the trip. All the sides were also pretty good. I also loved the banana pudding, it is not too sweet. We got the small family pack for the five of us, and we were not able to finish!

    Whisper W.

    OMG this place is fantastic. My colleagues and I stopped in while in Austin for a work trip. We ordered a little bit of everything they had left and definitely left with leftovers. The creamed corn was a hit! The brisket was so tender and juicy and the sausage was surprisingly one of the best meats we ordered. The absolute HIT that I was not expecting was the Turkey! My friend ordered it and we tried it to not make her feel bad for ordering turkey and we ended up getting more. So good. I sent photos to my husband to make him jealous and now he wants to go to Austin just to go to Terry Blacks.

    Coleslaw
    Albert E.

    I went in with pretty high expectations; this is widely regarded as one of the top barbecue spots in Texas, arguably second only to the very best in the state depending on who you ask. So I wasn't hoping it would be good, I was more curious to see if it would actually live up to that level. The line wasn't bad at all; it moved steadily and I was inside in about 15 minutes, which already set a good tone for the experience. I kept it simple and went with a beef rib, a slice of brisket, and a side of coleslaw. The beef rib was the standout for me; honestly the best I've ever had. Perfectly tender with a medium smoky flavor and that ideal contrast between bark and juicy interior. The brisket was equally impressive: moist, well-seasoned, fatty and sliced just right. Morgan's in Brooklyn would be a close 2nd though. Even the coleslaw deserves mention; fresh, crisp, and not too much mayo or sugar, and it actually worked really well as a break between bites of the richer meats. Overall, it met the expectations I came in with, which were already very high. There's really nothing to complain about; just a straightforward example of a place doing what it's famous for at a very high level.

    Zachary S.

    After going to tons of big and small barbecue joints throughout Texas, you begin to think about what Kevin Parker said when referring to Terry Black's: "gotta be above it. gotta be above it." Eventually, Terry Black's comes back around and you're stepping inside the Barton Springs location on a Friday before your cousin's wedding. I think there's a stigma behind Terry Black's being a tourist destination that barbecue snobs turn their heads from. Though I have my feelings on Terry Black's as a whole, it's not a bad spot. The one thing to know is that Terry Black's doesn't sell out. They're slinging more briskets and pork ribs than any other Austin joint on a daily basis. The line is consistently moving out the door, which is crazy because their parking lot can fit maybe 20 cars at maximum. The thing is, Terry Black's isn't flashy. They aren't a new age barbecue joint showing innovative new food options. They're just putting out consistent Q on the board. Terry Black's isn't your Tim Duncan, it's your Bruce Bowen. With a group of 8, we got a large family pack of 6 lbs of meat and 5 quarts of sides. I'll run through everything and share my thoughts on it all: Brisket: Tastes very classic, but it's still good. They threw in some glorious burnt ends. Some portions were a little dry on the lean sections, but it was a solid showing. Pork Ribs: A little too fatty and the bark wasn't as thrilling, but they had quite a bit of meat on the bone and that's really all you can ask for. Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage: Not too memorable, but not bad! Turkey: I haven't had enough barbecue turkey to be the quality judge, but a good turkey goes a long way, and I loved how tender and delectable this turkey was. Mac and Cheese: Impressive and creamy, though the noodles were a little too overcooked. Cream Corn: Very good. I love a good cream corn. Green Beans: Feels uncommon at barbecue joints, but tasted like a Cracker Barrel side in the best way possible. Banana Pudding: Very solid. My mom enjoyed it the most. Terry Black's Margarita: Why is it so black? What's the secret. I think the biggest issue I have with Terry Black's is how steep the pricing is. Even compared to the heavy hitters and Michelin Star winners, it feels steep. They're moving so many people through this line that they're racking in an incredible amount of dough. They have to be. It's also so unbelievable hot and loud in there. It's overstimulating. We got there at 5:30 and were blessed to get a parking spot because I have love in my heart. By 7:30, when we left, the line was well out the door. It's always busy. Some people say it's chaotic and they don't know what's going on, but just stick with the flow, have a plan before you walk in the door, and you're solid. It'll be okay. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes were there enjoying the moment Terry Black's has to offer, which shows you barbecue is an ultimate love language. I'll take this final paragraph to be real with you: if you are visiting Austin and putting a barbecue joint on your itinerary, by going to Terry Black's versus Leroy and Lewis, Parish, Interstellar, Stiles Switch, and hell, even Franklin's, you're just gonna have to accept that you're not a ball knower. You're just going for convenience. You're not going for an elite meat. You're fumbling. RIYL: Meat sweats at a high markup

    Potato salad, mac & cheese, corn and beef brisket
    EJ J.

    Ok so I saved the last two reviews from Austin as the best for last when it comes to Texas BBQ. I heard so much about Terry Blacks and that I couldn't leave Austin without trying it. I'm not a huge fan of bbq and I don't think I've reviewed any BBQ joints on my account because I just don't eat it. However, this was on my checklist so I had to do it. Once we arrived, my coworker noticed the line wasn't long so we just shuttled through the process quickly. I was unfamiliar on how it works or what to even order but the staff was super helpful in guiding you through the line and how much of what you want to eat. The people were extremely friendly and I feel like they subtly try to upsell you on meats but it's not that bad. The place was pretty big and they cleaned the tables quick once someone left the table. The guy who cleaned ours was extremely nice and refused to let me sit without fully cleaning the tables quick once and making everything look nice. I actually really appreciated that. Anyway, I ordered the pinto beans with beef, jalapeno cheddar sausage, sliced brisket, pork ribs, and peach cobbler. My favorites were the: Pinto beans with beef - 4.5/5 Jalapeno cheddar sausage - 4.5/5 Peach cobbler 4.5/5 Pork ribs - 4/5 Sliced brisket 3/5 In my opinion, I felt like the sides were way better than the actual meat (this place has way better sides than the other). Now it wasn't that the meat was bad, it's just that the other place that I'll be reviewing was far superior when it came to the meat. If I hadn't gone to the other place I would have rated this place extremely high but I had something to compare it to. I just felt that I needed to eat the meat with sauce in order for it to be delicious. The jalapeño cheddar sausage was fire though. Overall, I personally wouldn't go back to this one if there by myself and just hit up the other bbq spot. However, if I'm coming with first timers, I would have them try both spots and decide for themselves like I did! OOOOC 4.5 out of 5 Afros

    The smokers!
    Derek W.

    We checked out Terry Blacks Barbecue after the MotoGP races at CODA and glad we did. It was recommend by our hotel's concierge as a place she always goes so we said why not. When we arrived, the line was pretty long and we were thinking it would take some time to get in but the wait was not too bad. It sounded like the brisket was the best to order, so that is what I got...and it was delicious! We had several sides such as Mac and Cheese and Pinto Beans which were also delicious. Then topped it off with some peach cobbler. This is a very traditional place you would find in the great state of Texas and you would not find many other places...too bad because I love them. The staff is very nice and friendly, the ambiance was fun, and the crowd was a mix of all. A great place to go for BBQ!

    Smokers

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    Terry Black's Barbecue Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Terry Black's Barbecue

    Are their onions in the potato salad?

    I've had their Potato Salad, but don't recall if there were onions. It was delicious.

    Are we able to order half a pound of meat?

    Yes, and it's delicious 🤤

    Can we sit outside with our dog?

    It is difficult because is very crowded

    Is the food here safe for someone with a Soy allergy?

    Sorry , I don't know . Call them (512) 394-5899

    If I order online for pick up, Do I need to fall in the regular long line like anybody else or do they have a separate line for pick up?

    No, there is a separate line for pre order pickups.

    Is there a play area?

    Nope. But there is outdoor seating.

    Do you get your beef from creekstone?

    You want it from Creekstone? They get it from CK. They get it so damn good from CK. Don't doubt.

    Is it a dine in restaurant? If so can you handle a party of 8 on Wednesday evening? Thanks.

    It is a dine in. Plenty of seating for groups of 8.

    What's the brand of the sliced bread?

    Looks like Wonderbread to me.

    Anyone eat here on a Friday night around 5pm? Are there still food options around that time? How long is the wait time?

    Lisa, I ate there on Friday around 4:00 pm with almost no wait time. Full selection of food options. Nothing sold out. Not sure if you're able to go a bit earlier then 5:00 pm. Beat the rush... Enjoy!

    Hi, how long is the wait for Saturday afternoon now?

    I would expect to wait at anytime but the line always moves quickly. Finding a seat to eat may be difficult depending on your group size.

    What time should we get in line in the morning if we want to be amongst the first people in line?

    When we visited, we waited in the parking lot just under an hour, but an actual line didn't start to form until about 15 minutes before!

    Do they typically run out of items in the evening (after 7pm)?

    Yes

    After I wait in line, order and get my food, is it easy to find a seat? Are there lots of seats, inside or outside?

    It is so easy to find a spot! People eat and move very fast, they don't stay too long

    What's the wait time like on a Monday? Trying to gauge what time we should line up for lunch.

    Roughly 20-30 minutes, it gets packed early. The lone moves pretty quick though and well worth the wait!

    Do they take reservations?

    No, you stand in line to order your food and then sit down. There is no wait staff. Line moves pretty fast and the food is worth your time

    Are dogs allowed inside whiling eating and ordering?

    Not inside but they can sit on the patio. I keep my dog in the car with the AC on and when I have my food and table then I bring him out of the car if I'm by myself

    We have a layover between flights and would be in Austin between 2pm-6pm on a Friday. How long usually is the wait during during these times? Is it possible to come here, eat then get back to the airport?

    by the time you get out of the airport, deal with Austin traffic to get over there, maybe wait 15 to 30 minutes in line, eat, get back to the airport, deal with TSA, be at the boarding area, sounds like more aggravation and stress than I would want.… Read more

    As of late, what has the wait time been?

    Sometimes zero, sometimes 20 minutes depending on the crowd. Could be longer. If you go in middle of afternoon on a week day it's not that busy. Weekends can be longer as people with guests come by and line can be out the door. Nothing like… Read more

    What is in the Black Margarita? And can I buy the margarita mix somewhere?

    View All 31 Questions

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    Really disappointing experience from a place we have supported for years…read more We have lived in the neighborhood since 2019 and have been to Colleen's many times. This visit started off well. A manager kindly helped seat us at the last table that could fit a high chair, and our server was perfectly pleasant. Then we watched an older Uber Eats driver ask for an update on an order after being told it would be ready in five minutes. More than ten minutes later, when he checked again, the assistant manager was openly rude and dismissive. He told the driver he could not make the kitchen move any faster and then said, "Why don't you leave and come back then if you're in such a hurry." That interaction was bad enough that we canceled our food order, paid for our drinks, and left. When asked why, I explained exactly what we had witnessed. The response: "Don't worry about that, he's just an Uber driver." That told us everything we needed to know. We do not want to support a business where management treats people that way and then defends it. We will not be back. John, you should be ashamed of yourself.

    Terry Black's Barbecue - bbq - Updated May 2026

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