Terry Black's Barbecue
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Anytime I fly into Austin, one thing is certain, we're going to Terry Black's Barbecue. The line may look long, it likely will be, but it actually moves through pretty quick. Amazing Texas bbq and people don't talk about the sides enough. Always grab some of the beans, Mac n cheese, and green beans. This time around the wife and I split 1lb of sliced brisket, cheddar and jalapeño sausage, and a beef rib. Brisket and beef rib were cooked to perfection. Enough cook for it to be fall off the bone soft but enough chew to pull from. Big patio and dining hall to get a seat. People tend to come with friends/family but they also move generally quick, just keep your eyes out after you pay for your food. Staff is super friendly, they also will help guide you to possible areas to sit,
This is one of the most popular barbecue restaurants in Austin. They have a very unique system of making order through the counter. then paying. then taking a table in a seating area. They have both indoor and outdoor seats. When we came to the place, it was almost full. But the staff members were really nice to find us a table as we had a handicapped guest with us. For the side, we picked rice, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and corn. They were available in three different sizes. All the sides were really delicious. Especially loved the coleslaw. From the butcher station, we picked beef brisket, pork ribs, and chopped beef. They were sold by the pound and were very expensive. The brisket and pork ribs were excellent, but the chopped beef wasn't as good as the other two. The indoor dining space is a bit cramped. There were two soda machines, but each time we had to wait in line to get to refill or get water. By the time we were done, the line was out through the door. I also noticed the big furnace shed they had outside, where they were cooking all the meats. Hats off to the employees who were working in that super hot room. Overall a really fantastic spot to enjoy bbq.
Somewhat chaotic inside when you get the food and try to find a table. When we got there, the line was out of the door. You can only get a table after you get your food. They have indoor and outdoor seating. I really like the beef ribs. It's soft and tender. Great flavor. Brisket and pork ribs are ok. Brisket is dry for me. The corn with cheese is so good. Mexican rice is fluffy. mac&cheese are nicely made, cheesy and cooked properly. They sell the drinks while you are on the line waiting (cotton candy soda and beer). You don't need to get it. More options when you get to the final pay counter, such as fountain soda. Right next to the pay counter is the drink machine and all the utensils. Very crowded at the area cuz everyone trying to get a drink. Very tight between tables. Women Bathroom has 2 or 3 stalls. You can see the grill outside. It's super hot. Parking lot on site but it's very crazy, go early to get a spot.
Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 4.5/5 Terry Black's always leaves me speechless every time I eat there. Which is a grand total of two times, but that's really saying something, especially since the second time was during a long-overdue homecoming to Austin. There's a lot of competition as to what BBQ joint is the best in Austin, let alone Texas, and Terry Black's is a strong contender. There's always a long line winding out of the door onto their porch, and but it moves fast - you'll get your fix in no time, and when you do, you'll know the wait was worth it. This time around, I got a beef rib - huge, tender, beautifully seasoned, and all mine. Accompanied with some sausage and brisket (because I can't come to a BBQ place and not get either), plus some amazing cornbread, cream corn, and mac and cheese, I was feasting like a king. The first time I went here, I had many leftovers... this time, there were practically none. I'm a firm believer and supporter of Terry Black's, and this was a solid reminder of what I left when I moved out of Texas. If you get the lucky chance to dine here - take it. You won't regret the money you spend here.
We arrived at 10:20am & there were 6 cars sitting in the parking lot already. We all stayed in our cars until about 10:27am then we formed a line for their 10:30am opening time. We had to sample all the meats: pork ribs, brisket, turkey, sausage. The meat is weighed & you order per pound. Actually everything was very tender & well seasoned! The turkey was a little drier than I expected but still very flavorful and the brisket could have used more flavor for me. The pork ribs were my favorite. There is a decent choice of side items & we tried the coleslaw, green beans & pinto beans which were all good. The greens beans, although à la dente, were full of flavor. The peach cobbler was decent. I enjoyed the crust, When we left at 11:15am there still wasn't a line. But it was a Tuesday & back to school week so my experience may not be the norm. I look forward to trying the new Terry Black's in The Heights in Houston.
Back here for the first time in a couple years. Never disappointed. It's expensive, but well worth it. Beef rib is my favorite, the seasoning is amazing.
Food is served to order and a bit overwhelming. The ladies at the sides were very no nonsense. The ribs were the star of the show, but the original sausage was also amazing. The brisket was good, but I was expecting a bit more. Someone was leaving so we were able to get thru table otherwise it likely would have been a while. It was packed on a Thursday night. Highly recommend the green beans!
Where should I begin? The infamous Terry Blacks is one of the most talked about BBQ spots in Austin and everyone says you MUST eat there when in the area. Since it was my first time in Austin, I had to listen to them. We took an uber from our hotel and to the restaurant and couldn't believe how insanely crowded it was. The lined wrapped around the side of the building, every single table outside was filled with people eating huge piles of meat from plastic trays in the sweltering heat. Stacks of white bread piled high, plastic squirt bottles of bbq sauce, and bottles of beer lined the picnic style tables too. There are QR codes everywhere telling you to scan to learn how to order. That alone is anxiety inducing. When you look up the info, it shows options for sides and desserts and then listed "slice, rib, link" as the 3 options for the meats. I took this to assume we'd order the brisket by the slice, ribs by the rib, and sausage by the link. It did not say anything about bread or sauces or drinks. The line moved surprisingly quickly and before I knew it I was being yelled at "NEXT NEXT NEXT!" We opted for the Mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw as our sides. Desserts should also be ordered in the same spot ( it wasn't clear) so we both did the peach cobbler. Once your tray is stacked with sides, you move onto the disorganized meat line - which somehow only appeared disorganized and was in fact very orderly. The meat guys, while quick, were a little friendlier and didn't yell. This is also where I saw the soft drink cups and figured drinks could be ordered there. The condiments ( sauces) and plasticwear is all available inside. My coworker was able to snag an outdoor table, which made the experience a lot better. The brisket was melt in your mouth tender, juicy, and so flavorful. Possibly the best brisket I've ever had. I tried the bbq sauce with the yellow cap, which was sweet, and the perfect addition to the brisket. Once the other hand, the pork rib was not super tender and was a little bit of a let down. The jalapeño cheddar sausage was also dry. As for the sides, the potato salad was nothing like traditional potato salad and the potatoes were undercooked. They were cubed and very dill forward, which I'm not used to. The Mac and cheese was another let down. While it wasn't bad, it was not what I'd expect from a Michelin rated bbq. I didn't try the Coleslaw but I heard it was good. My dining partner said the peach cobbler reminded her of a McDonald's apple pie, and once she said it I couldn't get it out of my head. I did enjoy it though. The price for 4 slices of brisket, 1 rib, 1 sausage link, a single side of potato salad, single of coleslaw, and a double of Mac and cheese, and two peach cobblers was $89 plus tax and tip. Next time I'm in Austin I will definitely try bbq, but probably somewhere less famous.
I opted for Terry Black's for my Texas BBQ feast because they're open until 9 PM and, thankfully, there was no crazy long wait. There was a line, but it moved pretty quickly. The staff were all very friendly. Parking is limited, so we took an Uber, we noticed a small hut in the parking lot with giant BBQ smokers. We asked the guy in charge about them, and he was so nice and took the time to explain how they smoke their brisket and ribs. He even opened one of the smokers so we could take a peek! Such a cool behind-the-scenes experience. We ordered: Sliced Brisket -- $39.98/lb Loved the burnt ends! That burnt caramelized part was my favorite. Pork Ribs -- $32.98/lb Quite moist and nicely smoked Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage -- $30/lb Not my favorite. Sides & Dessert: Green Beans, Coleslaw -- okay Baked Beans -- lovely! Cornbread -- kind of dry Pecan Pie -- nice and a good way to finish the meal Overall, a fun Texas BBQ experience, especially getting to see the smokers up close and chat with the staff. Check your bill! We were accidentally charged for our beers twice. I didn't know that till I writing my Yelp review.
The.barb-q ribs were fantastic. I got the pork and two was enough for new! They were meaty! I didn't like the brisket. It was too dry. The original bbq sauce is fantastic. The lines move pretty quickly. About 15 minutes by the time you can order.
Terry Black's BBQ definitely hit the spot. I was visiting Austin and wanted to get a taste of Texas BBQ and Terry Black's BBQ definitely did it's thing. I stopped midday during the week and the place was packed. I get the feeling that they are probably always busy but they do a great job of keeping the lines moving. The space is huge with plenty of seating inside and out and has a warm, casual cabin like feel. When you walk in you're greeted and directed into a cafeteria style line where you choose your sides first. From there, another worker directs you toward one of several lines for your meat options. Once you get to the counter you tel them what you want and they cut the meat right there in front of you. It's a very cool set up and unique service and adds to the full experience. Once i checked out the next adventure was finding a seat. I thought that would be difficult given how busy and crowded they were but they do a pretty good job of clearing tables and I found one pretty easily. Now to the food! I had the green beans, mac and cheese and a BBQ sandwich and I enjoyed everything. The sandwich was the highlight. The meat was juicy, full of flavor and so filling that it was hard to make it through the sides. I enjoyed the mac and cheese so much that I bought small container to go. lol Overall the food was good and the atmosphere was casual and welcoming and I really enjoyed myself. i would definitely go back for and stop by again next time I'm in Austin. : ) P.S. I was surprised about how pricey lunch was for me. I think I spent around 30 dollars but it was worth it for the trip.
First time to Black's BBQ. Luckily I went with a friend who knew the run down on ordering and the process that allows them to funnel so many people through in a short period of time. Parking is the worst part of this whole place. However, after eating here... the walk back to the car is a good thing. I've been to Austin many times and have had my share of BBQ. This is one of the more spendy places... but for the QUALITY and amount you get, it's actually prices about right. There are other places in the area who charge just as much for less and very bland meats. This place is very busy. BE READY to order your side dishes. They don't mess around and they will push you through... which I think is GREAT! Move the line... I'm hungry! You have ample opportunity to figure out what side and size you want... be ready. Interior decor is right up there with your typical BBQ place. It's fun, cozy, and enhances the experience. Definitely one of my new favorites in the realm of BBQ.
This is definitely a great BBQ stop when you're in Austin. All the times I have gone have been phenomenal, except this last time where the meat was very chewy and it seemed kind of old. Nonetheless, the sides were great
I was visiting Texas for the first time and a must try for me was some good BBQ! Terry Black's is #1 on yelp's top eats in Austin list, so of course, I had to stop by. We came with a party of 6 and ordered the small family pack to share, which came with 3 pounds of meat alongside 5 pints of sides. Alongside this, we also ordered the beef ribs. Everything lived up to my high expectations! I find turkey to be generally dry sometimes, but even the turkey was super juicy and delicious. Overall, I feel like you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Service here is a bit rushed but it's understandable with how busy they can get. I heard the lines can get long, however, when we came at around noon on a Friday, the line only took us around 20 minutes to get through. The ambiance overall is very casual. read more
4 months ago
First time to Texas and first thing is to get barbecue! Got here just before 5pm on a Sunday and there's a line that moves pretty fast. While you wait in line you can grab a margarita or beer to cool yourself off. You first pick sides, after which you can pick up some bread and desserts. Then you'll be directed to the meat section where you can order meat by the pound. The smallest amount is 1/4 pound. I got green beans as a side and a sliced brisket sandwich. The sliced brisket is soooo tender and delicious, especially coupled with their barbecue sauce! There are plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. If you decide to sit outdoors, just be careful with the birds - they might snatch mac and cheese from you! Definitely a must if you are in Texas! read more
9 days ago
This place simply dominates it's a must stop for me every time I'm in Austin! I always bring my corporate guests here for a lunch- delicious way to get the Austin experience. Great service, ordering is fast and efficient... two thumbs up to Favian and Jesus. read more
1 month ago
A little on the pricey side, my Nate was $120. Big beef ribs! Juicy brisket! The sausage was crispy & tasty. It was hot out; nobody wanted to sit outside, so so it was kind of a madhouse. Overall pretty good; I would go back. read more
Line generally moves quickly. Rustic interior with plenty of tables and booths. Nice selection of sides with labels to identify those which are gluten free. Meat is more expensive than other barbecue joints but always tender, moist and bursting with flavor. Love coming here when I am in town. read more
Came to visit our son in Aisyin and he suggested we have bbq from Terry Black's. We had earlier walked around the Botanical Garden near Barton Springs so this seemed like a good choice. We arrived just after 22 to find the lot full and a queue of cars waiting for people leaving. I had suggested going elsewhere but my wife said we should try since our son recommended place, but he was at work. Drove further down and found a garage nearby with no signage on rate, just a park by phone QR code. Walked into Terry's and the line was not too bad, but no tables available. We picked a lb of baby back ribs, lb of brisket, a sausage and three sides - cotija corn, green beans and mac and cheese. Cashier was talkative and made suggestions so we followed his lead. Found a table and dug in - ribs were great, juicy, nice smoky flavor, good size; brisket was a little dry and nothing special with the sausage. Mac and cheese and street corn were good. Tried all three sauces and they were tasty. Left satisfied, but expensive. Walked back to the garage to find that the garage charged us $36 for a special event rate, of which there was no event going on in the area. No signage on rate or at their website. Called the help desk and the staff did not understand the question and after being transferred to 2 other people we gave up. Apparent the garage is looking to rip off people with an inflated rate for the area. Terry Black's probably doesn't care, but tourist or local will only get cheated once before they look for another rib joint like Franklin BBQ. Food was good, but its a conveyor belt type of service. Just someone behind the counter pushing uou thru the line. Few staff moving around in the dining area asking about needs or whether they like the food or not. I guess with the hype, they don't really need to care. read more
Wowwie!!!! I don't know if you can say you've had barbecue until you've had this place! The meat here was perfect the brisket was the best I've ever had. The Mac and cheese was also perfect. I always get Mac and cheese and this was some of the best I've had in text between Austin and San Antonio. It was busy but the line moved fast. Some of them employees were a little nicer than others but I get it they have a line to move through and just want to keep it moving! The inside was very cool too! They had indoor and out door seating - great for big parties :) I will be coming back here again!! read more
You will straight up believe you have died, and gone to a heaven where the angels and the good lord themselves are smoking the best meats, furiously making tasty sides, and when you're given a chunk of brisket burnt ends... it's like a wink that you did good man. You did good. You belong here. Then you'll wake up just in time to order frantically at Terry Black's at the most FERVENT pace I have ever placed an order, and before you know your card will have been charged, and your head is still spinning what the hell just happened?!?! That said, I guarantee, that whatever you agreed to in line is going to be freaking phenomenal. Truth, I have never seen a faster paced work environment and a line marching so quickly. When you stand outside you think you'll never get served, then a rip in the space time continuum has you in front of a helpful, but determined, employee in about 10 minutes. They serve an insane amount of folks here... and it just works, somehow. The brisket... best I have ever had, even the chunk i reheated the next day, still off the charts. The sausage, so hearty and flavorful, and a perfect compliment to the brisket which... of course you are getting brisket. Mac N Cheese, really good, not gonna make my best ever list, but it's indeed very tasty and the cheese sauce while it looks like an easy mac, very clearly home cooking happening here. Cole Slaw crisp, tad sweet, good balance for the meats. Cornbread, make sure you get it. Banana Pudding... don't tell me you're too full. JUST GET IT. And as I said earlier... if you are graced with a chunk of brisket burnt ends. Be appreciative. The meat candy of the gods. Holy crap when can i come back?!?!?! read more
Worth every penny. Budget around $50 per person, and I promise it's worth both the summer heat and the wait in line. The brisket was exactly what you want from a Texas BBQ spot: tender, smoky, and deeply satisfying. The jalapeño sausage was a hit, cheesy and so packed with flavor it practically fell apart on its own. Creamed corn was rich and texturally perfect, and the mac and cheese was the kind of creamy that makes you go back for another scoop. Solid beer and soda selection to wash it all down. The space is lively and loud. It draws a tourist crowd, but Terry Black's earns that reputation. This is as close to an authentic Central Texas BBQ experience as it gets, and the food backs it up. read more
I'm not a fan of American BBQ but I'm glad to have tried this place! Came here with a large party at midday and found a seat in good time. Parking is difficult though, the lot is small. Quick service here as you order in a line. The portions are huge and you can easily share a meal with multiple people. Contrary to popular opinion, I didn't care much for the brisket - it was a bit salty and fatty for my taste. The green beans were too salty for me as well. But the creamed corn, cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and rice were all super good. Especially loved the creamed corn! The ribs were tender and not chewy at all, and the sausage had a great smoky flavor + snap. I liked that each table also had squeeze bottles of different sauces to try! Overall a good BBQ place and quintessential to the Texas experience :) read more
Much better the 2nd time around. Had friends come from Spain and specifically wanted Terry Blacks. Had my hesitations but still went. Was very lucky to find a parking spot on a Tuesday night at dinner time. I will say this, tourists can get aggressive about the parking or they just don't understand it. lol. Greeted immediately by the best hostess. Got thru the line very quickly. We ordered 1 lb or both lean and not lean brisket. Burnt ends. Pork ribs and the sausage. Wow! All cooked to perfection. It was a lively night so a tad loud but that is expected here. The only thing I would suggest is for the sweet tea to be actually sweet. Not sure if when the 3 batches we saw brewing got mixed up but definitely not sweet. Will be happy now to bring friends back here. It's a must stop bbq in Austin for sure. read more
When I asked the locals where they would go for barbecue, all of them recommended Terry Black's BBQ, which is not the number one rated, but always listed in the top 10 for Austin. The place was busy with most of the inside seating taken up and over 50% of the outside seating. People do move through fairly quickly. Service overall was Rapid and they showed a lot of interest in where you're from and why you came. It's a really fun and noisy environment. The barbecue is fabulous. If I can figure out how to downsize the video I was invited by the pitmaster for him to walk me through the handling of a brisket, showing me what they look for before it's prepared and wrapped, and then served. If you go to Austin and you have any interest in eating barbecue, you cannot go wrong at Terry Black's! read more
The food was so tender and delicious.. We heard the parking was a nightmare but we were lucky.. we pulled in and 1 was available.. everyone else waiting for someone to leave.. There is parking on both sides of the restaurant but still it is popular and super busy place.. They have a QR code so yiu can take a look before going thru the line.. once you stand in line you get your tray and proceeded to get your sides.. then go to the counter with the meats.. the ladies there was so helpful.. the guy behind the counter was business only.. because they want to move the lines be prepared to know what you want when you get there.. it was super busy but we were lucky enough to find a table that fit our part of 6.. we shared 3 trays of food which was more than enough (we had leftovers) paid almost $300 for the 6 of us but it was so worth it!! We all agreed this was the best BBQ we've had in a long time.. We will definitely be back and of course recommend this place to visitors like us!! read more
13 days ago
Had a great first time trip to Austin which was made extra special thanks to Will and Jared who helped us decide on which meats to go with, which included the brisket, pork ribs and links. Everything was so good, thanks all!!! read more
5 months ago
I had been seeing Terry Black's all over TikTok so I was genuinely excited to check it out while I was in Austin. I expected it to be busy and came prepared for that, but the overall experience left a lot to be desired. Parking is limited right out front but if you walk down a bit there is a paid lot nearby, so that part was manageable. The issue started once we got in line. The whole process feels very rushed, and for the price point they are charging, that atmosphere is not it. Some of the workers did not seem to have much patience, and I did not appreciate the way we were spoken to when we got to the sides section. We ended up just getting a small potato salad and moving on. When we got to the meats, my mom got the brisket and I got a beef rib. I will say the experience at the meat counter was actually nicer. The man helping me asked which rib I wanted, let me pick a fattier one, and had a nicer tone. They weigh the meat to price it and leave the bone in, which I was not a fan of, but the rib looked incredibly tender and I was excited. Our total came out to $85 for one beef rib and a few slices of brisket. Pricey, but I paid it and headed back to my hotel ready to dig in. Unfortunately the meat was so overwhelmingly salty that I genuinely could not eat it. It was inedible to me, and my mom felt the same way about the brisket which made the whole situation feel like a complete waste of $85. This was really disappointing overall. The hype did not match the experience for me. read more
2 months ago
They meat here was phenomenal. The sides were not as great as I expected. I thought the cornbread was too dry. read more
Terry Black's always hits the spot! The line always moves so fast and the workers are so friendly. A bonus is being able to order drinks while waiting for food if the line is extra long. We ordered all the staples- Mac n cheese (the cheese is so creamy and delicious), potato salad, brisket, sausage and smoked turkey. The meat is so tender and flavorful. The banana pudding is one of my favorite deserts in town- it's light and fluffy. Parking can be limited but they have discounted parking with metropolis garages. read more
We visited the Austin location during graduation week and made for a very packed small parking lot. Needless to say, we went early enough to get the last spot. The line to order was long but moved rather quickly. Ordering was easy and the meat cutters were friendly and helpful getting you what you want. Bbq was on point. Ordered the beef rib bone, brisket, and some ribs. Everything was juicy and perfectly smoked. read more
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. read more
Bbq galore and sides. You start by choose your sides such as collard greens, Mac and cheese and pasta salad, Cole slaw you name it along with a dessert such as banana pudding. Then you go and choose your protein such as ribs, brisket, sausage and other proteins. Pick your cut and they serve it. Ample seating for eating and super friendly staff and answer questions you may have. The ribs the meat comes right off the bone. The sausage delicious but not too spicy. Cole slaw delicious as well as the banana pudding. Comes with pickles serving. read more
I came back after trying different bbq spots in Austin. Terry blacks is still good but wouldn't say the best in town. Has cool vibes though and line moves quick! The briskets are great but ribs no longer tender for some reason. Their Mac and cheese was good too. read more
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! read more
1 month ago
Being from Houston and Austin, and now living in Raleigh, North Carolina, I'm constantly homesick for great Texas BBQ...especially brisket!! NC has some fantastic BBQ spots of its own, but you can imagine my excitement knowing I'd be back in Texas last week! There are so many great places to choose from, but some friends recommended Terry Black's BBQ on Barton Springs Road in Austin. I am so glad they did, because I was in for an absolute treat!! The brisket - outstanding!! The ribs - ridiculous!! The sides - oh, so magnificent!! And the experience goes far beyond the food. The building is ALL Texas, the staff was friendly, fun, an absolutely awesome, and the great country music playing in the background made the whole experience even better. It truly felt like Texas BBQ heaven!! It's hard to believe anyone could be in Austin and not know about this magical place. If you've never been - or you moved away from Austin like I have - GO NOW!! If you have been before - GO BACK!! Thank you, Terry Black's BBQ, for an unforgettable meal and a much needed taste of home. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Austin!! Long live Texas BBQ!!!! read more
got the beef ribs, burnt ends, jalapeño cheddar sausage, green beans and coleslaw. the ribs were juicy off the bone and their bbq sauce was bold and flavorful. line moved pretty quick on a weekday only waited about 10 minutes to place my order on a thursday night. plenty of seating inside and outside and can accommodate a big group. there's a bar station to get drinks before heading to the regular line for sides and meats. interior design is very texas country style with cafeteria style seating with benches and tables. read more
6 months ago
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 read more
5 months ago
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! read more
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! read more
5 months ago
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! read more
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 read more
23 days ago
Brought our kids and significant others to one of Austin staple places for BBQ and it didnt disappoint as usual! It took less than 10 mins to get a great parking spot, and even less to order food and find a table for 6 inside with AC. To top it all off, Cesar made the experience even better with boxes for left overs, bags and stickers. Great overall experience!! read more
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! read more
17 days ago
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. read more
2 months ago
The food was wonderful-the servers were happy, talkative, and very good at explaining options and prices! The actual place itself...incredibly chaotic. There was no difference in the 102 degree weather outside than when you walked into the restaurant. I felt awful looking at all of the employees literally dripping in sweat but still working their butts off. The line was out the door but moved very quickly thanks to the employees guiding everyone. After paying and leaving the line, actually finding a table/seat was crazy. It was so packed, with hardly any walking room. We stood for a while and then eventually took the table from a family that finished. I would definitely visit again, but it's a hard pass on eating inside, I would prefer a pick up. It was also a Saturday, so that could be an explanation on the chaos read more
7 months ago
My second visit & we had to order the beef rib. Brisket, jalapeno cheese sausage, pork ribs, coleslaw, Mac and cheese, green beans were added to the tray for the four of us to consume. Beef rib was like eating some smoked prime rib, super tender and enough for all of us to share. Spendy when you consider your paying for the bone, and fat. Put I'm glad we tried it. The brisket is the star of this establishment. Cooked perfectly, opted for the Point cut which was well marbled and easily cut with the plastic forks. All the sides were good, with the green beans getting the nod from the group. Cooked al dente, light garlic seasoning, great combo with the meat. Numerous beers available while you wait,line moved quickly at 6pm on a Weds evening. All the employees we're smiling and ready to assist. The line to order is well organized and moved us through rapidly. Chatted with the pitmaster and he said they are smoking 364 days a year, only off for Christmas. This is their Flagship location and serves the largest quantity of any of their locations. Two new spots opening this year. Nine cords of hickory used per week, this place is a money printing machine. read more
More info about Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Bouldin Creek, 78704 (South Austin)
Directions
(512) 394-5899
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https://terryblacksbbq.com
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.…
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…
What is in the Black Margarita? And can I buy the margarita mix somewhere?
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