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    Willie's Bar-B-Que

    4.0 (63 reviews)
    InexpensiveBarbeque
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Willie's Bar-B-Que Photos

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    WILLIE'S BAR-B-QUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Brisket & sausage--yum yum!
    Nora G.

    Addendum to my previous review-- I meant to say that the potato salad & bbq sauce was ok. But everything else was great!

    NACHO!  Ribbs and sausage.

    Food was Good. The sausage was delicious. Ribs were a little salty, but very soft! What threw me over the top was the service. Steve, Rosanne and the crew were wonderful! If we end up in Austin, and hanker for a hunk of meat, this will be the place.

    This sign is posted inside the establishment.
    Courtney B.

    I visited this location today and ordered a two meat plate with chicken and sausage. The two meat plate comes with beans, potato salad, pickles, onions, two slices of white bread and saltine crackers. After my party of four and I arrived, we received our food within 6 minutes from order to table. The sausage was flavorful, however the chicken was a bit dry. The chicken was served cut up in pieces which was surprising as chicken when barbecued tends to be served whole, perhaps this is explains some of the dryness of the chicken. The owner was the individual who served my parties plates when they were ready. Both the owner and the cashier were helpful and served up a whole bunch of southern charm.

    Ann W.

    Doesn't matter what you order everything is good the turkey legs were amazing I got one additional leg to go to. We had the brisket sausage turkey legs and ribs everything was just amazing thanks Mister Willie

    boudin!
    John R.

    I've been here once, but one thing will bring me back. Is it the brisket? Not so much. I've had much better. The beans? Eh. The sauce? I'd rather not. The atmosphere and locale are a little off putting. That said, the service was pretty nice. I also did discover that Big Red is the best stuff to drink with barbecue because I drank it too fast and the burp that erupted tasted of awesome. The one thing that will bring me back to Willie's is the boudin. It was one of the most surprising discoveries I've ever had. The combination of rice, sausage, and cajun spices is perfect. This was the first time I've had boudin and I've seriously been missing out all of these years. I'll definitely come back to Willie's for this.

    Brisket and beans

    The food was inedible, the brisket is extremely salty, the sauce is very tart and the beans are salty and dry. The worst lunch ever. Do not waste your time or money picking up food from this place.

    2 meat plate. Brisket and sausage

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    15 years ago

    Willie's is a locally owned and operated family business that has been proudly serving Austin since 1991.

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    14 years ago

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    13 years ago

    i love it i love it i love best bbq in texas.... mr willie can bbq... family owned and operated!!! best thing is the beef

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    THE BEST SAUSAGE EVER! The brisket is too fatty for my taste but the peach cobbler def. make up for it.

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    18 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Fatty brisket, hideous potato salad, and banana pudding was something chemical out of a box. Yikes! I'll not darken their door again.

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    14 years ago

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    Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que

    Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que

    4.0(2.3k reviews)
    3.8 miDowntown
    $$

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

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

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

    Interior fun

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

    Smoked turkey

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

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    Dining room

    Moonshine Grill - White chocolate bread pudding

    Moonshine Grill

    4.4(6.4k reviews)
    3.5 miDowntown
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Moonshine Grill
    Moonshine Grill - Garlic appetizer

    Garlic appetizer

    Moonshine Grill - Bourbon pour

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    Bourbon pour

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

    Rollin Smoke BBQ

    4.5(432 reviews)
    3.1 miEast Austin
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Rollin Smoke BBQ - Chalmers Grounds

    Chalmers Grounds

    Rollin Smoke BBQ - Rollin Smoke ATX BBQ Brisket

    Rollin Smoke ATX BBQ Brisket

    Rollin Smoke BBQ - Menu

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    Menu

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

    Stubb's Bar-B-Q

    3.4(1.6k reviews)
    3.3 miDowntown
    $$

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

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

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

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

    Stubb's Bar-B-Q - Chicken Sandwich

    Chicken Sandwich

    Stubb's Bar-B-Q - Exterior

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    Exterior

    Iron Works Barbecue - Sampler platter

    Iron Works Barbecue

    3.7(1.3k reviews)
    3.6 miDowntown
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Iron Works Barbecue - Cool atmosphere

    Cool atmosphere

    Iron Works Barbecue - Sampler with sides

    Sampler with sides

    Iron Works Barbecue - Shiner Ruby Red

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    Shiner Ruby Red

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

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Austin

    4.3(3.4k reviews)
    3.8 miDowntown
    $$

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

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

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

    Inside dining

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

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

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Austin - Aftermath

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    Aftermath

    Franklin Barbecue - Bbq platter

    Franklin Barbecue

    4.5(6.4k reviews)
    3.0 miEast Austin
    $$

    I *thought* I'd had good BBQ brisket before, but apparently I thought wrong, haha! This Austin…read moreinstitution absolutely blew. my. mind. with its incredibly simple yet perfectly executed 50/50 salt and pepper rub and low-and-slow smoke over cured post oak before resting and slicing. Ribs and sausage were excellent as well, and complimentary sauces, pickles, and white bread much appreciated. The meats sell out fast so get here early! The line is looong but 100% worth it. There's both indoor and outdoor seating in this small but mighty shop, and thankfully the tables turn over quickly so you shouldn't have trouble settling down once you get your food!

    So I finally decided to go try Franklins and brave the line. I arrived on a weekday at 1130am and…read morethe line was not bad. Maybe an hour. I love how people are giving this place a 1 star because they are popular and the line is long sometimes, I mean come one so stupid. This place is small and it's amazing how they can crank out as much bbq as they do. It's impressive. I got almost to the front of the line around 1230pm and they were already almost out of ribs, so go early. I got a 1/2lb of Brisket, 1/4lb of turkey, 3 bones of ribs, and one link of the jalapeño cheddar sausage, my side I did was potato salad. I'll give my honest review down below on each item. Brisket- 1000/10, best I have ever had. It was well seasoned, juicy, smoky, fatty in the right way and just so tender and delicious. Spectacular. Turkey- another 1000/10, it's so juicy and and tender. They season it but not heavily which is great since Turkey is a mild tasting meat. I would definitely get this again! Ribs- 6/10, and I love ribs. To me the seasoning on these was so thick it just overpowered the taste of the pork. All I could taste was pepper on it. It was good but I would personally pass on this item next time. Sausage- 1000/10, again so good. It was spicy due to the jalapeños but not overly, the cheese was nice and there was a good snap to the casing. The smoke added a nice touch to the fattiness of the sausage. Potato salad- 3/10, to me this was not a good take on potato salad. Not much texture in it like celery or something like that and all I could taste was vinegar. I like acid in my food but this is all I could taste. So it wasn't for me. Overall when I go next time I will be loading up on brisket, turkey and sausage! These items are amazing, maybe try another side, their beans looked really good. GO OUT AND EAT SOME BBQ!!

    Photos
    Franklin Barbecue - Inside

    Inside

    Franklin Barbecue - Pulled pork, cheddar jalapeño sausage, ribs, brisket

    Pulled pork, cheddar jalapeño sausage, ribs, brisket

    Franklin Barbecue - Front dining room

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    Front dining room

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

    Gebby's BBQ & Catering

    4.6(96 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

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

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

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

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

    Gebby's BBQ & Catering - Brisket Mac Bowl

    Brisket Mac Bowl

    Gebby's BBQ & Catering

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    Willie's Bar-B-Que - bbq - Updated May 2026

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