11 Best Barbecue Spots in Austin

Barbecue and Austin are practically synonymous. And with a huge variety of options and what feels like a barbecue truck on nearly every corner, it can be hard to know where to go for the best. If you’re only in town for a day or two, there’s no way you’re wasting one of your precious few meals in town on less-than-stellar barbecue. And that’s where this guide to the best BBQ in Austin comes in: 11 hand-picked, locally vetted, insanely delicious barbecue spots in the Capital City. #Texasforever

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Things You Should Know About the Best BBQ in Austin

• Most barbecue joints open around 11 AM and are often closed once or twice a week (usually Monday and Tuesday). Double-check hours online before you go.
• It’s fairly common for places to sell out of their most popular meats early (usually brisket). If it’s a big deal for you to enjoy the fruits of one particular pitmaster’s work, arrive as early as you can.
• Brisket is the ultimate measure of the quality of barbecue. It’s the most difficult to prepare well and should never be missed. Some places will ask if you’d like fatty or lean brisket – we prefer fatty brisket, but a mix is nice if it’s an option.
• Do not smother your meat in barbecue sauce. High-quality Central Texas-style barbecue is insanely flavorful, moist, and can stand on its own. Use the sauces on the side for dipping or a light drizzle once you’ve tried everything on its own first.
• Always order extra. Barbecue makes fantastic leftovers (breakfast tacos anyone?).
• Go with a friend and order as much as you can. Every barbecue joint has a variety of meats, sides, and, if you’re lucky, dessert. The goal here is to sample a little bit of everything.

11. Terry Black’s Barbecue

Not to be confused with Black’s Barbecue, Terry Black’s Barbecue on Barton Springs Road in South Austin is beloved by tourists and locals alike. It’s a great spot to bring just about anyone as they are one of the few barbecue spots in town with ample seating. You won’t get the absolute best brisket in town here, but all of the meats have great flavor and the sides are also delicious (the creamed corn and mac and cheese are a must).

10. Stiles Switch BBQ

One of the best-kept secrets in Austin (and now Cedar Park as well) is Stiles Switch BBQ, situated in an old strip mall in North Austin. Away from the crowds and buzz of the city, Stiles unquestionably makes some of the best bbq in Austin. The sides and meats are both fantastic. Get a little bit of everything and, whatever you do, don’t skip the sausage, corn casserole, or mac and cheese (our favorite in town). Try visiting outside of peak hours to avoid a line. If there is a line, it moves fast and is totally worth it for some of the best BBQ in Austin.

9. JNL Barbecue

With a pitmaster who worked the pit at Franklin’s before venturing out on his own, you know right from the start that JNL Barbecue is going to be good. It’s true–JNL delivers solid, uber-traditional, absolutely delicious Central Texas barbeque without the line (at least for now) from their recently opened brick-and-mortar on Cesar Chavez. The meats and sides are exactly what you’d expect in all the right ways: buttery, tender brisket, juicy cajun butter turkey, tangy pulled pork, mustardy potato salad, bacony green beans, and punchy coleslaw to cut through all the richness of everything else. Our menu favorite is the slightly non-traditional al pastor pork ribs and smokehouse bacon. If you can plan accordingly, the BLT Sunday-only special (for sure add turkey) is everything you could want from a BLT.

SEE ALSO: THE 15 BEST TACOS IN AUSTIN

8. Micklethwait Craft Meats

Micklethwait Craft Meats serves some of the best BBQ in Austin from a trailer on the east side of town. While they do have a set menu and often sell out, it’s not uncommon to see an unadvertised daily special that’s always a treat. Mickelthwait’s meats are super high-quality and obviously delicious (their Tex-Czech sausage might be our favorite in town with the perfect snappy casing). But what really sets them apart are their sides. The lemon poppy slaw has a lightly sweet and tangy vinaigrette that is the perfect companion to the rich and salty smoked meats. And then there are the jalapeno cheese grits. Made with cheddar, cream, and gorgonzola cheese, these grits are a true Southern treat as not many barbecue joints serve grits, and Mickelthwait’s are outstanding.

7. KG BBQ

In Austin, it’s easy to find exceptional traditional Central-Texas style barbecue: post oak smoked brisket, turkey, sausage, and pork ribs with sides of potato salad, beans, coleslaw, and mac and cheese. Then there’s KG BBQ, one of a handful of fusion barbeque spots in the city that is not to be missed. Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh (KG), who moved to Austin to pursue a career in barbecue after quitting his corporate job in Egypt, mingles Texas barbecue with Egyptian and Middle Eastern flavors and ingredients to create a barbeque menu that’s innovative, interesting, and anything but traditionally Texan. After learning from some of the best local pitmasters, KG BBQ has grown from a pop-up into a full-fledged truck. Though KG does offer a few mostly traditional smoked meats, the menu really shines with dishes that showcase the fusion of both cuisines. Think rice bowls topped with brisket, candied nuts, pomegranate seeds, and a bright yoghurt sauce. Lamb anything is phenomenal–smoked lamb chops, pulled lamb, lamb bacon ribs, and lamb kofta are all top notch. Condiments are a must here–the pomegranate barbecue sauce is stellar and be sure to ask for extra mint chimichurri.

SEE ALSO: THE 20 BEST BREAKFAST & BRUNCH SPOTS IN AUSTIN

6. Distant Relatives

Distant Relatives showcases modern African American barbeque, which is inspired by the story of the African diaspora in the US through food. The menu at Distant Relatives isn’t huge but it doesn’t need to be. The star of the show here is absolutely the smoked chicken legs served with chili vinegar dip. Its heightened spice level doesn’t read as spicy but rather multiple flavors layered together for an overall complex and interesting spiced taste. It’s the kind of thing where, one bite in, with juice dripping down your chin, you can’t help but sigh with an “ummmm, that’s good”. Distant Relatives doesn’t stop at chicken, as the pork spare ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, the pulled pork is peppery and moist, and a quick dip of nearly anything into the uniquely tart tamarind molasses barbecue sauce makes everything sing. And if you’ve been on the edge about trying black-eyed peas and collards, this is about as good as it gets.

5. Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

Tex Mex AND barbecue under one roof? Yes, they can coexist, and once you try the wonder that Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ is, you’ll question why it’s not done more often. Valentina’s is a small trek south from the center of town, but they serve some of the absolute best BBQ in Austin. The meats themselves are fantastic and consistently smoked to perfection- the pulled pork and thick slabs of juicy brisket are out of this world. Come for breakfast (served until 11 sharp) and get the Real Deal Holyfield breakfast taco: a fried egg, breakfast potatoes, refried beans, bacon, and smoked brisket all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. It’s simultaneously some of the best barbecue and one of the best breakfast tacos you’ll have in your life.

4. Leroy And Lewis Barbecue

LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue is our go-to spot for delicious smoked meats and some of the very best barbecue in Austin. Served from a trailer on South Congress just north of Ben White Boulevard, the barbecue here is unforgettable. We love the innovation and gastronomic flair poured into every dish, while still preserving and respecting the hallowed art that barbecue is. Dine here on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday when they serve their succulent, moist beef cheek. Also incredibly noteworthy is their L&L Burger (one of the very best in town), made with smoked then seared Akaushi brisket, American cheese, homemade sauce, grilled onion, and house pickles on a Martin’s potato bun. Check their website for weekly menus and make sure to try at least a couple of their phenomenal sides.

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3. La Barbecue

La Barbecue is legendary in the 512, and it’s no secret that they serve some of the best barbecue in Austin. Come to La Barbecue if you’re looking for super traditional and delectable Central Texas-style barbecue. The brisket will be phenomenal, the pulled pork and ribs are noteworthy, and the sides are a step up from other contenders in town. The coleslaw is unique and great on their sandwiches, the potato salad has great flavor (not too mustardy), and the mac and cheese cannot be missed. Arrive just before opening to avoid long lines or missing out on your share of the brisket.

2. Interstellar BBQ

Located in far North Austin, Interstellar is the kind of barbeque that’s 100% worth driving for. While their focus is Central Texas barbeque, intriguing ingredient additions and a few less customary sides make for a compelling menu where you simply have to try everything. And please do try everything because Interstellar offers the rare tray of barbeque + sides where every single item is a home run. Barbeque joints usually excel at a few meats, maybe a few sides, but Interstellar truly does it all. Yeah, there’s going to be a line, but go with a group, and honestly, order a bit of the whole menu. It’s nearly impossible to recommend a favorite but the brisket, pulled lamb shoulder, beer-brined turkey with sides of smoked scalloped potatoes, new potato salad, and complimentary beans are all required.

1. Franklin Barbecue

The rumors are true, Aaron Franklin does make the best barbecue in town, so if you’re a true connoisseur, pony up and wait your turn for brisket that brings world peace and is unlike any other cut of meat you’ve consumed in your life. First thing’s first: read our ultimate guide to eating at Fraklin Barbecue. 

SEE ALSO: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DINING AT FRANKLIN BBQ