The Ultimate Guide to the Best BBQ in Austin, Texas

Barbecue in Austin isn’t just food. It’s culture. It’s competition. It’s identity. And in 2025, the city remains the epicenter of Central Texas BBQ — the style that made smoked brisket and salt-and-pepper rubs famous around the globe. Whether you’re a first-timer chasing the Franklin line or a local looking for the next great rib, Austin offers a dizzying lineup of world-class smokehouses.

But among dozens of contenders, a handful rise to the top. These are the spots that define Austin barbecue — where the pits are always running, the lines are always long, and the flavors are worth every minute of waiting.

Franklin Barbecue: The Benchmark

No list of the best BBQ in Austin can start anywhere else. Franklin Barbecue is the gold standard — the place that put Austin on the global barbecue map. Since Aaron and Stacy Franklin opened their food truck in 2009, the operation has grown into a full restaurant, a James Beard Award, and a reputation that has drawn everyone from Anthony Bourdain to President Obama.

Franklin is famous for its brisket, seasoned with nothing more than salt, pepper, and oak smoke. It’s simple, but it’s the kind of simple that only comes after years of obsessive perfection. Expect a line that starts forming before 8 a.m. for an 11 a.m. opening. Waiting is part of the ritual, and when you finally get that buttery slice of brisket, a juicy turkey breast, or a snappy sausage link, you’ll understand why.

What to order: fatty brisket, beef rib, turkey, sausage, pulled pork, espresso BBQ sauce.

La Barbecue: Bold, Tangy, and Unforgettable

If Franklin is the statesman, La Barbecue is the firebrand. Founded by LeAnn Mueller (granddaughter of Louie Mueller of Taylor, TX) and Alison Clem, La Barbecue carved out its place by leaning into savory, salt-forward rubs and tangy sauces.

The beef ribs here are the stuff of legend — dinosaur-sized, fall-off-the-bone, and unapologetically Texan. Back in the food truck days, the wait was softened by free cold beer under the oak trees. Today, from its East Cesar Chavez location, La Barbecue still delivers some of the city’s best brisket, ribs, and sausage with no frills and no shortcuts.

What to order: beef ribs, chopped brisket sandwich, la frito loco, sausage, shells & cheese.

Interstellar BBQ: The Innovator

In just a few years, Interstellar BBQ has gone from strip-mall sleeper to #2 in Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints. Pitmaster John Bates brings creativity to the classics, offering brisket tacos, peach tea–glazed pork belly, and even Mexican chocolate rice pudding with Oreo crumble.

It’s north of the city, but Austinites make the drive — and stand in line for up to two hours — because the food is that good. Interstellar has managed the rare feat of satisfying purists while still pushing barbecue forward.

What to order: St. Louis pork ribs, brisket taco, pork belly, mac & gouda, frito pie sausage.

Terry Black’s BBQ: The Crowd-Pleaser

For a taste of Lockhart heritage in downtown Austin, head to Terry Black’s BBQ. Founded by twin brothers Michael and Mark Black, it combines family tradition with Austin convenience.

Lines are shorter than Franklin’s, and the cafeteria-style setup keeps things moving. Inside, you’ll find reliable brisket, juicy sausages, and a famous beef rib that rivals any in town. Add creamed corn and banana pudding, and you’ve got a complete Austin BBQ experience.

What to order: brisket, beef rib, sausage, creamed corn, banana pudding.

Parish Barbecue: Louisiana Roots, Austin Star

Austin’s barbecue scene just got a Louisiana twist. Parish Barbecue, led by pitmaster Holden Fulco, brings Cajun flavors to Central Texas smoke. After stints at Interstellar, Fulco launched Parish from a trailer at Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches, and it’s already earning rave reviews as one of the city’s most exciting new joints.

The menu leans into Fulco’s Shreveport roots. Parish smokes a ham like no other — cured with brown sugar and fennel, glazed with Steen’s Cane Syrup, Creole mustard, and pepper jelly, it’s tender, tangy, and unforgettable. There’s also pulled duck, slow-cooked and brightened with orange zest, plus pork ribs lacquered with Cajun spice and cane syrup. Even the brisket gets a Louisiana edge, rubbed with hot sauce and Cajun seasoning for a complex kick. Sides like crawfish cornbread dressing and pimento shells and cheese topped with Zapp’s chips set Parish apart from the pack.

What to order: smoked ham, pulled duck, Cajun-spiced brisket, pork ribs, shells and cheese, crawfish cornbread dressing.

Micklethwait Craft Meats: East Side Gem

For years, Micklethwait Craft Meats has been the insider’s choice — a food truck turned staple on Austin’s East Side. Known for its stellar sausage and German-inspired sides, Micklethwait has earned spots on multiple “best of” lists while staying refreshingly low-key.

Their house-made pickles, brisket nachos, and frito pie are cult favorites. It’s the perfect spot for those who want top-tier barbecue without the Franklin-level wait.

What to order: brisket, jalapeño cheese sausage, beef rib, brisket nachos, pickles.

LeRoy and Lewis: The New School Stars

Dubbed “new-school barbecue with old-school service,” LeRoy and Lewis has gone from food truck to Michelin-starred restaurant. Pitmaster Evan LeRoy brings creativity to the pit, offering beef cheeks, whole-hog barbecue, and even cauliflower burnt ends.

It’s not barbecue for purists — it’s barbecue for the curious. And in Austin, that innovation has been rewarded. Their Akaushi brisket and cheddar cheesecake have made waves far beyond Texas.

What to order: beef cheeks, brisket burger, pulled whole hog, cheddar cheesecake.

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew: BBQ Meets Nostalgia

Located in the Violet Crown Shopping Center, Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew offers both great barbecue and a side of Austin nostalgia. If the walls look familiar, it’s because scenes from Dazed and Confused were filmed here.

Beyond the setting, the barbecue holds its own — tender brisket, cheesy jalapeño sausage, and desserts like peach cobbler and tres leches cake. Add a Texas craft beer from their wide selection, and you’ve got one of the most well-rounded BBQ stops in the city.

What to order: brisket, pork ribs, jalapeño cheddar sausage, tres leches cake.

Distant Relatives: Smoke with a Story

One of Austin’s most unique barbecue experiences comes from Distant Relatives, a food truck run by chef Damien Brockway. Inspired by the African diaspora, Brockway layers flavors like smoked mustard butter on brisket and tamarind molasses BBQ sauce on pulled pork.

The result is barbecue that feels both familiar and entirely new. Set in the parking lot of Meanwhile Brewing, it’s as much a cultural experience as a culinary one.

What to order: brisket with smoked mustard butter, pulled pork with tamarind molasses, pork spare ribs.

KG BBQ: Egyptian Meets Texan

A relative newcomer, KG BBQ is proof that Austin barbecue is still evolving. Egyptian pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh brings Middle Eastern flavors to the pit — think pomegranate-glazed pork ribs, smoked lamb chops with mint chimichurri, and Egyptian bread pudding.

It’s not your grandfather’s barbecue, but it’s quickly earning a following among locals who want to see how far Central Texas traditions can stretch.

What to order: pork ribs, lamb chops, Egyptian Cowboy Mac n Cheese.

The Salt Lick: The Classic Pilgrimage

Technically outside Austin in Driftwood, The Salt Lick is worth the drive for anyone seeking the iconic Texas barbecue experience. The massive open pit, the family-style platters, and the BYOB policy make it more than a meal — it’s an event.

If you want all-you-can-eat brisket, sausage, pork ribs, potato salad, cole slaw, and beans, this is your spot. Add live music and the Hill Country backdrop, and The Salt Lick delivers pure Texas charm.

What to order: family-style platter, beef ribs, prime rib (Sunday special).

Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue: Upscale Smokehouse Charm

Not every great barbecue experience in Austin requires standing in line under the hot sun. Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue, located in a historic building on 2nd Street, delivers smoky Texas classics in a polished, upscale setting. It’s the kind of place you bring parents or out-of-town guests when you want great barbecue without the wait.

The menu balances refined takes on brisket, ribs, and sausage with dishes like oak-grilled salmon, smoked chicken, and craft cocktails. Lambert’s proves that barbecue can dress up for a night out while still staying true to its roots.

What to order: brisket, pork ribs, sausage, crispy wild boar ribs, and banana pudding.

Final Thoughts: Austin BBQ Has Tons of Amazing Options

The best BBQ in Austin isn’t about one restaurant — it’s about the ecosystem. Franklin sets the standard, La Barbecue keeps things bold, Interstellar reinvents the genre, and the rest — Terry Black’s, Valentina’s, Micklethwait, LeRoy & Lewis, Stiles Switch, Distant Relatives, KG BBQ, The Salt Lick, and Lambert’s — round out a scene that’s as dynamic as it is delicious.

If you’ve got time (and an iron stomach), the perfect trip to Austin is a tour of all of them. But if you’re short on hours, make sure at least one of the holy trinity — Franklin, La Barbecue, or Interstellar — makes your list. That’s where the heart of Austin barbecue beats.

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