Famous BBQ In Austin For Authentic Flavors

Micklethwait Craft Meats is an Austin barbecue institution that's been tantalizing taste buds since 2012. This vintage barbeque place serves up oak-fired Central Texas barbecue enjoyed under the shade of lush Texas trees.

Micklethwait Craft Meats nails the classic Texas staples like brisket, ribs, and sausage. But they also excel at creative offerings like smoked turkey, Tex-Czech sausage, and even vegan jackfruit barbecue.

Everything is made from scratch, from the sauces and pickles to the bread, ensuring a truly authentic and delicious experience.

Address: 1309 Rosewood Ave

The story of Distant Relatives begins with Chef Damien Brockway, a trained fine-dining chef with a deep interest in his African American heritage. He noticed a lack of representation of the African diaspora's contributions to American barbecue.

So, in 2020, he decided to fill that void, by opening Distant Relatives. While you can find classic Central Texas BBQ staples like brisket and ribs on the menu, Distant Relatives' true strength lies in its unique offerings.

Expect dishes like jerk-kissed pulled pork, Ethiopian-inspired barbacoa made with beef cheek, and spicy sausages seasoned with African spices.

Address:  3901 Promontory Point Dr

Started in 2017 by LeRoy Brown and Lewis Hill, LeRoy and Lewis began simply as a way to share their passion for Texas barbecue with the community. Their tiny blue food truck quickly gained a loyal following for its innovative offerings and mouthwatering meats.

LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue is a must-visit spot nestled inside the Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden. Not a typical barbecue joint, this place is dedicated to "New School BBQ", sourcing local, ethically raised meats, experimenting with unique cuts and flavors, and serving with genuine Texas hospitality.

Address: 121 Pickle Rd

Franklin Barbecue started humbly in 2009, a small trailer on the side of an interstate. From the get-go, barbecue maestro Aaron's meticulous approach to smoking meats, using only high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques, caught the attention of locals and national media alike.

What sets Franklin apart is Aaron's dedication to low and slow smoking. His meats, from the melt-in-your-mouth brisket to the succulent ribs, spend hours over oak wood, achieving a tenderness and flavor that's simply divine.

Address: 900 E 11th St

La Barbecue is a popular barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 2012 by Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole. The restaurant is known for its high-quality meats, which are smoked over oak wood for several hours.

La Barbecue is located in a small, unassuming building in East Austin. It's menu features a variety of barbecued meats, including brisket, ribs, sausage, pork belly, and turkey. The brisket is the restaurant's signature dish, and it is known for its tender, smoky flavor.

Address: 2401 E Cesar Chavez St

Stiles Switch BBQ has a warm and inviting space with exposed brick, and vintage accents. They have a expanded menu, adding creative twists to traditional dishes like brisket burnt ends and jalapeño cheddar sausage

Since its establishment, Stiles Switch BBQ has continuously grown and refined its offerings. They continually experiment with their recipe, tweaking the rub and mastering the smoking process to achieve that perfect balance of tenderness and smoky goodness. 

Address: 6610 N Lamar Blvd

The journey of Terry Black's Barbecue began in 1932, in the heart of Lockhart, Texas, a town renowned for its barbecue royalty. This barbecue place is dedicated to serving high-quality, slow-smoked meats in the Texas barbecue style.

Terry Black's Barbecue primarily focuses on the classic meats of Central Texas barbecue. This delicious tapestry woven across generations takes pride in using fresh, high-quality ingredients and avoiding MSG in their food.

They aim to showcase the natural flavors of the meats through traditional slow-smoking techniques and simple rubs.

Address: 1003 Barton Springs Rd

Born in the 80s on the smoke of slow-cooked meats and family recipes, Donn's Texas BBQ has become a beloved institution in Austin. Starting from humble beginnings in Corpus Christi, Jim Howell, a WWII veteran with a Texan spirit, brought his barbecue passion to Austin.

With every succulent brisket and juicy rib, Donn's built a reputation for authenticity and friendly service, attracting both locals and barbecue enthusiasts from afar.

As of today, Donn's continues to be a cornerstone of Austin's culinary landscape, carrying a legacy of slow-smoked traditions and family recipes, all served with a side of warm Texas hospitality.

Address: 7001 Oak Meadow Dr

In the bustling barbecue scene of Austin, Texas, Rollin' Smoke BBQ stands out as a hidden gem, offering a unique twist on the Texan tradition. Forget cookie-cutter brisket and predictable ribs – this food truck is where smoky creativity takes center stage.

Founded in 2011 by Chef Damien Brockway, Rollin' Smoke started as a way to celebrate his African American heritage which shines through in every dish. While the place does nail the classics like tender brisket and juicy sausage, Rollin' Smoke's true strength lies in its bold culinary exploration. 

Address: 1108 E 12th St

The original Black's Barbecue was founded in 1932 in Lockhart, Texas, by Edgar Black Sr. Five generations of Blacks have honed the craft of slow-cooked melt-in-your-mouth brisket, house-made sausage, and a simple, traditional approach to BBQ.

The Austin location allows Central Texans outside of Lockhart to experience the iconic Black's BBQ without the long lines and wait. Whether you're a veteran BBQ connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Black's Barbecue in Austin is sure to satisfy your cravings and offer a taste of Texan tradition with a modern twist.

Address: 3110 Guadalupe St

Interstellar BBQ is a relatively young star in the Austin BBQ scene, having blasted onto the scene in February 2019. Though its history may be short, it's already earned a place among the top dogs with its out-of-this-world flavors and innovative approach.

While Interstellar BBQ respects the classics with melt-in-your-mouth brisket and juicy sausage, it truly shines in its unique offerings and bold flavor combinations. This isn't your Grandpa's BBQ – it's a culinary spaceship taking your taste buds on a voyage of discovery.

Address: 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N suite 105

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is a classic BBQ joint that opened in 1962. Tommy Cooper, a man with a passion for good food and cowboy-style grilling, opened the first "Hot Pit Bar-B-Que" in a humble tin building, with his natural talent for coaxing smoky tenderness out of brisket over burning mesquite wood.

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is known for its delicious brisket, ribs, and other meats that are cooked to perfection over an oak pit. Primarily, this place is famous for its "big chop" style, where customers can choose their meats directly from the pit. 

Address: 217 Congress Ave

Iron Works Barbecue in Austin boasts a history as rich and flavorful as the smoked meats they serve. The historic red tin building that sells meat, once filled with the clang of hammers, now pulsates with the rhythmic sizzle of meat over oak.

The core of Iron Works' success lies in its dedication to authenticity. They slow-cook their meats over oak pits, using simple rubs and focusing on quality ingredients. Their brisket is a star, melt-in-your-mouth tender with a perfect smoke ring.

Address: 100 Red River St

Lamberts wasn't always the buzzing Downtown Austin hotspot it is today. It all started in 2006 when a group of local friends and investors came together to celebrate modern Texas cuisine while honoring the historic building Schneider Brothers Building.

From the get-go, Lamberts focused on offering more than just traditional barbecue. Their menu features expertly smoked brisket and grilled prime steaks, alongside modern Texas classics like roasted vegetable salads and grilled fish.

Over the past decade, Lamberts has established itself as a beloved Austin institution.

Address: 401 W 2nd St

Green Mesquite BBQ's smoky legacy in Austin stretches back to 1988, weaving a tale of family, barbecue dedication, and even a touch of musical magic. Tom Davis, a seasoned pitmaster with a passion for Central Texas BBQ envisioned a haven for smoky meats and good cheer, and the rest is history.

Today, Green Mesquite remains a beacon of delicious BBQ and joyful vibes in Austin. The smoky air still rings with laughter and music, the pit masters still work their magic on meat.

As they say at Green Mesquite, "Life is short, 'horrify' a vegetarian!". With genuine Texas hospitality, they're sure to do so for generations to come.

Address: 1400 Barton Springs Rd

SLAB BBQ & Beer's story is one of hustle, hip-hop, and hunger for delicious barbecue, smoked low and slow. It all started in 2006 as a humble trailer on the University of Texas campus, Mark Avalos with a whole lot of passion started selling sandwiches, a favorite among college students.

In 2014, SLAB BBQ & Beer started serving mouthwatering brisket and pulled pork. Today, SLAB continues to reign supreme in Austin's BBQ scene, earning accolades from Guy Fieri and beyond.

But the core remains the same - quality ingredients, innovative flavors, and a dedication to serving people, all wrapped in a vibrant, music-infused atmosphere.

Address: 9012 Research Blvd C4

Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ is a food trailer in Austin, Texas, that blends Texas BBQ and Tex Mex. It was founded in 2013 by Miguel Vidal, a Tejano native who grew up surrounded by family gatherings centered around delicious food.

Valentina's started out as a small trailer at the Barton Creek Greenbelt, but it quickly gained popularity for its unique blend of BBQ and Tex-Mex flavors. The menu features smoked brisket, pulled pork, chorizo, barbacoa, and more, all served on fresh tortillas with Valentina's homemade salsas and other toppings.

Address: 308 S Main St, Buda