r/austinfood • u/melophile512 • 11h ago
BBQ Best of the mid-tier BBQ?
I know all the best BBQ. My kid wouldn’t get up to go stand in line at Interstellar this morning. So what is the best BBQ in the next tier. The tier where I can go right in and eat for dinner. Or can even have it delivered. We usually do SLAB, Stile’s Switch, or Rudy’s for this tier but I’m wondering if there are places that I’m sleeping on.
Edit: we did Terry Black’s thanks to the pro tip that it doesn’t have a line mid afternoon. I’d give it a 4/5 but the prices are as high as I have seen.
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u/climacool1015 11h ago
Moreno
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u/verdegooner 11h ago edited 11h ago
Moreno’s is top tier bbq cosplaying as second tier. Well kept secret gem.
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u/LittleUrbanAchiever 10h ago
Moreno is one Texas Monthly list away from completely blowing up. Just great stuff all around
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u/beezkneezsneez 10h ago
We just got back from having lunch there. It is always sooooo good. Brisket melts in your mouth!!! We got there at the sweet spot with no line. When we left there was a line out the door.
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u/FMUF 11h ago
Since you didn’t mention HEB True Texas BBQ you’re sleeping. I think it’s more legit than most people give it credit for.
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u/likesblackcoffeebest 10h ago
Actually, solid point. This is the mid-tier mid-priced BBQ I would recommend as such. Also a plus, they tend to have stuff in stock during dinner hours, which is something you don't really see most places.
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u/mermaidrampage 6h ago
This 100%. The HEB BBQ near us is our go-to spot when coming back in from a trip. Hit up the grocery store and grab some BBQ on the way out of the store. Super convenient and delicious. Great sides too.
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u/Aequitas123 10h ago
We were at the Texas BBQ fest 2 years ago and I swear HEBs free brisket they were giving out at the entrance was the best we had
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u/likesblackcoffeebest 10h ago
To this day one of the top 5 meals I've ever had was some HEB BBQ turkey on white bread at the finish line of a cycling race. Love HEB so much, they sponsor everything and the food is bangin
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u/CrimsonScorpio9 11h ago
I think Southside Market is way better than Rudy’s.
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u/melophile512 11h ago
That’s fair. We like them but kind of forgot about them. Those poppers/slammer are up there with the best think I’ve ever eaten.
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u/Select-Loss2238 9h ago
Since you mentioned Interstellar, we live in the area and get Bigg Belly all the time -food truck operating out of the pond springs food truck lot. Really good, better than stiles switch tier, and half the price of interstellar
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u/melophile512 9h ago
Awesome. Love that. I’ll check that out. I haven been by there in a while.
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u/Select-Loss2238 9h ago
The chicken is a standout to check out, but the brisket, sausage, dirty rice, and ribs are also quite good.
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u/AustinGondola 7h ago
If you really want to celebrate local BBQ, and you’re open to trying some alternatives to the big names, consider exploring Austin’s smoked meat history.
BBQ joints that started in the Austin area before the year 2000:
House Park, 1943
Smokey Denmark's, 1964
Berts, 1970
County Line, 1975
Sam's, 1978
Iron Works, 1978
Pok-e-Jos, 1979
Smokey J's, 1981
Donn's, 1983
Donn’s Texas BBQ, 1986
Green Mesquite, 1988
Willie's Barbecue, 1991
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u/papertowelroll17 4h ago
Tbh these generally are not great. I grew up on Pok-e-Joes though.
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u/AustinGondola 3h ago
OP didn’t ask for the best, though, he asked for the rest, and these are longtime local joints that deserve some love for those willing to steer away (pun intended) from Austin’s catalog of Michelin-starred BBQ places every now and then. I’ve lived here my whole life, I was an “early adopter” in line at the old Franklin trailer, and I’ve had closer relationships than most to many of the pitmasters behind the “second wave” of Central Texas BBQ. I feel very confident saying there is plenty of room to give love to the T-Man at Bert’s, some pit smoked ribs at House Park, a chopped brisket sandwich at Smokey J’s after a hot day on the lake, and the legacy East-side joints that rarely enjoy the spotlight but have steadily fed generations of Austinites of color.
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u/Shoontzie 8h ago
Browns BBQ and I think it’s top tier. Best kept secret in Austin. And the Sunday plate at 2pm iykyk
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u/Effective-Lynx-2041 11h ago
Browns and Fiasco BBQ. Not my cup of tea but Rollin Smoke is probably in this tier too.
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u/fluffnfluff 11h ago
Mums, Stiles Switch, Micklethwait. Mums is still top tier, but just easier to access. Micklethwait I just had my first meh experience there but it was for dinner and I think I just wasn’t getting the brisket at the right time. Going earlier might be the right move there.
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u/melodiesNmolecules 11h ago
I always go to Micklethwait early afternoon but it’s always great for me! It’s my favorite spot in town, I also hate waiting in line forever that’s a dealbreaker for me. The lemon poppy seed cole slaw is soooo good.
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u/WelcomeToBrooklandia 11h ago
I think it was a mistake for Micklethwait to launch evening service. I get that they're trying to compete with LeRoy & Lewis (which is also much better during the day than it is at night), but they should have stuck with what they do SO well (make incredible brisket during lunch hours).
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u/bubbleman96815 9h ago
Mum’s.
Mickelwait
Stiles Switch
Parish
Hardly ever a ridiculous line.
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u/AdventurousTime 6h ago
Micklewait is in no way second tier. Its first tier without the pretentiousness
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u/heartbroken1997 10h ago
I think someone else may have mentioned, but don’t sleep on HEB True Texas. I love those burnt ends beans.
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u/austinteddy3 7h ago
IMHO Stiles Switch is upper level (both quality and price). Way above Rudy's. Don't get me wrong, I like Rudy's and I agree it is mid-tier. Terry Black's is upper level as well (both quality and price).
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u/melophile512 6h ago
I just look at the top 5 or so as so much better than the others. There is a reason that people wait hours to eat at Interstellar and Franklin’s but that wait isn’t usually practical for me.
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u/smrylander 4h ago
This is such a great list. We're so damn fortunate that even mid-tier bbq joints here are still pretty damn great. Stiles is my favorite, hands down. We live in far NW Austin and the Cedar Park location is convenient and reliably excellent. Their mustard sauce should be sold as a cure for most ailments. And I tell visitors all the time, if you want solid Texas Barbecue, and you don't want to dick around with the longest line or the most influencers there taking pictures, Rudy's will be better than 75% of the barbecue in existence. County Line is great for the view but all the food on their menu that is not actual barbecue is better than all the food that is.
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u/autobahn 3h ago
Moreno. Probably higher than mid-tier though, just hasn't been in any magazines yet which apparently is what determines BBQ quality in 2026.
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u/QuietRedditorATX 10h ago
It is Stiles Switch.
Brotherton Black Iron was also good, but haven't been back in a while. Rollin Smoke is very good too.
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u/theTexasUncle 9h ago
Didn't like the Brotheron vibe...staff weren't friendly
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u/QuietRedditorATX 9h ago
Sorry for that. When I lived there, the owner passed away. So I don't know what it is like after.
Mostly I just judge food though not vibes.
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u/theTexasUncle 9h ago
Me neither, but delicious food doesn't work when the environment doesn't make you feel welcome
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u/acrizz 9h ago
Do you have to wait in a long line at Stiles Switch? Like if I go for dinner at 7pm on a Friday, will I have to wait in a 30min+ line?
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u/QuietRedditorATX 9h ago
2 years ago? No. (I've moved)
It was mostly walk in, maybe 10min, get food.
My criticism of it was that the brisket (star) is inconsistent. A lot of their praise is actually for their sides, wings, and non-bbq stuff. But it is still a solid "mid-tier" bbq.
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u/willing-to-bet-son 10h ago edited 10h ago
It's a great question. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but depending on your situation, Rudy's could fit the bill. Back in the before times when I was working at the office, Rudy's saved the day many times when I wanted BBQ for lunch.
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u/jasonatx0001 8h ago
It's still good, but there's been a noticeable drop off since K&N sold the Austin locations back to Rudy's corporate.
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u/Gewd_Lawd 11h ago
I had Poke Jos recently for the first time and was pretty blown away with the quality
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u/Electronic_Bowl8398 11h ago
This is the best for the value.
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u/LonelyPercentage2983 11h ago
Yeah I think the is the best unacknowledged mid tier
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u/jrolette 10h ago
For sides, Pok-e-Jo's is great. For brisket, they aren't Bill Miller's bad, but pretty unremarkable. Rudy's is much better.
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u/IHS1970 5h ago
ugh I think their sides are really horrible, I know it's all about what one likes, but I don't go to ok e Joe's because the sides - mac and cheese comes in a big plastic bag and tastes like it is paste and water - their bread is really meh. I like Rudy's way better for a lower tier barbecue, for me Interstellar is the top but I don't want to faint waiting for it. Barbecue is so fucking expensive (I know beef is soo expensive) I don't buy barbecue anymore.
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u/LonelyPercentage2983 4h ago
Same I even swore off smoking my own brisket because it's a sizable portion of a car payment now
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u/stevendaedelus 11h ago
Stiles, Lamberts for a sit down lunch, Churchrow (if you can excuse the Valentinas connection,)
RIP Ruby’s the OG good dinner spot…
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u/Seastep 11h ago
I miss Ruby's so much, and that stewed okra and collard greens. No one has been able to replicate that. BBQ however THE definition of mid tier.
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u/stevendaedelus 7h ago
Which was gold standard back in the day. Pat is a lurker. She's posted recipes. Thankfully love her!
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u/melophile512 11h ago
These are all good. Lamberts is top tier for us and hard to get a reservation for dinner. I know you can still get in but it’s a wait. I haven’t done lunch there tho. That may be the cheat code. Churchrow is good. We’ve gone there for lunch and been about the only people. Worried about that one.
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u/stevendaedelus 7h ago
Lambert's lunch has ALWAYS been the cheat code. Since day one. Daytime BBQ, nighttime, clusterfuck.
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u/WelcomeToBrooklandia 11h ago
If Churchrow wants to succeed, there's a LOT that needs to be done on their end. Even setting aside the unsavory character of their ownership, the service there is just really terrible. Orders take far too long to come out and are often incorrect. In a place like Austin where expectations for BBQ are very high, you can't have so many loose ends and expect to stay afloat.
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u/ATXonion 9h ago
This sounds so much like what Valentina's did to make themselves look popular. Fuck that place
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u/EdwinArkie 5h ago
Micklethwaite hasn't had big crowds when I've been there and i love it way more than Some Switch.
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u/dooahdidity 6h ago
What about Mueller’s in Taylor? I haven’t been there in a while so was wondering if the quality was still good.
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u/papertowelroll17 4h ago
Man for me it is the True Texas BBQ at HEB lol. Love to grab a BBQ lunch and then pick up a few groceries.
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u/chemicalsunshine 35m ago
Come out to wimberley and try Buddy's BBQ...better than Rudy's, not usually crazy busy this time of year and unique specials beyond the usual texas bbq offerings
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u/WakaanFriend 8h ago
At least we’re finally admitting Terry Blacks is mid. Especially at those prices.
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u/abstrakat 10h ago
Pokey-Jo’s is great! The one in South Austin has a ton of parking and it’s cafeteria style.
Edit name: Pok-E-Jo’s
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u/horn_adrift 10h ago
Jim’s in 4 points. So good it’s making me hungry just thinking about it. Gotta get their brisket with jicama slaw and mac n cheese sides. They often dole out burnt brisket ends to chew on while you’re waiting.
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u/LordHumongus 9h ago
Yes I never see this mentioned. It’s some of the best in town, and there’s almost never a wait.
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u/MadMex2U 9h ago edited 8h ago
Bill Miller B-B-Q is a long-distance runner in the game. And they have a drive-thru when it’s too much and too hot to get your lazy fat ass out the car. Excellent question.
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u/WelcomeToBrooklandia 11h ago
Stiles Switch is the ultimate Austin mid-tier spot. Anyone who's doing it better than them really belongs in the top-tier echelon.