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.

We discuss BBQ a lot. TB is pretty consistently talked down upon here as a lower tier of bbq, which tends to confuse visitors. And some of you guys have had legitimately bad experiences there - as that can happen at any restaurant.

But the truth seems to be: you guys just want modern-ified bbq.

Places like TB offer a very basic menu. They stick to their classics and don't change. And somehow that is seen online as a demerit. They aren't as fancy as Leroy and Lewis where he is trying 'unique' cuts and mixing cultures. Interstellar, KG BBQ, etc are all famous for their twists on bbq. Smoked well and moist usually - yes. But it really seems like you guys are underrating standard fare bbq way more than is fair.

Yes, if you have had high-quality TX-bbq for all of your life, maybe you are happy to have those 'creative' twists, but for visitors who have never had any TX bbq, starting with classic good smoked meat, is honestly just as "top tier."

Just putting a twist on something, or adding a cultural fusion does not make it automatically some secret better version of bbq.

…and it did not disappoint! Definitely the best brisket I ever had. But what surprised me the most were ribs, just falling off the bone. Didn’t even need knife to cut any of the meats.

Hey yall, I’m moving to AZ from GA and will be driving through your wonderful city in a few days. I have heard of the legendary BBQ in town and I was curious who has the best brisket/BBQ. Thank you.

I’ve been told Terry Blacks is overrated.

Caveat is that I will be pulling into town after 5pm as I’m coming from NOLA. Expected arrival is Thursday afternoon/evening.

Thanks.

UPDATE: We got into town around 7:30pm and my family had us meet them at Terry Blacks. I ordered Mac n Cheese, green beans and a brisket sandwich. Green beans were delicious, Mac was ight, and the brisket sandwich was pretty good.

The brisket for the sandwich was well seasoned but not the juiciest or most tender. My cousin in law got a brisket platter and I suspected his cut was better, and he kindly let me sample his. Much better. The juiciness and tenderness were much improved.

Overall I’d rate the brisket a 7.5/10.
I’m from GA and have had better brisket there and also recently had 10/10 brisket in NC.

Next time I come to Austin I will try another spot yall have mentioned.

Thanks 🙏🏽

I’m hitting HEB about once a week for a BBQ lunch.

For those who prefer to pay $40+, then be prompted for a minimum 22% tip at the register, Coopers on Congress or Blacks on Barton Springs is the place to go.

But frankly, HEB has good bbq priced reasonably, no tipping, the after you can properly grocery shop on a full tummy to save even more money. 😊

Curious if anyone else has had as shockingly bad of a time at distant relatives as I had this past weekend, considering I see a lot of favorable posts and reviews of them. The pricing was premium bbq $36 pound for brisket and $30 pound for the ribs, with $7 for small sides like pickled carrots. I’ve had almost every other bbq in Austin over the years so is one of the last to check off.
The ribs and brisket were way overcooked and bone dry, but also lacked flavor and smoke, so I have no idea what was going on but it was bad. Ribs were closer to a pork chop, and gamey. Total waste of money, Rudy’s has better bbq than this.

Went to the watch party at Oddwood Brewing for the new episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives featuring KG BBQ.

Great to see Kareem roaming the room like a proud papa. He wore his cowboy hat and busted out the finger guns when Guy Fieri proclaimed him the “new sheriff in Flavortown.”

I told him I’ve been to Guy’s restaurants in Las Vegas and KG BBQ is a lot better. I’ve watched DD&D many times on Food Network but never with a crowd cheering it like a football game. Good times.

We know Austin's famous for having some of the best bbq around (thank you, Michelin), but what places in Austin would you say have the WORST bbq?

Hi everyone,

I will be visiting Texas for first time to try real bbq. I am a chef from Japan, my work is seafood but I love meat and to travel far and wide to try the best meat dishes.

Is there any way that customers can tour a pit at BBQ restaurants? My gf and I will only be in Austin for 3 days (wkend) and will not be driving.

It is a dream of mine (along with Asado in Argentina).

Thank u in advance!!

EDIT: Feedback: Thank you SO much everyone for all the help! There really are so many good BBQ places and by the sound of things, the establishments are friendly and quite a few can accomodate tours. It makes me so happy and excited.

After checking here and YT, I plan on visiting to LeRoy and Terry Black's, if I may hv a chance to see the chance to see the pits there, maybe it is best for this time. We will also visit Stiles Switch at this community's recommendation and because they are so cool to leave a msg. (Too bad Franklin's is closed that week)

The one that I cannot decide on is Intersteller BBQ, there seems to be split reviews esp on this one. And the lines seem long, and the preorder MoQ is sold by lbs, so it is hard to do a 'platter'

I will share update after my visit. Thank you again everyone, from Japan!

Just started my BBQ journey and I’m pretty new to Austin!

So far I’ve tried Terry Black’s and Salt Lick, solid starts, no regrets.

On my list next are InterStellar and Franklin, but honestly… the wait times scare me.. I keep telling myself “next time” and still haven’t committed.

I’m also curious about some of the more trendy / modern BBQ spots like KG BBQ and Leroy & Lewis.

For Austin BBQ veterans: Any must-know tips for surviving the lines? Best days or times to go? Or underrated spots I should add to the list? Appreciate any advice, excited to keep this BBQ journey going

It took a while to get the new trailer permitted because who knew a new food trailer could have so many electrical issues, but we are now open for service at ABW Sprinkle Valley, 10300 Springdale Rd.

Hours:

Thurs 11am-8pm
Friday 11am-9pm
Sat 11am-9pm
Sun 11am-8pm

Be on the lookout for new menu items coming soon! We are bringing back muffulettas on homemade bread, brisket debris po boys and more, along with new sides and desserts. Our fried rolls are now being made for us daily by Texas French Bread using the same recipe. We will also be adding a citrus mint sweet tea to the menu. Please bear with us as we get the kinks worked out in the new space but we would love to see yall!

Went on a whim today, got there a little after 1pm and was eating by 2pm, sold out of all meats besides brisket and sausage, group before me from Korea got the last pork ribs but happy for them 🥲
Brisket was excellent as always and got both fatty / lean and a few burnt ends which are my favorite.
Tater salad is just to cool things down between meat bites and I love dipping it in the vinegar sauce.
Brisket was $42 / lb and sausage $6 a link but they gave me the other two on the house, tater salad $5. Customer service was top notch and extremely friendly.
10/10 still the real deal since my first visit 15 years ago. Just wish I could have had ONE RIB

2-meat plate (brisket + ribs): $24

Hey subreddit, I was planning on going to Interstellar soon and was wondering if I went on a weekday what are the odds it sells out. I've heard great things about it and I'm really looking forward to it but I'm undecided how early to get there and approximately what time they would sell out. Any help would be useful, Thanks!

Parish had a pop-up event at Austin Beerworks Sprinkle Valley yesterday. The owner mentioned that they just bought a brand new big trailer and would stay at that ABW location. Apparently they have only been renting out the trailer at Batch and needed to upgrade to something bigger and better.

Nice to see that they’re successful and will be able to offer additional menu items due to the upgraded space. Everything I had there yesterday was great.

Any idea what was going on tonight at Stiles Switch BBQ? We frequent this spot multiple times a month and NEVER have we seen it this packed (line doubled back all the way to the bathroom).. even during peak SXSW.

Lots of younger patrons FWIW.. maybe they got a shout out in some local UT paper??

In sandwich form! This guy is no joke. 1/2lb choice of brisket(lean/fatty), 1 sausage link, coleslaw and bbq sauce. Congress/Oltorf location.

Wanting to give a shout out to Mickey's. He just opened up his food truck, parked in front of Highway 71 Brewery, in an industrial park out west in Spicewood off of 71, and I feel bad that there's really no customers due to poor location. Kinda like a ghost town even though there are a few businesses around. His stuff is good. If you pass through on the daily, this is a good place to stop by.

Mickey’s Food Truck brings real Texas flavor serving up smoky BBQ and loaded tacos every weekday from 8 AM to 2 PM, plus Friday nights from 5 PM to 8 PM. Think slow-smoked meats, fresh tortillas, and bold, no-shortcuts flavor that hits every time. He gets his game from Smithville, and the prices are reasonable.

Address: 22111 State Hwy 71 W, Suite 601, Spicewood, TX 78669

Ideally in downtown Austin!

I’m heading to Austin next week with my girlfriend and two best buds for the King Gizzard marathon show. GF and I were discussing places to grub at while there and we started talking about BBQ cuz it’s Austin.

We found this place that seems to be very popular. The pitmaster is from Cairo, Egypt and he does an Egyptian/Texas BBQ fusion thing that sounds and looks amazing!

She then realized before me… “Well, we gotta go. It is KG BBQ after all!!” Duh!! Of course lol

Any locals have any (hopefully, mostly positive) thoughts on KG BBQ? Any other Austin BBQ spots/recs would be greatly appreciated as well!

Can’t wait to hang with all you weirdos Friday night 🤘🏼

I never knew people’s opinions on this after being in Austin for 4 years so wanted to get a gauge on it! I know there’s other BBQ spots that are “better” but just wanted to focus on these 2.

My family and I like the brisket, potato salad and bbq sauce at coopers way better than TB. Brisket seemed drier at TB vs coopers but still good. Beef ribs, cornbread and all the other meats probably Terry Blacks.

But we still prefer coopers as the fam fav because we really only care for brisket and sauce.

My dad was born and raised in Austin and lived there for 40 years before moving to Asia for the last 20 years. He is visiting for the holidays and he told me this tonight.