Alright, BBQ fanatics, listen up! Eleven years deep, and we’re back with our fifth Austin BBQ guide, and let me tell you, it’s a smoky, mouthwatering love letter to why Austin flat-out dominates the Central Texas craft BBQ scene. Seriously, we’re talking about a level of brisket mastery that’d make any pitmaster proud. And hey, it’s not just us saying it anymore. Word’s out – globally! Even the Michelin Guide, those fancy folks, finally caught on, throwing stars at La Barbecue, LeRoy and Lewis, and Interstellar BBQ in 2024. That’s right, stars!

So, this isn’t your average ‘here’s where to get brisket’ list, even though I’ve personally written that guide also. This is a victory lap, a celebration of Austin’s BBQ supremacy, and a rallying cry for anyone who knows the pure and almost inappropriate joy of devouring a tray of perfectly smoked craft meats. Personally, I’m a brisket believer through and through. But bring me Texas-style ribs that fall off the bone, jalapeno cheddar sausage with some serious snap, and killer sides that complete the symphony, and you’ll see me in Texas BBQ heaven with a bloated belly. From Stiles Switch’s baller daily specials to Franklin’s infamous line where waiting for five hours is considered a badge of honor. These spots are the heart and soul of a city that doesn’t just do BBQ, it has redefined how the world enjoys it. So grab your crew, loosen your belts, and get ready for some serious meat sweats.

La Barbecue sandwich
Photo Credit – Hayden Walker

La Barbecue

  • 2027 E Cesar Chavez St
  • Why It Rules: Michelin Star vibes with brisket so tender it’s criminal, ribs that sing, and creative sausage links with a spicy edge. Sides like chipotle slaw are pure grit. Celebs like Seth Rogen, Dua Lipa, Prince Harry and Megan Markel tend to just show up here. It’s obvious they know whats good!
  • Favorite Items: Melt in your mouth brisket—Michelin-approved melt. Don’t sleep on their award winning sliders (when available).
L&L Tray and Spread_Photo by Jessica Attie
Photo by Jessica Attie

LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue

  • 5621 Emerald Forest Dr
  • Why It Rules: A Michelin Star, new school BBQ swagger with daily specials—like smoked lamb neck—that flip the script. Brisket’s unreal, ribs collapse, sausage is craft BBQ porn.
  • Favorite Items: Smoked beef cheeks are legendary, Thursday’s chicken fried steak is a banger.
Photo Credit – Hayden Walker

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

  • 6610 N Lamar Blvd
  • Why It Rules: Daily specials—like smoked prime rib—keep it feral. Brisket’s lush, ribs are sticky-sweet, sausage bites back.
  • Favorite Items: Beef and pork ribs defines central Texas craft-style barbecue. Daily specials keep me coming back. Smoked wings, giant burgers, sandwiches, prime rib on Wednesday, and their super cool crew keep me loyal.
Interstellar BBQ
Photo Credit: Hayden Walker

Interstellar BBQ

  • 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N
  • Why It Rules: with Michelin Star rated bark that’s out-of-orbit, ribs with a Central Texas peppery snarl, and sausage that keeps you humbled. Mac N cheese, smoked beans, and scalloped potatoes as a side? Galactic.
  • Favorite Items: The Peached tea smoked pork belly just melts in your mouth. No shame in taking down an entire tray by myself.
Franklin BBQ Brisket
Photo Credit – Hayden Walker

Franklin Barbecue

  • 900 E 11th St
  • Why It Rules: The one that started it all (in the modern era). If you can endure the long wait in line, the brisket’s a true smoky titan, ribs are perfection, and sausage is pure Texas soul. Potato salad’s a side hall-of-famer.
  • Favorite Items: Franklin’s legendary brisket, and beef ribs is worth the hours you’ll spend in line up and bow down.
KGBBQ platter
Photo Credit – Hayden Walker

KG BBQ

  • 3108 Manor Rd
  • Why It Rules: Egyptian-Texan mashup with harissa-rubbed brisket, ribs that globe-trot, and sausage with bite. Tahini potato salad slays.
  • Favorite Items: Lamb Bacon ribs, beet salad, brisket and bowls. Just give me everything.
Micklethwait BBQ

Micklethwait Craft Meats

  • 1309 Rosewood Ave
  • Why It Rules: Small-batch craft meat gods with buttery brisket, ribs that cling, and house sausage that’s poetry. Lemon poppy slaw seals it.
  • Favorite Items: Brisket and a link.
Black's Barbecue
Photo Credit – Hayden Walker

Original Black’s Barbecue

  • 3110 Guadalupe St
  • Why It Rules: Lockhart roots run deep in this family-run establishment. Think beef ribs the size of your arm, brisket that drips, and beef sausage that snaps. They also have multiple locations in Central Texas
  • Favorite Items: Beef rib—prehistoric glory.
Terry Black's Barbecue
Photo Credit – Hayden Walker

Terry Black’s Barbecue

  • 1003 Barton Springs Rd
  • Why It Rules: Family legacy with fatty brisket, ribs that roar, and cheddar-jalapeño sausage. Mac and cheese is a side beast.
  • Favorite Items: Brisket—fatty or bust.

JNL Barbecue

  • 1000 E 11th St (pop-up vibes)
  • Why It Rules: Low-key killer with brisket that melts, ribs that grip, and sausage with peppery soul.
  • Favorite Items: Brisket—secret weapon status.

Moreno BBQ

  • 5609 S Congress Ave
  • Why It Rules: Southside star with silky brisket, fall off the bone ribs, and sausage that’s pure craft.
  • Favorite Items: Brisket—smooth as sin.

Rollin Smoke BBQ

  • 1100 E 6th St
  • Why It Rules: Trailer grit with smoky brisket, tender ribs, and sausage that bites. Creamed corn keeps it real.
  • Favorite Items: Grilled tacos stuffed with smoked meat.

The Switch BBQ

  • 166 Hargraves St
  • Why It Rules: The Dripping Springs spin-off of Stiles Switch, with an Austin zip code and a full bar. Dream of all the same BBQ favorites along with various menu specialties you just can’t enjoy at other BBQ spots. Think housemade gumbo, fried fish, nachos, and enchiladas with a side of brisket a ribs. Yeah its legit!
  • Favorite Items: Spare ribs, housemade gumbo, and the Sunday brunch buffet are worth the drive to Dripping Springs.

Black Gold

  • 1901 S Lamar Blvd
  • Why It Rules: Interior style barbecue restaurant with a full craft cocktail bar and a unique menu of entrees, as well as the classic cuts of smoked meat by the pound.
  • Favorite Items: Brisket—black gold standard.

Brotherton’s Black Iron BBQ

  • 15608 Spring Hill Ln, Pflugerville
  • Why It Rules: Edge-of-town brilliance with brisket bark, soulful ribs, and artisanal sausage.
  • Favorite Items: The giant beef rib along with a tray of all the trimmings. Make the drive worth the effort.

Brown’s Bar-B-Que

  • 1901 S Lamar Blvd (trailer)
  • Why It Rules: S. Lamar BBQ trailer royalty at Corner Bar, with succulent brisket, ribs that sing, and sausage that’s smoky bliss.
  • Favorite Items: Their brisket the king of S. Lamar.

CM Smokehouse

  • 310 Colorado St
  • Why It Rules: Downtown’s sleeper with rich brisket, ribs that slap, and sausage with edge. Thow down some of those collards greens for a side item.
  • Favorite Items: Ribs—city grit.

Lamberts BBQ

  • 401 W 2nd St
  • Why It Rules: Polished BBQ with refined brisket, ribs that ooze, and sausage that’s primal yet posh.
  • Favorite Items: Wild Boar Ribs appetizer. Trust me!

B. Cooper Barbecue

  • Pop-up (check socials)
  • Why It Rules: Elusive but epic with brisket that hugs, ribs that hit, and sausage that’s craft fire.
  • Favorite Items: Brisket—hunt it down.

Rudy’s Bar-B-Q

  • Multiple (e.g., 2451 S Capital of Texas Hwy)
  • Why It Rules: I started visiting Rudy’s when I first moved to Austin. It’s a Texas chain with good cred—brisket’s solid, ribs are decent, sliced sausage brings heat, and the Oreo pudding is for real! The gas station soul lives on.
  • Favorite Items: Prime Rib and smoked turkey. Also, don’t sleep on the breakfast tacos.