J. Leonardi’s Barbeque | An East Austin Spotlight

J. Leonardi’s Barbeque is local BBQ trailer located at the intersection of Airport and Oak Springs (original location)  and E. 11th Street (2nd location).  The trailers are owned and operated by Austin native Jerome Faulkner with partner Cedric Griffin, the legendary University of Texas Football running back.

 

If you’re not in the mood for waiting in long lines for great BBQ, J. Leonardi’s Barbeque is going to be one of your best options premium smoked meats and southern style sides. Similar to most BBQ spots in Austin, they offer meats like brisket, pork ribs, sausage, chicken and turkey by the pound, as well as giant BBQ sandwiches loaded with chopped beef, brisket and potato chips. 

In a town where brisket is king, J. Leonardi’s beef provides a well flavored, super tender, melt in your mouth consistency you’d expect from a serious Central Texas BBQ contender.  Most popular BBQ restaurants don’t offer smoked chicken and those that do, with the exception of a few, usually serve dry flavorless chicken that tastes like it was forgotten about in the smoker.  J. Leonardi’s smoked chicken is outstanding, offering a bold flavor and crispy brushed skin that stays consistently moist on the inside.

 

 

Their housemade sides include, smoked brisket pinto beans, cornbread, smoked cabbage and potato salad. You’ll also find grape kool-aid as a refreshment option.  Desserts include peach cobbler and banana pudding cheesecake.  There’s more than a dozen BBQ joints in Austin but anyone cool enough to make potato chip BBQ sandwiches and serve kool-aid is just plain cool while living out their career passion.  

 

“I learned how to smoke barbecue from my uncle, but I add my own style to it and try to have a little fun with the menu.  I think our customers appreciate something a little different while still being able to enjoy what they traditional order when they eat barbecue.  Our food is based on our family recipes and I think people love the difference in options we offer.”  – Jerome Faulkner.

Both locations are opened from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

1st location: 1149 1/2 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78702

2nd location: 1124 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702