Austin’s dining scene is about to get a little more… lamb heavy in the best way possible. This April, Lamb Jam 2026 returns with a full month dedicated to creative American lamb dishes across some of the city’s most respected kitchens.
Hosted by the American Lamb Board, Lamb Jam turns the spotlight on chefs who know how to take a cut of lamb and make it do something memorable. We’re talking shoulder, ribs, ground, leg all of it, reworked into dishes you’ll find on bar menus, happy hour specials, and small plates, all priced under $30.
When: April 2026
Where: Participating restaurants across Austin
Cost: Dishes priced under $30
More Info: americanlamb.com
Where to Find Lamb Jam in Austin
This year’s lineup reads like a who’s who of Austin’s food scene, with each chef putting their own stamp on American lamb:
- Chef Bob Somsith at Lao’d Bar
- Chef Edgar Rico at Nixta Taqueria
- Chef Ali Clem at la Barbecue
- Chef Joey Attwater at Boni’s Bar Next Door
- Chef Berty Richter at Ezov
- Chef Peter Klein at Holiday on 7th
Each spot is rolling out a one of a kind lamb dish for the month, giving you a solid excuse to bounce around town and “research” multiple menus in one week. No judgment here.
According to ALB Executive Director Megan Wortman, the goal is simple. Highlight the flavor and versatility of American lamb while giving chefs room to show off a little. It also pulls back the curtain on the farmers and shepherds behind it all, connecting what’s on your plate to where it actually comes from.
How It Works
All April long, diners can try dishes at participating restaurants and vote online for their favorites. At the same time, a local panel made up of media, influencers, and producers will be judging each dish based on flavor, creativity, and presentation.
The Austin winner doesn’t just get bragging rights. They’ll host a ticketed Lamb Jam dinner later in the summer, somewhere between late July and September, featuring a multi course menu built around their winning dish with curated wine pairings. Expect a more intimate setting and a chance to hear directly from a local sheep producer about the journey from pasture to plate.
Zooming out, Lamb Jam is happening nationwide in cities like Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Boston, Charleston, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle. Top scoring chefs from the East and West Coast will go head to head, with champions earning free shipments of American lamb for a full year.
If you needed a reason to explore a few new menus this month, this is it.