The Best Barbeque in Austin, Texas
The “best barbeque” is often determined by an intricate formula involving meat quality, consistency, wait time, general availability, how far people have to drive/travel, the parking situation, cooking traditions, and creativity. The math can be challenging but then again, it’s frequently a case of math when it comes to barbeque, not to mention more than a little bit of soul to make everyone feel. We appreciate good desserts beyond just banana pudding (although we are definitely fans of a good banana pudding). From traditional to more innovative interpretations of barbeque, Austin has an incredible selection of eateries for this kind of fare and so much more! Sticking to barbeque for now, we have compiled the ultimate Austin Radio BBQ guide for you.
Top 3 Austin, TX eateries for authentic BBQ
1. Micklethwait Craft Meats
There are few places in Austin that serve BBQ better than Micklethwait. There’s nothing more classic than the meats and seasonings used here but the finishing easily rivals the best of what can be found elsewhere. Things get even more interesting when it comes to the sides being offered. The Citrus Beet Salad tastes like something we’d get at some new-style American restaurant as it is served with small plates meant for sharing and an ampersand in its name. The Classic Coleslaw gets a good brightening up thanks to the lemon poppy slaw, a pioneering but welcome variation from the tried and true norms of this American classic. On site there is even a bakery that the restaurant used to bake their own bread. While it’s hard to choose a definite favorite at this establishment, you can never go wrong with the brisket and sausage. During the evenings, Taco Bronco serves its excellent smoked meats in the form of tacos and who doesn’t love tacos? It is conveniently located right next door to Franklin Barbeque.
2. Distant Relatives
Distant Relatives’ menu is mostly comprised of barbeque fare and related sides that truly offer a stunning compliment to the main dishes being served here. Designed to highlight the flavor and texture of the African diaspora in America, spare ribs and hog jowl feature prominently on the menu; both being prepared with different spice profiles and preservation methods. The quality of the food is so consistent, unique, and flavorful that you may even forget you are eating from a food truck. Other menu staples like pulled pork sandwiches and briskets are always available, although some sides and toppings may vary depending on seasonal availability.
3. Franklin Barbeque
Franklin Barbeque is somewhere you’ve most likely heard of already, whether by word-of-mouth from a neighbor or even driving by on your way to work. Franklin Barbeque is undeniably famous for making some of the best briskets in all of Texas (and perhaps even the world). The establishment’s owner Aaron Franklin has gained quite a reputation for making what’s known as the “Franklin Barbeque Experience”. It involves tailgaiting with cold beers, breakfast tacos, and camp chairs while waiting for sometimes 4+ hours for seating. Is the longer than usual wait worth it? We would answer with a resounding “yes”! Franklin’s brisket is right up there with anything else you can get around town or even the state as a whole. Ranking them would come down to personal preference so we’ll leave you to be the judge of that. That said, you will still be talking about the consistency and flavor of the perfectly smoked meats Franklin’s has to offer. Even with the wait times, we can highly recommend making a day out of this unique Austin, Texas barbeque eatery.
4. The Final Verdict
BBQ is unquestionably one of Austin’s classic local foods, similar to tacos. There is nothing like eating BBQ in the Texan capital! Fares like Austin smoked brisket, BBQ ribs, and pulled pork deliver an authentic local experience that would be hard to find anywhere else.
The Austin food scene can best be described as soft, juicy, and made with lots of love! We hope you will find our recommendations insightful and we look forward to hearing back about your experiences at the above-mentioned Austin, Texas establishments.
