I traveled to Austin for a little breather, a nice long weekend last week, and boy was I impressed with this city. So many cool spots to chill, eat and drink and so many outdoorsy spots to get your fitness on. I highly recommend this city and especially its food. And by food, I mean its BBQ. Wow. I knew BBQ was a thing here but I did not realize how serious and particular people are about their BBQ. At first, it did not make much sense to me, likeeeee BBQ is BBQ but after tasting an assortment of BBQ and checking out a few different spots, I understood. There is good BBQ, I mean really, really good BBQ and then there is meh. Meh BBQ needs to be avoided at all costs and these Austinites knew their BBQ. So, I took it upon myself to ask every local I could, locals that I felt would steer me in the right direction, where in Austin do they go to get their BBQ fix. What is their absolute FAVORITE BBQ place?
Ready, set, go.
Uber drivers:
Caleb– He was a gem. The only uber driver in my entire life that I actually booked twice AND I booked him twice in one single weekend. Woah.
Caleb says Black’s in Lockhart. This is the original Black’s BBQ joint. The Black’s crew has since opened up another location in town off Guadalupe but Caleb does not think it is nearly as good as the one in Lockhart.
His go-to meal: Chopped Beef Brisket sandwich with side of baked beans. He swears it’s the best brisket he’s ever tasted. You can get fatty or lean, Caleb says go with lean.
Second Uber driver (forgot to write his name down) says Franklin’s hands down is the best BBQ in town. Yes, he knows there is 4 hour wait time to chow down. He doesn’t care. In his eyes, NOTHING in town compares. So, bring your lawn chair, show up at 7 AM, get in line and start tailgating. It’s worth the wait.
His go-to meal: Spare ribs and Pulled pork sandwich with a side of potato salad.
Richard- Richard says Stubb’s BAR-B-Q on Red River Street close to downtown is his spot. Why? Well, because they offer all you can eat family style BAR-B-Q. Your choice of 3 meats like Angus beef brisket, smoked chicken, turkey breast or pulled pork on repeat alongside large bowls of potato salad, coleslaw and pinto beans and Texas style bread.
His go-to meal: The All you can eat of course. The chopped beef takes up the majority of his plate.
Cool driver originally from Minneapolis and Texan of 7 years, says Ruby’s BBQ in the West Campus area is BOMB. He says the Elgin Hot sausage is to die for with the brisket and smoked ham being close seconds on the awesome scale. He also said the sauces are divine. Especially, the house sweet BBQ sauce. Amazing. A close second to Ruby’s for him is La Barbeque Food truck. I constantly heard this name while I was here.
His go-to meal: The 1/3 pound Elgin Hot Sausage with a side of mustard potato salad.
Eric- Eric says Stiles Switch, hands down, on North Lamar, is the best BBQ he has ever tasted. He won’t go anywhere else. Owned by two dudes, one of them being a pitmaster for the record books, they do it BIG. They make some mean BBQ which is all served in pounds on paper plates and lunch trays.
His go-to meal: A half-pound of smoked Pork Loin stuffed with cornbread stuffing and smoked sausage. For Eric, this plate is Heaven on Earth.
And, our only chick Uber Driver. I am really bad with names. So, let’s call her Lucy. Lucy’s favorite BBQ spot is Terry Black’s on Barton Springs Road. She is a frequent flyer. She couldn’t stop talking about all the meats and how tender and delicious all of them are. The spare ribs being her go-to. At Terry Black’s you grab a lunch tray, grab your sides at the self-service station and walk up to the counter to request your meat choice and they cut it for you on the spot. Lucy said it’s very Texas like here. Until I went, I didn’t know what that meant. But, now I do. Very log-cabin like, rustic, and smoky smelling in there. It was SO Texas.
Her go-to meal as I mentioned: spare ribs with a side of green beans.
My favorite Bartender Kyle
Kyle was super dreamy. He knew what was up in Austin. He was our Bartender at the Blackheart on Rainey Street, a street that you MUST check out and day drink on (side note). Kyle was super happy to answer my “where can I find the best BBQ in this city?” question. His answer? He had a tie. Kerlin’s BBQ, a food truck, on East Ceasar Chavez for casual BBQ and Lambert’s for higher end, mind blowing-ly good BBQ. It’s his go-to date spot. Kyle says Kerlin’s has the absolute best sliced brisket sandwiches, pork rib and blue cheese slaw in all of Austin. Kerlin’s open from 11 AM to 2 PM or until sell out, Friday through Sunday. Lamberts is downtown on West 2nd Street. Found in a remodeled old general store, dreamy Kyle says this place has live music upstairs and AMAZING BBQ.
His go-to meal at Lamberts: housemade jalapeno hot links or the natural Black Angus brisket in coffee rub.
Our lovely Airbnb Host Patrick:
Patrick is definitely a Terry Black’s fan but says Salt Lick’s is definitely worth the 30 minute drive to Driftwood. Salt Lick’s is BYOB and is a huge BBQ picnic party. Patrick says you should make it a day event. Have the Sausage and Turkey Combo plate served with Texas’s favorite three: potato salad, cole slaw and beans. Yum.
What I learned from my mini interview sessions? Everyone has their favorites and it’s not always the same spot.
Me? My favorite spot was Freedmen’s in West Campus. Holy cow. Check out my review.
Order the Lunch Box.