Essential Guide to Austin BBQ

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IntroductionIntroduction
History of BBQ in AustinHistory of BBQ in Austin
Famous Pitmasters of AustinFamous Pitmasters of Austin
BBQ Styles in AustinBBQ Styles in Austin
Must-Try BBQ JointsMust-Try BBQ Joints
DirectionsDirections

Essential Guide to Austin BBQ

Curated by

apostrophi

4 min read

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Austin, Texas is a mecca for barbecue enthusiasts, boasting a diverse array of styles and flavors that reflect the city's rich culinary heritage. From the iconic Central Texas-style brisket to the saucy pulled pork of East Texas and the Mexican-influenced barbacoa of South Texas, Austin's barbecue scene offers something for every palate.

History of BBQ in Austin

Barbecue in Texas

Methods of preparation unique to Texan cuisine

Lakeside front in Austin, Texas.

Orange tones for days.

Manuel Velasquez

unsplash.com

The history of barbecue in Austin is a tapestry of indigenous practices, immigrant influences, and local innovations. Indigenous peoples in the Caribbean used "barbacoa" to preserve meat by smoking it over small fires, a technique that influenced the development of barbecue in the Americas.

German and Czech immigrants brought their meat-smoking traditions to Central Texas in the 19th century, particularly the use of beef and brisket.

Austin's barbecue culture began to take shape in the mid-20th century with the opening of House Park Bar-B-Que in 1943, followed by Sam's BBQ, The Salt Lick, and Iron Works BBQ.

The early 2000s marked a renaissance driven by a new generation of pitmasters like John Mueller and Aaron Franklin, who opened Franklin Barbecue in 2009.

Today, Austin's barbecue scene reflects the city's dynamic and evolving culture, blending traditional techniques with modern flavors and influences from other cuisines.

3 sources

Famous Pitmasters of Austin

houstonchronicle.com

Austin is home to several renowned pitmasters who have helped shape the city's thriving barbecue scene. Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue is perhaps the most famous, having won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2015.

His restaurant is known for its long lines and exceptional brisket. Other notable pitmasters include LeAnn Mueller and Ali Clem of la Barbecue, who are changing the traditionally male-dominated face of Central Texas barbecue.

Damien Brockway of Distant Relatives was a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, while Kareem El-Ghayesh of KG BBQ was a first-time semifinalist, both bringing unique perspectives to Austin's barbecue landscape.

Daniel Brown is another skilled pitmaster making waves in Austin, although he may not be as well-known as some of his counterparts. With his exceptional smoking techniques and flavorful meats, Brown is considered by some to be the greatest pitmaster you've never heard of.

These pitmasters, along with many others, have helped establish Austin as a mecca for barbecue enthusiasts, each bringing their own style, creativity, and passion to the city's diverse and ever-evolving smoked meat scene.

3 sources

BBQ Styles in Austin

Barbecue in Texas

Methods of preparation unique to Texan cuisine

texasmonthly.com

Austin's barbecue scene showcases a diverse array of regional styles, each with its own unique flavors and techniques. Central Texas-style barbecue, the most iconic in Austin, emphasizes the quality of the meat, typically seasoned with just salt and black pepper and cooked over indirect heat from pecan or oak wood.

East Texas-style, known for its tender, saucy pork ribs and pulled pork, often incorporates a sweet, tomato-based sauce.

Less common in Austin but still available, West Texas "cowboy-style" barbecue uses direct heat from mesquite wood, imparting a distinct, smoky flavor.

South Texas-style barbecue features thick, molasses-like sauces and often incorporates Mexican influences like barbacoa.

3 sources

Must-Try BBQ Joints

Barbecue in Texas

Methods of preparation unique to Texan cuisine

masterclass.com

According to Texas Monthly, some of the top BBQ joints in Austin include:

Franklin Barbecue: Known for its ultra-tender brisket, pork spare ribs, and sausage. People often line up as early as 6:00 am for the full experience.
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InterStellar BBQ: Chef John Bates serves up standout dishes like peach tea-glazed pork belly burnt ends, jalapeño popper sausage, and smoked scalloped potatoes.
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La Barbecue: Under the helm of LeAnn Mueller and pitmaster John Lewis, La Barbecue is renowned for its meats and sides.
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Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ: This spot combines classic Texas barbecue with Mexican influences, offering standouts like brisket, tacos, and beef fajitas.
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Micklethwait Craft Meats: Praised for its inventive side dishes, house-made sausages, massive beef ribs, and delectable desserts.
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These establishments represent the cream of the crop in Austin's thriving barbecue scene, each with their own unique specialties and takes on classic dishes.

3 sources

Directions

Top Austin BBQ...

Here are the locations of some of Austin's most acclaimed BBQ joints:

Franklin Barbecue is located at 900 E 11th St. Be prepared to wait in line, as Franklin's is known for drawing crowds eager to try their famous brisket, pulled pork, and pork ribs.
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Interstellar BBQ, ranked #2 on Texas Monthly's statewide list, is located at 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N. Don't miss their peach tea-glazed pork belly, smoked scalloped potatoes, and rotating specials like brisket-kielbasa BBQ torta.
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la Barbecue, from pitmasters Leanne Mueller and Ali Clemm, serves up thick cuts of brisket, mammoth beef ribs, and fresh sausages at their brick-and-mortar location (address not provided in sources).
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Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ combines Texas barbecue with Mexican flavors at their food truck located at 11500 Menchaca Rd.
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Micklethwait Craft Meats draws crowds to their renovated Comet trailer (address not provided in sources) for pit-smoked meats, creative sides like jalapeño cheese grits, and indulgent desserts.
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