Here's A Look At The Three
Franklin Barbecue
- Known For: Legendary brisket. Franklin Barbecue, helmed by James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Aaron Franklin, is arguably Austin's most famous BBQ joint. It's renowned globally for its exceptionally tender, moist brisket with a perfect bark, often described as "meat candy." They also serve excellent pork ribs, sausage, turkey, and pulled pork.
- The Experience: Expect an exceptionally long wait. People often start lining up in the early morning hours (sometimes as early as 5 or 6 AM) for the doors to open at 11 AM, and the wait can last several hours. For many, the wait is part of the experience, often involving socializing with fellow BBQ enthusiasts. Pre-ordering for pickup (weeks or months in advance) or catering are ways to bypass the line.
- Recognition: It consistently appears on "best BBQ" lists and holds a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide, signifying good quality and good value cooking. Reviewers overwhelmingly agree the brisket lives up to the hype, calling it technically precise and phenomenal.
La Barbecue
- Known For: High-quality, Central Texas-style smoked meats with excellent sides. Founded by the late LeAnn Mueller (from Texas BBQ royalty) and now run by her wife Ali Clem, La Barbecue delivers expertly smoked meats, including outstanding brisket, flavorful house-made sausages (like chipotle or chopped cheese), and tender pork ribs, often using locally-sourced, hormone-free meat. They are also praised for their flavorful sides, such as chipotle coleslaw, kimchi, and a standout mac and cheese. Their approach often emphasizes salt and savory rubs over sweetness.
- The Experience: While originally a food truck, La Barbecue now operates from a brick-and-mortar location on E. Cesar Chavez. Lines can still be substantial, often an hour or more, especially during peak times, but perhaps move a bit faster than Franklin's. Recent reviews highlight its quality, with TikTok food critic Keith Lee calling it "some of the best barbecue I've ever had in my life."
- Recognition: La Barbecue was awarded a prestigious Michelin Star in 2024 and was named one of Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ joints.
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
- Known For: "New School BBQ" focusing on alternative cuts and creative sides. Run by Evan LeRoy and Sawyer Lewis, this spot started as a food truck and recently opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant. They are known for innovation, featuring items like smoked beef cheeks, barbacoa, unique sausages (sometimes with Hatch chiles and mozzarella), and even cauliflower burnt ends alongside excellent brisket (often available as a special later in the week). Their L&L Burger (smoked brisket patty) and specials like smoked chicken fried steak receive high praise. They emphasize sourcing from small, local purveyors.
- The Experience: Located in South Austin (originally at Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, now in Garrison Park), LeRoy and Lewis offers a modern take on BBQ. Expect potentially long lines here as well, but the reward is a unique and delicious BBQ experience that pushes boundaries.
- Recognition: LeRoy and Lewis also earned a Michelin Star in 2024 and ranked #5 on Texas Monthly's 2021 Top 50 list. Pitmaster Evan LeRoy has been recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist.
Other Notable Austin BBQ Joints
While you asked about those three, Austin has a wealth of amazing BBQ. Other frequently lauded spots include:
- InterStellar BBQ: Often cited as a top contender (ranked #2 by Texas Monthly and also Michelin-starred), known for excellent brisket, peach tea-glazed pork belly, innovative sausages, and great sides like mac and gouda.
- Micklethwait Craft Meats: Highly regarded for its artisan approach across all meats (brisket, ribs, sausage, pulled pork, lamb) and standout sides like jalapeño cheese grits and Frito pie. Sometimes seen as a top-tier option with potentially shorter waits than Franklin or La Barbecue.
- Terry Black's Barbecue: A very popular spot with Lockhart roots, known for consistently good classic Texas BBQ (brisket, massive beef ribs, sausage) and relatively fast-moving lines compared to some others.
Ultimately, choosing the "best" comes down to what you're looking for – the pilgrimage and legendary brisket of Franklin, the Michelin-starred quality and sides of La Barbecue, the innovative cuts at LeRoy and Lewis, or the specific offerings of other top spots like InterStellar or Micklethwait. Enjoy your Austin BBQ adventure!