What are some of the best BBQ spots in Austin? I'm coming in from Cali and want some good Central Texas BBQ. I would appreciate some recommendations!
only bbq joints ive eaten at in austin are stubbs and some place off of parmer lane. smokey joes? i think. you just can't lose @ stubbs. go with stubbs. red river and 9th street.
are we talking about the same rudy's here in houston? (spring/splashtown) because I wouldn't feed that slop to an emaciated mutt. yuck.
Salt Lick food is average, at best. You go there for the ambiance and the pretty cool drive. The only "top 50 in the state" BBQ in Austin is Mann's up on North 183, and it's pretty good. Rudy's is fine as a chain. But the real BBQ is outside the city. About 30 minutes northeast is Louie Mueller's. About 30 minutes southeast is Lockhart, where you have Smitty's and Kreutz Market (further along is Luling City Market, but I've never been there). These are all top 5 in Texas type places. Once you have them, you'll wonder why anyone goes to Salt Lick.
i love me some Luling City Market. they have one here in Houston, by the way...actually 2, but one is called Houston Barbecue Company
If you can't make it out of town to Smitty's (my favorite) or Louie Mueller's, I suggest you check out County Line on 2222. Very good beef and pork ribs, decent brisket, good sides. Pokey Joe's offers a quick, reliable option for a quick lunch. Lots of locations, everything there is decent (recommend the turkey), great sides.
Near Austin: Kreuz, Black's, Luling City Market, Taylor, Mueller's In Austin: Mann's, Ruby's (as opposed to Rudy's)
I was at kruez's saturday. great stuff. I agree with everyones choices. for meullers you should get the chipolotle sausage. also, I know its untradional and fancy, but lamberts downtown is great!!
Luling City Market in Houston and City Market in Luling are in no way, shape, or form related. the guy's in Houston just ripped off the name. the bbq there is also a shell of that in luling. To the OP, there are practially no really good bbq joints inside austin city limits. Rudy's is good for a chain, ruby's aint bad, mann's is decent but that's about it. if you want legitimate central texas bbq (read: best bbq in the country), you drive to lockhart, luling, llano, or taylor. Smitty's in lockhart is the best bbq joint that i've been to... kreuz's and black's in lockhart are also solid (i've actually never been to kreuz's, but it's reputation is very well established) city market in luling is great. cooper's in llano used to be my favorite... i haven't been in probably 3 years, but in that time i've heard their quality has slipped substantially. but heading out the way is a treat in and of itself, and i'd bet that the bbq there is still better than anything in austin. their beans are awesome. louie miller's in taylor is supposed to be fantastic as well, but i've never been. snow's in lexington was crowned the best bbq in Texas by Texas Monthly... another place i've never been to, but i've been told it is great and that if you want to guarantee yourself some brisket you better get there early. it's also a little further out than the others. salt lick is a good experience, but the bbq is very overrated. and there you go.
If you haven't been to the actual one in Luling, you're missing out. The Houston one isn't bad, but the Luling one is life affirming - the ribs I had there back in February were the best ever. And as far as Austing BBQ goes, I 2nd the motion to drive south to Lockhart - I haven't been to Kreuz but I've been to Smitty's and the fatty brisket there was very tasty.
I've tried Rudy's up here in Denton and Frisco... I don't get what the big deal is. The ribs were either good or average most times I've tried them. Their brisket is either shoeleather or average. Their "smoked potato" is either shoe leather or average. Their "sause" isn't very good. All my opinion, of course. :grin: One of these days I have to travel down to Lockhart (BBQ Capital of Texas) try Kreuz Market, Blacks, and Smitty's. Then I have to try Salt Lick. There's another BBQ there called Chisholm Trail BBQ... anyone eat there? Opinions? FYI : don't ever trust anyone's opinion on BBQ because 1) BBQ quality at the same place will vary daily and even hourly 2) Different people like different kinds of BBQ Best thing to do is try it yourself and find out.
