Top 5 BBQ Restaurants to Go to in Austin

Are you a fan of a delicious BBQ dinner with friends and family? Why not go out to a nice restaurant to enjoy some delicious BBQ in Austin, Texas? We know that trying to find the perfect BBQ restaurant can be difficult, but we have you covered! Here in Austin, there are so many BBQ restaurants to choose from, so we are here to help you pick the best one for you! Here is a list of the top five best BBQ restaurants to go to in Austin.

Have you ever heard of GiftYa? Did you know that if you purchase a GiftYa electronic gift card through them that it is easy to redeem onto your debit card to use instantly when you go to the best BBQ restaurants in Austin? A GiftYa electronic gift card is easy to organize right onto your debit card and it even allows you to use it at many different restaurants in Austin! Now that you have your new GiftYa gift card, why don’t you try out the best BBQ restaurants in Austin!

Franklin Barbeque

Check out this lunch-only spot that has the most delicious brisket, pulled pork, and other BBQ favorites!

900 E 11th Street | East Austin | Franklinbbq.com

Aaron Franklin, the founder and creator of Franklin Barbeque, takes a lot of pride in his cooking and the success of Franklin Barbecue has been astronomical. Being named Bon Appetit’s Best Barbeque Joint in America, this is one of the top places to go and try some delicious brisket, pulled pork, sausage and many more delicious BBQ styled food, along with many different side options to choose from. 

Starting off as a small BBQ trailer on the side of an Austin, Texas interstate in 2009, Franklin Barbeque has been critically acclaimed by many critics to be the best BBQ restaurant in America. Still residing as a trailer, Franklin Barbeque has become a hot spot in Austin with lines being extremely long. It is recommended that if you want to try this amazing and mouth watering BBQ restaurant out, make sure to pre order your food in advance. We think that you would really enjoy Franklin Barbeque, so why not give it a try today!

Buy a GiftYa to Franklin Barbeque >

“The ribs were also delicious, and pork was melted in your mouth as well. I ate so much brisket that I didn't have much room left for the rest of the meat! I have craved Franklin's almost everyday since.” - Yelp Review 

Black’s Barbeque

Try out Kent Black’s slow smoked barbeque favorites with a simple rub that is a classic within his family and a favorite with his customers!

3110 Guadalupe Street | University of Texas | Blacksbbq.com

Do you enjoy eating and supporting local restaurants? Then we recommend this acclaimed family restaurant for some of the best BBQ in Austin named Black’s Barbeque. Black’s Barbeque is famous for its brisket, ribs, and even their craft beers while being able to sit outside on a wood deck. This is the perfect BBQ hot spot in the summer because of the atmosphere and environment that it is in, and also with the delicious BBQ that Black’s Barbeque is known for!

Some of the classic BBQ dishes that Black’s Barbeque is known for is their brisket, which you could get lean or have some extra fat on it, pork spare ribs, chopped beef, pulled pork, giant beef rib, barbeque chicken, and even turkey breast. All of their meats are completely gluten-free and everything is priced by the pound. Along with being able to go to this restaurant, you are also able to place orders for pick up and even delivery! If you want to support some local BBQ restaurants in Austin, Black’s Barbeque is the best choice for you!

Buy a GiftYa to Black’s Barbeque >

“If you want great BBQ without having to wait in a long line for hours, go to Black's BBQ. Came here on a recommendation from a friend, and I left stuffed and happy.” - Yelp Review 

Kerlin BBQ

Try out this homey food truck in Austin with all of your favorite BBQ classics! 

2209 E Cesar Chavez | East Austin | kerlinbbq.com

Did you know that many places that make BBQ restaurants can be in food trucks? Yep, you heard it! The most common way for Kerlin BBQ to operate is out of their very own food truck and they make some tasty BBQ favorites around East Austin. Kerlin BBQ is mostly famous for their kolaches, which is typically a pasty, but in this case it’s BBQ meat stuffed inside a delicious puffy dough, which is a town favorite!

Kerlin BBQ has smokes and barbecues many kinds of meat, including pork ribs, pork shoulder, chopped brisket, and even hot beef links. Most of their meat is served as kolaches and can include the meat of your choice, and different kinds of cheeses to really make this BBQ experience even better. You are also able to preorder food at Kerlin’s BBQ by simply ordering ahead of time on their website. If you are interested in trying a BBQ kolache, we definitely recommend Kerlin’s BBQ as your top choice!

Buy a GiftYa to Kerlin BBQ >

“Very friendly service and fantastic Kolaches from this little food truck in east Austin. They do sell out of these early so when you go, go early and get some Kolaches!” - Yelp Review

Stubb’s Bar-B-Q

What’s better than brisket, beer, and music? Exactly, so c’mon down to Stubb’s Bar-B-Q in Austin today!

801 Red River Street | Downtown | stubbsaustin.com 

Are you stopping in downtown Austin at all? If you are and you’re hungry for some delicious BBQ food, we think you should check out Stubb’s Bar-B-Q! Stubb’s is known for its delicious BBQ food and signature BBQ sauce that is even sold in stores because of how popular it is. They also host live concerts almost every night too, so you can not only enjoy your meal, but you can also enjoy the live concerts as well.

Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is known for their many different kinds of BBQ’d meat that they serve. For example, they serve pulled pork, angus beef brisket, pork spare ribs, and even chopped beef with their signature BBQ sauce. They are also known for their cold beer to easily go along with your BBQ meal. What better combination is there? We think that you would really enjoy Stubb’s Bar-B-Q and we think that you should check it out today using your GiftYa electronic gift card!

Buy a GiftYa to Stubb’s Bar-B-Q >

“In the great state of Texas, I stumbled upon this great BBQ joint out in Austin, Texas. Great aesthetics all around and the food was savory.” - Yelp Review 

Donn’s Texas BBQ

Ever thought you could have BBQ for breakfast? Well, at Donn’s Texas BBQ you sure can!

7001 Oak Meadow Drive | donns-bbq.com

Want to try some family-style BBQ for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Look no further than Austin’s own Donn’s Texas BBQ! Since 1983, Donn’s has been serving slow smoked meats to give it a distinct and delicious taste. Donn’s is known for using family recipes to keep their customers coming back for more, along with using the freshest ingredients possible to ensure that customers are getting the best food around Austin.

Since we mentioned that Donn’s Texas BBQ is known for their breakfast menu, we should let you know what kinds of goodies that they have for breakfast lovers. Their breakfast menu includes huevos rancheros, omelettes, huevos a la Mexicana, and you also have the option to build your own tacos! They also serve pancakes and waffles for those who have a sweet tooth. Some of the lunch and dinner favorites that they serve include a beef rib plate, brisket sandwich, chopped beef sandwich, and many other BBQ classics to make your mouth watering. Come by Donn’s Texas BBQ today for a delicious BBQ breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Buy a GiftYa to Donn’s Texas BBQ >

“Service is good, food arrives quickly and it's delicious. We've only eaten here at breakfast- love all the breakfast tacos.” - Yelp Review 

Trying to find the best BBQ restaurants to go to in Austin can be difficult because there are just so many good ones to choose from! We hope that we were able to narrow it down for you and help make the decision process a little bit easier. There’s nothing better than a good BBQ restaurant and we think that this list has helped to narrow down the best ones in Austin. Is there a BBQ restaurant in Austin that is your all-time favorite that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments!

Hero image courtesy of Carnivore Style.