The Best Brisket in Austin: 13 Spots To Sink Your Teeth Into Meaty Treats

No visit to Austin, TX is complete without visiting at least one barbecue joint. After all, Austin is a foodie haven, serving up everything from brisket breakfast tacos to meat-laden sandwiches — and vegan treats too! Here, you’ll find the best brisket in Austin. From modest food trucks to historic establishments, you’ll find something that fits in with your visit to the live music capital of the world.

The Best Brisket in Austin: 13 Places Not To Miss

When it comes to barbeque, no one does it quite like Texas. With slow-smoked techniques, locally sourced ingredients, and inventive spins on classic recipes, barbecue in Austin is unparalleled. From South Austin to the Eastside and everything in between, these are the best BBQ spots to check out when you’re looking for the best brisket in Austin.

1. La Barbecue

https://www.labarbecue.com
2401 E. Cesar Chavez St (formerly 2027 E Cesar Chavez St)

This self-proclaimed “bitching barbecue” has been slinging savory beef brisket and other grilled teats since 2012. Owned by power couple LeAnn Mueller and her wife Ali, this East Austin spot is steeped in history. LeAnn’s celebrates her dad’s love of barbecue — after all, he was a James Beard winner back in 2006 — with her own spin. Here, you’ll find enormous ribs, mouth-watering brisket, and a spicy sausage created in-house that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

2. Franklin Barbecue

https://franklinbarbecue.com
900 E. 11th St

Owned by the renowned pitmaster Aaron Franklin, it would be a mistake to miss this smokehouse on your visit to Austin, Texas. Franklin won the James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef: Southwest back in 2015. He’s also been featured in top foodie magazines including Food & Wine, Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, and The Washington Post. Visit Franklin Barbecue for the best BBQ in central Texas.

3. Terry Black’s Barbecue

https://www.terryblacksbbq.com
1003 Barton Springs Rd

A visit to Austin isn’t complete without a visit to Terry Black’s Barbecue. One of the most famous Texas BBQ joints, they serve up everything from sliced beef brisket and jalapeno cheese sausage to They’ve also got mouth-watering sides like baked potato salad, coleslaw, and Mexican rice.

4. Black’s Barbecue

https://blacksbbq.com/austin
3110 Guadalupe St

Originally founded in Lockhart, Austin now has its very own Black’s BBQ outpost just north of the University of Texas campus. Each day, pitmaster Kent Black barbecues meats using a slow smoke method over local post oak wood. Cooked up on the Lockhart pits, they’re then hand-delivered to the Austin restaurant.

5. Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

https://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com
11500 Menchaca Rd

Miguel Vidal and his wife Modesty run this tasty barbecue spot, offering a unique blend of Texan and Mexican flavors. The Tex Mex BBQ serves up Angus beef and Berkshire pork from Hartley Ranch — known for their fine marbling and exquisite flavor. Our favorites include the mesquite smoked brisket and the smoked brisket taco — featuring fresh hand-rolled tortillas and a spicy salsa you won’t soon forget!

6. Kerlin BBQ

http://kerlinbbq.com/index.html
2207 E Cesar Chavez St (in the East Side Food Park)

Kerlin offers a streamlined menu, focusing on a small array of ambrosial BBQ delights. Check out one of their beef brisket or pork shoulder sandwiches or sink your teeth into beef hot links and pork belly burnt ends. On Sundays, treat yourself to a well-earned dessert with their authentic kolaches. Get here early because they’re known to sell out before the end of the day.

7. Lamberts

https://lambertsaustin.com
401 W 2nd St

Lamberts blends the best of Austin: live music, delicious food, and a tight-knit community feel. Started by a group of friends back in 2006, this Austin hotspot is the perfect place to get a taste of the city. Here, you’ll find new world wines, craft cocktails, and local beers to pair with your meal. The slow-smoked barbecue offers a brisket and jalapeno link sandwich and Prime Texas brisket that can’t be missed.

8. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-b-que

http://coopersbbqaustin.com
217 Congress Ave

Run by the Wootan and Cooper family, this barbecue is the place to go if you love history. The Austin location is set in a gorgeous historic building that’s been lovingly remodeled. It’s located directly across from the Great Northern Rail Road Depot that was built in 1888 and its previous neighbors including the famous Pearlhouse Saloon and Tradewinds Lounge. Enjoy live music as you chow down on some of the best beef brisket in Austin or sip drinks at the roof-top garden.

9. Brown’s Bar-b-que

https://www.facebook.com/BrownsBarBQue/
1901 S Lamar Blvd

Brown’s barbecue trailer offers a beef brisket with a salt and pepper crust that can hang with some of the bigger names on this list. It’s slick and juicy, with a perfectly crispy outer layer that delivers a blast of flavor with each bite.

10. Micklethwait Craft Meats

https://www.craftmeatsaustin.com
1309 Rosewood Ave

The title says it all. Tom Micklethwait specializes in craft meats, offering some of the best beef brisket in Austin. This spot was voted one of the Ten Best BBQ Joints in Texas by Texas Monthly and it’s served out of the raddest trailer in town. The East Austin barbecue offers outdoor eating at its finest. Enjoy beef brisket, Tex-Czech sausage, beef rib, and other meats at one of the outdoor picnic tables and cool off in the hot summer months under the swaying shade trees.

11. Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

http://www.stilesswitchbbq.com
6610 N Lamar Blvd
800 West Whitestone

Located in the Violet Crown Shopping Center — which features a 1950s art deco design — this barbecue is all about nostalgia. Owner Shane Stiles and pitmaster Lance Kirkpatrick pay homage to barbecue legends and early Austin style with a laid-back atmosphere. Their smoked meats include brisket, pulled pork, and St. Louis pork ribs as well as several different sausages. Pair it with their hawg rub fries and a craft brew.

12. Leroy and Lewis Barbecue

https://leroyandlewis.com
121 Pickle Rd

On Saturdays and Sundays, head down to this little blue food truck for a heaping serving of finger-licking good Akaushi brisket. On other days of the week you can dive into standout beef cheeks, pulled whole hog, smoked barbacoa, and a slab of cauliflower burnt ends.

13. Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue

https://rudysbbq.com/locations/all
Five locations in Austin and Round Rock

While it’s a chain restaurant, Rudy’s still deserves a mention on this list of the best beef brisket in Austin. Here, you’ll find thinner slices of beef brisket cooked over oak fires and smeared with a dry rub. Other meaty treats include jalapeno sausage links, pork loin, and spicy chop.

Sink Your Teeth Into Texas BBQ

Craving Texas barbecue or the best beef brisket in Austin? These best barbecue hotspots are a sure-fire way to sink your teeth into something tasty. The Austin food scene is an essential part of any visit to the live music capital of the world. Pick up some tasty BBQ curbside or grab a seat at one of these top spots and mingle with the locals. And don’t forget to snag a few bottles of homemade barbecue sauce from your favorite joint.