Franklin Barbecue Remains One of America's Essential Restaurants

The smoked meats magic of Franklin Barbecue still does the trick for Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison. It’s enough for him to keep the spot on his list of the country’s essential restaurants, which dropped today, for the third year in the row.

When putting together the list, Addison looked for “restaurants that are essential to their communities and that also, when considered together, define dining in America right now,” he explains. That led to pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s now Eater Hall of Fame restaurant.

“Franklin’s re-inclusion was, honestly, one of the easiest choices I made this year,” Addison shares with Eater Austin. “[It] remains on the list not only because the barbecue is downright transcendent, but because the place has become a national icon, shorthand with our nation’s obsession with smoked meats and with Aaron Franklin’s entrepreneurial moxie.”

Addison does acknowledge local barbecue spots La Barbecue and Micklethwait Craft Meats, both with “their own outstanding products.”

The only other Texas spost on the National Eater 38 are newcomers Garcia's in San Antonio and Hugo's in Houston.

For potential future inclusions next year, Addison teases Texas-forever Dai Due and Veracruz All Natural, “since it doesn’t get more essential in Austin than a migas taco for breakfast.”

• The Best Restaurants in America [E]
• All Coverage of Franklin Barbecue [EATX]