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Austin's Most Underrated Barbecue, Mapped

by Meghan McCarron
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by Meghan McCarron

Last week, Eater asked readers to weigh in on their picks for Austin's most underrated barbecue. In a town where residents and tourists alike regularly wait in line for smokey meats from popular spots like Franklin, La Barbecue, and John Mueller Meat Co., there are also plenty of options for a quality quick brisket fix. Check out Eater readers' picks below, and add in your own in the comments or via the tipline.


· All Open Threads [EATX]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Johnny T's

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[Photo: Gary K/Yelp]

1318 Round Rock Ave, Round Rock, TX
(512) 255-7447
(512) 255-7447

Mann's Smokehouse Bar-B-Q

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[Photo: Bacon E./Yelp]

8624 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 459-5077
(512) 459-5077

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

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Stiles Switch is consistently mentioned as the best alternative to waiting in line at more well-known spots, so its status as "underrated" is shaky. But in a city where people regular wait hours for brisket, they still count as under the radar.

6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 380-9199
(512) 380-9199

Ruby's BBQ

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This unassuming campus-area barbecue spot has been smoking meat for 25 years and is still going strong.

512 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 323-0206
(512) 323-0206

Also featured in:

Freedmen's

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This campus-area barbecue restaurant and bar is another consistent pick for great meat with no wait. Even better, they're open for dinner, and have a serious cocktail menu.

2402 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 220-0953
(512) 220-0953

Also featured in:

Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ

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This Tex Mex/Barbecue fusion truck offers brisket tacos, and they're one of the few places in town smoking chicken. They're located behind Star Bar and as a result open late.

600 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 363-8520
(512) 363-8520

Also featured in:

Micklethwait Craft Meats

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[Photo: richard c./Yelp]

1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 791-5961
(512) 791-5961

Also featured in:

Kerlin BBQ

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This East Austin trailer was one of readers' most consistent suggestions for great barbecue without the wait. According to commenter jbob, Kerlin is "putting out some mind melting brisket and ribs. Definitely underrated."

1700 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 412-5588
(512) 412-5588

Also featured in:

Live Oak Beer & Barbecue

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[Photo: Brooklyn V./Yelp]

2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1930
(512) 524-1930

Blue Ox BBQ Truck

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This trailer parked outside of popular coffee shop The Buzz Mill is a consistent favorite of Austin barbecue hounds. On Sundays they also serve pancakes. And the Buzz Mill has bloody Mary's. Basically this is the best brunch ever.

1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 537-2047
(512) 537-2047

Goldis Sausage Co

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Like many a successful food truck, Goldis is hyper-specific, specializing in sausage. Commenter Krumpnik says they "consistently blows my mind with their crazy sausage flavors!"

3116 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

Brown's Bar-B-que

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This unassuming South Lamar trailer is a favorite amongst barbecue nerds. Many cite Mike Sutter's Fed Man Walking review as what originally turned them on to Brown's. Reader Bill adds, "Incredible and incredibly consistent brisket and ribs. The cabbage isexcellent side. Fast and friendly too."

1311 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 517-8520
(512) 517-8520

Also featured in:

Nutter Buster BBQ & Comfort

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This trailer in way south Austin has a decidedly Southern take on barbecue. They serve up brisket and pulled pork, as well as grilled cheese and waffles featuring said smokey meats. One reader says, "Their pulled pork sandwich with select your own toppings are incredible (and huge!). I always get the sauteed onions and coleslaw toppings on my sandwich with the Carolina sauce."

1705 FM 1626, Manchaca, TX 78652
(512) 903-9774
(512) 903-9774

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Johnny T's

1318 Round Rock Ave, Round Rock, TX

[Photo: Gary K/Yelp]

1318 Round Rock Ave, Round Rock, TX
(512) 255-7447
(512) 255-7447

Mann's Smokehouse Bar-B-Q

8624 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758

[Photo: Bacon E./Yelp]

8624 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 459-5077
(512) 459-5077

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757, Austin, TX 78757

Stiles Switch is consistently mentioned as the best alternative to waiting in line at more well-known spots, so its status as "underrated" is shaky. But in a city where people regular wait hours for brisket, they still count as under the radar.

6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 380-9199
(512) 380-9199

Ruby's BBQ

512 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705

This unassuming campus-area barbecue spot has been smoking meat for 25 years and is still going strong.

512 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 323-0206
(512) 323-0206

Freedmen's

2402 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705

This campus-area barbecue restaurant and bar is another consistent pick for great meat with no wait. Even better, they're open for dinner, and have a serious cocktail menu.

2402 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 220-0953
(512) 220-0953

Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ

600 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

This Tex Mex/Barbecue fusion truck offers brisket tacos, and they're one of the few places in town smoking chicken. They're located behind Star Bar and as a result open late.

600 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 363-8520
(512) 363-8520

Micklethwait Craft Meats

1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702

[Photo: richard c./Yelp]

1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 791-5961
(512) 791-5961

Kerlin BBQ

1700 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

This East Austin trailer was one of readers' most consistent suggestions for great barbecue without the wait. According to commenter jbob, Kerlin is "putting out some mind melting brisket and ribs. Definitely underrated."

1700 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 412-5588
(512) 412-5588

Live Oak Beer & Barbecue

2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702

[Photo: Brooklyn V./Yelp]

2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1930
(512) 524-1930

Blue Ox BBQ Truck

1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741

This trailer parked outside of popular coffee shop The Buzz Mill is a consistent favorite of Austin barbecue hounds. On Sundays they also serve pancakes. And the Buzz Mill has bloody Mary's. Basically this is the best brunch ever.

1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 537-2047
(512) 537-2047

Goldis Sausage Co

3116 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

Like many a successful food truck, Goldis is hyper-specific, specializing in sausage. Commenter Krumpnik says they "consistently blows my mind with their crazy sausage flavors!"

3116 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

Brown's Bar-B-que

1311 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78704

This unassuming South Lamar trailer is a favorite amongst barbecue nerds. Many cite Mike Sutter's Fed Man Walking review as what originally turned them on to Brown's. Reader Bill adds, "Incredible and incredibly consistent brisket and ribs. The cabbage isexcellent side. Fast and friendly too."

1311 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 517-8520
(512) 517-8520

Nutter Buster BBQ & Comfort

1705 FM 1626, Manchaca, TX 78652

This trailer in way south Austin has a decidedly Southern take on barbecue. They serve up brisket and pulled pork, as well as grilled cheese and waffles featuring said smokey meats. One reader says, "Their pulled pork sandwich with select your own toppings are incredible (and huge!). I always get the sauteed onions and coleslaw toppings on my sandwich with the Carolina sauce."

1705 FM 1626, Manchaca, TX 78652
(512) 903-9774
(512) 903-9774

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