The family and I are back visiting TX this weekend after moving to GA 3 years ago and will be driving through Austin around lunchtime Saturday.

Looking for recs for some awesome BBQ that don't come with an hour(s)-long wait. Does such a unicorn exist? TIA

Terry Blacks is the general answer I give to people as they're open all day, do excellent barbecue, and have shorter lines than the other big names in town. There are other options, but Terry Blacks is a great default option.

I went to Interstellar 2 weeks ago on a Sunday. I got there just a little before 11... when they open. There was a line but it wasn't too bad. Waited maybe 20 min or so... mainly because they move slow (I don't mean that as a complaint). There's free beer while you wait!

You shouldn't have much of a wait if any at Stiles Switch.

CDub06 said:

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Terry Blacks is the general answer I give to people as they're open all day, do excellent barbecue, and have shorter lines than the other big names in town. There are other options, but Terry Blacks is a great default option.

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This. Terry Blacks also has plenty of dining space.

You can now order Franklins online a few days in advance

I order Stiles Switch over Terry Blacks.

Thanks all!

another vote for Terry Black's & Stile Switch

https://www.craftmeatsaustin.com/

It's cliche to say Franklin's but in our mind it really is the best. But several places that aren't too far behind with much less of a wait - I'd go LA BBQ (they have a new store front so not in the quickie mart anymore), Terry Blacks, Stiles Switch. Not a fan of Micklewaith. Haven't tried Interstellar.

Just curious...what makes Terry Black's so much better than Black's? On a recent trip to Texas, we stopped at Blacks in Lockhart and their brisket was very underwhelming. I'm certainly not a brisket snob but it was dry and lacked flavor. TIA.

It's been a few years since I've been to Black's (Lockhart), but they used to be one of my favorites. Their beef rib was the best in the state and their brisket was excellent.

They may have gone downhill, idk. BUT…

Initially, one of the reason the kids split off from Black's and opened Terry Blacks is because they thought that Black's was straying from their grandfathers traditions. Terry Black's vows to take the time to follow the traditional methods they learned from their grandfather. So maybe that's what makes it better (nowadays).

I'm not there a ton anymore, but I still manage to hit Terry Black's Austin location once a year and I can confirm it's still Grade A stuff.

It's much better

There are plenty of places in Austin...just to throw a couple others that haven't been mentioned with Valentina's for breakfast and Leroy & Lewis. Those will give you a change of pace from Cen Tex style bbq.


https://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com/

https://leroyandlewisbbq.com/