South Austin and Dripping Springs are home to some of the city’s biggest names in barbecue. From hole-in-the-wall joints to bustling food trucks, here are 18 south-side offerings.
1. Alice's Restaurant
Treaty Oak Distilling, 16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs 512-559-0335 www.treatyoakdistilling.com
Hours: Thu.-Fri. 4-9 p.m., Sat. noon-9 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m., closed Mon.-Wed. Year founded: 2018 Key features: craft cocktails and beer from Treaty Oak Ranch Restaurant offerings: by the pound, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, pork, fish
2. Chief's BBQ
7811 S. First St., Ste. 104, Austin 512-444-2333 www.chiefsbbq.com
Hours: Sun.-Wed. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Thu.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Key features: a kids menu and lunch specials including burgers Year founded: 2002 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, ham
3. Courson’s BBQ
The Warehouse Billiard Bar, 509 Ben White Blvd., Austin 512-507-7458 www.coursonsbbq.net
Hours: Tue. 11 a.m.-midnight, Wed.-Sat. noon-midnight, closed Sun.-Mon. Key features: a kids menu and lunch specials including burgers Year founded: 2017 Food truck offerings: plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, chicken, pork
4. Donn’s Texas BBQ
7001 Oak Meadow Drive, Austin 512-288-4060 www.donns-bbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Key features: offers a full breakfast menu as well as tacos and burgers Year founded: 1986 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich, tacos Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), chicken, turkey, beef, pork, ham
5. Do-Rite BBQ at Graceland (formerly Stubb's Bar-B-Q)
Graceland Grocery, 8600 W. Hwy. 290, Austin 512-792-9778 www.facebook.com/doritebarbecuegraceland
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily Key features: live music and a playscape for kids Year founded: 2018 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, beef, pork
6. Gordo’s Tortas & BBQ
9601 W. Hwy. 290, Austin 512-507-2602 www.gordosbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Known for: barbecue burritos, tacos, tortas and bowls Year founded: 2004 Food truck offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich, tacos Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), chicken, pork
7. The Green Mesquite BBQ
9900 I-35, Austin 512-282-7100 www.greenmesquitebbq.com
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Known for: mesquite smoked wings Year founded: 1988 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich Meat options: sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, pork
8. Leroy and Lewis Barbecue
121 Pickle Road, Austin 512-945-9882 www.leroyandlewis.com
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Mon.-Tues. Specialty meats: beef cheeks, hog and barbacoa Year founded: 2017 Food truck offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, beef, pork
9. Pig Pen BBQ
1005 W. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs 512-858-0060 pigpen-bbq.com
Hours: Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun.-Wed. Signature item: Piggytail Cupcake iced in the pink-frosted likeness of a pig Year founded: 2004 Food truck offerings: by the pound, sandwiches Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (beef and pork), chicken, turkey, pork
10. Railroad Bar-B-Que
1111 W. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs 512-858-0450 www.rrbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Signature item: Stuffed baked potato loaded with chopped beef, cheese and sour cream Year founded: 1982 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, beef
11. Salt Lick BBQ
18300 FM 1826, Driftwood 512-858-4959 www.saltlickbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Known for: classic pit barbecue with bison, pork and beef ribs Year founded: 1967 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork, beef, bison), chicken, turkey, pork
12. SLAB BBQ & Beer
7101 W. Hwy. 71, Austin 512-243-8000 www.slabbarbecuerestaurantaustin.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Signature item: The Donk, a 1-pound, multimeat sandwich Year founded: 2006 Restaurant offerings: sandwich, plate Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, pork
13. Slow Pokes Brisket Shack
Manchaca Springs Saloon, 737 FM 1626, Manchaca 512-436-1016 www.slowpokesbrisketshack.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., closed Sun. Known for: small menu with emphasis on brisket and ribs Year founded: 2015 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork)
14. Sundance BBQ
8116 Thomas Springs Road, Austin 512-507-9693
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Sun. Specialty meats: Boudin Cajun sausage and Korean-glazed smoked chicken Year founded: 2012 Food truck offerings: plate, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs, chicken, pork
15. The Switch
166 Hargraves Drive, Ste. G100, Austin 512-212-7211 www.theswitchdripping.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., closed Mon. Known for: Cajun-style food with a Sunday brunch menu Year founded: 2018 Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwiches Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey
16. Texas Ranch BBQ
3632 S. Congress Ave., Austin 512-998-2615 www.texasranchbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Signature item: burnt-end brisket Year founded: 2017 Food truck offerings: by the pound Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), turkey
17. Valentinas Tex Mex BBQ
11500 Manchaca Road, Austin 512-221-4248 www.valentinastexmexbbq.com
Hours: Wed.-Mon. 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Tue. Signature item: The Real Deal Holyfield, a brisket breakfast taco with an egg, bacon, beans and potato Year founded: 2013 Food truck offerings: by the pound, sandwich, tacos Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), chicken, pork
Gabrick Barbecue
Last Stand Brewing Co., 12345 Pauls Valley Road, Bldg. I, Austin (formerly located inside 290 West Club) 512-761-0284 www.gabrickbarbecue.com
Specialty meats: pork belly burnt ends, seasonal meats Year founded: 2019 Offerings: by the pound, sandwich Meat options: brisket, sausage, turkey, pork, ham
