Dining Guide
Franklin Barbecue
Having survived a pit-room fire that had fans wailing and rending their garments, Franklin has reopened and is now back to serving the best barbecue in the known universe. It has merited visits from celebrities (Anthony Bourdain) and presidents (Barack Obama), not to mention tens of thousands of mortals, who willingly line up for one to three hours to savor meltingly tender brisket with a smoke-riddled crust that makes grown men and women weep. And if you’re not a beef aficionado, know that Aaron Franklin’s pulled pork and pork ribs are also excellent, as is his turkey and sausage. Finish with an individual bourbon-banana pie and head home for a nap.
City: Austin
Cuisine: Barbecue
Method: Post oak; indirect-heat pit
Pitmaster: Aaron Franklin
Pro-tip: Waiting in the long line can be fun; even more fun is ordering ahead of time. The minimum is five pounds, but best of all is getting a whole brisket (around $100; try your luck at least two weeks in advance). Pick it up at ten-thirty and waltz through the impatient masses with your bounty.
Drinks: Beer
Price: $$
Address: 900 E. 11th, Austin, TX, 78702
Hours: L Tue–Sun, till the meat runs out.
Phone: 512-653-1187
Website: franklinbarbecue.com
Year Opened: 2009
Last updated: November 16, 2017
Reviews
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Franklin Barbecue
The best barbecue joint in Texas is only four years old. This is an unusual development, but one that will surprise no one familiar with Franklin Barbecue, which, since opening in 2009, in a trailer off Interstate 35, has built a cult following for its meats. Has any other restaurant in Texas history had a …
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Tay Nelson