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Franklin Barbecue has become a legendary institution in the world of BBQ, and for good reason. Located in the heart of Austin, this unassuming restaurant has been drawing in crowds with its incredible smoked meats, all carefully crafted using traditional Texas-style techniques and a custom offset smoker fueled by post oak. The menu boasts an array of mouth-watering options, including the famous brisket, which is consistently praised for its rich, savory flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The pork ribs, sausage, and turkey are all homemade and bursting with flavor, while the sides, such as mac and cheese, baked beans, and coleslaw, provide the perfect complement to the smoky meats.

The restaurant's atmosphere is casual and laid-back, with outdoor seating available for those who want to enjoy their meal in the fresh air. Despite the often-long lines, the staff remains friendly and welcoming, and the free condiments and craft beer selection only add to the overall experience. With its secret sauce and creative offerings, like the Espresso BBQ sauce, Franklin Barbecue has become a must-visit destination for BBQ enthusiasts and foodies alike. As one of the most Instagram-famous BBQ joints in the country, it's no wonder that this restaurant has earned numerous pitmaster awards and a loyal following - it's a true bucket list stop for anyone who loves good BBQ. Whether you're a local or just visiting Austin, Franklin Barbecue is an absolute must-try, and its reputation as the best BBQ in Austin is well-deserved.

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Reviews

5 Comments

Overall Rating ★★★★★ 4.6

doncariello (Google)

★★★★★

Sixth stop on the Texas BBQ culinary tour. Today is the day dedicated to what is considered a BBQ monster here in Austin (and beyond) "Franklin," whose books are also in airports. There is a wait as there is in all the places where there is very good food in the United States. There is a wait and the line is long. It is 11:30 in the morning and so I don't want to overdo it. I order half a pound of brisket, half a pound of pork ribs, a quarter pound of turkey and as a side I get the usual potato salad. The brisket is very tasty, savory and peppery; really well smoked, fatty, juicy, melts in the mouth. The pork ribs are exactly the way I like them, with a more tenacious bite than the ribs eaten at other barbecues, and they have a pronounced peppery flavor that drives me crazy. The turkey is good, with a nice smoky hint, nice and moist (which is then the real difficulty of cooking turkey) with a nice consistent bite. The potato salad, perhaps, is the only thing that didn't convince me or, at least, doesn't reflect my taste so much. The potatoes almost seem to be blended rather than mashed; it is almost a cream. Fortunately, the taste is very pleasant with the presence of the gherkin flavor very pronounced. The sauces and in particular the Espresso BBQ sauce deserve a mention. The service is not the quickest also because there is only one person at the meat cutting. The setting is very spartan even for an American barbecue with a space outside as well. The bill maybe a tad more expensive than other barbecues I have been to so far but it was definitely worth it.

Angela Leung (Google)

★★★★★

Arrived at 10:50 am and got our food at 12:45Everything was very salty for me. They put a lot of rub in the brisket and rib that I can't really taste the meat. The potato salad and slaw are also salty.The espresso BBQ sauce is interesting!

Morgan Fairbrother (Google)

★★★★★

We had a great experience. We went on a rainy Friday to try and avoid an extremely long wait. We got into line at 12:15PM and make it to the front at 1:30PM. I didn't think it was too horrible. A staff member came by twice to let us know what they ran out of. Once we got to the front of the line the staff were very kind and answered all our questions. The brisket was AMAZING! Truly melt in your mouth. Pulled pork sandwiches were so tasty. Pork ribs were good. Regular sausage and potato salad were only okay in our opinion. Glad we finally experienced Franklin BBQ after living in Austin for 4 years!

Jill McMahan (Google)

★★★★★

Went on a Wednesday and arrived around 9:45 am. We brought lawn chairs but they had some for people to use and there is plenty of shade. You can go inside and use the bathroom while you wait. Once the doors opened at 11 am the line kept moving along. We sat down and started eating by 11:55 am. The brisket is amazing and everything else was delicious too. If you're going to be in Austin and you love BBQ then definitely check it out.

Ida Aristizabal (Google)

★★★★★

If you want some BBQ, be ready to commit! Is it worth it? Absolutely. We arrived at 8 AM on a chilly Thursday, and we weren't even the first ones there! Keep in mind, Franklin's opens at 11 AM and serves until sold out—and when we left at 11:45 AM, the line was still out the door. If you're planning to go, weekdays are definitely your best bet.We ordered just about everything on the menu: brisket, ribs, sausage, pulled pork, turkey, potato salad, pinto beans, and pie! All that came out to around $200, but we probably overdid it (pint-sized sides weren't necessary). At least we had enough for two more meals!The restaurant itself is small, with seating both inside and outside. Arriving early is key—not just for guaranteed food, but also for parking and a table after you order. Everything is homemade, and my favorites were the ribs, sausage, and turkey. The brisket was great, but ours was a bit too salty for my taste.Even though doors officially open at 11 AM, they let us in early to warm up, grab drinks, and browse the store. If you're thinking about making the trip—go for it. Just be prepared for the wait, because Franklin's is an experience all on its own!