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SOUTH AUSTIN. From the looks of it, this casual place with its vinyl checked tablecloths and whirring ceiling fans doesn't seem impressive. However, its fantastic barbecue kicks it way up in the ranks of local eateries. Country-style pork ribs are the specialty, and baby back ribs are also delectable. Of course, you also can't go wrong with smoked brisket, chicken, or sausages. Hefty portions come with potato salad, pinto beans, cole slaw, and condiments. More wide-ranging alternatives include grilled shrimp, great burgers, and a grilled club sandwich. Plus, most any night you go, you'll be regaled by live bluegrass performers – an Artz staple.
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LLANO. At Cooper's, you order meat by the pound at the counter, choosing from BBQ ribs, chicken, beef brisket, pork chops, sausage or even cabrito (goat). Serve yourself some sides (potato salad, cole slaw, beans, corn on the cob), pick up your utensils and make your way to a communal table. If you want the best seats, head outside, where you can watch the activity at the barbecue pits. Then, hunker down over smoky, delectable meat, and it will be clear why this super-casual place is so definitively Texas!
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WEST AUSTIN. Since County Line is a local mini-chain with about ten locations, finding good, down-home food is easy, no matter what part of town you're in. You can opt for a sandwich, but don't expect a light meal – these babies are huge. Actually, everything is Texas-sized here, so bring your appetite. For the best variety, order a combo plate loaded down with juicy chicken, perfect brisket and tasty sausage, all imbued with a depth of flavor that only comes from lengthy smoking. Don't forget the homemade bread and honey butter!
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DOWNTOWN. Long-lived barbecue joints are the norm in Texas, and Iron Works is no exception. The restaurant opened in 1978 and has been a favorite ever since. Occupying a red tin building that once housed Weigl Iron Works (thus the name), the big lively place has a fantastic patio and is perfect for meeting friends over brews and brisket. Meats are reliably good, sides are tasty and a salad bar takes care of patrons who crave a dose of rabbit food.
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Kreuz Market
619 N Colorado St, Lockhart, TX 78644 · 512-398-2361
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LOCKHART. The beauty of Texas barbecue is that it's so intrinsically delectable, you don't need sauce to bring out the flavor. Kreuz Market, in fact, doesn't even offer any, and you won't find much in the way of side dishes, utensils, plates or condiments either. What you will discover is what many consider to be the finest barbecue this side of the Mississippi, all ordered up right at the pit, placed on butcher paper with soda crackers or white bread and lovingly devoured by legions of fans. If you want to jazz up said meat, simple adornments like jalapenos, pickles, onions and tomatoes suffice. A favorite for over a hundred years.
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TAYLOR. If you've got time to be leisurely, this place is well worth the 40-mile drive from Austin. Since 1946, Louie Mueller and his family have been smoking briskets, jalapeno sausages, ribs and other meats over a giant pit in the middle of the building, typically selling out before closing time. Like true barbecue joints, the place is a bit dingy from years of smoke, and standard dining accoutrements (like plates) are absent, but when you're sinking your teeth into a chunk of meat so elementally delicious, who cares? Ranked one of the top 25 barbecue places in the world.
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Ruby's
512 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705 · 512-477-1651
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NORTH AUSTIN. Ruby's is somewhat unusual as barbecue joints go. Along with the hearty main draw, the restaurant offers numerous side dishes (mac and cheese, several varieties of potato salad, fries, mashers, collards, cole slaw, vegetarian black beans, BBQ beans, and even tossed salads). You'll also find a few vegetarian options for diners who prefer not to eat meat. For everyone else, top-notch barbecue is a savory delight (and hormone-free, to boot).
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EAST AUSTIN. A mainstay on the local barbecue scene, Sam's is an institution, thanks to its late hours and its perfectly smoked meats. For years, musicians have frequented the place after gigs, and Stevie Ray Vaughan was a longtime patron. Choose from beef brisket, chicken, sausage, and ribs, or go for the gold with a mixed plate. Old-school barbecue fans also appreciate the fact that Sam's still serves mutton, whose distinct flavor is something of an acquired taste. Rated best barbecue in Austin proper by locals in the "Austin Chronicle."
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RED RIVER DISTRICT. Stubb's is a carnivorous music lover's dream. Having hosted greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Robert Cray, and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, its reputation as a music venue is well-established. Happily, the food is just as good. Smoked brisket, sausage, ribs, and chicken are at the heart of the menu, and a nice variety of Southern-style side dishes round out the offerings. Don't miss this one!
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DRIFTWOOD. It may be a little out of your way (about 30 minutes outside of Austin), but you won't want to miss one of Texas' most famous barbecue restaurants. A worldwide reputation and delightful down-home ambiance make the appeal that much greater, and a fireplace makes chilly days more tolerable while picnic tables accommodate diners both inside and out. House specialties include brisket, chicken, sausage, ribs and homemade cobblers. No credit cards. Bring your own beer.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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