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    Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue

    4.4 (858 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    BROTHERTON'S BLACK IRON BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Penny H.

    I made plans with a new Yelp friend to grab lunch at the Pflugerville Plaza, and since the parking lot was jam packed at noon, we felt lucky to snag a handicap spot up front. There are several food trucks in the plaza, but not all of them were open that day. I decided to go with Black Iron BBQ since it's been years since I've eaten here. The first thing I noticed is they've expanded and now have TV screens for the menu, and added seating. The ordering process is a little strange though. If you're ordering a sandwich, you can go straight to the register. If you want anything else, you have to wait in line. They have a self-serve drink station, which I always like. I ordered the chopped beef and jalapeño cheese sausage sandwich. It came out pretty quickly. Overall, it was tasty but nothing special. The sausage was a little dry for me. I did like the BBQ sauce, but again, nothing I'd rave about. If you're in the area and craving BBQ without driving far, it's a perfectly fine choice.

    Beans were dry af
    Deric L.

    Finally got to try this place with Uber Eats delivery. I ordered 2/2 lb of ribs and the 3 meat plate with jerk thighs, brisket, and sausage. The ribs were the best to me. Not very smoky but ok. The brisket was seasoned well but missing something. I wasn't a fan of the chicken. It was a tad dry and the sausage was just sausage. I'm taking away a star due to the sides. I had the beans which were very dry and the corn casserole which tasted like old grease. BBQ is so hard to get right in every area, so four stars!

    Interior
    Michelle E.

    Brotherton's is a good option for BBQ if you don't want to wait in a massive line or want one of their great sandwich options. I wanted to give it 3.5 stars but rounded up since the sides are fantastic and the workers are nice but the brisket isn't mind blowing, especially compared to other BBQ places in the area. FAST FACTS: * Parking: Ii's in a strip center so there's a lot with spots right out from but it can get busy since it's shared with some food trucks and other businesses. I had to park on the street. * Online ordering: available on their website for pickup (can schedule in advance) * Closed on Mondays * Menu does vary depending on availability and specials so call and see what they have on the day PRICING - The total was $172.79 after tax ($13.21) but before tip for 1.49 pound of brisket ($50.66 - $34 per pound), 1.23 pound of pork belly ($25.92 - $21 per pound), 3 pork ribs ($13 - $25 per pound), 0.54 pound of turkey ($13.50 - $25 per pound), 4 sausages ($7 per link), pint of green chile mac n' cheese ($9.50), pint of tater tot casserole ($9.50), and a pint of cornbread casserole ($9.50). The pricing is in line with other BBQ joints. SERVICE - We arrived right when they opened at 11:00 am on Sunday and were the only ones there. Within the next hour and a half, other customers came in but there was never much of a line. The workers running the counter were friendly and pleasant to interact with! They prepared our order quickly. They give you plain white bread on the side and there is a station to get white onions, pickles, jalapeños, and some other condiments. There is a house BBQ sauce on every table... it's sweet and vinegary. BRISKET (6/10) - When it comes to my expectations of brisket in Texas, this just fell short. We got moist/fatty but it was closer to what a "lean" cut would be at other BBQ places. The bark was good and it had a decent smoke ring but the actual meat wasn't overly flavorful and the bites that weren't pure fat were very dry and kind of tough. I wouldn't get the sliced brisket again but would be willing to try the chopped brisket on a sandwich. PORK BELLY (6/10) - You can get it drizzled in a gochujang sauce and that added a nice flavor but the pork belly itself was just okay. It's chopped into pieces and has a decent texture but some pieces were super salty (which I expect pork belly to be but this was over the top). I've had much better pork belly at other BBQ places so I wouldn't order this again. PORK RIBS (7/10) - These surprised me because I'm not usually a big fan of pork ribs but these were actually better than the brisket and pork belly! The meat is tender and pulls off the bone easily and the sauce has a nice smoky and sweet flavor. I'd order these again! TURKEY (4/10) - I never expect to be blown away by turkey at a BBQ place because turkey is never the star of the show but this turkey was definitely over cooked. The flavor with the herbs and seasonings was good but the texture was kind of mushy and not enjoyable. I wouldn't order this again. SAUSAGES (8/10) - Of all the meats, the sausages were my favorite. We got a mild, jalapeño cheddar, and 2 boudin. I enjoyed all of them but my favorite was the jalapeño cheddar (it isn't spicy but has a nice flavor). The boudin was a unique offering I haven't seen at other BBQ places so I really enjoyed trying it. They won't slice it for you since it falls apart as you cut into it. I'd order all 3 of these again! GREEN CHILE MAC N' CHEESE (8/10) - I loved this! The green chile flavor comes through and it's super creamy. Plus, cavatappi noodles are some of my favorite. I'd order this again! TATER TOT CASSEROLE (9/10) - Fantastic! I love that it's a unique side that you don't typically see at BBQ places and both the texture and cheesy flavor were exactly what you would want from a tater tot casserole. I'd order this again! CORNBREAD CASSEROLE (9/10) - Also fantastic! It's almost like a dessert because it's sweet so it works really well to cut through all the saltiness from the meats and other sides. You get the cornbread texture with pieces of corn and red pepper throughout and every bite is delicious! I'd order this again! This was my first time visiting Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue after having it on my list to try for a couple of years now. Overall, it was okay but definitely not my favorite BBQ place. I like that it doesn't have long lines and you can get some unique offerings but I wouldn't go for another big spread like I did this time. But, if I'm craving a sandwich, it's a great option. I'd recommend it to others who are in the Pflugerville area and are craving some decent BBQ but don't want to wait in long lines to get it.

    Emma B.

    Wasn't that fussed about this place. I remember I tried to come here last year when I was in town, I called ahead and they were open and had food, when I showed up 20mins later, doors were locked and sold out sign on the door - hmmmm. So we finally made it this year, they actually got an honorable mention, this year from the TX Top 50 list for their Philly sandwich - so of course we went with that. And did their brisket place with potato salad and mac and cheese plus a jalapeño link. Having soo much access to TX BBQ, your items really need to stand out, the brisket was average at best, nothing special about it. The sausage was good. As were the sides. The mac and cheese was only warm. The Philly came out steaming hot, too hot to enjoy tbh, it should come with one side at least. We took about half to go and the Philly tasted waay better later on in the day! Restaurant was kinda sad and lacked any atmosphere. Restroom was disgusting and needed cleaning. Upon leaving we saw what I believe to be an employee bringing in vacuum sealed meat - they don't cook their meat on site ?

    Julisa P.

    Stopped in for lunch ... picked up a two meat plate. Price is fair... however the food is not consistent. Ordered jerk chicken and brisket. The brisket always ok... not bad. Just nothing out of this world. The jerk chicken was not to my liking at all. I've had jerk chicken and this was a poor copy of it. Just slathered in seasonings but not properly executed. My order came with two sides... I ordered the tot casserole and baked beans. Toy casserole was sooooo good. Baked beans once again were a fail. Just bad...

    Inside
    Christopher P.

    TLDR: Respect for John Brotherton's legacy. A fairly priced spot with uneven execution during my visit; serviceable, but not a must-visit. Overview: Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue carries the long, winding story of John Brotherton, from Hall of Flame and Curly's to the Black Iron Eats collaboration that became the restaurant today in Pflugerville. John's passing in January 2024 was a genuine loss; the way the Texas barbecue community rallied to keep his dream going says everything about the kind of pitmaster and person he was. I'm not part of that community, but I respect what he did and how his influence likely shaped the barbecue I've enjoyed around the country. Walking in on a quiet Sunday at opening, I found straightforward parking in the lot (though I can see it getting tight when neighboring businesses fill up) and easy counter service. Food: I went classic with a three-meat plate (brisket, spare ribs, and sausage) with wasabi coleslaw and mac & cheese, plus a side of cornbread casserole. The pricing is reasonable for the area: brisket at $36/lb, sausage at $24/lb, the 3-meat/two-sides plate at $30, and most sides at $5 for a half-pint, which is slightly cheaper than many Austin peers. The brisket was the best: while not show-stopping, it was moist, well-seasoned, and carrying clean smoke. The sausage came in at a close second with a satisfying snap and solid seasoning; it was maybe a tad salty for me, but still very enjoyable. The spare ribs were the miss: a bit dry and likely overcooked, sliding off the bone rather than pulling cleanly, and lacking tenderness. The sides were not great. The base coleslaw is pretty solid, but the "wasabi" twist doesn't add much beyond an odd note; the cornbread casserole was a little bland and slightly dry; the hatch chili mac & cheese sounded bolder than it tasted. No desserts were available during my visit despite the website suggesting otherwise. They were likely sold out, but it's still a bummer. Final Thoughts: There's sincere heart and history here, and I respect the effort to preserve John Brotherton's legacy while keeping the doors open. On the plate, the brisket and sausage make a case for a visit if you're nearby, and the prices are fair. That said, with solid but not exceptional meats and sides that don't quite land, I can't put this on my short list of Austin-area musts. While serviceable, it's not quite a full recommendation based on this visit. I'm rooting for them to keep refining; John's legacy deserves it.

    Brotherton's signature offering, the beef brisket.
    Rick S.

    Brotherton's has been on my to do list for a couple years now and finally had a chance to visit with a buddy on a quiet Sunday. The entrance is a bit hidden inside a mall behind a gas station off Pecan Street so you need to be on the lookout for the restaurant. The dining room and kitchen span a couple of storefronts with ample room for eating in or grab and go. There's a great selection of meats and sides to accompany your entrees. I opted for brisket (natch!) and some green beans and asian cucumber salad. Brisket was moist and wonderfully smoked with a tasty bark. This has to be one of my favorite renditions thus far in central Texas. Sides were pretty well executed with the cucumber salad being a nice change up - you can get green chile mac and cheese if you want or traditional potato salad or coleslaw among the options. Service is friendly and the dining area was very laid back and comfortable even with several parties in the room. Looking forward to sampling more of the menu, which has options even if you aren't in the mood for strictly BBQ. Highly recommended.

    Dining area
    Kyle E.

    Came to ride bikes on the Gillieland Creek Trail and stopped in for Sunday lunch. Brothertons was great. We got 2 Two meat plates for our family of 4. The side of fries was overwhelming. So many. The green chili mac and cheese was a little spicy, the "green chili" didn't give it away when ordering. Overall we spent $60 and would come back. Everyone was friendly and the place was very clean.

    Brisket Bahn Mi
    Allison C.

    Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall is this hidden gem of a bbq spot. Even though there was a short line when we arrived for lunch, we were able to order quickly. My friend that brought me did say the often run out at the end of the lunch rush so I would recommend going for lunch instead of dinner. They have solid bbq and weren't afraid to showcase it more creatively in the brisket Bahn mi. The bread wasn't my favorite but I would definitely order it again. Their cornbread casserole was good but their green chili Mac and cheese is a must order.

    Three meat platter with brisket, cheddar jalepeno sausage and jerk chicken!
    Nancy B.

    Our first time and we clearly waited too long!! The meats were absolutely delicious, pricing was fair, sides were good and its convenient to get to with parking so I'm definitely a repeat customer! The cheddar jalepeno sausage had a kick, the jerk chicken was well seasoned and the brisket was so tender it came apart with my fork! I also loved the BBQ sauces available, one regular and one spicy. Can't wait to go back and try more of their sides! The interior was clean, well maintained and at 1130am on a Sunday it wasnt crazy busy. The parking lot also had several food trucks just opening and people were just starting to filter in so it looks like a great spot for bbq and then some desserts.

    Brisket and Ribs
    Ryan H.

    The hype around this BBQ place has reached fever pitch over the last few years. I finally was able to experience it yesterday (Thursday) around 1pm. The service team is exceptional. Super friendly and helpful. So much so, that I feel a bit guilty over this review, but I must keep it real. This is some of the worst BBQ I've had in the 15 years I've lived in Texas. The brisket was dry and tough. My two meat plate came with ribs and those were pretty good but about 4 star at best. The sides were split luster for me. The Mac and cheese was good, once I got past the old stuff on top. The tot casserole was inedible. I took two bites and threw out the rest. Not sure how they have received such high reviews. I must have came on a bad day. However spending $28 for just myself at lunch (and I only had bottled water) won't happen again.

    2 Meat Plate: Brisket, Housemade Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage, Ribs, Coleslaw, Tater Tot Casserole, Green Chili Mac n Cheese, Cream Corn
    Adrienne C.

    Unassuming storefront has awesome BBQ. The brisket was a little drier than I'd have liked but we loved all the tasty sides, the ribs and the jalapeño cheddar sausage. I got the brisket bahn mi and that was so good! Recommend stopping here - make sure to go early in the day because they do sell out daily!

    Loaded Grilled Cheese
    Brittney M.

    What I liked: the spicy BBQ sauce and the jalapeño cheddar sausage. What I didn't like was everything else I purchased. First the Loaded Grilled Cheese, which was so dry. I'm expected a sandwich loaded with meat and melt cheese. Sadly that wasn't the case as seen in the photo. I also tried the Green Chile Mac N Cheese, which could've been more flavorful, cheesier, and the noodles should've been cooked a few minutes longer. The last side I tried was the Cornbread Casserole, which tasted like they used Jiffy as the base then added even more sugar to it. It ended up tasting like a dessert and not a good one. Service was fine and quick. My search for amazing BBQ in the Austin area continues.

    Cheese & Jalepeno Sausage, Brisket Boudin, Green Chili Mac-n-Cheese, & Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

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    4 months ago

    The best moist brisket and Parmesan green beans I have tasted. Enjoyed the jalepeno mac and cheese too. Overstuffed sandwiches too.

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    3 months ago

    Excellent brisket. Nice people, very low key. Ill go back again forsure. Great find.

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    11 months ago

    The service was good. The food was good too. Good need a kids menu. But we did enjoy.

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    Page 1 of 22

    Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue

    Do you have gluten free buns?

    Hey there. We sure do. We have Udi’s gluten free buns.

    Are they offering FULL MENU during the Pandemic?

    They say "no" but I haven't noticed anything missing. See their notice about it on https://www.pftxbbq.com/ Current Hours: WED 11A-3P*, THURS-SAT 11A-7P*… Read more

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    Pok-e-Jo's - Parmer

    3.8
    (272 reviews)
    3.4 mi
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    Pok-e-Jo's BBQ began with a simple Texas challenge...after a disappointing barbecue dinner in the…read more1970s, a group of friends decided they could do it better. What started as a joke about the name "Porky-Jo's" eventually became Pok-e-Jo's, and in 1979 the first restaurant opened on North Burnet Road with a mission to serve authentic, satisfying Texas barbecue. The atmosphere is casual, welcoming, and unpretentious, with the kind of comfort that comes from a place focused more on barbecue. The menu covers all the Texas staples...brisket, ribs, sausage, and pulled pork...served in generous portions alongside traditional sides like potato salad, mac and cheese, fried okra, and baked potato casserole. Since our trip is close, we decided not to cook to avoid leftovers. We ordered ribs and chicken that were flavorful and tender. Our sides included potato salad (a bit bland), broccoli salad (delicious), fruit (fresh), blonde brownies with nuts and chocolate chips (excellent). The meal also came with Texas toast. The Pok-e-Jo's staff was friendly and helpful. It has been a minute since we have eaten at Pok-e-Jo's BBQ. Good experience...we will keep them in mind in the future.

    If I HAVE to add sauce, it's not good !…read more The service was fine and everyone was polite. But the food is a no. I got a two meat plate. I did double brisket, broccoli salad, and Mac& cheese. I also got a peach cobbler on the side. The toast had more flavor than the brisket. My brisket was juicy and flavorless! I had to add sauce to every single piece I ate. The sauce wasn't THAT good. The broccoli salad situation was okay. The Mac& cheese was just cheese and pasta! The brisket was so flavorless until I was in disbelief. I looked around to see if people really enjoying it because how is that possible.! Yea I won't go again. The brisket at HEB is even better than this !.

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    Pok-e-Jo's - Parmer
    Jalapeno sausage, Brisket, pinto beans, potato salad
    Jalapeno sausage, Brisket, pinto beans, potato salad
    Pok-e-Jo's - Parmer

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    Smoky Buns

    Smoky Buns

    4.9
    (20 reviews)
    4.6 mi

    Late posting this review. I've been here twice with my husband now (recent visit was this past…read moreSaturday). I only have pictures from our first visit, but the second time around I got the fried pork belly fried rice as my side to go with the pork ribs. The pork ribs are moist, tender, and fall-off-the-bone delicious! On my first visit, I got the potato salad as my side. It was okay, just not as flavorful as I personally like -- but everyone has their own preference when it comes to potato salad. I ended up adding a little extra seasoning to mine, which is why I decided to try a different side the second time around. The pork belly fried rice paired really well with the ribs! The BBQ sauce could use a little more flavor in my opinion, and the portion they give is pretty small, so I ended up adding some of my own sauce. But the pickled onions and pickles on the side? SO good. Especially the onions -- they had such a distinct flavor that I could honestly eat them by themselves. They reminded me of the pickled veggies you get on a bánh mì sandwich, just without being overly vinegary. Honestly, if they ever made a brisket bánh mì sandwich using those pickled onions and veggies, it would probably be amazing! My husband always gets the brisket sandwich and loves the onions and pickles with it too. The location is tucked away down a small, rough-looking road near some duplexes. Our first time coming, we almost turned around because we were in my husband's coupe, but the second visit we took my SUV instead. Don't let the road scare you away though -- the food is worth it. The staff was friendly and helpful both times we visited. The location is also super convenient for us since we live nearby. Definitely happy we found this spot!

    The Best in Central Texas!…read more I've tried BBQ from all over, and while I might be a little biased, I firmly believed that the best BBQ was in Florida... until I tried Smoky Buns. First, let's talk about the location. It's tucked down a bumpy road between two duplex apartments. It sounds a little sketchy, but trust me, it is so worth it (definitely drive your truck or SUV if you have one!). This place is a true hidden gem. They have a dope setup with covered outdoor seating if you want to chill and eat there, but we ended up taking ours to go. Now, for the food. I ordered the 1 Meat Brisket Plate, which comes with a side, sauce, and pickles/pickled onions. Bro... that brisket was like butter. I know "tenderism" is trending all over social media right now, but this right here is the real deal!! It was so incredibly soft. For my side, I got the potato salad. To be honest, it was a little bland on its own, but it actually worked as a nice, solid base for me to hook it up my own way once I got home. Overall, Smoky Buns is a dope spot and easily hands-down the best BBQ in Central Texas!!!! I will absolutely be back.

    Photos
    Smoky Buns
    Brisket, Ribs, Sausage  Pork Pork Belly Fried Rice, Mac Salad
    Brisket, Ribs, Sausage Pork Pork Belly Fried Rice, Mac Salad
    Smoky Buns

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    Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue - bbq - Updated July 2026

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