I'm so happy I found Cooper's on Yelp. We were visiting Austin from San Francisco and wanted BBQ. The place is spacious with lots of picnic tables and seating at the bar. If you're getting food, get in line, place your order and seat yourself. We ordered brisket, beef ribs, sausage, coleslaw, potato salad, apple cobbler and banana cream pudding. They have a station with complimentary beans, BBQ sauce, pickles, jalapeños and bread. To go containers are readily available too. Everything was delicious. It was the best meal we had during our trip. The servers are fun and friendly. Griffin, our bartender, was the best. Service was on point. Loved how he greeted incomers and instructed them to get in line and seat yourself. Will definitely tell friends about Cooper's. read more

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Not sure why all the bbq places seem to close on Monday, but we didn't have many choices when we arrived in Austin. The family wanted bbq, and we weren't able to find any parking when we got to Terry Black's, and Franklin's was closed. We were near downtown and found that this location of Cooper's was open. We were welcomed by the bartender when we walked in and he explained how to order. It's cafeteria style, we go to the pit master and tell him how much of what meat we wanted. Then we go to the cold counter and order our sides (salads, cornbread, cobbler, etc.) and then pay. At the end, there's self serve drinks (pay at the counter first), and free beans, white bread, pickles and onions, etc. There are plenty of picnic tables to dine at, and there's a full bar if you want some adult beverages with your meal. We got the brisket, beef ribs, chicken and sausage. Food was flavorful and juicy. Sides were ok. My husband liked the cornbread, but it was a bit dry for me. Glad we were able to try some TX bbq! read more

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The brisket is good it isn't as good as Terry Blacks or Franklins. But I like the dining experience here the best. They have what the Terry Blacks Austin location lacks...a bar to sit at with draught beer - and the bartender is great and friendly. I give the brisket 4* but everything else is 5*. Try the bacon jalapeno mac & cheese and the bread pudding. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Sign - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Dined at this location which is right downtown off Congress and 3rd. No reservations needed. As soon as you enter you will be expected to pick your meats so have a loose game plan. We opted for beef ribs, brisket and sausage with cheese. Upon getting our meats, someone weight them and wrapped them for us. We proceeded to the cold items and then hot items. For sides we got corn bread, Mac and Cheese and Green Beans. Our total was $60 dollars for two people. After paying we found a spot on a shared picnic table. Before diving into our meats, we checked out the free items and grabbed some complimentary white bread, bbq sauce, beans, pickles, onions and ice cold water. Our food was delicious. We ate every thing and was happy that we didn't quite over do it as we don't have a microwave in our hotel room. The beef ribs were so tender. They needed no sauce. The cheese sausage as good but spicy which I liked. The brisket was good too but slightly fatty. All the sides were good, Mac and cheese was just okay but the free pinto beans made up for that. Before leaving we grabbed some peach cobbler which was recommended over banana pudding. Delicious items but would have paired great with ice cream. All in all, would hands down recommend this bbq joint. Definitely research meats before you enter and don't go overboard because price can add up quickly. Can take items to go and they have doggie bag supplies. Tip: Make sandwich with that brisket as free bread, sauce/onions/pickles are provided. read more

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Sorry no pictures of the food but I was too busy eating. Great atmosphere and the brisket was to die for. Has to be one of Austin's top 5 bbq spots read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Who doesn't love stickers!! - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came here on a recommendation from a local though she admitted later she hasn't been in several years. Things must have changed. Service was lacking and they have no patience for questions. This place is way overpriced for the quality and the food was not good. The brisket at $35 per pound was 1/2 fat and not very flavorful. The warm bbq sauce they keep in a kettle was very different and not in a good way. The potato salad was bad and tasted like cold mashed potatoes. No potato chucks. Just all mashed with some diced veggies. It was dead at lunch time downtown on a busy summer Wednesday so we should have thought twice and turned around. I would not recommend unless your only goal is bbq without a line. read more

A meal such as this only prances into my peripheral once in a blue collar moon, and today, the stars aligned in glorious, all-American, artery compacting fashion. The jalapeño cheddar sausage was my primary target, opting to engage in a half pound glizzy operation paired with jalapeño cheddar Mac n cheese for enhanced diarrheazation. If I'm going down with the ship, might as well make sure I'm at full mast before the tides come to take me. The complimentary brown baked beans made this bean boy absolutely beanboozled with glee. The savory, sodium suited frijoles filled my mouth with jubilant abundance. The seasoning, exquisite. The texture, malleable and mushy. Beans: Conquered, extracting to next OZ. The sausage snapped with juicy ruptures and melted upon my taste buds, absorbing effortlessly into my gullet. My peers opted to share in their bountiful harvest, allowing me to share in morsels of brisket, ribs, and corn bread. A trifecta of cardiovascular disruption that will no doubt take decades off my lifespan. WORTH. read more

Overall: 5/10 Food: 6/10 Service: 5/10 Atmosphere: 5/10 Value: 4/10 Decent Bbq but far from the best in Austin. You order everything ala carte which starts with your meat selections. It's VERY challenging to know how much you're actually spending. Basically you learn once you get to the register at the end. It's shared picnic table seating, the beans are included along with the other bbq condiments. The picture shows everything got and how it is served on your tray. Found this place is pretty expensive for what you get and the quality of the food. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Prime Rib, Turkey, Pork Ribs, grilled corn, green beans, pinto beans, salads and all the BBQ fixins'. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

So disappointed. Brought friends from out of town. First, the pit master completely over sold how much meat a table of four would need. We kept telling him not to add so much and no beef ribs. He seemed angry and told us this brisket and beef ribs is what Texas barbecue is all about. Thanks for the schooling, I've only lived here 65 years. The pork ribs were horrible. Over cut and way way over salted. The sausage was ok as was the brisket. The beef ribs were very fatty and not in a melts in your mouth kind of way. All this and sides for $215. There are too, many option for great BBQ in this town for any thing like our experience. read more

I organized (remotely) a private party for 35 people at Cooper's. This was the last dinner of our 3-day Austin Sales meeting, Ana and her team were efficient, extremely helpful during the planning process and the event went on smoothly. Of course the food is always great, everybody loved it, the service was perfect, and this is now a great memory that my coworkers are still talking about. Thank you very much again. read more

Quality has a price, and some people might bulk at the price that they pay for brisket at a place like this. But you can be assured, that what you're about to eat is quality. The interior definitely has that feel of old Texas. I'm not sure how long this establishment has been around in this location, but you could easily feel that it was 50 years or more. It has that country, western field, with country western decor. The folks dishing out the food are no-nonsense, but don't confuse that for not having any southern manners. They'll answer your questions and take care of business quickly. The food is good. There may be some better places in town, but the convenience is why you're hitting Coopers. If there was a Brisket Trail in Austin, I'd have this place on the list. read more

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The beef ribs and lean brisket were amazing! Then there's garlic mash potatoes, Mac & cheese and pickles. Absolutely delicious! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We mentioned we were going to Terry Black's for dinner and a local suggested Cooper's instead for their larger meat selections. Agreeable to trying a new place our party of 5 went to Cooper's. The menu was impressive and the staff very friendly offering suggestions The meats were cut too thick, some cold and dry. The best side was the baked potatoes Most of the sides were disappointing being too spicy or overcooked. Can't recommend Cooper's over Terry Black's. read more

Decided to come here during our trip to Austin! Everything we tried was delicious and the place was clean and smelled amazing. The staff is very nice and there was plenty of seating. They also have a bar! read more

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Best BBQ in Texas! I actually enjoyed the beans the most and they are free!! Great country wood environment, and friendly direct service. I kind of went for the try it all approach, which may have been a bit spender way, though I think it's all a higher cost, but the quality is definitely there. You're getting what your paying for, and that's spectacular flavours! I'd go for the ribs and the turkey again, and skip the brisket. The sausage was on the spicyer side, but I appreciated the punches. If you're in a "Mac Mood", another great choice, just don't pass up those beans!!! read more

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I had some piece that were salty and one end piece that was not edible. It is definitely not cheap, but the ambiance was very good, the people super friendly. So if you go with some friends to.enjoy some.meat amd a beer, you really can't go wrong with this place. Keep in mind that even the sausage is heavy and can get pricie, also the food is heavier than what you think. read more

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Cooper's has become our go-to late evening option for good barbecue in Austin! It's open fairly late, especially for this genre of cuisine, and moreso than that, they typically have actual meat left after 7:00 pm (even after 9:00 pm!), which has come in clutch for us on visits to Austin more than once! On our latest visit, we happened to arrive right around 8:45 pm on a Wednesday evening, to absolutely zero line! They were only out of one meat, but still plenty on offer to satiate two grown boys! We ordered three different bulk meats to share, a side, and a dessert for each. Right after we checked out and sat down, the line grew and moved out the door and down the sidewalk! Amazing timing! And, there's a reason for the line: while not in the first tier of joints you name off with regard to Austin barbecue, Cooper's is absolutely holding down some strong 'cue game! Smokey, well seasoned, full-flavored, incredible meat of all sorts! Beef and pork were featured for us, and nothing disappointed. Of particular strength on this visit: a pork kebab! The beef brisket this time around was fine, by Texas standards (the highest of high), but not the best we've had either here or elsewhere in town. The atmosphere is always rockin', any time we've been, which adds to the fun and flair of the joint! TL;DR here: very solid barbecue, open late, but not quite top-tier by Austin's or Texas's extremely high standards. Food = 4/5 Facility = 3/5 Service = 3/5 Ambiance = 4/5 Value = 2/5 read more

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I swear I am not a big bbq girlie. But this place! Sheesh. It was recommended by a friend so we had to pop in. You start by choosing your meat just looking at the meat area you know this is real bbq. Then you go to the sides and there are plenty to choose from. Do not skip the mac n cheese. The chicken was huge and amazing. I had to share it was so much. The grilled corn was so good. Worth getting kernels stuck in your teeth! I regret not trying the banana pudding. Something tells me it would have put me in a food coma. We kept it light with beers and high noons. Everyone was very helpful with picking things out. If you like bbq go here! If you don't like bbq, this place with change your mind! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Half Chicken, Mac-N-Cheese, Grilled Corn - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

As far as the bbq in Austin goes, this one is okay. Overall it's fine and decent compared to places outside of Texas, but I had better during my visit. The ribs are good but are on the tougher side. They are good don't get me wrong but not fall off the bone. The sausage is good and so is the brisket. I really don't like their bbq sauce. It is way too vinegary for me. Super thin too, it doesn't have that nice thick consistency I like. Mac and cheese is fine. Banana pudding was disappointing as well, I could have thrown it together. Cornbread was average. Overall nothing crazy but good ribs and you can actually get the food without waiting in line for hours, so that's a plus. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Spread - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Good traditional Texas bbq with great service. Meat was soft and tender. Flavor wasn't overly marinated and strong in a good way. It's located very close to other cute shops. Outdoor dining on the deck or outside of the restaurant. Street parking. read more

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This spot was close to my hotel so I stoped in for some dinner on a Friday night. The staff was quick to great me as I came in and gave me the rundown of how everything worked. I got the Turkey and pork loin and a side of green beans Mac and cheese read more

Stopped into Coopers last week , a couple of times. Was greeted at the door by Wade the barman. Had a few cold beers and enjoyed the beef ribs, brisket and jalapeno cheddar sausage. Food and service both 5 stars. What a wonderful, friendly place!!!! read more

You should really add this to your list of places to eat in Austin, TX. The BBQ was excellent, and you have to love the hot BBQ sauce and the spicy beans. The best thing about the place was the helpful staff. Not only did the make food suggestion, like mixing the cobbler flavors, they went out of thier way to suggest other fun spot around town! I will go backa read more

In town for a quick vaca from Detroit. I wasn't a huge fan of the service or the food. Came in one night and it wasn't very crowded so my bf and I decided to sit at the bar. The bartender absolutely ignored us. For 6 or 7 minutes. He served the people next to us, he chatted with a few more people, he glanced our way a few times, he opened a few beers and served people by us. But he would not even say - Hey, I'll be with you in a minute. I finally told my bf, I don't care how good the food is, I'm done, I'm not going to be ignored any longer, what is wrong with him. So we got up and left. He finally looked our way as we were exiting. But - 2 days later my bf still wanted bbq, so he wanted to try again (I wouldn't have done it). I don't really like the setup, and the meats were hellacious expensive, so in the end we got a half chicken to split and sides. The chicken was fine - but not awesome. The sides were really delicious. I like the green beans, my bf didn't. We also got cornbread and beans. They were good too. I wouldn't go back though. read more

Bbq at its best. No frills, well except if you want the gear and souvenirs. But walk in choose your meats, your sides and eat!! Came here a year ago and a must stop every time we're in town. Jim, bartender not only took care of us but gave some great insight and suggestions! I had the brisket and beef ribs and my wife had the pork ribs. Man. So tastee. Like bbq? this is a Mecca, no religious offense. We came, ate meat, and left fat and happy. See you next trip coopers. read more

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I visited here two years ago, and loved the well cooked chicken. I came back for more, cooked well, seasoned well, and yes please Dip it in the sauce! Great service all around! Good food, I'll admit the sides are good but the meat overshadows them by far. And my grandmas recipes are better. Not complaining just saying! Visit here it's worth a stop or two or three/ read more

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Always a little pricey depending on what you get. But it's really good bbq when you are downtown. Plenty of seating and tasty sides/deserts along with all the delightful usual meat offerings at a bbq joint. read more

Wade at the bar was fantastic, interesting way to order food pick your hot entree then pick out cold or hot sides and find a table. Luckily we sat at the bar and talked with Wade. Baked potato was epic. Best ever. Ribs ok Brisket ok Sauce (one choice) Sirloin good not great So maybe a baked potato and drinks w Wade? read more

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Really cool little spot! This was the first bbq we hit when getting into Austin was a great way to start the food trip! We thought all there food was pretty good. The sides were mediocre to less than mediocre. The cornbread was so dry it just crumbled when I opened the package. Potato salad had absolutely no flavor. read more

Wish I could've given 5 stars. The quality just did not meet the mark this time around. The first time I visited in 2023 the line was out the door and the bbq spoke for itself. Fast forward to 2026 and I didn't get the same quality of meat or vibes. read more

I love brisket and these guys deliver! Just the right amount of flavorful fat and beef! Pork ribs that were falling off the bone... yummy cornbread. A huge lunch for me, I knew I would be content for the next 12 hours! Definitely worth dropping in. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Oh... haaay! - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came here for lunch on Sunday. The line was not long but even if it were, you would get through quite quickly. All Servers were courteous and smiled. You order your meats cafeteria style and they cut it to weight order. All of the meats you order are wrapped together in butcher paper and handed to the next station where you select your sides. You can opt to purchase some sides like potatoes salad, Cole slaw, Mac and cheese, green salad and a few more items. As you head for the picnic table community seating, you can grab all of the other extra sides and condiments that they offer at no additional charge. Beans, dill pickles, jalapeño, onions, and bread. All meats were tender and juicy; slightly overly salted for our taste. Also, we didn't really care for the bbq sauce so good thing it comes in the side. Tried Rollin Smoke food truck yesterday and liked it there more. Don't let that comment deter you from coming to Coopers; still very good here. I do recommend and would come again. read more

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Great food, atmosphere and drinks. Had the brisket, chicken, Coleslaw and Mac and cheese...really good, not overly salty

We had our wedding lunch here with our loved ones and everything was great. From the food, to the service, to the place itself, it was a great choice for our big day. Great hospitality from everyone working here. They made sure we were satisfied with everything as well as making our life's easier in any way they could. Food is absolutely delicious! Dare I say best bbq I've ever tried! Would definitely recommend for a quick everyday meal or as a place to host an event. read more

Gets busy, but the line to order moves smoothly. Everything is a la carte. There are several meats to choose from, then you get your sides, dessert, and finally make it to the register. Once done, you'll find a case with free bread, beans, pickles, and more. Help yourself. The brisket was tasty, but to me, the pork ribs were a bit overseasoned. The mac and cheese was tasty, as were the free beans (some white rice would be perfect with them). FYI, they also have tables upstairs and in the back. read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - 1lb pork ribs, sausage, Mac, potato salad, free beans, free bread, free pickles, free peppers - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

You have to think about Coopers on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin differently than you would think about a real Texas Barbecue restaurant. You have to judge it as a tourist destination and not for the food per se.. That raises its stock somewhat ... But tourists can do a lot better with a little planning. * * * I have eaten multiple times at Cooper's in College Station. The BBQ is mediocre but edible. You can do better at Rudy's ... which jokes that it makes the worst BBQ in Texas. (Actually Rudy's meat is not too bad.) * * * You can have a good time and a good meal at Cooper's in downtown Austin. But you have to watch yourself. The featured dish of any Cooper's is an absolutely massive barbecued pork chop. And I do mean massive. If you want a lot of pork, and often I do want a lot of pork, you have come to the right place. They will ask you if you want yours boned or boneless. THEY CHARGE BY THE WEIGHT AT $ 22.99 A POUND. You are paying a lot of money to get that bone. The guy who serves you will say he loves ripping the meat off the bone. Actually, management loves YOU ripping the meat off the bone because that is one of the biggest profit centers in Tourist Austin. Don't pay $22.99 for a bone. Just go boneless. For what it is worth, the pork chop tastes mostly of salt, with a little bit of pepper. It is NOT great barbecue or even good barbecue. Good barbecue means incredible meat taste. BUT Cooper's barbecue sauce is pretty damn good. The barbecue sauce makes this not too shabby eating. If you are a tourist, you are getting a dish you would not be getting at home. The super saltiness means you are going to want to buy a lot of drinks. Cooper's business plan is to sell you a lot of drinks. Now some tourists come to Austin fully intending to start the day plowed with mimosas, drink their way through lunch and dinner and then go to Sixth Street to party down. So chugging down a beer or three or a specialty Texas cocktail or six is exactly what is on the agenda. Management's business plan and your rest and recreation plan may be in perfect harmony. So bring on the salty pork. Cooper's has plenty of potables to wash that salt down with. * * * Just for the record, the macaroni and cheese is also super salty. It is not too interesting. The free beans in the bean pot are completely boring. BUT As was the case with the pork chops, the barbecue sauce does wonders for the beans. With a good dollop of barbecue sauce, the beans are actually decent eating. Cornbread is first rate. Sweet and filling. A great counter for the salty everything else. I actually had fun when I went to Cooper's, chowing down a lot of meat with barbecue sauce and watching a good football game. The room is cool. Everything felt really Texas. I can see how a lot of tourists on Congress Ave could be pretty happy with what Cooper's has to offer. * * * Now where should you go if you actually want great barbecue? I offer two lists. One for locals. (Visuals don't matter. All that matters is the food.) And one for tourists. (Food matters but you also want a great visual experience.) I skip any place where you have to wait three hours in line. Locals: La Barbecue Micklethwait's Stiles Switch. (Pay special attention to weekly or seasonal specials). Kreuz Market in Lockhart Tourists with Access to a Car: Salt Lick in Driftwood Smitty's in Lockhart County Line in Far West Austin Tourists Staying Central You lose. But if you want to do better than Cooper's La Barbecue and Micklethwait are not that bad a walk. And the walk is scenic. Black's Barbecue is not a solution. * * * Have fun! And don't forget we have Mexican too! read more

First, the brisket. Very good. The people were friendly and after going through the line of meat, sides and extras there's a full bar. Glad I stopped in for lunch. read more

Very delicious brisket. Juicy and tender and full of flavor! Sausages were great as well, and the ribs fall off the bone! Highly recommend if you don't want to wait in line for an hour, we were able to get our food in 5 mins (and DURING SXSW) Ambiance is very lively full of families, in a great area as well in close proximity to tons of bars! read more

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Beef Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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When in Texas, you eat barbecue. I visited three bbq locations in Austin and this was by far my least favorite. The meat, especially the brisket, was dry and tough. There just wasn't great flavor either. Pretty basic and underwhelming. We all reached for bbq sauce cause the meats needed something, but that didn't do the job as it was very thin and runny. It was like barbecue hot sauce. The sides were what you'd expect at a cafeteria. Everything just lacked something. The space is really large which was great since we had a large group and didn't have to worry about finding seating. read more

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Love the turkey! And the ribs are fantastic Great service and won't disappoint! The wait time was quick and efficient!