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Franklins is always #1 in my heart. Their brisket is delicious enough to make me get emotional. I would raise the cow myself to eat this. The lines are brutally long but worth the wait. Bring a chair and a console. The only person to bypass the line is Barack Obama and he deserves it. I will always say their brisket is #1 - their smoking tech ique, their fat ratio, moisture, and how it melts in your mouth, so delicious. I got 7 lbs of meat to share with my friends Beef ribs - pretty solid, would get this again Pork ribs - fell right off the bone and so tender in my mouth, would get again House sausage / jalapeno sausage - better than sausage at most bbq I've been to but I am biased towards the jalapeno sausage Turkey - this was okay Vibes are your traditional bbq place with large platters, wooden tables and outdoor vibes
Long queue but worth the wait. Service and atmosphere: Very good customer services. The team member kept people waiting in the queue well informed about the food and time to order. The restaurant is small but you get the table as people leave in timely manner. There is also patio and tables outside. Food: Good effort. The BBQ meats were moist and well seasoned. My favourite were the pork ribs. I also enjoyed pinto beans which were on spicy and savoury side. Pricing: $$$ - pretty pricy per pound of meats served.
Listen , no look this past weekend I went to Austin Texas . On the list of places to eat was Franklins , and let me tell me you they didn't disappoint. The wait was 2 hours , we arrived at 11:48 and we finally ate our food at 1:45. Let me tell you it was worth it . Nestled on the corner of the street not to far from downtown Austin. I suggest you get there when they open if not sooner. While waiting for our food , a server does come down to see more or less what you would like to order . Once inside you are able immediately hit with all kinds of smells . We ordered a pound brisket , and a half of pound ribs and a side of coleslaw and pinto beans which all came with a side of bread . Let me tell you it is more than enough. Obviously the larger the party the more food you have to order The brisket was so tender and juicy and well seasoned. The ribs fell off the bone and the side were really good and I don't even like pinto beans . The women at the register were so lovely and nice and they answered any questions you had . There is indoor and outdoor seating so there is enough space . I did not indulge in the desserts but i would next time . Please do me the favor and visit franklins, it is 1,000 % worth it . Until next time .
Whether a place is worth waiting in line is personal. For me, a 2-3 hour wait for Texas BBQ is worth it. Franklins is a place I would easily wait again in line. Why? Brisket- best in the country. Not sure how anyone is better than this place Turkey- incredible and almost the star of the show- see Brisket Sausage- great! Sides - decent but secondary since the meat is the star of the show. Desert- the individual pies are a must! Overall, love this spot and lives up to the hype. When in Austin, go here!
I *thought* I'd had good BBQ brisket before, but apparently I thought wrong, haha! This Austin institution absolutely blew. my. mind. with its incredibly simple yet perfectly executed 50/50 salt and pepper rub and low-and-slow smoke over cured post oak before resting and slicing. Ribs and sausage were excellent as well, and complimentary sauces, pickles, and white bread much appreciated. The meats sell out fast so get here early! The line is looong but 100% worth it. There's both indoor and outdoor seating in this small but mighty shop, and thankfully the tables turn over quickly so you shouldn't have trouble settling down once you get your food!
Best brisket I've ever had! WOW! We got there at 10:45 and the line was already wrapped around the building. The two hour wait was well worth it for getting to try this deliciousness! The staff was 10/10 with customer service! They were making rounds outside making sure people were okay, letting people know wait times, what food was no longer available, lawn chairs available to grab and sit on while you waited. Definitely a must if you're in Austin! The turkey, potatoes, and slaw were good but the brisket was on another level and deserves to be the one food item talked about.
We arrived around 12:15 and the line was wrapped! By the time we got to the counter it was 1:35. We were the last ones to actually get pulled pork because they ran out. That is the longest weve ever waited for bbq, BUT SO WORTH IT! I do not ever order brisket because it's usually disappointing, dry and bland. However, this brisket was none of those things. It was everything a brisket should be!!! The other meats were delicious as well. The banana pie was incredible, the crust tasted almost like a cookie crumble. The potato salad is more of a mustard base, and cole slaw isn't too wet but I filled up on everything else and didn't eat much of it. After we finished eating, we even got a tour of the smokers! They are on a rotation, always smoking brisket and rotating staff to keep watch over it, and they use post oak wood. The staff were all so precious and friendly. My family thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would totally stand in line again :D
So I finally decided to go try Franklins and brave the line. I arrived on a weekday at 1130am and the line was not bad. Maybe an hour. I love how people are giving this place a 1 star because they are popular and the line is long sometimes, I mean come one so stupid. This place is small and it's amazing how they can crank out as much bbq as they do. It's impressive. I got almost to the front of the line around 1230pm and they were already almost out of ribs, so go early. I got a 1/2lb of Brisket, 1/4lb of turkey, 3 bones of ribs, and one link of the jalapeño cheddar sausage, my side I did was potato salad. I'll give my honest review down below on each item. Brisket- 1000/10, best I have ever had. It was well seasoned, juicy, smoky, fatty in the right way and just so tender and delicious. Spectacular. Turkey- another 1000/10, it's so juicy and and tender. They season it but not heavily which is great since Turkey is a mild tasting meat. I would definitely get this again! Ribs- 6/10, and I love ribs. To me the seasoning on these was so thick it just overpowered the taste of the pork. All I could taste was pepper on it. It was good but I would personally pass on this item next time. Sausage- 1000/10, again so good. It was spicy due to the jalapeños but not overly, the cheese was nice and there was a good snap to the casing. The smoke added a nice touch to the fattiness of the sausage. Potato salad- 3/10, to me this was not a good take on potato salad. Not much texture in it like celery or something like that and all I could taste was vinegar. I like acid in my food but this is all I could taste. So it wasn't for me. Overall when I go next time I will be loading up on brisket, turkey and sausage! These items are amazing, maybe try another side, their beans looked really good. GO OUT AND EAT SOME BBQ!!
Line was crazy. Started outside on the steps, then wrapped around the whole inside. Once we got in, it was cute and old school. We arrived at 2:45 and they closed at 3. So we missed out on the brisket, turkey and the sausages, but totally still worth it. Once they run out of everything they told us they would give us what they could and what was left over by the time we got to order, they hooked us upppp! This tray was $33 and me and my bf who are foodies were completely stuffed! Tea was a little sweet for me, but my bf liked it. Beans were Smokey, peppery & fire! Everything was amazing!
Yea! The votes are in! Franklin is the clear winner for me. I saved reviewing two of the best BBQ joints in Austin for last and I came to the conclusion that Franklins has better quality meat but their sides aren't as good as the competitor I reviewed. When we first arrived, the line was out the door and down the street, which was kind of understandable after trying the food. The line moved pretty slow at first and they came out to tell us that by the time we get to the front they may be out of certain meats. Luckily, they had everything we wanted when we ordered. The place totally gave off that Texas vibe, was a decent size and I wasn't sure there would be enough seating once we had our food but it all worked out. They kept the place clean after people left and they were pretty quick to clean the tables. As for the food, we ordered a a half pound of: Beef Brisket - 5/5 Pork ribs - 5/5 Sausage link - 4.5/5 Pulled pork - 4.5/5 Potato salad - 3.5/5 All I can say is, the meat was so juicy and tender and was seasoned to PERFECTION! I was fighting with myself to determine if I wanted to dip the meat in the bbq sauce I had or not. I was literally arguing with myself whether to dip or not because either way it gave you a different experience and each experience was soooo dang good, I don't even know man! Lastly, you don't need any sides (the sides are limited and not as good as the other place I reviewed) or bread or anything with the meat. I was mad at myself for wasting a few bites of getting full on two bites of the potato salad. I wish I could have those bites back and apply it to the meat. Anyway, I WILL be back to Franklin and there is no other choice for me. I was on Zillow looking up house listings and how much it would actually cost to move there lol. No joke! That's how good that meat was. If you are in Austin, please go try Franklin BBQ and let me know if I'm tripping or not because that was life changing for me. OOOOO 5 out of 5 Afros
I think this is the disney of bbq lol.... line is really looongg :-( on a rainy Friday, we did not hesitate to go to experience the hype. Finally after 2 hours (12-2pm), we finally made it to the counter, unfortunately they ran out of beef ribs. We ordered 2 lb of brisket to go & the food we plan to eat in. There are a few tables but you'll get seated. Their brisket is really the winner & their jalapeno sausage plus their key lime pie. They have a variety of sauces which is good but few sides. Staff are nice and friendly too. There is also a little shop inside to stall you while in line.
In this long barbecue journey, it took me long enough to finally make it to the Texas Mecca, Franklin Barbecue. It's located right off I-35, just a few breaths away from the Texas Capitol. It was always an attainable restaurant to go to in terms of distance, but the rumored line could bring more agony than ever expected. I arrived at Franklin at 9 a.m. on a Sunday. A time too early to some, but experts would suggest I might have been too late. The restaurant itself recommends lining up starting at 9 a.m. on a weekday and closer to 8 a.m. on the weekend to have a better chance to try their full menu. With us losing an hour from daylight saving time the night prior, I assumed people would already be too exhausted to be there as early as I was. I was about the 20th head in line, which didn't seem too shabby. In front of me was a guy visiting Austin from Missouri, and he just had to try Franklin's before returning back home. It's cool how well known this establishment has become that people will travel all over for it. I can only imagine how bad the line can get with SXSW starting up. Two hours in line at this point is nothing. I always think waiting on the front end is always better than the back end because you're guaranteed a good meal if you get there early. Two hours went by in a blink and the doors opened. By 11:15, we were watching our meat get sliced by the pitmaster for the day. It was not Aaron Franklin, sadly. We sat down with our tray just about five minutes later. For our three meats and some extras, Franklin ran us about $40 a head. I'll write about everything I had: Brisket: I know in Texas, brisket is king and Franklin is supposed to be the prime example of it. It was very good, but I think these new school barbecue joints are doing it better. You can't get this level of brisket everywhere though. It was still savory and flavorful. Pork ribs: These are some of the best I've had. I feel like I say that at every barbecue restaurant I go to, but the meatiness, the bark, and the flavor were all exceptional to a point that it made my eyes water. They fall off the bone like every good Texas joint does, but the flavor they brought out on these is next level. Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage: This sausage was crunchier than most. More compact. I think this is pretty middle of the road in my sausage power rankings, but still pretty glorious. Pinto Beans: I'll just quote what my buddy said: "I wouldn't even give these to a homeless person." I don't know what it was about these, but they were not good. Potato Salad: I am a mayo-based potato salad guy, so I am already disappointed when I order it and it's shockingly yellow. It was bland but could work well as a palate cleanser after a meaty meal. I tried their barbecue sauces and was impressed by the existence of their roasty espresso BBQ sauce. It has this rich flavor that blended well with the brisket. I never would have thought this would be good. Now we need barbecue sauce flavored espresso. I am so happy that I got to finally go to Franklin's. I don't think I will be joining the 100 club like some members have because while it is good and worth a visit, it is definitely not the best barbecue in Austin. There are places with better prices or better meats nearby. I don't think it's unimpressive by any means, and it is nice to pay an ode to a legendary place like Franklin. It was honestly a dream come true. RIYL: Waiting. It's kind of its thing.
If you are wanting to try this place, be prepared to wait an hour at the minimum. But the wait for arguably the best BBQ in the country is well worth it. The staff is very friendly, taking inventory of food to ensure that everyone is fed. The pork was super tender, fell off the bone, and the best part of the meal. The Brisket was one of the best I've ever tasted. The jalapeño cheddar sausage had a great pop to it when cutting into it. All 3 parts of the meal are a must order and I'd go back in a heartbeat to get it again. If you're in ATX and looking to try some world class BBQ, this should be near the top of your list, or at the top. Worth the 1+hr wait.
Incredible barbecue!! As I'm sure you've already read from previous reviews, this place is fantastic!! The line is the biggest challenge to this place but honestly it went by fairly quickly. My friends and I arrived there at 9:30 am on a Friday and the line was already a block long. Apparently the first person on line that morning arrived at 5:30 am!! Their private parking lot itself is small but there is available free street parking around the neighborhood. Around 10am a staff member starts taking orders to estimate how much BBQ they except to be selling. She estimated it would take about 4 hours for us to get inside. We got in 3.5 hours later and the line went fairly quickly. We met some cool people from out of town (like ourselves) in line and they sold beer and other beverages as we waited. A bunch of people on line came with chairs from home to sit and hang out on and Franklin also offers free fold out chairs to sit on as well (but those go real quick). Onto the food...the barbecue here is amazing!!! We ordered brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, and sausage. All of the meats were moist, tender, and juicy!!! The pork ribs were fall of the bone!! The brisket we had included part burnt ends, part lean, and juicy, fatty, tender meat as well. By far the BEST BRISKET I've ever had. It was so flavorful it didn't even need BBQ sauce! GET THIS!!!! For sides we had coleslaw, potato salad, and pinto beans which were all good too. Definitely a great experience and I'm glad I did it!! Franklin's is absolutely a must try if you're ever in Austin! My only words of advice: COME EARLY (and hungry)! read more
4 years ago
10 years ago
Fatty brisket and the pulled pork are AMAZING and LIFE CHANGING. I have had bbq all over the country and by far Franklin is the BEST. Yes the lines are long but well worth it. I will never forget this day and now have to figure put what I am going to do the rest of my life with other incomparable bbq!! I do not like turkey but surprisingly the version at Franklin was amazing. The sausage too. As well as the bourbon banana pie. read more
Seriously...why am I writing this?! Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 5+ years, you KNOW that this is the best BBQ in Texas! Even if you're stepping foot into Austin for the first time, if you've asked anyone in town where the best BBQ is at, chances are, this was their answer. It's the best. Period. ...but since I did start off with a mildly high-and-mighty rant, I feel obliged at this point to continue, but know this: details will be minimal! At this point in Franklin Barbecue's history, a few solid one-liners should be enough. As such, I bring you: THE 5 COMMANDMENTS OF ENJOYING YOUR TRIP TO FRANKLIN BBQ: 1.) Treat Franklin BBQ as an experience, not a restaurant. You will be in line for at least 3 hours. If done right, your time in the queue (food pun) will be very enjoyable. 2.) Make new friends while you wait. Bust out a deck of cards. Just don't forget the lawn chairs. 3.) It's BYOB outside. Bring a 6-pack, preferably a mix-and-match of Texas craft beer. 4.) Brisket and sausage are Texas BBQ staples, but don't skip out on the butter-bathed turkey. After they slice it, they throw it right back in the vat of butter where it was staying warm, and if you have the self-control to keep your tongue in your mouth after you see that, you've defeated Franklin's...but you probably won't. 5.) The moist brisket dissolves the second it hits your tongue. It's incredible. It is the best brisket in the world. Buy it. Enjoy it. It will be at least another 3 hours wait before you can go back and get more. read more
11 years ago
Full review can be found at http://bgoodeatsandtreats.com/2015/09/17/franklin-barbecue-in-austin-tx/ The Morning After: Oh what a day! After sitting outside in 90 degree plus heat for 4 hours and another 1/2 hour inside, I was exhausted. I was given an estimated time to eat of 1:30 and thankfully sat down to eat right around 12:45. When I got right outside of the door one of the employees was walking down the line giving out small pulled pork sandwiches, which very nice of them. Look back at it the wait really wasn't that bad. Go to hangout and have good conversation with new people and enjoy a few cold beers. Now to the BBQ...In one word, DIVINE! Got to the front of the line and there was beautiful hunk IMG_4982of brisket sitting in front of the meat carver on the chopping block along side a slab of ribs. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it, as a matter of fact, I am heating up my leftovers as we speak! We ended up with 1/2 lb mix of lean and fatty brisket, 1/2 lb of pulled pork, 4 ribs, and a link of smoked sausage. As well as a side of potato salad. Let's start off with the brisket, my favorite cut of BBQ. The bark had a nice deep smoky bit to it and the smoke was not too strong, so you could still taste the meat itself. It was so juicy and succulent that I could have eaten them without having anything to drink. The fat content was spot on and left me wanting another bite as I was chewing on the previous bite. The pulled pork was light on the smoke and amazing in its own right. I ended up making a nice little sandwich with a piece of white bread and one of the BBQ sauces on the table. At one point I was just grabbing handfuls of pulled pork and dropping them in my mouth. Now about them ribs! The spice in the rub that was used on the ribs gave a nice bit of heat to the ribs. I know it's always said the the sign of a good rib is that the meat just slides right off the bone, but I tend to disagree with that. I don't want to pick up a rib, take a big bite, and pull of the meat that I've bitten cleanly from the bone. This is exactly what I got from the ribs at Franklin and it left me a very happy camper. There is not much to say about the sausage other than it was good! A good amount of smoke and spices, made this sausage extremely enjoyable. The skin had a nice snap when I bit into it and it was good and meaty inside. read more
5 years ago
16 years ago
I came here twice awhile back, sold out twice by 2:00pm! I almost gave up trying to eat here after 2 visits. But hey, like they say, "3rd time's a charm" right? And "the early bird gets the worm", I thought I'd never ever get the worm cuz I'm not the early bird type... I've got one thing to complain about, FLIES! Aggressive, hard-headed flies that want to eat our food! Besides that, everything was GREAT! Why just 3 stars? Because I didn't get to eat that great big juicy piece of meat every time or any time I want to... And those damn flies keep bugging me! Oh yeah, you'll see my pretty face again. Just make sure you've got what I want next time and there won't be any trouble. read more
4 years ago
12 years ago
By far the best bbq I've ever had! After waiting 3 hours I literally enjoyed every bite I put in my mouth. Unfortunately I didn't make it in line in time to get my hands on ribs (arriving at 11:30 on a Friday), but the brisket, pulled pork and turkey (yes the turkey) were all amazing. The pickles were a nice touch. The banana bourbon pie for dessert also should not be missed! My advice: order everything and eat as much as you can. And definitely try the turkey, it's underrated. For $20 I received as much bbq as I would have in NYC (my home) for $60. Don't let the wait intimidate you. The line doesn't move much, but the staff is totally fair about what they can offer you and how the restaurant works. They estimate your time and meat availability several times throughout the day so you know what you can expect. They also serve up snacks (awesome mini beef sandwich) and beer. And the quickie pickie up the block is a safe spot for any other supplies you need to get you through the morning (ie coffee and breakfast tacos). Franklin's is a game changer. Do not miss it :) read more
Best BBQ I've ever had. I arrived in Austin at 2PM and headed straight here from the airport. The line wasn't too bad, it was about 45 minutes and they have camping chairs that you can sit on while you wait in line. The primary reason you wait in line is because the place is small and there's only one carving station with two people who hand carve exactly what you want. When I got up to the front, I was starving and they gave us samples. I ordered everything. I really haven't been a brisket person my entire life, but having their brisket changed everything for me. Their brisket was amazing and the best I've ever had. The brisket and sausage were my favorite meats there. The ribs were good, the turkey was ok, not amazing, but man, nothing beats their brisket and their sausage was also very good. The sides are decent as well, but the meat is definitely the star of the show here. Definitely lives up to the hype and it is worth a 45 minute wait. read more
Finally Franklins... arrived at 7:30 am and was about 20th in line. They have folding chairs that customers can use while waiting. They also allow you to use the restroom, buy merch and buy beer before the place opens. The staff was beyond nice, they even took us in back and showed us the smokers. I tried the turkey, ribs, sausage and brisket... all excellent. As a whole, Franklin is probably top 3 bbq restaurants I've been to. They do everything right... skilled and professional staff yield an amazing product. Beyond great experience. read more
There's a reason why they have so many reviews...and a reason why most of them are 4-5 stars. I love Franklin BBQ. If you skip out on the brisket...you're doing it wrong. It's so moist and fatty. & It was great as a 2nd lunch! The espresso BBQ is def interesting, but I'm loyal to the original. Honestly, the wait isn't that bad. You just need good company. Be close to the front of the line, and you'll hear the sweet southern music. It's so Texas and I love it. We arrived at 9:30, got coffee, and waited until they opened (11AM). It went by really quickly. Customer service is fantastic. So helpful and friendly. Of course I'll be back! read more
12 years ago
They open at 11am and people line up hours before that. It's crazy. If you want your pick of what they offer or a taste of everything-- 7am-8am or earlier-- BE THERE! And bring a chair. Some people brought coolers full of beer and they were ready for such a wait. We weren't. We didn't know. Luckily, staff would come out and update us through the day and tell us what they're out of, tell us the wait time, and/or sell us beer, cider, or what have you.. There was a big water dispenser available. You're welcomed to use their restroom. So.. we waited 4 hours. 4 HOURS! The BBQ was worth it. It was pretty good. The sides were okay. I had some pie. It was all about the brisket though. We didn't get to try some things like the turkey or ribs but the brisket was definitely a favorite. And they don't slice it or portion it out until you get up to the carver and tell him what you want.. Don't forget to grab some wetnaps at the register. You order, you pay.. you can sit wherever and they have hot sauce and different BBQ sauces on the tables. If you can, sit away from the line.. Those people are hungry and still waiting. They stared. Just know what you're in for when you go to Franklin BBQ. It was a long event being there so like the people you go with. read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
5 years ago
13 years ago
Anyone who doesn't give this place 5 stars is out of their gourd! Yes you have to wait 2 hours +. Yes Texas is blazing hot. Trust me though, IT IS WORTH IT! Never in my entire carnivorous life have I ever experienced something so unbelievably savory and succulent. Seriously.. I'm salivating writing this review. Here' a tip: be friendly in line - it makes the day fly by. We were so lucky to be situated between really cool people. Great conversation, a few in line beers and you'll be shoveling meat down your gullet in no time. The staff at Franklin's is so nice. No arrogance at all, which you tend to see at places like this. Not the case here. Everyone is so genuine and welcoming. Just a really enjoyable experience. Now, down to the reason you're reading this. The meat! I want to write songs and poems about the brisket. It is like nothing I have ever tasted, and the fact that the meat they use has no hormones or antibiotics makes it that much more amazing. They reach a level of juiciness and flavor that is out of this world. Follow that by the texture and you've got a winner. Other things we ingested were: sausage (really tasty), turkey (delicious), ribs (oh boy oh boy do I need them again), & pulled pork (unreal). I need to stop writing this or I may buy a plane ticket and be back in Austin soon. Go, be a trooper and eat the meat. read more
Franklin's is good, but it is sooooooo over hyped. I would rather skip the 6 hour wait for an hour drive down to Lockhart Tx for the same thing. So here's what I got; Brisket - little on the tough side, I was expecting melt I'm my mouth! Ribs - I actually really like the ribs, very flavorful and fall off the bone. It is definitely an experience, but if you ask me if I'd like to go wait 6 hours for some BBQ.... PASS. read more
10 years ago
AMAZING PLUS SOME MORE AMAZING! Arrived at 6;25 am number 11 in line. It was worth every hour, what an experience to finally be rewarded with the eighth wonder of the world; brisket to perfection. Pulled Pork and ribs were good and a sausage is a sausage. Didn't try the turkey, don't waste time or money on the sides, just store bought stuff. Do try every dessert if you enjoy sweets, all are tasty. I have to say the owners and employees are just the best when it comes to customer service. They frequently came out to check on people and offered water, drinks and restrooms. They absolutely love what they do and make every effort to provide a quality product and experience. YES I would do it again. read more
12 years ago
We came from Chicago just to eat here! We arrived about 7:45a, we were already 80 people deep! It's like a BBQ theme park or rock concert! The excitement was palpable! The people we met in line during our 6 hour, yes 6 whole long hungry hours, were great! They built up the moment for us. We were NOT disappointed! Our plate was full. We ordered everything. The meat was among the juiciest product I have ever seen. No sauce was needed, but still really enjoyed the red vinegar sauce. Aaron Franklin was present, he was nice enough to chat with us and snap a selfie :) This is the real deal. Wonderful experience. Keep up the good work! read more
11 years ago
Wake up early and bring a chair, a group of friends that you actually like, and a pitcher of mimosas to the Number 1 Must-Eat location in all of Austin, Texas: Franklin's!! The line takes more than a couple hours (hit it around 7 am) but it is so much fun (chances are you'll make some new friends) and so worth the wait. By the time you get to the counter, you are ready to devour the place, so my advice is to overestimate your hunger when they come by to take your approximate order early that morning. Even if you think you're not a brisket person, order twice your weight in it because it is just about the greatest thing God put on this earth. Once we sat down to eat, I swear I have never been at a more silent table. We probably finished eating in like ten minutes to be honest, but the return on investment of time was still so worth it. Bring back leftovers if you want to buy someone's love and affection, because Franklin's is Austin's #1 BBQ BAE. read more
12 years ago
When in Texas you have to have Brisket. When in Austin Franklin Barbecue is the Mecca but there's a catch. You need to devote a day to getting some. That is unless you are the FoodDude! I have honed my skills and spidey sense, on a whim I drove past, found no line and walked in to only a 25 person wait (that is rare)! Now there is still a risk that they will run out of what you want but on this day I was not denied. Brisket is crazy good, the best I've ever had. The pork ribs are fall of the bone tender. I ate half without any sauce. I also had a sausage that was killer people, this place is the real deal! There's a small parking lot and free street parking but keep in mind spots are limited. There is community seating both inside and out. Self serve beverages and Texas beer in cans. This place is a must try to visit just make a contingency plan. Either get there early and co out on line of take a gale and do the old late lunch lucky drive by. Friendly staff, fair prices, even the tee shirt was a bargain. I'm calling this one the FoodDude fly by! read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
Its the softest bbq i ever have in my life its so tasty and it just melts on your mouth and the taste is just above and beyond! read more
Well, my search for great BBQ is OVER!!! This is some of the best BBQ I've ever had!! Oh yeah, it lives up to the hype, for sure. I tried all of the meats and they were all DELICIOUS and so were the pies (tried'em all)....but the brisket...OMG THE BRISKET!!! When people say it melts in your mouth...IT DOES!! It was so good until my son asked for more. I have a hard time trying to get him to eat anything, so getting him to eat MEAT was a miracle. Magical miracle meat...yeah, that's what this BBQ should be called. I'm going to have to write Aaron Franklin to thank him for getting my kid to eat something besides Mac n cheese. Now, I'm serious about BBQ....real serious. I mean get up at 4 am and get in line for 6-7 am, wait for 4 hours...serious. This is exactly what I did. I was at the head of the line but was not the first one (there were about 10 people ahead of me)so clearly I'm not the only one this serious (or crazy...depending on how you look at it..ha) about BBQ. Was it worth it...uh, yeah. Would I do it again...maybe. The experience was great. It was nice just talking to people and enjoying each other's company. The time actually went by faster than I thought. One of the guys that I was talking to had gone through this 3 times and said he'd gladly do it again. This isn't for the faint at heart but if you're up for it, it's something that you should try at least once. Oh yeah, let me not forget the staff...some of the nicest people. They are so patient, kind and helpful. They definitely make the experience that much better!! Overall, this is some great Q. Mr. Aaron Franklin is definitely worthy of every accolade that he has gotten. Thank you Franklin BBQ for GREAT FOOD, fellowship and fun. read more
8 years ago
Seriously I am getting lucky when it comes to waiting in line for BBQ. Rainy cold day and number 16 in line, can't complain there. Added bonus picnic tables to sit while waiting AND heated lamps!!!! Franklin sure does know how to please. And the staff is so friendly and welcoming. The food I have to say that messy sandwich was the savoriest of all sandwhiches I've ever had. A loaded mess of chopped beef? sausage, bbq, slaw. Get it heck get 2! The brisket was the best chop of meat in my opinion Frankln's had to offer, the sausage was flavorful but the texture was to mushy for me, the ribs were tangy/citruisy prob due to all the orange juice they soak it in. Can't judge the turkey or other cut, but I'm sure they are tasty. The Pie was so good. the creamy custard was begging me to go buy another. Lied more on the bournon side rather banana, kinda wanted to try the lemon haha. Definetly worth it, because the burt ends were amazing, and the messy sandwhich what ever it's name is the greatest bbq sandwich ever. Plus talking to those waiting in line is just as amusing read more
5 years ago
Number 8 on my Tour d'Austin Brisket was my eighth BBQ visit in town only on account of my lack of willingness to wait in Franklin's famed line. I went on the coldest day of the year thinking the wait would be no more than an hour. Even then it was a two hour line! Yikes. I refused to wait. Nonetheless, like God coming down and touching me from the heavens, I was invited to a dinner event with about 30 individuals who took over Franklin's for the evening. What a treat. I feel like I cheated the system. The fatty brisket goes to the top of my list, just ahead of my former top dog, La Barbecue. This brisket is as good as it gets. The pulled pork and pork ribs were also amazing. The sausage was good but don't waste your stomach space on it when the other is so epic. Equally important to me is service. Every employee seemed to enjoy and take pride in their position providing this wonderful barbeque experience. Right now my stomach hates me and I'm popping digestive enzymes like M&Ms, but I will be back soon. read more
13 years ago
A 2-hour drive. A wait. It's expensive. So what? It's the best brisket and some of the best ribs I've ever had. I told someone it might be the best food I've ever eaten. That's over the top but it's real, real good. Plus the staff is real friendly and Mr. Franklin is a super nice guy. My wife made him laugh when she told him we would have been in Florida today if I hadn't gotten his barbecue. Which is absolutely true, we delayed our trip for this. It was worth it. I want to describe it but I can't. Smoky, tender, flavorful. Not too heavy. It has a lightness about it. The brisket is rendered properly but very moist. Does that make sense? The sauce, and I'm not a huge sauce fan, is complimentary. My wife says she's doing the happy dance. She knows little about barbecue, but she knows this is superb. read more
12 years ago
Line felt like a tailgating party! How good was it? After taking a photo of the food I accidentally got a little sauce on my phone and immediately licked my phone. It's phone lickin' good! read more
12 years ago
This is the best BBQ. I agree that there may be other good BBQ joints in this part of the country, but there's none better. Give yourself a treat ... Eat this meat. It's Texas BBQ. Slow and low smoked with incredible consistent. read more
12 years ago
My recent trip to Austin was focused on two things: watching a live Formula 1 race for the first time and trying Franklin Barbecue - both were equally life-altering. Not wanting to take any chances with our trip, we showed up at 830am and were greeted with a line of about 4 people. With the help of good company and smartphones, 2 and a half hours went by in a flash and the doors finally opened. We weren't playing games - we ordered everything and we ordered a lot of it ($110 for 3 people). Pulled pork was great, but the brisket, ribs, and hot links were on another level. The simple seasoning let the meat and smoke shine, but what really took me by surprise was how moist and tender they all were. The links explode with juice upon first bite and the ribs are barely clinging to the bone. The brisket moves and feels different from any other piece of meat I've had. Every ounce of fat and collagen that could be rendered has been. It is a testament to their expert timing and temperature control. This is the reason to come to Franklin. The meats are the stars of the show, but the experience is completed with a myriad of sauces to try, some great sides (get the potato salad), and all the white bread one could wish for. Yes you have to wait. Yes it can be inconvenient. But if you love food, you need to make it to Franklin Barbecue. read more
This place is ridiculous!!!!!!!! I am still flavoring eveything and what an experience. Waiting in line was so fun because you can buy drinks and just chat it up with everyone. The service was beyond outstanding, from the people greeting you in the line, explaining what was left of food to the people serving you with a smile on their face at the end of the day without getting a break. I would recommend this place to everyone. read more
12 years ago
The 1,300 mile flight, the 30 min car ride and the 5hr wait... Totally worth it. People in line awesome! Service awesome! Food awesome! Franklin's dedication awesome! read more
11 years ago
Walked right in this morning at 9:15 am. It was a rainy morning and there was about 15 people in line waiting. We had pre ordered so we didn't have to wait two hours, The person getting our brisket was so friendly and helpful. Very nice vibe inside Now we have to take that brisket home to San Francisco and prepare it tonight. read more
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More info about Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th St
Austin, TX 78702
East Austin
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(512) 653-1187
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https://franklinbbq.com
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Ask the Community - Franklin Barbecue
It appears that the dining area is small and the food is very popular. Are there any parks with picnic tables nearby?
There was at least 1 long picnic table outside. I took my food back to my hotel so I'm not sure about nearby parks. Looking at the map there are a couple parks nearby, but I don't know about tables there. What I do know is that they are camping…
Are there restrooms available or nearby for those that choose to line up early?
Yes you can use the restrooms at the restaurant as well as buy water. They also provide lawn chairs.
Is there a way to "miss the line"?
Yes, not go. It does slow down around 1 or so on certain days. However, the later you go, the greater the chance of them running out of stuff
What Gluten Free Options do you have?
All of our meats by the pound, as well as all 3 of our sides are gluten-free: Brisket, Pork Ribs, Turkey, Sausage, Pulled Pork,…
What us the chair situation while you wait?
There are folding beach chairs under the steps for customers to use while they wait.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
In the main line, it actually goes through a ramp, but if you also use the sidewalk and go around up to the front door, there's only one step to get inside. Hope that helps!
Take out versus Dine in, is the experience the same? Or is the experience dining in worth the long wait?
I've only been there once (visiting from Las Vegas). I waited an hour and a half or a bit longer and though the weather was nice and the line conversation was good, I hate waiting that long for anything. Upon getting in, it is very small inside…
Can they do half pound when ordering meat? Or does it have to be 1 lb
You can order 1/2 lbs
What do they mean by chilled meats only?
It means we have sold out of our hot/ sliced meats for preorders on that date.
What's the least busy day of the week to visit? I'm hoping to come up during the week with the hope of minimizing the wait.
Go when it's raining! Doesn't matter which day of the week, the stronger the weather, the shorter the line. There will still be some folks there, but just bring a rain slicker and grab a beer. 😊
We did a pre-order to pickup next week. Will we be able to eat there or is the Lee-order takeout only?
Thank you for thinking of us! Pre-orders are to go only.
Going to Texas in March, what is the process of ordering here? Is it strictly pick up or is dine in available ? If there is dine-in, how long is the wait and when should I start waiting if they open at 11am?
I literally just visited yesterday (from Las Vegas). We were told to get in line before 11 but we ended up getting there around 11:30 and the line was already pretty long. An employee came down the line saying what was available and getting your…
How early have people started to get in line on Saturday?
It varies, I have heard as early as 7am.
Is Franklin BBQ open for dining on Saturdays? I am a little confused as to what the website says.
Yes, we are open Saturday. The only day we are closed is Monday. We are only open for lunch and folks start lining up a few hours before we open.
Do they serve beef ribs every day?
If we have them in stock, we have them available Saturdays and Sundays at the restaurant. We do not offer them for preorders.…
If I am by myself and I have a dog with me, can I bring him inside simply to order and eat outside?
I don't think they want dogs inside but I saw a lot of people with them and order. I'm sure they can figure it out and help you!
Is merch available for pickup. What's stocked in the restaurant for pickup?
Yes they do. If you go to their website and do the "order ahead" all the items that they sell can be selected at the bottom of page after all the food items. I think it's all the merch that they will mail you: shirts, stickers, hats, etc. Take a…
Hi, I am going to stay in Austin next week for two days and planning to get around the city without driving a car. Will I be able to show up not in a car to pick up the preorder? Thanks!
Yes you can. Just be prepared to perhaps wait up to 15-20 min. There were other people who picked up without a car. You can always arrange a ride to and from pickup.
Do they provide side of bbq sauce with curbside order?
Yes, they sure two. We got two types. One coffee based and the other I believe was their pork bbq sauce.
Is it possible to walk up and order same day, or is it only preorder asking due to COVID times we live in.... Thinking of making a trip and don't want to drive and get nothing?
Check their website for what's still available for the day. You must preorder online. They do not accept walk-ups and I saw people get turned away while we were picking up our online order.
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Franklin Barbecue - bbq - Updated July 2026
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