Amazing!!! You HAVE to try the lengua if they have it. One of the best bites I have had this year. So good. Also the banana pudding believe the hype. also service was amazing and they were all so friendly. we got there at 10:15 on a Wednesday and were third in line :) read more

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I've been coming to Interstellar for over 4 years (pre-Michelin Star) and it's still my absolute FAVORITE Texas barbecue after eating at a majority of the Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints over the years! I highly recommend getting a full spread to try all their offerings but whatever you do, DON'T SKIP THE PEACH TEA GLAZED PORK BELLY! FAST FACTS: * Parking - located in a strip shopping center with a decent size lot in front * Online ordering - you can pre-order and schedule a pick up order (must be at least 3 days in advance) * Open Wednesday - Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (or sold out) * Water available while waiting in line * Order meats first and then sides and desserts * Sauces are self-serve by the to-go containers to pack up leftovers We arrived at 8:15 am (almost 3 hours before opening) on a Sunday morning and were first in line (the next group arrived around 8:30 am). By the time they opened at 11:00 am, there were probably 50 people in line. SERVICE - Always impressed by Interstellar's hospitality! They make conversation with you while taking your order and preparing the food. There's also a worker floating around helping with clearing trays, getting leftover containers, etc. I spoke with Warren while waiting in line and told him about how much I love the pork belly... within minutes, he brought a piece for each of us to sample while waiting. Then, I mentioned that it was my dad's birthday when ordering my meats and the slicers threw in an extra pork rib which was above and beyond! PRICING - The total was $321.10 after tax ($24.48) but before tip for the following: * 2.01 lb brisket ($84.42) * 1.59 lb peach tea glazed pork belly ($57.24) * 0.92 lb pork ribs ($33.12) * 0.52 lb pulled lamb shoulder ($18.72) * 0.51 lb (1 link) beef Kielbasa sausage ($15.30) * 0.46 lb (1 link) Polish sausage ($13.80) * 0.54 lb (1 link) lamb merguez sausage ($20.52) * 1 qt of poblano creamed corn ($19) * 1 qt of four cheese mac ($19) * 1 pt of smoked scallop potatoes ($10) * 1 single of tomato zucchini salad ($5.50) House made pickles, pickled onions, sliced white bread, and sauce are complimentary. The pricing is slightly higher than other barbecue places in Texas but that's the "Michelin Star" tax at work! BRISKET (10/10) - This is some of my favorite brisket in Texas (along with Franklin's and Goldee's)... it's incredibly juicy, it's seasoned well with salt and pepper, the bark is flavorful without being overpowering, and the smoke ring is visible. You can request lean, fatty, and/or burnt ends. PEACH TEA GLAZED PORK BELLY (11/10) - I think this is the only food item I've ever given a 11/10 to but it's THAT GOOD! There is just nothing like this anywhere else... it's a unique offering and really sets Interstellar apart. You get cubes of super tender pork belly coated in a sweet peach tea glaze... it literally melts in your mouth and is like candy. PORK RIBS (8/10) - They're tender but don't completely fall off the bone which is exactly what I like. They're seasoned well but don't stand out as much as some of the other proteins. PULLED LAMB SHOULDER (8/10) - Very tender and juicy but it just isn't as flavorful as some other pulled lamb that I've had at other barbecue places (KG BBQ has my favorite). SAUSAGES (9/10) - All 3 were phenomenal! The casings have a nice snap to them, the texture of the meat inside is ideal, and they are packed with flavor. It's all about personal preference in terms of which is best but I think the beef Kielbasa is a good one to try! POBLANO CREAMED CORN (9/10) - This was a newer side that I was excited to try and it's fantastic! I love the poblano flavor and the texture of the creamed corn was fantastic. It's garnished with green onions. FOUR CHEESE MAC (10/10) - I was sad when they got rid of the gouda mac because I LOVED it but I have to say... this new mac is somehow even better! The creaminess is next level! It's garnished with crispy brown butter cracker crumble (with extra on the side to add later) and green onions. SMOKED SCALLOP POTATOES (9/10) - I've always loved this side but they have somehow improved it recently... the potatoes seem slightly thinner which helps them hold on to even more flavor. TOMATO ZUCCHINI SALAD (9/10) - Refreshing side to add some veggies... simple but delicious! PICKLES, PICKLED ONIONS, BREAD & SAUCE (8/10) - The pickles & pickled onions are some of my favorite around. The bread is just a basic sliced white bread (skip it). There is a Texas red sauce and a mustard sauce... try them both! I'm just now writing a review after visiting close to 10 times but I'm happy to report that Interstellar is still worth the hype, even after gaining popularity from earning a Michelin Star. They have unique menu offerings (like the peach tea glazed pork belly), top-notch service, and keep innovating their menu by improving their classics and offering specials. I will recommend Interstellar to EVERYONE and can confirm it is worth any travel and wait! read more

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Worth the wait, but not life changing. Not Michelin star rated worthy imo. Got here around 9:40am, line wasn't too bad but it grew overtime. Waiting wasn't long, shaded with water. Got a bit of everything. 4/5 Brisket - average, thick cut brisket, semi juicy. Requested moist only, but still pretty lean, okay flavor. 5/5 Peach tea pork belly - this was good, but the peach tea flavor is not as present as I thought it would be. Can barely taste it, just tastes like a jam glaze but the pork belly was great, good fat. 2/5 Polish link - very mid, very chewy. Would not order again, wish they had jalapeño cheddar or something with more flavor and juice. This was so dry and the casing is thick. 3/5 Short rib chimchurri - mid, bland, lacking flavor. Need alot of chimchurri sauce. it ended up tasing like pulled pork, I rather order more brisket over this. 5/5 Scallop potatoes - delicious, cheesy potatoes. 5/5 Mac and cheese - delicious cheesy mac and cheese. The cheezit topping was very good, unique. 2/5 poblano cream corn - this was okay, not good, taste like corn starch. 5/5 Brown butter carrot cake - 10/10 would come back just for this. This was the best item on the menu that we bought. Legit I would come back just to order this togo without any BBQ. Overall it was a good place to try once, nothing extraordinary for me to line up again. Not the best brisket, sausages, or short ribs. Only thing they got going on for them is the peach tea pork belly; so overall not my go to for BBQ. read more

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I've heard a lot of good things about Interstellar and sad to say it was a let down. I came Friday afternoon around 1pm waited about an hour. Luckily it wasn't too hot and there was adequate shade. The place is pretty small, the operations would move so much faster if there was more than 1 person slicing the meat. I got the brisket, pork belly and duck leg. For sides I got the scalloped potatoes and a carrot cake for dessert. The brisket was dry. I got 2 slices from the center and the ends of the brisket. The end was very seasoned, a little too salty for my liking. The center piece was dry, maybe it was my slices but the brisket ran on the leaner end. The duck was a lot gamier than expected. It has a nice citrus flavor to it but it's quite gamey and salty. My favorite piece of meat was the pork belly. The center pieces were melt in your mouth delicious! I got a few center pieces and a few edge pieces. The edge pieces were on the dryer, harder end but the center pieces just makes you want to keep eating. Sides, the scalloped potatoes were delicious would definitely order again. Not too liquidy or cheesy it had a nice balance to it. Last but not least the brown better carrot cake, it was super moist and not too sweet. It's heavily spiced and has shred of coconut and pecans in it but it's the perfect balance of cake and cream cheese. All in all I don't really understand the hype of this place. It'd come back for the pork belly, scalloped potatoes and carrot cake but is it worth an hour wait? Probably not... read more

Hello all who want to know my honest opinion about my experience. Day: Thursday 6-25-26 arrival time 12:31pm. There was a waiting line of many people in front of me give or take about 35-50 people. There is a poster where they write down when a meat sells out. There is also a gentleman that updates you while you wait. They are very honest about it all, they try to make enough to not have left overs, so they rather sell out. (Bummer because my husband was really looking forward to trying the brisket) they ran out about 35 minutes into our 64 minute wait. The service was great, really nice staff, a couple looked like they were ready for their shift to end, but they still remained professional and polite. The set up is in a walk up to a service area and choose your meats and then sides, desserts and drinks. You pay at the end of the counter and you choose where you like to sit. No plates just little cardboard bowls like the ones fries tend to be served on. We were lucky enough to get to try their BBQ Pork ribs 8.5/10, smoked pulled lamb 8/10, guisado 7/10 (reminded me of a chili) but what made it a 7 was it came with a biscuit that had no salt so it wasn't really enjoyable. Lastly our favorite of all smoked beef tongue10/10. My goodness this was soooo delicious. Tender, smoky and so full of flavor! A must try! Sides: the poblano corn was tasty 9/10, smokes scalloped potatoes 8/10, macaroni and cheese 9/10 and the mango rice pudding was also delicious 9.5/10. I wish we could have tried beef ribs and the BRISKET but over all a great experience! Oh yeah, they do have free water that you can drink to stay hydrated while you wait in line. Ambiance was nice, mild noise during to the many conversations going on. Nothing crazy. Total amount spent was $218. Each side was a pint size. read more

Definitely one of my favorite bites in the city. My friend and I couldn't get over the peach tea glazed pork belly. I would travel back to Austin just for that. The brisket and pulled lamb shoulder were also great. The short rib that I got, though, was mostly fat and bone, so that was a bit disappointing. I paid all that money for it and didn't get a lot of meat. Other than that, service was great. The staff have great recommendations, and the pit master even came to check on me. read more

Review #1,069 Posted on 6.10.26 We came to Interstellar BBQ on Sunday the 7th for lunch while in town for my buddies 50th. This spot is located in an outdoor shopping center on Ranch Road. It's next to a card club, & strangle a Korean Pub & Bar, which I'm guessing is only at night when Interstellar is closed, they close at 4 pm. These places are tricky with their times of being open or close so it's best to vet that best as possible before heading over, Interstellar is closed on both Monday's & Tuesday's each week. Anytime you have a restaurant let along a BBQ joint make the Michelin guide with a star, it peaks your interest to say the least. Now with Interstellar you can actually order ahead and grab it togo and skip the long wait which is huge. For my research it seems most days this place is an hour or longer wait to get in. We got in line around 12:15 pm, lunchtime, the manager was out front talking to all the customers in the line. The brick pillar near the line entrance signifies the 2 hour mark. They've got a hand written sign/list at the entrance once you get up there that has meats they've sold out of. Staff are all very friendly & make you feel welcome. Onto the grub, which I had been look at for months online. Brisket-very good stuff, tender, flavorful, & not too much fat. Brisket is hard to perfect, cook is about timing, temperature & actual cut of meat are all important in this process. Ribs-Beef short rib was insane. They serve them pretty much by the bone. You put this chimichurri on it, and man, it was so tender, & perfect. I think this was my favorite meat of the day we tried. Peach tea pork belly-This item had surprisingly less fat than I expected, I've ate my share of pork belly albeit Filipino style typically. The meat was juicy, tender, & had good flavor. Mac n cheese-My favorite side dish of the ones we tried. So rich & creamy, full of flavor. I had high expectations & felt they were met. Would 100% eat here again, but even though the long line went fast, I'd do the online order next time. We made the mistake of missing the 72 hour window of doing that. read more

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My favorite barbecue spot in Austin, hands down! Saved it as our last stop before heading to the airport and it did not disappoint. We showed up 30 mins before opening on a weekday and there was already a line of maybe 25-30 people. It later got MUCH longer so we're glad we got there when we did. The ordering process is pretty slow since it is just one guy taking orders and weighing the meat, so it bottlenecks right there and can't move any faster. The staff was very nice and organized though - from the lady briefing the line, to the folks taking orders and ringing everything up, to the team helping people find tables and helping grab plates and utensils. All the employees were above and beyond and you could tell they care. - Beef rib with chimichurri was AMAZING. It was a lot of food and pricy but we're so glad we tried it. The meat was so flavorful, juicy, tender. The chimichurri sauce was a refreshing acidic balance to the meatiness. 10/10 - Brisket was great and super juicy (we requested a moist cut vs lean). I really enjoyed it but will say I think Leroy and Lewis has better brisket just judging by the one item. 8/10 - Peach tea glazed pork belly, super unique item unique to this spot. Wasn't sure what to expect and thought there's a chance it will be too sweet. It was actually nicely rendered and a good balance of savory and sweet. Nice change of pace from all the beef! 9/10 - Sausage (I forgot which one we ordered whoops) was really good and had a nice snap. Again was debating not getting this because we can't eat that much meat but we're glad we didn't skip! 9/10 - Mac and cheese was sooooo good. Super creamy, flavorful, and rich. 10/10 - Tomato zucchini salad was just okay. We read raving reviews about this and how it's a nice palette cleanser between bites of meat, which it is. But it was kind of basic and nothing special. 5/10 Sweet tea was really good and with easy refills. Not a ton of indoor seating options but the turnaround time is speedy and the staff helps you find a table and carry stuff if you need help. Bathrooms are clean and has a decent changing table. Highly recommend this spot for the food and overall experience!!! read more

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We waited two hours in line close to opening in hopes for an out of this world bbq experience. The green tea pork belly, the smoked Gouda potatoes, the Mac and cheese, and the duck leg were PHENOMENAL. But the brisket was mediocre at best and quite dry, hence the raring knock down. If we went again we'd plan ahead and do their order 3 days in advance pickup option. read more

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This was THE bbq experience I was hoping for. Visiting from WA state, the bestie brought me here and we did not hold back. Unfortunately did not get pictures I would have liked because I was face first in the best bbq I've ever had. Worth the 3 hour wait in my opinion. Operations are run so smooth for the massive crowd. Super friendly staff! Cant wait for my next visit to Austin! Beef kielbasa Beef rib Peach tea pork belly Ribs Brisket Beet salad Mac & Gouda Smoked scalloped potatoes (next level good) Potato salad Carrot cake Banana pudding Smoked cabbage wedge (special for the day) read more

Interstellar BBQ - Entrance - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

It's Texas BBQ, so one has to judge honestly and with conviction: Kielbasa sausage 5/5 Beef short rib w/ chimichurri 4.5/5 Peach tea pork belly 4/5 Brisket 3/5 (dry, and a touch over seasoned) Scalloped potatoes 5/5 Mango coconut rice pudding 4.5/5 Ambience is very friendly and welcoming. Staff is super helpful. Get here by 10 am on weekends, an hour before they open. 4/5 would visit again read more

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Interstellar BBQ lived up to the hype. I finally went today, and I completely understand why it's ranked so highly in Texas barbecue. I got the chimichurri short rib, and it was absolutely amazing. It was cooked perfectly, full of flavor, and easily one of the best barbecue dishes I've had. The sides were just as impressive. A lot of barbecue places have sides that are just okay, but every side I tried was great. The mac and cheese was amazing, the scalloped potatoes had the perfect texture and just the right amount of cheese, and the creamed corn was really, really good. The service was also excellent. Everyone was very friendly, and they'll even let you sample some items if you want to try something before ordering, which I really appreciated. Just be prepared to wait, because there is usually a line out the door. I'd plan for at least an hour, but they do have a few spots where you can sit while waiting. Overall, 10 out of 10. I'll definitely be back. read more

Interstellar BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

I was baffled by the wait, but I hate to say it ended up being worth it. Despite lining up around 9:50AM, we still didn't get to order until around 11:45. They definitely have a slower process than other BBQ joints. The place itself is smaller and more of a unique/modern BBQ vibe. Everything we ordered was so damn good, so truly it was worth it for us. If you're looking for a bit of a twist on traditional BBQ...this is a great spot to try. I wouldn't make this a "go to" place unless the wait times change. Nonetheless enjoyed everything! read more

Interstellar BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

I wanted to like this place, but it wasn't our favorite.. the turkey was a bit too dry for us but the sausage was good though ! Service was okay.. they didn't seem like they wanted to talk to us and ready to go home lol . It's very clean inside though . Definitely recommend be peach tea pork belly. Will pass on the duck though .. it was too dry for us.. read more

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Loved this place. Def get there early, the line can get a bit long. The brisket is tender and the Gouda Mac and beets were some really solid sides. Staff are super friendly and attentive- read more

Interstellar BBQ - Duck - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Best BBQ I have ever had. I've only gone on the weekend and arrived around 10am (an hour before they open) and have gotten food by noon or 1. It's a long wait but completely worth it. (Though I do wish they would find a way to run a second register.) They serve limited time specials that are always fantastic and unique. Must-haves from the standard menu are the chimichurri short rib and the peach tea glazed pork belly. But literally everything is good. Interstellar definitely earned its star. read more

I've only had them once and ordered ahead, so take this review with a grain of salt. I was excited to try another Michelin-starred BBQ spot while we were in town for a wedding. Since we were pressed for time, we ordered ahead for pickup. When I arrived around 11:15 a.m., the line was already incredibly long probably at least an hour wait. Thankfully, I was able to go straight to the pickup counter without any issues. We ordered a pound each of brisket, peach pork belly, and pulled lamb, along with the slaw and scalloped potatoes. The brisket had a solid bark, but we clearly received the flat. It was very lean and unfortunately bordered on dry. The flavor didn't quite wow us either, which was disappointing. The peach pork belly was probably our favorite -- rich, sweet, and fatty in the best way. I do wish there had been a bit more meat relative to fat, but overall I still really enjoyed it. The pulled lamb was good, though it lacked the smoky depth I was hoping for. The sides were good, but not particularly memorable. Overall, it was an okay meal. Since we did takeout, that may have impacted the quality and texture. Still, based on this experience, I think there are stronger BBQ options in Austin. In my opinion, Corkscrew BBQ in the Houston area might still be the better Michelin-starred BBQ spot in Texas. read more

Interstellar BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Yeah this must very much have been an off day, because they kissed any mark unless failure was that mark!! I ordered brisket, beef rib, pork rib, pork belly, keilbasa, and polish sausage for meats. All the meats were extremely dry. the brisket and sausage was so bad we couldn't even manage to get it down. The beef rib was ok. Pork rib was dry but semi manageable but far from great. The pork belly was probably the best thing we had. For sides we got Mac and cheese and scalloped potatoes. Both of those were ok. The kids ate the mac and cheese we didn't finish half the single scalloped. We got a few desserts, but over all this place was a huge waste of our trip from Atlanta. I have to believe they have much better days to be so highly rated. The employee came by and asked how it was and I mentioned how bad the brisket was and he just replied " sorry to hear that" and walked away. So bad food and honestly poor service. There's to many actual good bbq spots around for this kind of experience Update- Spoke to the social media person and they pretended to care. Claimed they would resolve the issue. After explaining the experience I was hit with. "Thanks for the feedback " Same we don't care attitude and basically said I should have made a huge deal and scene. Basically telling the employee the best products they have and known for aren't good wasn't enough of a reason for them to act on the Info. read more

Interstellar BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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When the Michelin came to town, I secretly believe they wanted to right some wrongs by wrangling some BBQ into the mix, and InterStellar is top of the heap. It's rare to find a spot that nails all the sides along with smoky, juicy smoked meats, but that's what you get when you start with a chef who specializes in hospitality, restaurants, and pits. I straggled in and thanked them for the sampling of what was left - some out of this world pork ribs and a frito pie sausage (don't ask, just try and be amazed). Brown butter Mac 'n Cheese is rich and creamy with toasted breadcrumbs for texture, along with a side of crunchy Texas jalapeño slaw, all the boxes checked for happy tummies and leftovers for the road. read more

Interstellar BBQ - A quick pit stop sampler - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Simply amazing. I've eaten BBQ all over Texas. Hit up the TMBBQ Top 50 joints. This one is in the top five. I had the beef rib with chimichurri, pulled lamb, and peach tea pork belly burnt ends. All were in a league of their own. Top to bottom... pretty much perfect. read more

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Ooof - really really wanted to like this place. To skip to the end, Terry Black's and Franklin's are BY FAR better than this spot. Bbq was decent, but not 2 hour wait decent and for a party of 3 it costed us $170. The beef rib was good but that was about it. None of the sides stood out, the bbq sauce was slightly off balance between tangy and sweet. Overall this is above average but far from interstellar. read more

Interstellar BBQ - Specials as of Nov 1, 2025. Arrived 11:10 wait was 75 minutes didn't eat till almost 1230 - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

I visited on a weekend and stood outside in cold weather right after I said I wasnt going to do that. When I arrived around 1015am there were like 30 ppl in front of me.....by the time they opened at 11.....it was nearly 60 people so the line grows very quickly in blink of an eye. Similar to many other craft bbq places. They have room for about the first 25 in line to go inside, then you have a second round of waiting if youre further back in the line like me. It took about 1 hour to finally step in the front door. The main problem here is the meat station takes a while. Then they only have 1 register too. They really need 2 meat stations I think to alleviate line problems. We ordered 4 meats, 2 sides, 1 dessert and 1 drink and total was $97. I picked 1/2 lb fatty brisket, 1/2 lb short rib, 1/4 lb pork belly, 1/2 lb beef sausage. Seating inside is sort of small, and we had to resort to sitting at the stools along the wall in the back room. The short rib was the star of the show. Brisket tasted very similar to my fav bbq spot in Houston. Pork belly was good but you have to put so many sauces on it to make it this way. Sausage I wasnt a big fan of. On subsequent visits I would try the pork instead of the beef version. The sides were grits and scalloped potatoes. Grits were interesting, but I'm not a big fan of them normally. The potatoes turned out to be a nice side to go along with our eats. The banana pudding was really good with a caramel swirl throughout. But it was,of course, super sweet. Overall, it was worth the wait for a very good meal. My stomach was very happy after leaving this spot. read more

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Amazing chimichurri beef ribs. My husband had the pork belly with peach tea glaze. My dad stole most of that - everyone loved it. I love their gouda Mac & Cheese. The scalloped potatoes were a lovely compliment. All of the sides are incredible, and we've added it as one of our favorite haunts when we visit home! Thanks to an amazing crew, your service is unparalleled and we felt right at home. read more

Interstellar BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

It's easy to see how Interstellar BBQ won a Michelin star !! Their barbecue is out of this world! My brother and I stopped there on the way back from Leander (for the Yelp Elite week at Daddy's Chicken Shack). We had been hearing great things about the barbecue and took the opportunity to try it out, since I don't go that far north very often. We arrived around 3:30 and there was no line, since they close at 4:00. Tip: this is the best time to go there. They let you know which BBQ options are still available. We ordered from what was left. They offer items you won't find at any other BBQ restaurant: - Peach Tea Pork Belly: Slowly smoked until tender then glazed with their homemade peach tea glaze - Pulled lamb shoulder: Juicy pulled American lamb shoulder seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar - 2 Pork Spare Ribs: Cheshire pork spare rib; a little sweet, a little heat; dry rub, no sauce; succulent and melted in our mouth! - Tipsy Turkey: Turkey breast brined in citrus, herbs, and Live Oak Hefeweizen, seasoned with salt and pepper. Each meat was delicious...seasoned and cooked to perfection! It came with their pickled cucumber salad. We enjoyed the meal inside, and I enjoyed looking at all their Interstellar posters on the wall. The servers were so friendly and informative. They told us how the smoker employees worked all night smoking the meats. read more

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We arrived at Interstellar early, and by the time the doors were open, a long line had formed. Unlike a number of other bbq joints, Interstellar knows how to handle the line, and it moved quickly. We ordered brisket, ribs, and pork belly. All were delicious. The staff is helpful and friendly. There's plenty of indoor seating. read more

Interstellar BBQ - Brisket, ribs, and pork belly. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Queue up early! The line is part of the fun. We arrived at 9:30am, and we were inside by 11:15am We ordered brisket, beef and pork ribs, lamb, sausage, turkey, pork belly, grits, and Mac & cheese. We left with belly aches, but it was totally worth it. Our faves were the pork ribs and lamb. Honestly everything was delicious. The only thing I might pass on next time would be the turkey and the grits because they had a curry flavor, though by boyfriend disagrees and thought they tasted like cheese and chorizo (which is what they should taste like), but I'm sticking to the curry flavor and, even though I like curry, I guess I don't like it in grits. I didn't think I'd like the Mac & cheese, but it was delish. I feel like I didn't need sides with all that meat though. Everyone who worked there was so friendly, and that all made sure it was an excellent experience. It would've been nice to have a heater while waiting in line in January, but whatevs. We survived! read more

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My wife and I waited in line for about a hour to get BBQ to go. Was it worth it? We would do it again, the BBQ and sides were that damn good. For protein, we tried pulled lam shoulder, peach tea glazed pork belly, beef short rib, turkey, and brisket. For sides, we tried charo beans, tomato cucumber salad, smoked nopales with avocado cream, and scalloped potatoes. Carrot cake was our desert. There was absolutely no bad bite. Our party of five were in BBQ heaven. The proteins were tender with smokey flavor. All the sides and carrot cake were delicious. Employees were friendly. Prices were very competitive for Austin. This BBQ shack definitely rates a return visit. read more

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Ended up not being for us after seeing all the hype unfortunately. Wait was about 1.5hrs which we were aware of prior from other reviews so no big deal there. They do have a little coffee shop you can order from which was pretty good but its on average $6 for a small cup so thats a bit steep. We spent about $180 for food and tip. Brisket - 1 pound Lamb - 1/4pound Jalapeno sausage - 1 link Beef short rib - 2 of those Pork belly - 1 of those Mac n cheese - single Scallop potatoes - single Charro beans - single Potato salad - single Banana pudding- 1 Let's get into the meat (again not a huge bbq fan) Pork belly - hard no for me but that is a specific texture you have to like to eat. Very blubbery/chewy 0/10 Short Rib - hard no too unfortunately which i thought i was going to like this one. The char on top was a bit much seasoning for me and it was a weird mushy texture. 2 bites and I was all the way out. Brisket - it was good but nothing crazy 7/10. Ended up being a little too salty when dipped in the bbq sauce. The lean was good for me and my s/o liked his that had a bit more fat Lamb - eeeeeeeh the after taste got me which its lamb and thats just how it goes. It was tender and a good texture though just couldnt get pass the after taste Jalapeno cheddar sausage - it was alright nothing too crazy there. To the sides Potatoe salad- 10/10 for me its the best thing I got on out plate Mac n cheese- was pretty good id say 8/10 noodles cooked well cheese sauce Scallop potatoes - not a fan just didnt taste rhat great to me Charro beans - i was pretty disappointed in this one. The flavor was there but the beans just weren't cooked all the way. Banana pudding - had decent flavor however it was more on the watery side like it hadn't set properly. The staff were really nice and kept updating everyone with wait time read more

Interstellar BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

In town visiting from NC. Stopped by for lunch on Sunday. The wait time wasn't too bad (45mins at 1:30p.) The pork ribs and smoked lamb were delicious!! I wasn't a fan of the bbq sauce. Also tried the smoked sausage, also very good. The sides I tried were ok. The beet salad was a little too earthy for my taste. Cole slaw was fresh but a little on the plain side. Potato salad good, like homemade, but again fell a little flat for my liking. Huge portions! So be prepared. Meets are sold by the pound or half pound. The single serving size of the sides can easily feed 2. Staff was fabulous- friendly & helpful. I'm glad I checked them out but not sure I'll rush back the next time I'm visiting. read more

Interstellar BBQ - The tray at the bottom of this pic included chopped brisket, smoked sausage, pork ribs, smoked lamb, slaw, potato salad & carrot cake - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

We were originally planning to stay in Austin just so we could try this place but opted to stay in San Antonio instead since there was more to do for kids. Nonetheless we made a day trip to Austin (about 4hrs roundtrip) to go fulfil a craving.....however it was pretty underwhelming. Maybe they were having a bad day. Got there around 11am and ordered around 12:30p, starving and hopeful it was going to mind blowing. We ordered the popular pork belly, a mix of brisket/burnt ends, 1 polish sausage, 1lb if ribs, duck and sides (scallop potatoes, beets and coleslaw). Surprisingly the duck was probably the best, followed closely by the pork belly. The brisket, ribs and sausage were tough and dry. The much raved about scallop potatoes also tasted dry and possibly reheated. Beets/slaw were refreshing but not enough to save the meal. We were informed that this place was top 3 in Austin and of those 3 out was the most affordable. We ate at Pinkertons 2 days prior in SA and not only was it almost half the price of Interstellar it tasted so much better. We really didn't need to waste 6hrs of our vacation for this. Giving 3 stars because staff were very friendly and a couple of the items were enjoyable. read more

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Pro Tip, get there early! Interstellar was an afterthought for BBQ for the day. Having never explored or been to Austin before, my only point of reference was Franklin BBQ, from food shows. So I wasn't prepared for the long wait when we arrived at 11:45 and waited for 3 hours. James was very helpful and was constantly updating customers in the wait time(s) and what meats were available and what their availability was projected to have for you based on time. Unfortunately we did not get to experience the brisket or the beef rib. But I don't think that mattered because the duck, pork belly, and pork ribs were out of this world. The Mac n cheese and chorizo grits were phenomenal. The duck was smokey with a rich texture and amazing sauce to accompany it. The duck was served on a separate plate so the other meats didn't interfere with this dish. The peach tea pork belly was incredible. This dish could be served at a high end steak house and compete with the best. Which is probably why they have a Michelin star. It was tender and smokey but with an amazing peach glaze that was not over powering and allowed the bellies smokey flavor to come through. The pork ribs were fall off the bone with great flavor and a very good smoke ring. But like the other meats we tried, the smoke was not over powering. The food is 5 star and so was the service. 4 stars only because we did not get to try the brisket to round out the experience. Definitely get the mac n cheese, very flavorful. If kids don't like the "fancy" Mac n cheeses I would pass on it for them because it does have a nice Gouda flavor. Slackers brewing is at the end of the shopping center, grab a couple beers while you stand in line. James suggested them and it did not disappoint. Overall, this worth the long wait. And if you are coming to Austin for vacation or work and want to try local bbq that is amazing, give this place your time! read more

Interstellar BBQ - Pork belly, pork ribs, chorizo grits, mac n cheeses. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Interstellar is officially my favorite Texas BBQ spot. My friends suggested this place and I went into without any expectations. The brisket is usually where I determine how I feel about a spot and Interstellar knocked it out of the park there. But where they got me was with their special of the day, which was Duck. Simply incredible and will be back the first chance I get! The staff were extremely helpful and kind, they provided updates on how much of which meats were left (for those in line). They also help with finding seating once you get your food. The layout of the place is stylish with cool wall art along with their Michelin recognition. read more

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We had an out of town guest for Monday and since they are closed, we decided to come Sunday. Based on reviewers, we arrived shortly before 10am and there were probably 50 people in line. We finally got to the order counter by noon. Since seating was limited, we decided to get it all to go. The brisket and turkey were very tasty, not so much on the jalapeño popper sausage, no spice and could have had more flavor but they are HUGE links and pricey for everything. Favorite sides was the beets, everything else were ok. The Mac n cheese would be better with a smaller sized pasta, too bulky and on the dry, stickier side. We did not like the complimentary beans, way too salty and tasted like ranch style beans with chili powder. I'm not sure we would stand in line for bbq from anyone, it was good but it's exhausting to wait so be patient and prepared! read more

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I really wanted to like Interstellar as I came here for my birthday. And there were aspects of it that were great but I have to give it three stars. First off, we waited 3 hours on a brisk Sunday morning (we showed up at 10:40, about twenty minutes before opening and ended up sitting down to eat with our food at 1:40). We got the brisket, prime rib short rib with chimichurri sauce, jalapeno popper sausage, and peach tea glazed pork belly. For sides, we got the jalapeno cole slaw, mac and gouda, and smoked scalloped potatoes. Finally, we got the peach cobbler rice pudding. The standout to the meal was definitely the short rib with the chimichurri sauce. The meat fell off the bone, was juicy and tender and the sauce complimented it perfectly. The peach tea pork belly was next best - super unique and interesting take on pork belly that delivered on flavor. The sausage was above average but nothing too crazy. The brisket was honestly a disappointment, too dry for me. For sides, they were all solid but the scalloped potatoes were the best probably. The rice pudding was great too. Overall, food was pretty good but we didn't think it was worth a three hour wait. Plus although we did over order a bit, it came out to $150 for three people, so certainly not great value, even with 2025 inflation in mind. We also did not receive any complimentary beans, which i see others mention in their reviews. We would probably only return on a non-weekend and would skip the brisket. read more

Interstellar BBQ - Spread of pork belly, scalloped potatoes, beef ribs with chimichurri, jalapeno popper sausage, jalapeno cole slaw, Mac and Gouda and brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

We finally got the chance to try out this iconic BBQ spot, and I completely understand the hype now haha! My partner and I showed up around 1:30PM on a Saturday and the wait was about an hour I'd say, which was a reasonable amount of time in my opinion. That being said, the later you go, the more risky it is as items start to sell out for the day. By the time we got to the front to order, the brisket and beef ribs were unfortunately already out, but we were lucky that the pork belly and pork ribs were still available. Unlike Terry Black's, this place offers a much wider selection of meats (I think around 11 in total), and I absolutely fell in love with their pork belly -- so tender on the inside with a caramelized crispiness on the outside! They elevated their Mac and cheese to another level because it was sprinkled with crunchy bread crumbs that gave an amazing texture and flavor with every bite. They also offer a unique jalapeño coleslaw that had a nice, spicy aftertaste that blended well with the overall creaminess. Lastly, as someone who's a fan of pickled sides, they offered complimentary pickled cucumbers, red onions, and jalapeños (you need to ask for this one specifically), which paired very well with our more savory meats and sides. Overall, I'd 100% come back again because it was well worth the wait! :) read more

Interstellar BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Got there at 9:50 on a Saturday and was around 25th in line. Door opened at 11, and I had my food by 11:30. The brisket and pork ribs were good, but not amazing. I've had better at several other places. The lamb taco was also good, though I don't think the taco improved the shredded lamb, so maybe just order the meat by itself. The big highlight was of course the peach tea glazed pork belly, and I wish I had ordered more of that and less of the other meats. The scalloped potatoes were very good if you like cheese and garlic. Cole slaw and beans (free) were fine. I actually thought the pickles were really good too. Overall - very good BBQ. Not the best in central Texas, but probably top 15. read more

Interstellar BBQ - BBQ tray - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Recently took a visiting friend from Kansas City (a KC BBQ fan). She said the brisket was the best and we agree. And while the rest of our family is no stranger to Interstellar, we were able to try the lamb and beef short rib for the first time. While the brisket rules here, the pork belly is a fan favorite, although my wife said it wasn't as tender as normal, even though the mouth watering flavor was there. The customer service was amazing and we've never had this many staff try and take care of us! We learned a new trick, ask for the charro beans and they'll give you a free pint (they were a bit salty but delicious and the best restaurant beans I've had, although my own home cooked ones are far superior). The lamb wasn't gamey at all and reminded me of a drier Arkansas BBQ pulled pork. Beef rib was excellent and I personally enjoyed the chimichurri sauce. We were however ver disappointed in the sausage with a extremely chewy casing and very little flavor. The scalloped potatoes are my personal favorite side dish and I always get extra to take home and enjoy. The beet salad was excellent, and my personal opinion of the jalapeño Cole slaw is that it's not very flavorful. Another tip I was given was arriving before the half or on the hour. People tend to arrive at those times so getting there 10 minutes before you'll avoid a rush. read more

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I hate writing this review... but I haven't been this disappointed since I was 10 and Santa didn't bring me a tank. This was my first Michelin experience and maybe I was a bit too excited. While ordering if I would have watched him slice the brisket instead of staring at the menu to see what else I wanted I would have noticed that the flat was undercooked while he sliced. Unfortunately I wasn't paying attention and didn't notice until I was home, and it was unfortunately as tough as it looked. The point was perfect, but that's hard to mess up. I ordered two smaller beef ribs and my dog ate the second one, tough and dry. The duck confit however was amazing! As far as the sides, I mean yeah out of 5, 1 was exceptional, but the rest were mid. Lamb taco was meh, I liked how much meat it had, but okay.... I watched Knife Edge on Apple and that's what prompted me to make this my first experience bc it is the closest. Just bc something is convenient doesn't mean it's good.... There is no way they retain a star if my experience bc normal. Wish them the best, work on that brisket! read more

Interstellar BBQ - Clio loved the short rib a lot more than me lol - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

The wait is worth it unless you have your heart set out for a specific protein. But if you're willing to play protein roulette, you'll be in for a treat. We waited for an hour and chatted with the young men in line in front of us. We were all first timers and appreciated the "meat updates" so we could adjust our expectations. Honestly, I don't remember what cuts we got. But I do remember we got the mac and cheese, slaw, potato salad and banana pudding The meat was tender, we ordered too much of the sides, and we saved the mac and cheese for later. Seating can be limited but folks share tables and compare notes. A roll of paper towels at the tables means you're in a serious bbq place, and butcher paper is your plate. There are carryout containers, but why? We inhaled the flavorful, smokey meat leaving only the trace grease on the pitcher paper. The banana pudding as a perfect breakfast the next morning. Plan to wait unless you're one of the first 15 people in line! Oh, and did you know they have a Michelin star?!?! read more

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If you're waiting in line at InterStellar, you're doing it wrong. A little planning goes a long way here, and pre-ordering is absolutely the pro move. We landed in Austin at 10am on a Sunday and by noon we were elbow-deep in barbecue. Even though our food came packaged for takeout, the staff was more than happy to let us grab a table and dine in, which immediately set the tone for the kind of hospitality you can expect here. Now onto the important part: the food. The standout for me was the beef rib with chimichurri. Chimichurri is one of those things a lot of places get wrong -- even back home in Miami where it's everywhere -- but InterStellar nails it. Herbaceous, garlicky, bright with acidity, and the perfect counterbalance to the richness of the beef rib. The mac and cheese was honestly absurdly good. BBQ sides are usually an afterthought -- interchangeable and cliché -- but this may genuinely be the best mac and cheese I've ever had. Perfectly cooked radiatori pasta coated in a creamy blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, and Parmigiano Reggiano, topped with a brown butter cracker crumble that adds just the right texture. Another surprise standout was the zucchini and tomato salad. Light, refreshing, and zesty -- exactly what you want alongside heavy barbecue. It cuts through the richness without feeling like filler. And then there's the banana pudding. I don't even like banana pudding, yet I'd consider this a must order. Real vanilla bean throughout, dulce de leche, homemade whipped cream, and only a subtle banana flavor that complements rather than overwhelms everything else. Their sweet tea also deserves recognition. Perfect sugar balance -- a genuine lost art that I've missed since moving from Tennessee to Miami. The pork ribs were excellent as well: flavorful, moist, tender, with just the right bite. If I had any critiques, they'd be minor. The brisket had beautiful bark and a great smoke ring, but leaned slightly dry for my taste. Mixed with the Fatty brisket in the right proportions, it still ate very well -- I've just had stronger versions elsewhere. The pork sausage was also a touch dry and grainy, though that tends to be common at many BBQ spots. I'm also personally not a huge fan of the extra-chewy natural casing style, though again, that's more preference than flaw. Overall, this was a fantastic experience and absolutely worth seeking out. The food is creative without losing sight of what makes Texas barbecue great, and the service was unbelievably warm and friendly -- something Austin seems to do exceptionally well read more