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the hack is to preorder to skip the inevitably long wait. their service is just very curt and not as welcoming as you'd like, and i was the very first customer they had that day. the sandwiches were both wet and soft. la chopped was a bit better since it had a slaw on it to break up the monotony of the meat. el sancho was okay. shells and cheese was thick, creamy and well seasoned. sweet pepper and cucumber kimchi was lackluster, missing the vinegar and spice essence of kimchi. it wasn't pickled well in my opinion chopped brisket was soft and okay. not as smoky as i would expect jalepeno sausage was so bad. the casing was so tough that i had to spit it out. the meat was spiced well but weirdly crumbly. the value overall is fair, but not memorable. maybe it would be better if we ate it there
La Barbecue continues to be one of my all time favorite BBQ joints! My family enjoys hunting for great Texas BBQ. We have completed the 2017 and 2021 TX Monthly Top 50 BBQ list. We started the 2025 list and we are more than half-way through the list as of July 2026. On our recent BBQ quest to Austin, TX, my family stopped at our La Barbecue. This was our sixth time to visit over the past few years. I'm a Texas Trinity traditionalist. So we always order the brisket, ribs, and sausage. The brisket was out of this world good- great bark, nice smoke ring, well seasoned, very moist, and melt in your mouth tender. I am not exaggerating! It is a similar experience every time which is an astonishingly consistent feat for any BBQ joint. La Barbecue is world class. Ribs were equally excellent - smokey sweet and moist, tender. Even my wife was a fan and she is not big on ribs. The smoke is just right. There were three different types of sausage - traditional, jalapeno, and chipotle. We decided on the chipotle sausage which was deliciously juicy. I really enjoy the loose grind and texture of the sausage filling which reminded me of a chorizo. It had a nice snap to the casing. Friday bonus - free beer! The restaurant is quaint, warm, and inviting. We arrived about 20 minutes before they opened as we anticipated a historically long line. Luckily, we were first in line! The staff is fun and patient with listening to our order and answering questions. Parking was easy because we were early but the lot is small so be sure to scout out the parking situation to plan your options and Caesar Chavez St. can be very busy si you may have to park on side streets if the parking is full. Hat's off to the pitmasters and staff at La Barbecue. We can't wait to go back.
So good!!! The line is definitely worth it! Surprisingly the other food besides the meat was good like the Mac and cheese! I definitely recommend the jalapeño cheddar sausage instead of the regular one, it has way more flavor. This was the perfect food for the perfect Texas summer.
Went on a weekday afternoon not long after opening. There was already quite a line. It moved decently fast, but if it's a hot day, be prepared. It can get hot in the sun! They do come through the line and let you purchase drinks, which is nice. We waited probably 45 minutes. They only let the ordering parties come in, as they try to keep it a little more personal. It definitely seemed like they could improve the efficiency a little. We shared the brisket and pork La Chopped sandwiches to get to try different things. Also grabbed some pickles and potato salad. The portion for the price was pretty good. Flavors and tenderness of the meats were 10/10. The buns are potato buns, so that is an extra bonus to a plain white bun. All the sides seemed carefully prepared - no boring flavors here. While this is not a place I would frequent just because of the wait, it was really delicious. I liked that it's outside of downtown, and was relatively easy to park. If you have been thinking about it, do it! They definitely know their BBQ!
From Chicago, just moved to Kyle. We were in Austin and stumbled into lB for lunch. Here are some thoughts: -If this is average barbecue, then average barbecue in Texas is way better than great barbecue in Illinois! -There was a long line out the door on a hot afternoon. Luckily, they had ice water available. Line moves slowly. -Once we got inside, we were happy we waited. I got the beef brisket sandwich (9-10/10) with extra pickles and my wife got the pulled pork (7-8/10) with pickles and onions. -The beef brisket was so good it didn't need barbecue sauce : ) The pulled pork had a very strong pepper taste. -We also got a big pickle (4-5/10) as a side. I love pickles, but this one was average. -Service and price were both good. Highly, highly recommended!!
We really liked la Barbecue, although we weren't sure what made it worthy of a Michelin star. I couldn't find specifics when I looked it up. We realized the strategy was to order for pickup a day in advance so we wouldn't have to wait in the long line. We were 15 minutes late for our pickup time, and the food still wasn't ready. However, we waited five more minutes, and they gave us a full-sized bottle of barbecue sauce, which kind of made up for it. I also wasn't sure if they would've hurried up if we had arrived earlier. We ordered the sliced brisket sandwich, El Sancho Loco, and a pint of "shells & cheese." The sandwiches were really good, and the Sancho Loco sandwich was special in that it had chopped brisket, pulled pork, and sausage with red onions. The brisket was soft and juicy. The mac and cheese was great too. It had a unique spice to it from the poblanos. We enjoyed the tangy barbecue sauce that came in the bottle as well as a more smokey barbecue sauce that came in a small side cup. Our total was $48, and this was a good portion size for two people.
The food was good, the ambiance is questionable, and when you do finally get inside for service it was perfect. I personally didn't like the waiting period, most BBQ places that have an hour wait time are possibly under a canopy or have water close by or have somewhere to at least lean. This place had none. I am glad I went so I could check it off the list but I'd only comeback if I wanted to eat at an odd time of weekday and in the area. Pretty good coffee shop and brewery walking distance too!
It was ok. I gave it a little bit of a higher review because nothing was really that bad, but I was not impressed. It was good, but not Michelin quality. First of all, this place has a super small ordering area. While I appreciated the efficiency of the ordering once I got in there, they can only take one order at a time. This means that lines snake outside the place and it can take forever to order. I waited in line for about an hour. Not great, but not a dealbreaker. As for the food, the brisket and chipotle sausage were lukewarm by the time I got it to the table. I think they slice and handle the meats so much that it cools quicker. The meats tasted good, but the temperature might be the problem. The sausage was also way too crumbly, but it tasted great! The presentation of the meats could have been better, especially with LeRoy's doing it elevated. I really liked the mac and cheese. That was hot! I actually disliked the BBQ sauces. The original was fine, but the rest were too vinegary. People talk about the service being great. Maybe I was there on a bad day because the service was average. I didn't have an issue, but they didn't wow me. I also found out that I was supposed to get free beer? Where? Why did nobody tell me this? The one saving grace was compared to other higher end BBQ spots, this place was more economical. I paid about $30 for two meats, a drink, and a side. Not too bad! I think I wanted to like this place more, but was disappointed. I gave it a 4 because it was fine and had some good meats. However, it's not as good as LeRoy and I don't know why it (and Interstellar) have a star in the first place. It was fun to try, but I think I'm a one and done
Meats are phenomenal. Brisket, ribs and sausage were done to perfection. Smash burger was tasty. Sauces have a kick and if you like spice it's perfect, not too spicy. I wish they had a sweet alternative tho bc it was a touch too spicy for me, I like it a bit sweeter. The sides are basic at best. The potato salad didn't have but a couple of chunks of potatoes. It was more like whipped potatoes with too much dill. Coleslaw was on the dryer sided, not silky and had a spicy flavor rather than sweet. For a table of 4, it was a no. The beans were a definite no for all. Water must be a premium, self serve outside, even if you're dining inside and not f the two canteens, I emptied the second one. Bc the employees aren't necessarily helpful, I didn't feel comfortable going back up there to ask for more water. The person who took our order was super friendly, meat cutter with the nose ring helped out with questions in a most pretentious manner and should remain in a non customer service role as pleasant communication is not his forte. Cashier had a robotic demeanor, not helpful or rude but directed me to the water without any warmth to her. It just isn't welcoming, considering we mentioned this was our first time here. Meat is worth the trip, but I would bring it home and enjoy the ambiance and sides in the comfort of your own home. I really can't say if they have air conditioning inside. It was quite warm and uncomfortable.
My husband and I came here on July 4th at 3 pm and there was no line which was awesome. Downside of coming at such an odd hour is that they were basically out of all proteins except the chopped brisket and pulled pork. The chopped brisket was delicious and paired well with their pickled onions and the bbq sauces were top notch. Their outdoor patio is dog friendly which is a plus. The potato salad was just ok. I probably wouldn't get the potato salad again the next time I come but I definitely will be returning to try their other meats.
All around one of the most enjoyable meals of my life. If you like bbq then la barbecue is a must. The pork ribs are truly in contention for best pork rib I've had, and I'd absolutely entertain that argument for the other three items in the picture. Service was terrific, staff were outside handing out free waters (and even draft beer) to all the customers in line. 10/10
I found bbq SO DIFFICULT to acquire in Austin, even though it's around every corner. The barbecue places tend to be so popular that they either sell out or are closed on odd days. We visited La Barbecue, unplanned, on a suggestion from a local friend. You definitely have to have patience as we waited in line for about an hour before ordering and sitting down. There is a line that forms outside in the hot sun as they only let one customer group in at a time to order at the counter . However, they are thoughtful and they have some complementary umbrellas to help shade you while you're standing outside. Once you get inside the process includes ordering at the register, paying at the register and they will bring it out to your table. We arrived and joined the line around 1 PM and eat around 2 PM. By the time we ordered they added three items to the out of stock list (including the one item I was interested in). The food was fine for me. I'm sure it's so popular because it's amazing to people that love barbecue. I did enjoy the mac & cheese and the slices of bread that I ordered on the side. Overall, give yourself some extra time for parking in the tight parking lot adjacent as well as to wait in line for your food. Arrive early maybe that helps with reducing the wait time!
I was so eager to try La Barbeque after its recent Michelin star acquisition! We got there shortly before 5pm but the line was already out the door and they'd run out of everything except pulled pork and chili. This was a bummer, but we made the best of it and had pulled pork sandwiches + a pint of chili to share. Pulled pork was tender and good, but the chili to me was the winner. Super flavorful and very delicious! Sides were average IMO - potato salad was too mustard heavy for my liking and black beans were just basic, nothing special. We didn't take advantage of this but they also offer customers free beer with the meal. Make sure you do your research and arrive here early if you want to try the chopped brisket which is what they're actually known for! We will be back to give it another try.
2 months ago
What a gem!!! This little inconspicuous bbq joint has some amazing flavor! They do have their own parking lot which is amazing. I went on a weekday so no line. My sis and I ordered the ribs, brisket, chipotle sausage and turkey. For sides we got beans, potato salad and poblano slaw. Ribs were amazing, fall off the bone with great flavor! Brisket - great bark on them! Chipotle sausage was delicious- almost like chorizo! Not too spicy either. Turkey was good too. Juicy! Loved their poblano slaw - wasn't spicy just added a nice flavor. Potato salad - very mustardy which I love! Beans are black beans and have great flavor! Oh, and can you say free beer? Cuz they can. Service was quick. They were helpful in our decisions. It's pretty warm inside, we chose to eat outside even in the heat, but they have overhead fans on the patio! read more
15 days ago
The hype is REAL here ! First time in Austin, they were closed. Second time in Austin, made sure they were open and made the stop ! Visited on our last day. During our visit another popular bbq spot we tried out was underwhelming so we were kinda hesitant. We just got half a lb of brisket & ribs and that was it. First bite of brisket we were in heaven ! So tender, juicy, & flavorful. We immediately ordered more brisket. What's so so helpful is ordering online and picking up. It's so convenient and much faster that waiting in line. Surprisingly there was no line when we went. With the online system you can order and show up whenever, they'll keep the bbq warm and serve you when you check in. Perfect classic sides with aesthetic art outdoors. This is real good quality bbq without being too fancy or over doing anything. Would love to come back read more
the hack is to preorder to skip the inevitably long wait. their service is just very curt and not as welcoming as you'd like, and i was the very first customer they had that day. the sandwiches were both wet and soft. la chopped was a bit better since it had a slaw on it to break up the monotony of the meat. el sancho was okay. shells and cheese was thick, creamy and well seasoned. sweet pepper and cucumber kimchi was lackluster, missing the vinegar and spice essence of kimchi. it wasn't pickled well in my opinion chopped brisket was soft and okay. not as smoky as i would expect jalepeno sausage was so bad. the casing was so tough that i had to spit it out. the meat was spiced well but weirdly crumbly. the value overall is fair, but not memorable. maybe it would be better if we ate it there read more
La Barbecue continues to be one of my all time favorite BBQ joints! My family enjoys hunting for great Texas BBQ. We have completed the 2017 and 2021 TX Monthly Top 50 BBQ list. We started the 2025 list and we are more than half-way through the list as of July 2026. On our recent BBQ quest to Austin, TX, my family stopped at our La Barbecue. This was our sixth time to visit over the past few years. I'm a Texas Trinity traditionalist. So we always order the brisket, ribs, and sausage. The brisket was out of this world good- great bark, nice smoke ring, well seasoned, very moist, and melt in your mouth tender. I am not exaggerating! It is a similar experience every time which is an astonishingly consistent feat for any BBQ joint. La Barbecue is world class. Ribs were equally excellent - smokey sweet and moist, tender. Even my wife was a fan and she is not big on ribs. The smoke is just right. There were three different types of sausage - traditional, jalapeno, and chipotle. We decided on the chipotle sausage which was deliciously juicy. I really enjoy the loose grind and texture of the sausage filling which reminded me of a chorizo. It had a nice snap to the casing. Friday bonus - free beer! The restaurant is quaint, warm, and inviting. We arrived about 20 minutes before they opened as we anticipated a historically long line. Luckily, we were first in line! The staff is fun and patient with listening to our order and answering questions. Parking was easy because we were early but the lot is small so be sure to scout out the parking situation to plan your options and Caesar Chavez St. can be very busy si you may have to park on side streets if the parking is full. Hat's off to the pitmasters and staff at La Barbecue. We can't wait to go back. read more
4 days ago
So good!!! The line is definitely worth it! Surprisingly the other food besides the meat was good like the Mac and cheese! I definitely recommend the jalapeño cheddar sausage instead of the regular one, it has way more flavor. This was the perfect food for the perfect Texas summer. read more
Went on a weekday afternoon not long after opening. There was already quite a line. It moved decently fast, but if it's a hot day, be prepared. It can get hot in the sun! They do come through the line and let you purchase drinks, which is nice. We waited probably 45 minutes. They only let the ordering parties come in, as they try to keep it a little more personal. It definitely seemed like they could improve the efficiency a little. We shared the brisket and pork La Chopped sandwiches to get to try different things. Also grabbed some pickles and potato salad. The portion for the price was pretty good. Flavors and tenderness of the meats were 10/10. The buns are potato buns, so that is an extra bonus to a plain white bun. All the sides seemed carefully prepared - no boring flavors here. While this is not a place I would frequent just because of the wait, it was really delicious. I liked that it's outside of downtown, and was relatively easy to park. If you have been thinking about it, do it! They definitely know their BBQ! read more
From Chicago, just moved to Kyle. We were in Austin and stumbled into lB for lunch. Here are some thoughts: -If this is average barbecue, then average barbecue in Texas is way better than great barbecue in Illinois! -There was a long line out the door on a hot afternoon. Luckily, they had ice water available. Line moves slowly. -Once we got inside, we were happy we waited. I got the beef brisket sandwich (9-10/10) with extra pickles and my wife got the pulled pork (7-8/10) with pickles and onions. -The beef brisket was so good it didn't need barbecue sauce : ) The pulled pork had a very strong pepper taste. -We also got a big pickle (4-5/10) as a side. I love pickles, but this one was average. -Service and price were both good. Highly, highly recommended!! read more
We really liked la Barbecue, although we weren't sure what made it worthy of a Michelin star. I couldn't find specifics when I looked it up. We realized the strategy was to order for pickup a day in advance so we wouldn't have to wait in the long line. We were 15 minutes late for our pickup time, and the food still wasn't ready. However, we waited five more minutes, and they gave us a full-sized bottle of barbecue sauce, which kind of made up for it. I also wasn't sure if they would've hurried up if we had arrived earlier. We ordered the sliced brisket sandwich, El Sancho Loco, and a pint of "shells & cheese." The sandwiches were really good, and the Sancho Loco sandwich was special in that it had chopped brisket, pulled pork, and sausage with red onions. The brisket was soft and juicy. The mac and cheese was great too. It had a unique spice to it from the poblanos. We enjoyed the tangy barbecue sauce that came in the bottle as well as a more smokey barbecue sauce that came in a small side cup. Our total was $48, and this was a good portion size for two people. read more
3 months ago
The food was good, the ambiance is questionable, and when you do finally get inside for service it was perfect. I personally didn't like the waiting period, most BBQ places that have an hour wait time are possibly under a canopy or have water close by or have somewhere to at least lean. This place had none. I am glad I went so I could check it off the list but I'd only comeback if I wanted to eat at an odd time of weekday and in the area. Pretty good coffee shop and brewery walking distance too! read more
4 months ago
It was ok. I gave it a little bit of a higher review because nothing was really that bad, but I was not impressed. It was good, but not Michelin quality. First of all, this place has a super small ordering area. While I appreciated the efficiency of the ordering once I got in there, they can only take one order at a time. This means that lines snake outside the place and it can take forever to order. I waited in line for about an hour. Not great, but not a dealbreaker. As for the food, the brisket and chipotle sausage were lukewarm by the time I got it to the table. I think they slice and handle the meats so much that it cools quicker. The meats tasted good, but the temperature might be the problem. The sausage was also way too crumbly, but it tasted great! The presentation of the meats could have been better, especially with LeRoy's doing it elevated. I really liked the mac and cheese. That was hot! I actually disliked the BBQ sauces. The original was fine, but the rest were too vinegary. People talk about the service being great. Maybe I was there on a bad day because the service was average. I didn't have an issue, but they didn't wow me. I also found out that I was supposed to get free beer? Where? Why did nobody tell me this? The one saving grace was compared to other higher end BBQ spots, this place was more economical. I paid about $30 for two meats, a drink, and a side. Not too bad! I think I wanted to like this place more, but was disappointed. I gave it a 4 because it was fine and had some good meats. However, it's not as good as LeRoy and I don't know why it (and Interstellar) have a star in the first place. It was fun to try, but I think I'm a one and done read more
Meats are phenomenal. Brisket, ribs and sausage were done to perfection. Smash burger was tasty. Sauces have a kick and if you like spice it's perfect, not too spicy. I wish they had a sweet alternative tho bc it was a touch too spicy for me, I like it a bit sweeter. The sides are basic at best. The potato salad didn't have but a couple of chunks of potatoes. It was more like whipped potatoes with too much dill. Coleslaw was on the dryer sided, not silky and had a spicy flavor rather than sweet. For a table of 4, it was a no. The beans were a definite no for all. Water must be a premium, self serve outside, even if you're dining inside and not f the two canteens, I emptied the second one. Bc the employees aren't necessarily helpful, I didn't feel comfortable going back up there to ask for more water. The person who took our order was super friendly, meat cutter with the nose ring helped out with questions in a most pretentious manner and should remain in a non customer service role as pleasant communication is not his forte. Cashier had a robotic demeanor, not helpful or rude but directed me to the water without any warmth to her. It just isn't welcoming, considering we mentioned this was our first time here. Meat is worth the trip, but I would bring it home and enjoy the ambiance and sides in the comfort of your own home. I really can't say if they have air conditioning inside. It was quite warm and uncomfortable. read more
My husband and I came here on July 4th at 3 pm and there was no line which was awesome. Downside of coming at such an odd hour is that they were basically out of all proteins except the chopped brisket and pulled pork. The chopped brisket was delicious and paired well with their pickled onions and the bbq sauces were top notch. Their outdoor patio is dog friendly which is a plus. The potato salad was just ok. I probably wouldn't get the potato salad again the next time I come but I definitely will be returning to try their other meats. read more
4 days ago
All around one of the most enjoyable meals of my life. If you like bbq then la barbecue is a must. The pork ribs are truly in contention for best pork rib I've had, and I'd absolutely entertain that argument for the other three items in the picture. Service was terrific, staff were outside handing out free waters (and even draft beer) to all the customers in line. 10/10 read more
4 days ago
I found bbq SO DIFFICULT to acquire in Austin, even though it's around every corner. The barbecue places tend to be so popular that they either sell out or are closed on odd days. We visited La Barbecue, unplanned, on a suggestion from a local friend. You definitely have to have patience as we waited in line for about an hour before ordering and sitting down. There is a line that forms outside in the hot sun as they only let one customer group in at a time to order at the counter . However, they are thoughtful and they have some complementary umbrellas to help shade you while you're standing outside. Once you get inside the process includes ordering at the register, paying at the register and they will bring it out to your table. We arrived and joined the line around 1 PM and eat around 2 PM. By the time we ordered they added three items to the out of stock list (including the one item I was interested in). The food was fine for me. I'm sure it's so popular because it's amazing to people that love barbecue. I did enjoy the mac & cheese and the slices of bread that I ordered on the side. Overall, give yourself some extra time for parking in the tight parking lot adjacent as well as to wait in line for your food. Arrive early maybe that helps with reducing the wait time! read more
5 months ago
I was so eager to try La Barbeque after its recent Michelin star acquisition! We got there shortly before 5pm but the line was already out the door and they'd run out of everything except pulled pork and chili. This was a bummer, but we made the best of it and had pulled pork sandwiches + a pint of chili to share. Pulled pork was tender and good, but the chili to me was the winner. Super flavorful and very delicious! Sides were average IMO - potato salad was too mustard heavy for my liking and black beans were just basic, nothing special. We didn't take advantage of this but they also offer customers free beer with the meal. Make sure you do your research and arrive here early if you want to try the chopped brisket which is what they're actually known for! We will be back to give it another try. read more
My friend and I headed over to la Barbecue (that's pronounced L.A. not like lala land) after hearing that their BBQ is the best in Austin! Now when doing BBQ spots in Austin, everyone wants to know about the wait! We went on a Saturday right around Noon and ended up waiting 90 minutes in line to order. Their playlist was soooo~ good though! Myself and others in line were boppin' to Keyshia Cole & Billie Eilish which made the wait not half bad. The brisket is nice and juicy. Pork ribs were also nicely seasoned, plump and lovely. I really like that they had 4 options of BBQ sauces and enjoyed trying them all. Admittedly though I enjoyed the basic one the best on my proteins. The mac & cheese was spicy and so cheesy, loved this and enjoyed it as leftovers, too! And then I met my match. They only serve the Beef Ribs on weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) and I so highly recommend them. Oh my goodness, it was the best thing ever. The thick crust was so full of well seasoned flavor, it was heavenly. I wish I could eat this every day for the rest of my life. Open a LA la Barbecue please! :P Staff was nice, food was worth the wait and even the bathrooms were cool here. read more
This place was amazing!!! they ran out of brisket slice but we ended up getting the brisket chopped instead!! Service was so cool to even offer us a free beers !!!!!! definitely would come back here again!! it's super clean inside. Everyone is very attentive.!! read more
3 months ago
Delicious BBQ! I had the brisket and sausage and both were very flavorful and tender. I ordered my food ahead of time so didn't have to wait in line at all and they sliced it fresh upon arrival. One quick warning for anyone allergic to dairy - I had a reaction after eating this, I believe from the original sausage (it is fully my fault, I didn't even consider that a regular non-cheese sausage would have dairy so not blaming them at all) but just be careful and ask before ordering! read more
6 months ago
I'm grateful that they allow you to order ahead and pick up when you get there. The process was super convenient. However, my meal was hit and miss. The hits: Brisket - absolutely amazing. One of the best I've ever had. Mac&Cheese- I would come back to Austin just for this Mac& cheese. The misses: Sausage- skin was tough, it wasn't sliced and the meat was dry. One of the worst I've had from a bbq place-bordering on criminal. Beans- avoid! No flavor at all. Not even salt. I ate about as much as what you see on the picture. Bread charge- just charge me more for the meat . Why charge for something that should come standard. Not going to break the bank but it was weird. Was I glad I tried it? Yes. Do I recommend this place? Yes as they could've had a bad day with the sausage. 5 stars for the brisket, Mac and ordering ahead (with no minimum). The beans and sausage dropped it down to 3. read more
1 month ago
Brisket A+ moist, consist throughout, just missing a little kick on the bark like Franklin Pork B- just not hittin with smoke/flavor Pork Rib A+ fall off the bone, great sauces flavor Shells- A really good, had that south west spice and some peppers on there that were good. The line moved in a real weird way only letting one ordering group inside at a time. I could see how this might be frustrating if you were deep in the line. But I had a great experience! read more
8 months ago
I've always seen the line for La Barbecue whenever I'm at Rockman, so this time I finally decided to commit. I got in line around 10:30 AM and didn't have food in hand until 12:30 PM -- so expect a 1-2 hour wait, depending on where you land in line. That said, there were some real highlights. We loved the pork ribs and brisket. They were perfectly tender, fall-off-the-bone, and honestly amazing piled onto the bread with pickled onions, jalapeños, and a little sauce. That combo was delicious . For sides, the mac and cheese was hands down the best one they have: super creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. Definitely don't skip it. That said, the jalapeño sausage didn't quite live up to the hype. It was a bit colder and saltier than expected, and not as flavorful as everyone says it is. Shoutout to the staff, who were incredibly sweet and even handed out free beer to people waiting in line, which definitely made the long wait more tolerable. Pro tip: have one person from your group stand in line while someone else saves a table for your party -- it makes the experience way less stressful. read more
3 months ago
Best. BBQ. The flavors were on point, and juicy! Highly recommend this place. There was a line to order when we arrived, but found it best to order online and pickup vs waiting in mine. read more
4 months ago
The wait was about 35 minutes on a Wednesday but well worth it. You only enter for service when given the signal and there is a no nonsense approach (which I loved). The turkey was moist, perfectly seasoned (no sauce required), and served on a potato roll. The chipotle slaw has the right amount of spice and was not overly wet! The shells and cheese was wonderfully balanced. While the location is small there is plenty of outdoor seating! And I can see why they earned a Michelin star - highly recommend! read more
8 months ago
"Fa La La La La La La Barbecue." The holiday season is about family. It's about togetherness. It's about finding comfort in the people around you. Why not celebrate the people around you with slabs of brisket? I have been waiting for the right moment to check out La Barbecue. It is one of the only few "major" barbecue joints in Austin that I have yet to visit. With me on this beautiful Sunday morning was my cousin and her fiancé, plus my other cousin and her boyfriend who were both visiting from Virginia. They were finally going to get a true taste of Texas barbecue for the first time that is not called Rudy's. We got to La Barbecue a little after 10:00 am and there was no line, so we grabbed some coffee across the street before getting in line. By 10:30, the line had turned the corner, and by 11:00 am it had grown quite a bit. La Barbecue lets one party in at a time, so expect to spend some time waiting outside. The good news is they offer two free pours of beer from Zilker Brewing per customer, and they had them available while you waited in line, which rocks. We were the second party in line and quickly realized that La Barbecue moves pretty slowly. One thing I've learned on this barbecue journey is to not rush greatness. By 11:15, we were finally sitting down with our motherland of food. The team at La Barbecue was very kind and welcoming. Our order totaled around $150 plus tip, which felt pretty fair for barbecue. I'll break down everything on the plate. Brisket: I love a brisket where the lean is almost as flavorful as the fatty. Everyone can do moist brisket right, but when the lean is exceptional like it is here, whew mama. Pork Ribs: You do not often see pork ribs come out pre-sauced like these did. The ribs were excellent. Not revolutionary, but extremely solid and very flavorful. The sauce on top really added to the experience. Traditional Sausage: La Barbecue offers three different sausages. We tried both the traditional and the chipotle. The traditional sausage is significantly spicier than most places' versions and has a great bite to it. I liked it quite a bit. Chipotle Sausage: This one was milder than the traditional and the mildest option on their menu. It was good, but the traditional sausage was significantly better. Shells & Cheese: People say that La Barbecue's mac and cheese is the best in Texas, and I think they are right. The shells and cheese here is next level and easily some of the best I have ever had. It is well seasoned with spice from the jalapeño and poblano peppers and is just simply gas. We ate a quart of it. No joke. Chipotle Slaw: Another solid side and a nice spicy take on slaw. Beans: Their black beans are also spicier than traditional black beans, and they were solid. Potato Salad: This is a mustard-based potato salad. I am not a big mustard guy, but I can admit that this would be good for the right people. After we destroyed our tray, I went to the bathroom to wash my hands and was immediately shocked by the club-like atmosphere. Between the mural of a club crowd, a spinning disco ball, and an LED sign that said "Fantasy," I was taken aback. It was pretty funny. This is easily a top five barbecue joint in my opinion and absolutely deserving of its Michelin star. Most of the sides are spicier and more seasoned than what you'll find at other barbecue joints, so if you are spice intolerant, be warned. The parking lot can be a little chaotic, especially if you arrive after opening. I had no problem getting a spot when no one was in line, so my best advice is simple. If you are not early, you are late. Wait an hour before they open so you do not wait two hours on the backend instead. Trust me. La La La La La. RIYL: Texas barbecue with a kick. read more
8 months ago
There's a reason it's received a Michelin star. The brisket doesn't try to be something it's not and is well seasoned, the fat is rendered down and Smokey and sweet and melts in your mouth and the flat is extremely tender and still moist. The bark is well developed and had a nice little crunch to it. The pork ribs are probably my favorite here of all the places in Austin where it comes sauced but it is very balanced and not too sweet. It goes really well with a little bit of their vinegar sauce at the table. Nearly fall off the bone and can be cut with a plastic fork. As for the sausages, my group and I tried the jalapeño sausage and the chipotle sausage. The jalapeño sausage has a nice jalapeño kick in it and is worth it. As for the chipotle sausage, I'd say it's 4/5 as it was a bit saltier and while the flavor is good, just didn't hit the spot for me. A little unique thing I recommend trying is to get the brisket chili and the shells and cheese and mixing them together. That flavor combination was amazing! As for service, the place was a bit small so get here early but the staff was friendly and attentive. read more
Overall high 4.5 stars...Not many talk about the pork ribs but those to me were the standout ...tender enough to fall off the bones with first bite. Brisket was good tasty but not as tender as I imagined but still very good. BBQ sauce was delicious. Turkey was tender but a bit salty for me. No sausage or beef ribs when we finally made it in the door ... arrived Sun at 1145 in line and finally ordered at just before 1? There's plenty of picnic table seating outside and inside. Potato salad was good... I liked the mustard taste and esp the dill, kimchi picked cucumbers are a must try... quite good!... spicy chipol cole slaw had no sweetness and disappointed me since with all the saltiness a bit of sweet slaw would have been great. read more
11 months ago
We had to try the Michelin star bbq, that was within walking distance from our hotel. There was a line, we waited roughly 45mins. They have a bucket of umbrellas & ice water. We got brisket samples. We decided to do sandwiches, they don't have various meat plates unless you by it by the pound. Brisket was fantastic, meaty & fatty. Turkey had such great flavor, very moist. Didn't try the pulled porked, but the pickled red onions were so delicious. There's something so different but palatable about them. Shells and cheese, so creamy & had a decent mild cheese flavor, no fake smoke flavoring. Potato salad was great, very thick & lots of dill. The banana pudding is unique . It's gluten free. Has some sort of slightly spiced/carrot crumble in it & has a hint of a birthday cake type of flavor. Also I enjoyed the sweet bbq & the bottled pickled(?) jalapeño sauce. Very delicious bbq, worth the wait if you wanted to try it. read more
Best barbecue I've ever had. Every single item was excellent. I got 1/2 lb brisket, 1 giant beef rib, 1 jalapeño sausage, shells and cheese, pickled jalapeños. Only thing I wouldn't get again are the pickled jalapeños. The beef rib was the standout by far so if you are here Friday - Sunday def get one! Critical info to know is that everyone who comes gets 2 free beers so while you wait in line go in, get your beers, and drink them while in line. I got here at 11:15am on a Friday and waited 1:20 to get in. read more
Oh my God! Found the one for best bbq! Love la Barbecue for not being afraid of some heat in their sausage and coleslaw. Brisket had a nice "fat" to it and the ribs were delicious. Shells and cheese a must. Make sure to preorder to eat there to avoid the line. Wish we had more time to come back again. read more
This was our backup bbq spot and so glad we ended up here. Waited in line for about 30 mins. Arrived there around 2pm. As we waited they sold out of the beef ribs, tradition sausage and brisket. We ended up getting what they had left which was pork ribs, chipotle sausage and chopped brisket. The pork ribs were falling off the bone tender and were delicious. The sausage as just okay and the chopped brisket was pretty good. I bet the sliced brisket would have been way better. The shells and cheese were excellent! They had several sauces available at the table. They had patio and indoor seating. Service was fast and friendly. Gave it a 4 star since we didn't get to try the items they were sold out of. read more
OVERVIEW: 3.5/5 but not enough to round up. Came on a Wednesday for lunch and arrived 30 mins. before opening, so we were first in line which was nice. We ordered the Instagram special turkey mac sandwich, a pound of brisket, some sides, and some pickled items. Honestly, with the Michelin Guide hype, I was underwhelmed. Everything was just okay, nothing in particular stood out or really blew me away! Don't think I'd revisit or want to stand in a long line for this. QUICK FACTS: - Parking? Yes, they do have a small lot but it's East Austin so there's also street parking around the neighborhood. - Reservations? No, but you can place large orders or takeout. FOOD RATINGS: - Brisket (3/5): I don't know how to explain it, but I've just had better. It wasn't bad by any means, but it wasn't my favorite either. - Turkey mac (3/5): The mac is overcooked, the bun is just a bagged potato bun (nothing special), and the turkey was the only saving grace. The turkey was incredibly moist and flavorful. - Sides (3/5): Limited side options and none are worth writing home about. Beans were basic, potato salad was meh. Mac and cheese I noted above. - Pickled items (2/5): Don't like that you have to pay extra for these since they're usually a given at most BBQ joints, but the spicy garlic pickles were okay - needed stronger flavor! The kimchi was a no-go for me. - Banana pudding (3/5): Decent but out of all the banana puddings I've had, this one was pretty average. Nothing standout. read more
La Barbecue is a must-visit barbecue spot in Austin, and the Michelin star definitely makes sense after trying it. We only waited about twenty minutes in line, which wasn't bad at all for how good the food was. The brisket was so soft it literally fell apart. I actually like it better than Terry Black's. The mac and cheese was also one of the best I've ever had. Ambiance was super casual. read more
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More info about la Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78702
East Austin
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(512) 605-9696
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http://www.labarbecue.com
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Ask the Community - la Barbecue
Estimated wait time for dinner on weekends?
Do I have to wait in line if I preorder a sandwich?
If you preorder there is a separate side you enter ...you will be asked to wait u til they bring your order to you, but it is not the general line that is the long wait ...I ordered brisket, sausage and ribs with all the sides and waited about 10…
How long is the average wait on the weekend?
Is there a separate line for pickup orders?
Yes! As you face the front of the restaurant, go into the door on your left. There is lettering on the door that references " PREORDERS "
Are there any delivery services they partner with if we don't want to go pick up our order?
no we don't. it's stand in line our order ahead of time and pick it up.
How early should you start lining up on a Saturday?
Depends on if you're talking before COVID or now: Pre-Covid 9 am to eat at 11 am is a good marker.…
How much is a beef rib? Just trying to price out a meal for 14 people
Not so invested in BBQ that I can give you the dollar amount but i'm sure the beef rib is higher than the other meats which are $20-22/lb. Some reviews noted $30-40/rib (they are massive).…
Want to visit on a Tuesday for lunch. Is there anything I need to know? Do we need to come early? How busy is it in a Tuesday afternoon?
There's always a line - usually at least 30 minutes. I've been there before opening and been the 30th person in line. It's worth the wait though!
Do they still offer free beer for those waiting in line?
Not since they moved to the brick and mortar location. There is beer for purchase from the Quickie Pickie and it's just as delicious as the Q
Is it possible to drop by Saturday at 4:30 pm? Will we be able to get in or will we be turned away?
I've done it before around the holidays. But they're usually sold out by then. Just call ahead.
If I pre-order my food can I get meat by the half or fourth pound or do I have to order it in full pound increments? When I looked at the pre orders online it seemed I could only do full pound amounts
I'm fairly certain they only allow pre-ordering by the pound. But if you pre-order, they do let you eat it there as opposed to some other BBQ places in the area that you require you to take it out.
How's the lunch crowd on a Friday?
I was there on a Tuesday and the wait was more than an hour. It would not be less on a Friday. If you order online 3 days in advance, you can skip the line and pick up your order at the window on the side patio. That's what I would do in the future.…
Any recommendations on what time to arrive to get lunch on a Sunday (want to eat around noon or so)? Visiting from out of town. Thanks!
I would definitely recommend ordering online! You completely skip the line- there's a window in the back where you just let them know you're there and you can tell them that you plan on eating onsite (other BBQ places force you to take it to go). We…
If I pre-order and pick up late afternoon, is it guaranteed that I receive the order? I am afraid they will run out of meats :(
It's rare that they're open much past 4 and the preorders usually need a couple of days.
Will there still be food if I get in line at noon or 1pm on a Friday?
Maybe but will be out if somethings
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la Barbecue - bbq - Updated August 2026
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