Review: Fierce Flavors at Austin's Top 100 BBQ Tucked into a quintessential corner lot, this Austin food truck isn't just serving barbecue; it's serving a certified experience. As a recipient of the prestigious Texas Monthly Top 100 BBQ Award, the expectations were high--and for the most part, they were met. The venue itself provides a fantastic, relaxed vibe, complete with plenty of TVs and a music stage, making it the perfect spot for chilling out on a lazy afternoon or settling in for an evening hang. The Main Event: Pitmaster Excellence The true test of a Texas BBQ joint is the holy trinity, and here, they nailed the fundamentals: * Brisket: This was Texas BBQ as it should be. The brisket was super juicy, delivered a profound, deep flavor, and possessed a flawless, great bark that spoke to hours of skillful smoking * Spare Ribs: A study in contrast and texture. The ribs offered a satisfying "good pull"--firm enough to bite but still falling cleanly off the bone. The thick, peppery bark was beautifully balanced by a slight sweetness from a pepper jelly glaze, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor you don't always find. * Pork Belly Burnt Ends: These were pure decadence. Each bite provided a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth experience with a distinct and welcome hint of Fierce Whiskers bourbon woven into the smoky, fatty flavor. They are so rich and irresistible, you know you shouldn't eat too many, but good luck stopping. * Jalapeño and Cheese Sausage: This locally sourced link brought the heat with a good level of spice. The flavor was excellent, though the texture leaned slightly toward the processed side, which was the only minor drawback among the meats. The Supporting Cast: Sides A great plate of BBQ requires sides that stand up to the meat, and while two of these were stars, one needs a little work. * Mac & Cheese: An absolute winner. It was cheesy, creamy, and featured an excellent smoked flavor that permeated the dish. The slightly charred edges added a delightful textural counterpoint. * Hash Brown Casserole: This was a surprisingly strong contender, offering a nice assembly of savory flavors. The secret weapon was the corn flake topping, providing an unexpected but welcome crunch, complemented by a satisfying hint of bacon. * Creamed Corn: Unfortunately, this side was the weakest link. It tasted primarily bland, despite a slight peppery note. It desperately needs some fresh jalapeños mixed in to cut through the creaminess and add the essential Texas kick. Final Verdict The meat selection here is truly Top 100 worthy, excelling in technique, flavor, and execution (especially the Brisket and Burnt Ends). The atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed gathering. While the Creamed Corn missed the mark, the stellar Hash Brown Casserole and Smoked Mac & Cheese prove that their side game is usually strong. Come for the high-quality, authentic Texas barbecue, stay for the great outdoor patio. read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Rollin' Smoke is a bbq joint located inside Chalmers. We were there earlier today to get lunch at our beloved Discada. A friend is in town for work so we decided to grab bbq as well. We got the chopped beef sandwich and decided to share it between three people since we just wanted a taste. Gotta say it was darn good & I'll definitely go back to try more. The beef was so tender and juicy that it really did melt in our mouths. The bun was soft and fresh and held the sandwich together well. read more

Great BBQ but they only offer the smoked apple cobbler on Saturday and Sunday but it's a bar so I couldn't even place an order because my daughter was with me. Cool so you offer something I can't ever get. Not family friendly; pass. Won't be back. read more

Tender brisket, delicious Mac &cheese, and generous portions. Nice seating indoors and pit. Friendly service too read more

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Not a bad spot of bbq. Located behind Chalmers, Rollin Smoke bbq has a variety of meats and sides. I love their chicken, mac and cheese and okra. The okra has a strong smoky flavor I love. Food does take a bit to be ready but it's worth it. Plenty of outdoor seating around other food trucks. Order at the front and they will text you when the food is ready! read more

Smoked carne guisada tacos are an amazing deal at $6. One is very filling. The smoked mac and cheese with brisket is what i got the last time I was here and it was delicious and filling (but a tiny bit expensive at $15). My dog enjoys coming in with me. Make sure you sit by a fan - it may seem windy at first, but there's lots of biting bugs and you'll thank me when you are not bitten. Pro dog parent tip: inside the bar, there is a jar of free dog treats on the counter hidden behind a little sign. read more

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Tucked inside the vibrant Chalmers bar on East Cesar Chavez, Rollin Smoke BBQ delivers some of the best smoked meats I've had in Austin--and that's saying a lot in this town. From the moment you get your tray, it's clear these folks know their craft. The brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender with a bark that had just the right amount of peppery bite. The fry bread tacos (get the brisket or mushroom) were next-level--crispy, smoky, and packed with flavor. I also tried the "Cracked Wings" (basically country-fried steak fingers), and they were crunchy, juicy, and totally addictive. Portions are generous, plating is thoughtful, and the quality is consistent. You can taste the time and care that goes into the smoke. Pair all that with the frozen cocktails and chill outdoor vibes at Chalmers and you've got a serious win. Whether you're here for a casual hangout or a full-on feast, Rollin Smoke BBQ brings the heat. Friendly service, fast turnaround, and absolute flavor bombs. If you're hunting for authentic Texas BBQ in a place that feels uniquely Austin--this is your spot. read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great vibe seems everyone was having a good time. 1 taco 1 Mac n cheese with pork was $30.... Needless to say we are going elsewhere to eat cause we are still hungry. It's a great vibe though Amazing flavor read more

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Had a couple hour layover at the airport hopped in the car and came down to this barbecue joint. Hands-down, the best barbecue I have encountered in Texas. The burnt ends were perfect. The brisket was nice and fatty melted in your mouth. Service was incredible. Made you feel welcome when you walked in the door open air dining room outside fresh air, but also had TVs incredible joint. Highly recommend. read more

Arrived shortly (10min) before noon on Sunday for a noon opening. We were 3rd in line. They opened about 10-15min late & some people were starting to get antsy. The sold out items from the day before were taped over & the buzz of excitement was clear as the tape was ripped off just before the window opened. All items available. We quickly pivoted back to brisket & we have no regrets on doing so. The hubs had the brisket sammie & i had the brisket taco (less carbs, practically a health food) & we got a guisada taco (solid) - with homemade tortillas. We ordered smoked mac n cheese (good) & smoked hashbrown casserole (ok). Since we're heading to the airport next, we opted for desserts as well. Banana Pudding (good) & the weekend only fabulous apple cobbler. We had our food about 1240 & had gotten the wrong side & were missing a dessert - quickly remedied. The brisket, (that's all we really care about here, right?), was tender & juicy with a good ring and a good pull. If we make it back, I'd stick with the brisket taco or sammie & cobbler probably skip the sides & the banana pudding - opting for a double cobbler ; ) (& I'm NOT a lover of sweets) read more

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TLDR: Rollin Smoke BBQ delivers good Central Texas staples and excellent sides/desserts; fair prices and an easygoing patio setup make it a solid stop. Overview: Rollin Smoke BBQ operates from a window off the back patio of Chalmer's Bar in the heart of Austin, a permanent home for what began as a well-liked food truck. Pitmaster and owner Kyle Stallings, a sixth-generation Texan from Tyler, leans on family recipes and long hours to keep the pits humming, and the joint recently picked up an honorable mention on Texas Monthly's 2025 list. The vibe is casual and neighborhood-friendly. At noon, parking was easy with ample spots on the streets nearby, and the patio was quiet with no line. Ordering is straightforward at the window, with seating shared across the patio. The service was efficient and pleasant. Given the bar setting, evenings likely draw a livelier crowd than the lunch hour. Food: I got the brisket, spare ribs, hot link, pork belly burnt ends, spicy slaw, mac & cheese, and banana pudding. The brisket showed solid fundamentals: clean smoke and a gentle ring. The lean cut was a touch dry, and the seasoning sat on the mild side; a more pepper-forward bark would help the beef pop. Still, it is a solid rendition. The spare ribs leaned in a sweeter direction with a pepper jelly glaze, though the meat could've been juicier. The Texas hot link had proper snap and steady heat, landing squarely in the "good, not memorable" zone. The pork belly burnt ends carried a familiar pork flavor but were firmer than ideal; the accompanying sweet sauce made them easier to like without fixing the texture. The sides and dessert are where Rollin Smoke shines. The spicy coleslaw balances creamy and bright, with crunchy cabbage, oregano, and just enough jalapeño warmth. The mac and cheese tastes homemade, with a light smoky note and a sauce that clings rather than floods. The banana pudding is more like a soufflé, airy yet satisfying, with softened wafers, plenty of banana slices, and restrained sweetness. The pricing feels right for Austin: brisket at $36/lb, ribs at $26/lb, pork belly burnt ends at $30/lb, sausage at $20/lb, and sides around $4-5. Final Thoughts: Rollin Smoke is a strong pick for a low-stress lunch or a pre-bar bite. The meats are reliably good, although a bit conservative on seasoning, while the sides and banana pudding carry the meal. Not a destination, but an easy recommendation for Austin locals looking for solid barbecue with better-than-average fixings. read more

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I had very high expectations of this place since the ambiance was great and full of people but sadly I didn't have the best experience... I want to imagine that the amount of people was the reason it took an hour to get our food, but even if it is, I really think they should at least warn people it will be a while before food is deliver. Once we finally got the food, which we had to take to go, we had multiple items missing in our order. I called them and they nicely say they will give me a refund. As for the food, it was alright. The best things we had were the Brussels sprouts and creamed corn, as for the rest, everything was average but the prices are very reasonable! read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

I came here for a free tacos from a tik toker The taco was too salty but crunchy - it has good flavor but too salty The brisket was a bit dried tbh , not much seasoning detected The pork belly burnt end is ok, the pork belly doesnt come with the skin part so I feel like it's wasteful potential on the texture Coleslaw is okay - nothing special I got the whiskey brussel brown - it needed some salt Overall I think it's an ok bbq place compares with other chain in Austin But as always, ambience is 10/10 - they have both indoor and large outdoor area Parking - street parking read more

This BBQ spot is incredible!! Everything I've tried here is so good that it's hard to try new things on their menu cause I just want to come back for the same things (the quesatacos and the silky)! Their ribs are tender and have amazing flavor. The pimento cheese dip with the flavored saltines is a great starter. Their sandwich called the silky is one of the reasons I keep wanting to come back here. The bread is buttery, soft yet crispy on the edges, the slaw is perfectly creamy with a tiny bit of spice and the pulled pork is the best. The best things I've had here are the quesatacos!! They are so crispy and cheesy yet the meat inside is so juicy and tender. 10/10 tacos that they only make sometimes so keep an eye out on their Instagram for specials! I think chalmers is a great location for them, besides the age requirement to get into the bar preventing those under 21 from getting in on the weekends or after 6 pm on weekdays. Other than that, love the location. Plenty of street parking and tons and tables inside to eat. The workers are always helpful and nice. read more

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Atmosphere and and ambience on point! Great seating, fans, music and vibes. They are nestled in a little food park with only one other street taco eatery. As a vegetarian, I got the mushroom taco and Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was a little shaker than I would like protein wise but the flavor was good maybe a little salty. The taco impressed me, juicy mushrooms, with a little vinegary tang off the veggies. Good portion for price. The bused tables and spilled drinks very fast. read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Mushroom Veggie Option Taco - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Absolutely delicious! Try everything on the menu ! You'll thank my later ! Brisket Ribs Wings Tacos Sides !! Just try everything!! read more

Mondays are a sad sad day. Its not because I have to go back to work. (I tend to work when other people play and play when other people work anyway.) It is not because my football team always loses on Sunday. (Although that happens more often than I would like.) Mondays are sad because Rollin Smoke BBQ only serves 15% of their menu on Mondays. The bar they are at - Chalmers - needs them to be open seven days a week. BBQ-ing is hard hard work that involves doing 18 hour days on cook days. So to maintain their sanity, The staff at Rollin Smoke only do hamburgers and tacos on Monday and Tuesday. Who ever is on shift does four hours in and out and that settles that. Ya want BBQ? This ain't ya day. * * * I cried bitter bitter tears when I came to Chalmers and found all I could get was hamburgers and tacos. Until I actually had their hamburger. O M G ! ! ! ! This is actually one of the top 20 hamburgers in the Austin Metropolitan Area. Yeah - there are some steakhouses that will give you a better hamburger than Rollin Smoke does. But for a food truck hamburger, you are just not going to do better. The french fries are not too shabby either. If you are going drinking And you are getting bar grub ... You are far more likely in a bar to get a good hamburger Than you are to get good BBQ. Casino El Camino on Sixth Street serves a legendary burger that could easily be in the top 5 in the Austin Metro. And there are 800 or 900 bars who will get you a burger that will be just fine and will give you a good time with your drink. Rollin Smoke's burger is better than most of the bar burgers in the city ... And most of the restaurant burgers too. * * * A Limited menu on Monday still means its Blue Monday for me. But hey, I look kind of good in Blue. read more

Easy walk-up window through an extremely loud Saturday football crowd! You will not be able to hear your own thoughts or whatever anyone is saying to you so be prepared to yell your BBQ order as the bar crowd is lively. I thoroughly enjoyed the brisket, burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork, and shells w/cheese! Worthwhile 4.5 experience and future ones too! Thank you Rollin Smoke BBQ minus the 140db noise lol; just me being older now and could barely hear myself think ;D read more

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I was able to stop by a little late and pick through what was still available. It was great to be able to get ribs this late in the evening. And they were absolutely well seasoned and tasty. The mac and cheese was on the dry side. read more

Favorite barbecue of all time ! The lemon pepper wings & quesatacos are my favorites. Ribs, tamales, sausages, frito pie are also incredible. The smoked mac is a top tier. I've gotten smoked turkeys & hams for the holidays here for the last two years. Great place. read more

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Landed in Austin after a long flight and this place was open and a few blocks away so I headed over knowing nothing about it. Had heard of all these famous BBQ spots in Austin but not this one, and now I'm not sure why. After a week here eating at multiple BBQ spots, this one was far and away the best. The meat was perfectly smoked, and the sauce/spices were on point. Tried the brisket and pork belly burnt ends and both were outstanding . Tried Terry Black's, which everyone told me was one of the best. Stood in line for a long while - for surprisingly meh and not especially smoky brisket. It wasn't terrible, and maybe I'd have loved it if I hadn't had this place first - definitely not a standout compared to Rollin Smoke. Don't sleep on this place, you won't be disappointed. read more

After trying tons of BBQ spots across Texas, I can confidently say that Rollin Smoke BBQ is one of my absolute favorites. I came here on a whim--and ended up coming back again the very next day. Yes, it's that good. The vibe here is awesome. The BBQ area is set up under a half-covered tent, with wooden tables and benches that give it a relaxed, backyard feel. Everyone's just chilling, enjoying good food and better weather. The kitchen works out of two small windows--one for ordering and one for pickup. The wait was about 10 minutes, which is pretty impressive for fresh, made-to-order BBQ. Tucked next to the tent is a cozy indoor bar, which makes for the perfect pairing: BBQ and ice-cold beer. Can't beat that. Now the food... * Pork ribs were smoky and sweet on the outside, with super tender and juicy meat that fell right off the bone. * Brisket was rich and flavorful, with that perfect bark and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. * Turkey was moist and surprisingly packed with flavor (not always easy to do!). * Sausages came in a variety of flavors, each one with its own personality--spicy, savory, and satisfying. And let's not forget the staff--just cool, down-to-earth people who clearly love what they do. If you're serious about BBQ (or just serious about eating well), Rollin Smoke needs to be on your list. Can't wait to go back again--and again. read more

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This is some of the best BBQ I've had hands down! Chalmers can get busy especially on game days so will keep that in mind in the future and order online to save some time. The brisket mac has been my go-to to but I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu! read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Brisket Mac n cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cool spot with a great outdoor vibe. The food is serve yourself style from an outdoor food truck. The brisket and ribs were flavored well, but slightly dry for my taste. I would probably try it again if I lived in the area, but since I don't, probably won't be able to make it back read more

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Quick service staff very helpful Street parking have a taco stand quite tasty n fresh there also music I ordered ribs n pork belly plus wings special also good If I am in the area definitely will come Also there no lines or waiting in line that plus read more

Stopped in for a meal, and I am very glad I did. It was the best brisket I have ever had, very tender and delicious. The sausage links tasted very fresh and the flavors were very nice. The BBQ sauce has a nice sweet taste which paired well with the pickles and the meat. They also use local ingredients! The man behind the counter was friendly and provided nice service. Outside area was nice, lots of trees for shade. I would definitely return again and bring some friends with me next time to share the goodness. read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Brisket, pulled pork, jalapeno and cheese sausage, hotlink, pickles, BBQ sauce - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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AMAZING. Brisket was very tender and juicy, melts in your mouth. Side dishes are very nice and complement the main dish with lots of acidic and sweet flavors (dip the pickles in the bbq sauce). If you want to not wait in line for 5 hours, this place is a must! Service was outstanding and very welcoming, ambiance is very outdoorsy, lots of trees. I will recommend going for lunch since its less crowded but if you wanna go during the evening to avoid the heat in the summer, that works read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Prime Sliced Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Y'all this place . If they're open go get a barbacoa taco right now. You can thank me later Bonus: The bar their in Chalmer's has any libation you could ask for to complement the grub read more

I'm glad to see that a BBQ truck has one main veggie option. The tacos are pretty big! They have a few sides and they all sounded good. I tried the cheesy hashbrown casserole. The smokiness took it over the top. The reason the rating isn't higher is because they seemed a little scattered. The line was really long and slow moving, and with only one window to take orders and hand them out, it was a little chaotic trying to place and order. read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Great wet brisket! The sauce was a little sweet for my taste but it was a unique mix of classic and tangy. The slaw was fantastic, seemed keto friendly. read more

Bbq baddie finds you a good meal even if your preference is out of stock. Bring your friends! Mac n cheese smacks

My 1st choice was closed, so I drove to this place. I'm buying 1 1/2 lbs and don't want a rub that's overpowering but this isn't a truck. They run out of a bar, and it wasn't reassuring to see them cooking meat over a front pan on the stove... BBQ on a frying pan? They refused to let me have a taste so I'm going to tried & true BBQ restaurant read more

Came here on a Saturday afternoon around 1:30. Wanted to go the Franklin but the wait was three hours and no place is worth that long of a wait. We found Rollin Smoke BBQ that was a short five minute walk away in a Food Truck court. Area was clean and they had plenty of picnic tables for seating. The court has a parking lot so no need to walk like we did. Was able to order right away and food came in just a few minutes ago we had the brisket that was very tasty and oh so tender. Paired well with the sauce, pickles and onions. We also had the pulled pork sandwich which was also tasty and tender. The onions and pickles definitely added a different level of flavor and variety. The sauce was not needed but also added a nice difference and balance in flavor. We were not disappointed, really enjoyed our order and plan to come back read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - 1/2 pound brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Took my out of town friend here for lunch on Friday and it was a good thing we got here right at 12 when they opened cause 10 minutes later, a huge line of 10+ people appeared. Surprisingly I was able to find parking right on site as I got there so early that there was no one there yet. I got a little bit of everything since it's my first time trying rolling smoke bbq but god damn! Everything was delicious!!! The pork belly was tender and flavorful while the brisket was so moist! I especially love their bbq sauce cause it was sweet and salty as opposed to the vinegar based sauce some other bbq joint used. The pork ribs was pretty good too and the same goes for the three sides I got. Highly recommend the smoked Mac and cheese and the potatoes casserole. After this visit, rollin smoke bbq has become my new favorite bbq in Austin. read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - A little bit of everything - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

BBQ baddie knows her stuff! She was personable and gave us awesome recommendations! Will come again

Barbecue Baddie made my experience!!!!! AMAZING RECOMMENDATIONS ! Thank you so much for such an amazing night #boobs #LOOKATME

FYI: It's a food truck within an outdoor sports bar called Chalmers. There will be lots of people at Chalmers if there's a NFL or college football game scheduled. The Rollin Smoke truck was out of most items when I visited on a Thursday at 8pm. read more

Amazing food Staff is the best! Hand's down the best BBQ in Austin Texas Great spot with other choices read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Best BBQ in Austin period... - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cool venue and very nice staff. Unfortunately the brisket was terribly overcooked. I almost snapped my fork trying to get into it. I'm a bit of a brisket connoisseur and this ranks towards the bottom of my list. Perhaps other things here are tasty? read more

Rollin Smoke BBQ - Tough Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

The customer service was warm, funny, and incredibly efficient. The setting was uniquely charming--but the BBQ? Absolutely moist and tender! I ordered the Prime Brisket, Spare Ribs, Pork Belly Burnt Ends, and, on a whim, the Barbacoa taco, which turned out to be incredibly savory. The tortillas were bursting with flavor and paired perfectly with the brisket. The meat itself tasted fresh and of premium quality. The Burnt Ends and Brisket were definite standouts, while the ribs were delightfully juicy. To top it all off, the prices were just right! I even recommended Rollin Smoke to several other hotel guests. No doubt, I'll be back the next time I'm in town! read more

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