Terry Black's Barbecue
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If you're looking for Texas BBQ, Terry Black's is the place. We tried six different BBQ spots during our vacation in Texas, and Terry Black's was easily our favorite. Everything we had was packed with flavor, cooked perfectly, and lived up to the hype. You can tell why this place is so popular. The restaurant was absolutely packed, but don't let that scare you. The staff has the process down to a science and keeps people moving incredibly fast. This ended up being one of the highlights of our trip, and I honestly wish I could go back. If you're anywhere near Terry Black's, do yourself a favor and stop in.
Terry Black's Barbecue is a Texas style BBQ joint that serves some of the best brisket in the state. There are multiple locations, but this location is the original. While some BBQ joints are known for long lines, Terry Black's has a great system with multiple meat cutters which result in a line that keeps moving and a full belly. My Overall Rating - 5 Stars (Atmosphere, Service, Food, Return) Atmosphere - If this is your first visit to Terry Blacks, take a tour of the smoker's on the side of the restaurant. The smokers are fenced in, but you can walk around and inhale the smoke smell. It will prime you as you get in line to order. Terry Black's is 100% casual. There is plenty of seating and it's always packed. 1 Star. Service - Terry Black's proves that you don't have to have a long line to serve great BBQ. All you need is a great system. The line will snake you to first order your sides, where the friendly staff will get your order. Once ready, you make your way to the meat cutters. The friendly staff will cut your meats to order. It's really an awesome show and they are experts at what they do. 1 Star. Food - Texas is known for its brisket, and Terry Black's has some of the best. The bark is black and salty, and the meat is smokey and delicious. Ask for fatty brisket and let it melt in your mouth. The beef rib is also great. Sold by the pound, the beef rib is great for sharing (and photos). The flavor is beefier (and fattier) than the brisket. All the sides are great, especially the banana pudding. 2 Stars. Will I Return? - Yes. The original continues to deliver. Terry Black's has expanded to Dallas and Lockhart. My favorite location is the OG in Austin. It you're in Austin and don't have 3 hours to stand in line for BBQ, come to Terry Black's. 1 Star.
Finally had a chance to try one of the famous barbecue spots, Terry Black's Barbecue! They have a small parking lot that is always crowded! Open the door and get in line. Signage and QR code explaining how it works. Basically, line up gets your sides, dessert, drinks, and fixings. Then a server takes your tray and gets you into the meat area where you order your "cue". The interior is bustling with activity. Two separate multi-user men and women's restrooms. They offer inside seating and outside patio seating. If you dine outside, be watchful of your food as the birds are very sneaky and bold in stealing your mac & cheese and/or cornbread! I personally saw this. The flies are bold themselves landing on your food while ignoring your shooing hand. The service is friendly and helpful. Sliced Brisket: Texas' finest slow-smoked brisket, handcrafted with their signature Central Texas method and smoked low & slow over post oak for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and deep, smoky flavor. Sold by the pound, with one pound yielding 4-6 generous slices (5/5). Ok, this was one of the best tasting brisket ever! Pork Ribs: Tender pork ribs with a sweet flavor and slight kick of heat, slow-smoked to perfection. Sold by the pound, about 3-4 ribs per pound (5/5). Wow, these were to die for! Cream Corn: Sweet corn kernels simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with a touch of butter (5/5). Cornbread: Sweet corn bread served hot! (4/5). The cornbread was cake-like and moist. Yes, definitely one of the best barbecue places in Austin. It's a must visit place! Come support your business. My 2300th review reserved for Terry Black's.
First time to Texas and first thing is to get barbecue! Got here just before 5pm on a Sunday and there's a line that moves pretty fast. While you wait in line you can grab a margarita or beer to cool yourself off. You first pick sides, after which you can pick up some bread and desserts. Then you'll be directed to the meat section where you can order meat by the pound. The smallest amount is 1/4 pound. I got green beans as a side and a sliced brisket sandwich. The sliced brisket is soooo tender and delicious, especially coupled with their barbecue sauce! There are plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. If you decide to sit outdoors, just be careful with the birds - they might snatch mac and cheese from you! Definitely a must if you are in Texas!
Came to visit our son in Aisyin and he suggested we have bbq from Terry Black's. We had earlier walked around the Botanical Garden near Barton Springs so this seemed like a good choice. We arrived just after 22 to find the lot full and a queue of cars waiting for people leaving. I had suggested going elsewhere but my wife said we should try since our son recommended place, but he was at work. Drove further down and found a garage nearby with no signage on rate, just a park by phone QR code. Walked into Terry's and the line was not too bad, but no tables available. We picked a lb of baby back ribs, lb of brisket, a sausage and three sides - cotija corn, green beans and mac and cheese. Cashier was talkative and made suggestions so we followed his lead. Found a table and dug in - ribs were great, juicy, nice smoky flavor, good size; brisket was a little dry and nothing special with the sausage. Mac and cheese and street corn were good. Tried all three sauces and they were tasty. Left satisfied, but expensive. Walked back to the garage to find that the garage charged us $36 for a special event rate, of which there was no event going on in the area. No signage on rate or at their website. Called the help desk and the staff did not understand the question and after being transferred to 2 other people we gave up. Apparent the garage is looking to rip off people with an inflated rate for the area. Terry Black's probably doesn't care, but tourist or local will only get cheated once before they look for another rib joint like Franklin BBQ. Food was good, but its a conveyor belt type of service. Just someone behind the counter pushing uou thru the line. Few staff moving around in the dining area asking about needs or whether they like the food or not. I guess with the hype, they don't really need to care.
Wowwie!!!! I don't know if you can say you've had barbecue until you've had this place! The meat here was perfect the brisket was the best I've ever had. The Mac and cheese was also perfect. I always get Mac and cheese and this was some of the best I've had in text between Austin and San Antonio. It was busy but the line moved fast. Some of them employees were a little nicer than others but I get it they have a line to move through and just want to keep it moving! The inside was very cool too! They had indoor and out door seating - great for big parties :) I will be coming back here again!!
I was visiting Texas for the first time and a must try for me was some good BBQ! Terry Black's is #1 on yelp's top eats in Austin list, so of course, I had to stop by. We came with a party of 6 and ordered the small family pack to share, which came with 3 pounds of meat alongside 5 pints of sides. Alongside this, we also ordered the beef ribs. Everything lived up to my high expectations! I find turkey to be generally dry sometimes, but even the turkey was super juicy and delicious. Overall, I feel like you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Service here is a bit rushed but it's understandable with how busy they can get. I heard the lines can get long, however, when we came at around noon on a Friday, the line only took us around 20 minutes to get through. The ambiance overall is very casual.
While on our trip to Austin I was adamant about getting Barbecue, Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurant meals as I live in a place that isn't particularly well known for having the reputation for having "blown away" meals of this sort. Terry Black's was recommended to us but the person that was doing the recommending and was a local here had it further down on his list. And I can see why. Terry Black's is definitely geared more for tourists with the way it's set up and how your whole experience is handled. It wasn't a bad meal but as I found out later it wasn't going to be the most memorable Barbecue either as we later came across one that really did blow us out of the water. The food wasn't bad here... no complaints really but I am not sure if it's the most authentic experience either. I had one of their sausages which was the original kind and it was pretty good. Our sides were creamed corn, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and corn bread. It was all solid but portions are pretty big so it's a good idea to come hungry. Even for two people the portions gave us a run for our money and we shared it all too. So if you want a more tourist experience or more of a family affair with this meal Terry Black's may be a good fit for you.
Worth every penny. Budget around $50 per person, and I promise it's worth both the summer heat and the wait in line. The brisket was exactly what you want from a Texas BBQ spot: tender, smoky, and deeply satisfying. The jalapeño sausage was a hit, cheesy and so packed with flavor it practically fell apart on its own. Creamed corn was rich and texturally perfect, and the mac and cheese was the kind of creamy that makes you go back for another scoop. Solid beer and soda selection to wash it all down. The space is lively and loud. It draws a tourist crowd, but Terry Black's earns that reputation. This is as close to an authentic Central Texas BBQ experience as it gets, and the food backs it up.
I'm not a fan of American BBQ but I'm glad to have tried this place! Came here with a large party at midday and found a seat in good time. Parking is difficult though, the lot is small. Quick service here as you order in a line. The portions are huge and you can easily share a meal with multiple people. Contrary to popular opinion, I didn't care much for the brisket - it was a bit salty and fatty for my taste. The green beans were too salty for me as well. But the creamed corn, cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and rice were all super good. Especially loved the creamed corn! The ribs were tender and not chewy at all, and the sausage had a great smoky flavor + snap. I liked that each table also had squeeze bottles of different sauces to try! Overall a good BBQ place and quintessential to the Texas experience :)
You will straight up believe you have died, and gone to a heaven where the angels and the good lord themselves are smoking the best meats, furiously making tasty sides, and when you're given a chunk of brisket burnt ends... it's like a wink that you did good man. You did good. You belong here. Then you'll wake up just in time to order frantically at Terry Black's at the most FERVENT pace I have ever placed an order, and before you know your card will have been charged, and your head is still spinning what the hell just happened?!?! That said, I guarantee, that whatever you agreed to in line is going to be freaking phenomenal. Truth, I have never seen a faster paced work environment and a line marching so quickly. When you stand outside you think you'll never get served, then a rip in the space time continuum has you in front of a helpful, but determined, employee in about 10 minutes. They serve an insane amount of folks here... and it just works, somehow. The brisket... best I have ever had, even the chunk i reheated the next day, still off the charts. The sausage, so hearty and flavorful, and a perfect compliment to the brisket which... of course you are getting brisket. Mac N Cheese, really good, not gonna make my best ever list, but it's indeed very tasty and the cheese sauce while it looks like an easy mac, very clearly home cooking happening here. Cole Slaw crisp, tad sweet, good balance for the meats. Cornbread, make sure you get it. Banana Pudding... don't tell me you're too full. JUST GET IT. And as I said earlier... if you are graced with a chunk of brisket burnt ends. Be appreciative. The meat candy of the gods. Holy crap when can i come back?!?!?!
Holy guacamole! I will dream about this brisket and mac and cheese back in California. This place was suggested by two people who said it's a must and I'm thankful for the recommendation. 11/10 for experience and food. We enjoyed everything we tried and all the staff were friendly. Sad the white shirt we wanted was out of our sizing but we still got some good merch.
Much better the 2nd time around. Had friends come from Spain and specifically wanted Terry Blacks. Had my hesitations but still went. Was very lucky to find a parking spot on a Tuesday night at dinner time. I will say this, tourists can get aggressive about the parking or they just don't understand it. lol. Greeted immediately by the best hostess. Got thru the line very quickly. We ordered 1 lb or both lean and not lean brisket. Burnt ends. Pork ribs and the sausage. Wow! All cooked to perfection. It was a lively night so a tad loud but that is expected here. The only thing I would suggest is for the sweet tea to be actually sweet. Not sure if when the 3 batches we saw brewing got mixed up but definitely not sweet. Will be happy now to bring friends back here. It's a must stop bbq in Austin for sure.
Came to Texas for a work conference and was recommended to eat BBQ at Terry Black for real BBQ. Let me tell you, the BBQ brisket and turkey was very tasty ! The place was PACKED!! Not what I expected- you walk in and have to stand in line to be served food over a counter. Was giving cafeteria vibes. Everything is sold separately. I got four thin slices of brisket, one slice of turkey and two sides for $33. No drink. After you pay for your food you need to look for a seat. There were signs stating "no saving seats" but there were papers on tables saying "reserved". So that was conflicting. We ended up sitting outside. It was good but don't go for a date or party. read more
Quintessential barbecue experience in Austin! Very tasty but some notes. This bbq place is a hotspot- it was very busy and the restaurant is fast-casual ordering style. There was a 10-15 minute line to order food but it moved fairly quickly. Definitely chuckled at previous reviewers saying they felt like cattle being processed moving through the line. Lots of seating indoors and outdoors. Atmosphere is traditional barbecue casual, lively, chaotic. Ordered 1/2 lb of brisket, 1/2 rack of pork ribs, single sides of green beans and mac and cheese. Ribs were my favorite in terms of flavor. Brisket was moist, tender, and also delicious with homemade sauces. Green beans were good. Mac and cheese was a let down- lacked meaningful flavor. I was disappointed by no complimentary bread of pinto beans. Understandable the price for quality bbq but felt like this place was stingy for the value and experience. They definitely have enough demand to do what they want and they have the fundamentals of meat and efficiently down but fell short of 100% perfection. read more
I've somehow lived in Austin for over 15 years and hadn't been to Terry Blacks until coworkers flew in for a conference. We went on the Thursday night before ACL so I was prepared for an extremely long wait but was pleasantly surprised when the line was short and we scored an outdoor table big enough for the 8 of us. We got one of the family style meals and added a few extra sides and such on. The guy cutting our brisket was nice enough to put a little extra on the platter and gave everyone a sample which instantly made their eyes widen and want more!! The star of the show was definitely the brisket but honestly everything was amazing. Just enough flavor and seasoning to not even need or want sauce for the meat. Sides were all solid as well. The green beans were actually the most popular and had great flavor and crunch. Between the 8 of us we left full, happy, and had leftovers as well! read more
8 months ago
Came here with a large group and just ordered the family serving! Everything was so delicious. They are really efficient and everything is served very quickly. I came during lunch time so only waited maybe 10 or so minutes. But I passed by during the evening and it does look quite busy! My favorite sides were the green beans and Mac and cheese. read more
If you're debating whether Terry Black's BBQ is worth the hype--the answer is yes, absolutely. When I got there, the line was long, but don't let that scare you off. It moved surprisingly fast, and honestly, it just built the anticipation. Once you get inside, the energy is great--busy, loud, and full of that classic BBQ atmosphere. The food completely delivered. The brisket was insanely tender with a perfect bark, and the ribs had that ideal balance of smoky flavor and juiciness. Even the sides stood out--creamy mac and cheese, flavorful potato salad, and everything tasted fresh and made with care. Nothing felt like an afterthought. The setup is straightforward: grab a tray, pick your meats, load up on sides, and find a seat. It's casual, efficient, and exactly what you want from a legit BBQ spot. Between the quality of the food, the fast-moving line, and the overall vibe, it's easy to see why this place stays packed. Definitely one of those spots I'd go out of my way to visit again. read more
Great location across from a kid park so feed the kids then run them tired :) The line was long but it moved quick. Was expecting them to be out of things considering we were eating late at 2 but they weren't. Turkey and brisket was best to me. The brisket you couldn't even pick up with a fork as it would fall apart. Good smoke flavor. The pork rib could have been more tender but still good. The sausage was least favorite just didn't like it. The sides were ok. Green beans nothing special, beans tasted like chili, and the Mac was loved by the kids. It was good. The banana pudding was top notch. Should have grabbed two. Parking is free in their lot but good luck getting a spot. So parked in paid parking next door. read more
8 months ago
Food: 4.5/5 Dessert (Bonus): 10/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 The good: all the things except the brisket, it was tough and dry, kinda sad about that. We had two beef ribs, one was amazing, the other one was gristly and fatty, make sure to never get an "end" beef ribs. Turkey and sausage were also good, just nothing amazing. We did tell the staff that half the beef rib was inedible and they gave us a couple large free desserts and a shirt for the trouble, which was super sweet of them. The sides! Potato salad was good, the Mac and cheese was creamy but the noodles were undercooked, cream corn was decent The desserts: the peach cobbler was really good, but that banana pudding? My kids were fighting over it, and there was a whole quart of it! It was delicious, they weren't crazy. The bad: Just the brisket, and as a newcomer, the lines are a *little* intimidating but that's a me problem. read more
25 days ago
My wife and I absolutely love Terry Black's barbecue. We tried it twice during our stay in Texas. The food is just amazing. While the lines may be long, it is so worth it for that amazing food. The sides are big and tasty. We will definitely return when we are in the area read more
If you're looking for the all-out, full-on Texas BBQ experience, you won't find anything better than Terry Black's Barbecue. Unbelievably good bbq! I seemed to have beaten the lines going at around 4pm, but not by much as the line got longer and longer after me. It's the traditional order-in-line setup - you grab a tray and select the sides (I tried as many as I could), then you move to the meat counter where you tell the servers what you want and how much and they slice what they have in front of you - as your mouth starts to water (well that started before I even walked in). Of course you have to try the sliced brisket (or in a sandwich), and I added the pork ribs, turkey and a Flintstone's sized beef rib (not cheap bee-tee-doubs). Picked up my drink and plastic utensils which could barely cut the meat and sat down. The restaurant has a large indoor area and outdoor patio area - it's the dimly lit, basic dark wooded tables unpretentious setup. The brisket was amazing! Moist and tasty, meaty and hearty, like it should be. If the brisket is dry, get up and leave, no just kidding. The pork ribs were fantastic, a bit spicy and sweet, yum. The turkey was good, but not the star of the meal, which had to be the beef rib which had an amazing bark that was smoky, salty, and peppery. Again, tho I think i'd bring my own real utensils because it was hard to slice thru everything with the flimsy plastic knife. All the sides were excellent too. read more
30 days ago
The barbecue was some of the best I've had. Even the sides were fantastic. I would highly recommend the beef rib and the banana pudding. Definitely come here if you are in the Austin area! read more
3 months ago
Visited Terry Black's BBQ during a weekend trip to Austin and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The brisket was some of the best I've ever had--perfect bark, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor. The ribs, turkey, and sausage were just as impressive. Honestly, 10/10 across the board. What really made the experience stand out was the hospitality. After eating, I had the chance to check out the smoker area and got a full walkthrough from Matt. Turns out we both grew up in North Carolina about 30 miles apart--small world moment that made the visit even more memorable. Great food, great atmosphere, and awesome people. If you're anywhere near downtown Austin and want top-tier Texas BBQ, this place is a must. Highly recommend! read more
8 months ago
This place is rightfully famous. I'm a KCBS barbecue judge, I'd give the brisket top marks, no question. For my other meat, I wouldn't normally choose turkey, but it came highly recommended and the server was pleased we ordered it, mentioning it's the underrated staff favorite. Really liked all the sides I got: creamed corn, green beans, and cornbread. And decent bottled beer selection too. The whole setup is extremely efficient but friendly through serving and seating. The volume of customers and product they go through is astonishing. Great overall environment in an otherwise kind of generic part of town. read more
I guess we arrived before the line was super long, it moved quicker than we thought and we were at the front a little unprepared for what we wanted. My favorite was the rib! So good! We were also so happy to have ordered the turkey, moist and flavorful! Also great sides and banana pudding! It is loud and packed inside, but we were able to find a table quickly and excitedly ate our meal! read more
9 months ago
Rating: 4.3/5 [delivery] We've tried Terry Black's Barbecue twice now, once for pickup and another time through Postmates delivery. Honestly, this beats waiting in line any day. They give a generous amount of meat, and each order comes with sliced onions, pickles, white bread, and tasty barbecue sauces. We ordered for dinner on a Monday night and the food arrived in about 40 minutes. For online orders, pickup takes about an hour, and they don't offer half-pound options for the sausage. Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage ($15.81/lb on Postmates): Our friend loved it and ended up eating it all himself. Sliced Brisket ($40.31/lb on Postmates): On the leaner side, but it was a bit dry and not as flavorful as I hoped. The fat cap was thin, so I added sauce for extra flavor. Pork Ribs ($34.86/lb on Postmates): Delicious and a must-try. Super flavorful, tender, and came right off the bone. Beef Ribs ($62.10 on Postmates): The meat comes off the bone easily and had more flavor than the sliced brisket. Mac and Cheese ($10.36/pint on Postmates): I liked it better when we picked it up compared to delivery. It's very cheesy and rich, so a little goes a long way. Heavy but satisfying. Baked Potato Salad ($10.36/pint on Postmates): Nicely balanced and not overly creamy. It's a great side that helps break up the heaviness of the meal. Peach Cobbler ($10.90/pint on Postmates): Lightly sweet and decent, but nothing special, so you can probably skip it. read more
8 months ago
We had the most delicious meal at Terry Blacks! This is a walk up to order type spot. We got there at a great time with only a short wait, however the dining area was packed and it was hard to find a seat. The que was super tasty, we got brisket of course, ribs, links, and turkey. The ribs were my personal fave. The Mac and cheese was good! And I loved the pickles and onions plate hehehe read more
8 months ago
The line moves very quickly as it is cafeteria style serving. Service is very friendly. Plenty of seating everywhere. Loved all their bbq sauces! Beef rib - amazing, tender, flavorful, fall off the bone Brisket - good bark, not as tender as usual Potato salad - good texture, nice and vinegary Creamed corn - on the sweeter side, very soupy Mac n cheese - solid, good chew read more
1 month ago
So much BBQ and so delicious! I was finally able to try this location after visiting Palmer events center. It was a tad crowded but the line moved fast and the staff was very efficient. We got the small family meal which was a lot of food! I was honestly surprised by how good the sides were. Loved the Mac n cheese, coleslaw, and creamed corn. My fave meat was the pork ribs but everything was smoked perfectly. The sauce was also really well done with great flavor. Overall, such good barbecue. It's clear why this is a local favorite. Be prepared to spend some $$ when stopping here but it's worth it. read more
4 months ago
This place gets really busy! The good news is the line moves super fast! We had a line out all the way to the street and I think it was only 20 minutes until we were inside ordering food. You can get drinks outside the staff is there to get anyone alcohol beverages so if you need a beer while you wait in line you will be taken care of! Everyone orders once inside and you will have time to get all the swag gear, hats, shirts, sauces, memorabilia, etc. Ordering is kind of cafeteria style. The staff is ready to move you through fast so be ready to order! Sides are first. Cole-slaw, beans, potato salad, ordering according to size in your party. We had everything and it was amazing! Beans had some meat in it. Very hearty. Potato salad, fresh and a good amount of dill and paprika, yum! Cole-slaw cold and refreshing. They also had cornbread we didn't try this but was tempting. Meat comes next. One giant beef rib was HUGE, but be prepared it was $60! The brisket was fatty for sure. My favorite was the pork ribs! Perfect flavor. My one complaint was the beef rib was so salty I couldn't eat it. Really bummed with the high cost and in general that was my one dislike of this place. A ton of salt on the meat!! read more
3 months ago
Great food overall. Very flavorful and delicious. Potato salad i didn't like, it's a heavy pickle flavor. Over $100+ for all of it in the photo. read more
8 months ago
Definitely a must visit place when in Austin Some of the best bbq I've tasted Shared a few meat platters with all the sides I loved everything except the sausage Good pricing and they have a system that works for them when ordering! Always busy but plenty of outdoor seating areas read more
Oh My world the best BBQ ive ever had hands down side dishes are cooked in perfection BBQ melts in my mouth this is a must try BBQ place everytime i visit my Family we never skip this BBQ place it is always on our list 10 stars for Terry Black's BBQ place read more
An unforgettable BBQ experience. Without exaggeration, this was some of the best barbecue I've had anywhere in the world!!! I would gladly wait in line again, regardless of how long it is because every bite was absolutely worth it. The meats were expertly smoked and incredibly flavorful. The brisket, in particular, was outstanding, tender, juicy, and full of depth. (Drooling) The pork ribs and the massive Dino rib were equally impressive. The sides were just as memorable, especially the creamy mac and cheese and the perfectly seasoned potatoes. Terry Black's delivers on every level. From the quality of the food to the overall experience, it's a place that stays with you long after the meal. I truly look forward to returning, and I hope they never change a thing. read more
9 months ago
The line moves fast but parking is hard. I got 1 slice brisket which cost around $9; 1 pork rib which also cost around $9 and single serving size sides which cost $4.50 each. Their sides are great and bbq and sauces are good too. Everything tastes very traditional in a good way. I would definitely get creamed corn and cornbread which was $2 again. The corn bread is a little basic and and dry but I like corn bread in general. Their Mac and cheese was also really good. Definitely smooth like Velveeta. The pork rib was good but not as good as Pinkertons. The fatty side of the brisket was good but lean side of the brisket was too lean and dry. Also the pecan pie was not as good as the farmers market pecan pie. The crust was too savory. Next time try beef rib and peach cobbler. The inside is big to accomodate a line. There's seating outside and you can also buy beer and bbq sauce while in line. I would comeback to try a beef rib ($40/lb) which was not sold out yet at 4pm on a Friday when I visited surprisingly, potato salad, pinto beans, and peach cobbler. read more
We saw a crazy line for Terry Black's the Monday after Grand Prix weekend, so we tried the next day (Tuesday) around 2:30 and were served and seated almost immediately! We'd long anticipated coming in from TB's reputation, and the food was fantastic. For 2 people, we ordered the beef rib, brisket, and cheddar jalapeño sausage with coleslaw and beans. The beef rib blew my mind - that and the coleslaw were highlights for me, as well as the brisket. The sausage was also one of the juiciest we tried across 3 BBQ spots in San Antonio and Austin. We got a parking spot in their lot, and there was plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Staff were so friendly and welcoming - we would definitely come back! read more
If there's a smoother operation in barbecue-land than Terry Black's, I haven't found it--and trust me, I've been training for this moment my whole life. The line looks intimidating at first, but don't worry--this place moves brisket like NASA launches rockets. Efficient, precise, and with a staff that somehow manages to be friendly while feeding what feels like half of Austin. Now, let's talk meat, because that's why we're all here pretending we "just wanted to check it out." The brisket? Absolute perfection--smoky, tender, and so juicy it could solve Texas' drought problem. The sausage deserves its own documentary, and the turkey is so flavorful it made me rethink every dry Thanksgiving I've ever suffered through. And the ribs? They don't "fall off the bone"--they leap off in excitement to meet your mouth. Sides report: * Coleslaw: crisp, tangy, and possibly crafted by angels. * Mac & cheese: good, but a bit watery--like it was emotionally moved by the brisket and couldn't hold it together. Yes, it's pricey, but so is happiness. And if Yelp allowed six stars, Terry Black's would earn all six, plus a standing ovation and maybe a slow clap from the pitmaster gods. If you go, bring an appetite, stretchy pants, and maybe a small prayer of gratitude. read more
Ok, let me start off by saying that I am somewhat of a Texas BBQ snob. True, it may not be warranted, but I have gone to enough spots in the great state of Texas to be able to do when something is authentic and real vs phony and fraudulent when it comes to meat. Terry Blacks quickly put itself near the top of the list! We signed up for the private tour of their restaurant that they recently started offering, and while I did not really know what to expect, i was left more stuffed than a taxidermied cow! The tour starts off with a VIP host, ours was Beto, welcoming you to Terry Blacks and taking you the bar where you get to choose the beverage of your choise, including from their great selection of beers. You get a cool little Terry Blacks drink coozy and then you are on your way to BBQ heave. We were given a brief run down of the place and its history. Beto walked us through their pits, showed us where the magic happens and introduced us to his staff, including the pitmasters and their amazing kitchen crew, including Judith, who served up a feast for us. After you take the obligatory pics with a fresh brisket off the pit, they take you back inside and seat you down for the onslaught of food coming your way. In addition to the unlimited beer, wine and drinks, the restaurant goes out of their way to give you a sampling of everything they have and make sure you DO NOT leave hungry. As for the taste of the food and meat, there was very little left to be desired. The sides, including a FABULOUS mac n cheese, a perfectly creamy creamed corn and a just right tangy coleslaw, all came out fresh and were practically devoured before the meat even showed up. They add in fresh cornbread, pickles, white bread and get you ready for the next course. Our meat trays were PACKED. I did not think they would provide enough food for 11 grown men, but man oh man, was I wrong. Each tray had a hefty amount of perfectly glazed pork ribs, tender cuts of moist and lean brisket that had a bark equivalent to the bark of a Great Dane, the BEST beef rib I have had in Texas hands down, and a smoked turkey that is unbelievable tasty and moist. At this point we were three courses in, the appetizers, sides and meat, and we were told more was coming! Our next tray included a variety of their desserts, including a delicious banana pudding, unreal peach pie that came with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream (Blue bell freaking rocks) and a perfectly sized pecan pie. Every single one of these deserts was top notch. The last course wasnt really a course at all, but it was the perfect send off! Beto took us to their merch section and told us that as a part of the VIP tour we get to pick a cool tshirt from their store and one from the badass selection of hats they have. I have to say any skepticsim I had of this place, including the price of the VIP tour, quickly dissipated and I left feeling silly for how wrong I was. The line for customers not doing the tour was long and stretched around the building but it moved super fast. By the time we finished eating about 90 min after we arrived, the line had completely dissipated and they were operating normally. If I had to give a criticism of anything, it would be of the seating arrangement. The restaurant did their best to get us together but we ended up having to split our group into two tables, but again they were next to each other. We had given them plenty of notice that we would be there for an event and they could have done a little bit better getting us seated at the same table. The VIP tour is a new offering from them and they did a lot to build good grace with us and it seemed like their customers in general. Southern hospitality is a real thing and Terry Blacks serves up a big ol' heaping pile. Food: 8.8/10 Service: 10/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 read more
This place is everything Texas BBQ should be! It's a big setup, complete with a shed full of horizontal offset smokers with the pit masters at work. The outside eating area is special with enough picnic tables surrounding the restaurant building to seat a couple of hundred people. It gets packed around mealtimes, and remains busy in between. It's that good. You enter the building and the line wraps around all their merch on display--shirts, hats, etc. They have the best merch of any Austin BBQ. Your first stop is the sides. Grab a tray and pick what you like, then head over to the meat carving stations. If you came in a group or can take some home, get the beef rib and share it. The brisket and the beef ribs are the best things here. They melt in your mouth in an explosion of salt, pepper, flavorful fat, meat and smoke. You'll be glad you got some Cole Slaw or pickles to cut through the fat and balance out the flavors. The pork ribs and the sausages are all great. Just make sure to get some BBQ sauce for those as they were made to go together. The ambiance in this place is energetic and efficient. The staff is constantly looking for ways to get you served efficiently. They're very friendly and knowledgeable too, so ask away. read more
5 months ago
Terry Black's is a freakin institution. As soon as you step foot inside, it's organized chaos. There are tons of tables so I wouldn't fret about finding a table before ordering. There's a small parking lot that is always packed but it's easy enough to find parking nearby. The beginning of the line starts you off in the deli section but don't make the same mistake I did and get too much because the star of the show is obviously the BBQ. The brisket was superb - it was so tender! read more
1 month ago
Jonathan aka "JR" was a great host! The beef ribs, potato salad and mac and chesses were our favorite. The peach cobbler was also delicious. read more
If you come to Austin and don't go to Terry Black's... did you even go to Austin? This place is a holy temple of meat and I am now a loyal, sauced-up disciple. Let's start with the BRISKET. I'm talking melt-in-your-mouth, smoky, juicy perfection. It didn't just fall apart--it ascended. The bark had that perfect peppery crunch and the fat was rendered like it was cooked by angels. Honestly, if brisket could give hugs, this one would. Ribs? Fall-off-the-bone masterpieces. Sausage? Snappy, flavorful, zero regrets. Turkey? Shockingly elite. (No dry meat in sight. These people know what they're doing.) SIDES DESERVE A STANDING OVATION. The mac and cheese was creamy heaven. The cream corn? Sweet, smoky sorcery. And don't even get me started on the banana pudding--if happiness had a flavor, that was it. The Vibes: Casual, bustling, picnic-table BBQ heaven. You can smell the smoke from the parking lot (in the best way). The line can look intimidating... but it moves FAST and is 100% worth the wait. Service: Friendly, efficient, and they cut that brisket like surgeons. They WANT you to leave happy and full--and trust me, you will. Pro tip: Come hungry or bring stretchy pants. Or both. Terry Black's isn't just BBQ--it's a full blown Texas experience. I would happily wait in line again tomorrow. And the next day. And probably name my firstborn Brisket Black. 10/10. Legendary. read more
Was recommended by a friend. Unsure how I feel cause the meats were tender but flavor was too sweet for my tastebuds. The bbq sauce was also tasting like something you glaze meats with. Pure sweetness. Price is pretty high as well. Brisket 5/5 This was pretty tender and juicy. You don't taste the sweetness in this much. It's a good balance of flavors. Ribs 4/5 It was a good texture but the sweetness was just too strong for me. Spicy Sausage 3/5 Some pricey sausage but it was just okay. Like a dry sausage. It reminds me of like a softer jerky but not juicy and flavor was mild. It was the spicy one but it was pretty light and not spicy. Mac and cheese 3/5 Jumbo noodles but it tasted very sticky. Almost as if the noodles was overcooked cause it def wasn't cheesiness that was making that noodle stick to the top of your mouth. Wish I tasted more cheesey flavor and a bit more salt. Mexican rice 3/5 My husband said it reminds him of box rice. I just thought it was light in flavor and seasoning. read more
5 months ago
This place always has a long line for a reason. I recommend coming early on a weekday so you're not waiting too long. I tried the brisket, jalapeño cheese sausage, and pork ribs. All the meat was delicious, and my favorite was the brisket. I also tried a few sides, and none of them really stood out to me. They clearly put the majority of their effort into the meat. It is pretty loud inside the restaurant, so be prepared for a noisy atmosphere. read more
5 months ago
What an absolute tourist trap this place is. I got a beef rib bone and two sides for $70!!!! Others in my party were also ripped off with the prices here. The bbq is extremely greasy and nowhere near the best in Austin. I have had Black's at other locations for a much cheaper price and alot better quality. My friends were extremely disappointed but given that this location is so close to Barton Springs its an obvious tourist trap and I should have known better. read more
Worth the wait! Walked 1.5 miles to get here, waited in line for 40 minutes on a Wednesday night, but well with the taste of that bone in beef rib! Wow that was good! The beef brisket was a tad bit dry but was easily fixed with their bbq sauce! Had to squeeze in by standing at a table at first outside but eventually the lady sitting next to me gave me her seat when she left. Ambiance was busy, packed, very Texan. read more
2 months ago
First of all, everyone you have here is the best- kind, helpful, and just overall great! We came here after three other bbq places (Franklins, Stubb's, and Carmen's). A lot of people recommended this place and you should try it- awesome! read more
It was definitely very overstimulating trying to order everything as nothing was explained at first. It was very much an ifkyk sort of thing. However this is the definitely the place where you'd share your meal with another person because not a single person in my 10 party group finished their tray of food The meat was tender. I will say I wish there was a bit more seasoning for flavor. The bbq options weren't super memorable either. However the sides are were delicious and that banana pudding was godly read more
More info about Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Bouldin Creek, 78704 (South Austin)
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(512) 394-5899
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https://www.terryblacksbbq.com
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Ask the Community - Terry Black's Barbecue
Are their onions in the potato salad?
I've had their Potato Salad, but don't recall if there were onions. It was delicious.
Is the food here safe for someone with a Soy allergy?
Sorry , I don't know . Call them (512) 394-5899
If I order online for pick up, Do I need to fall in the regular long line like anybody else or do they have a separate line for pick up?
No, there is a separate line for pre order pickups.
Do you get your beef from creekstone?
You want it from Creekstone? They get it from CK. They get it so damn good from CK. Don't doubt.
Is it a dine in restaurant? If so can you handle a party of 8 on Wednesday evening? Thanks.
It is a dine in. Plenty of seating for groups of 8.
Anyone eat here on a Friday night around 5pm? Are there still food options around that time? How long is the wait time?
Lisa, I ate there on Friday around 4:00 pm with almost no wait time. Full selection of food options. Nothing sold out. Not sure if you're able to go a bit earlier then 5:00 pm. Beat the rush... Enjoy!
Hi, how long is the wait for Saturday afternoon now?
I would expect to wait at anytime but the line always moves quickly. Finding a seat to eat may be difficult depending on your group size.
What time should we get in line in the morning if we want to be amongst the first people in line?
When we visited, we waited in the parking lot just under an hour, but an actual line didn't start to form until about 15 minutes before!
After I wait in line, order and get my food, is it easy to find a seat? Are there lots of seats, inside or outside?
It is so easy to find a spot! People eat and move very fast, they don't stay too long
What's the wait time like on a Monday? Trying to gauge what time we should line up for lunch.
Roughly 20-30 minutes, it gets packed early. The lone moves pretty quick though and well worth the wait!
Do they take reservations?
No, you stand in line to order your food and then sit down. There is no wait staff. Line moves pretty fast and the food is worth your time
Are dogs allowed inside whiling eating and ordering?
Not inside but they can sit on the patio. I keep my dog in the car with the AC on and when I have my food and table then I bring him out of the car if I'm by myself
We have a layover between flights and would be in Austin between 2pm-6pm on a Friday. How long usually is the wait during during these times? Is it possible to come here, eat then get back to the airport?
by the time you get out of the airport, deal with Austin traffic to get over there, maybe wait 15 to 30 minutes in line, eat, get back to the airport, deal with TSA, be at the boarding area, sounds like more aggravation and stress than I would want.… Read more
As of late, what has the wait time been?
Sometimes zero, sometimes 20 minutes depending on the crowd. Could be longer. If you go in middle of afternoon on a week day it's not that busy. Weekends can be longer as people with guests come by and line can be out the door. Nothing like… Read more
What is in the Black Margarita? And can I buy the margarita mix somewhere?
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Terry Black's Barbecue - bbq - Updated July 2026
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