I don't normally leave reviews, however, if you are looking for backyard BBQ, this is the place…read more Ribs- taste seasoned perfectly and tender,Brisket- moist and juicy, Sausage - great taste. I had all with no sauce. Staff was Great!!!

(4.25 stars) A…read morelong-running Texas barbecue joint known (for better or for worse) as being George W. Bush's favorite, Cooper's largely lived up to its reputation. The restaurant has a classic look (wood, brick, and ducts), and the menu - meats priced by the pound on a chalkboard - adds to the retro appeal. Those meats are cut to order by a pitmaster. After making your selection, you proceed down a cafeteria-style line and pick your sides. Sauce, pickles, and Wonder Bread are free. We opted for some brisket, a jalapeno sausage link, potato salad, and creamed corn. The brisket was tender and flavorful if a bit fatty while the sausage boasted a firm bite and a winning combination of spicy and cheesy. Unexpectedly, the creamed corn ended up being a highlight. If that's a side you usually avoid, Cooper's version may end up converting you. That said, the potato salad was nothing special and the sauce was very tomato-and-vinegar-forward. As to be expected given Cooper's location and reputation, prices are also quite high (as in almost $40 a pound for brisket). That's not outrageous for a "name" BBQ place in Austin though if I had to pay that after waiting in a long line, I might walk away disappointed. Cooper's is not the best Texas BBQ you're likely to find, but it's a pretty damn solid representation thereof.

Food: Absolutely DELICIOUS! We went for brunch and couldn't stop raving. The grits have to be…read morethe best I've had. The green chili macaroni's and cheese- YUM!! Everything I tasted was soooo good. Beef medallions were amazing. Desserts were impressive too. Ambiance: there were a lot of people but you could still carry a conversation without raising your voice. We had a 15 minute wait but we came without reservations at 10:30an Waitstaff is super friendly and host was great

We had a group here for dinner and were excited to try it, due to reviews. The ambience is lively,…read moreloud, and buzzy. Looked super fun. Service was good, no issues there. Friendly staff overall. The food fell flat for almost all of us. The salads were fresh and good. However, the ribs were below average. Cornbread was stale and not tasty. Biscuits tasted more like firm bread and not at all flaky/soft. That seemed weird to all of us. Chicken fried steak was soggy and not crispy. Drinks were ok. Not quite sure why the food was subpar, but there were 10 of us who all agreed we wouldn't return for food. There is a swanky little cozy speakeasy in the basement that may be good? We didn't try that.

Review: Fierce Flavors at Austin's Top 100 BBQ Tucked into a…read morequintessential 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.

After my tastebuds were disrespected last week, I decided to reward them with a proper lite…read moreafternoon snack at Rollin Smoke BBQ, located in the Chalmers Bar, and they did not disappoint. I wanted to order Moist Beef Brisket and Pork Spareribs but the Ribs were not going to be ready for another 30 minutes. The Prime Pork Belly Burnt Ends were suggested as an alternative and my side was the smoke tomato and okra. The Moist Beef Brisket was exceptionally juicy and flavorful with a bark that had my attention. The Prime Pork Belly Burnt Ends were definitely an excellent choice. They were slow-smoked and then tossed in Fierce Whiskers Bourbon Sauce .and smoked again to create a very nice glaze and it was not overly sweet. I ordered the smoked Okra and Tomatoes that more than satisfied my veggie requirement. I am definitely returning to Rollin Smoke for a lite afternoon snack consisting of Pork Spareribs, Beef Brisket, Pork Belly Burnt Ends and the Smoked Mac and Cheese which I am told is beyond measure.

Coworkers and I headed to Lambert's for lunch during a conference week after it was recommended to…read moreus by hotel staff where we were staying. We were looking for a non-touristy bbq place in downtown Austin after a disappointing first meal somewhere else the day before. Lambert's did NOT disappoint. Their bourbon and whisky list alone is worth the visit - everything from American bourbons to rare/unusual Japanese and Agave offerings. The food was incredible, so was the staff! Their house-made hot sauces were so good. I think we nearly finished the small bottle of the original.

We had a great time here!!!! Staff is great…read more Neat 2 story building with bar, music, and food upstairs. Restaurant downstairs. Really great food - queso n chips = wow Skirt / flank steak with chimichurri butter sauce = da best 3 meat sampler = oooofa Smoked ribs = CHA CHING!!!! Super duper good. Drinks n beer / I'm staying. Keep up da great work lamberts!!!! I'll b back

Good food, great vibe, big price. I wish this wasn't so much of a tourist trap but it is. The price…read moredoesn't match the food unfortunately. But the experience makes it worth it in most cases.

I had a lot of great BBQ while in Austin. Unfortunately, this wasn't included among it. Stubb's was…read morea name I recognized because I actually like their BBQ sauce a lot, and buy it at home to adorn all sorts of meats I make myself. This spot was close to my hotel, and on my departure day, I decided to have one last hit of Q. It's a big restaurant, and it appears to also be quite the music venue. When I went, a little on the early side for a Friday dinner, there was not a wait and I was sat immediately. My server was attentive, and got me in, fed, and back out in plenty of time to catch my already delayed flight. I ordered their 3 meat combo plate, which also came with two sides, and added on a piece of cornbread. I chose brisket of course, as well as turkey and sausage. The server recommended the serrano pepper spinach (like a creamed spinach) and onion rings, and I took those recs. The best of the three meats was the turkey. Not a good sign. It was moist and tender, though not particularly smokey. Even so, I enjoyed it more than the brisket and sausage, which I would have guessed the reverse when ordering. The brisket was on the dry side and kind of bland, it did not smack of being freshly carved. The Stubbs BBQ sauce helped me eat some of it... now I see why they are famous for their sauce. I had a couple bites of the sausage and pushed it aside, I didn't enjoy their recipe on that at all. It was cooked seemingly well, but the blend of spices and meat they use wasn't pleasant to me. The sides, the onion rings were very crispy which I like, but again... something in the batter. Maybe even the oil they were cooked in, I did not enjoy as much. The spinach was actually quite enjoyable, maybe even a little rich. I think if it were warmer, if might help milden out some of that. It was really thick. The cornbread wasn't worth the add-on. No sweetness or anything to make it memorable. Vessel for butter. The portion was massive, and I had leftover food, but did not take it... and that would have been the case even if I wasn't headed to the airport. I wouldn't recommend this spot.

I came here for the beef ribs and they did not disappoint. Are they expensive? Most definitely, 2…read moreribs cost $54 (they weigh them so prices can vary). Were they 100% worth it? ABSOLUTELY. When I tell you these ribs were a religious experience I am not embellishing. Full disclosure: I do not currently live in the south so I don't consider myself a BBQ connoisseur, but I did spend 4 years in the south and have sampled many BBQ joints in the meantime. Take this review as someone who really enjoys BBQ (and any slow cooked meat for that matter) but who could not list more than 10 BBQ restaurants they have eaten at in the last 5 years. So the beef ribs. Great texture, tender meat but still had a bite to it. Expertly seasoned so they were not wet with sauce but still moist. I would consider 1 beef rib a snack, 2 a small meal. I also tried the chopped brisket (brisket and burnt ends sitting in a soup of BBQ sauce). That was also delicious (and more reasonably priced), but I could have done with slightly less sauce. It really was like a soup and while the sauce was tasty, there was too much of it. I went later in the afternoon (around 2/2:30pm) and got their last two beef ribs so going earlier is better. You order at the open kitchen and then pay at the counter when your food is ready. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, you can take your food and sit at any of their tables of which they have many (this place is pretty big). I cannot comment on how this place stacks up to other BBQ spots in Austin, but I very much enjoyed the beef ribs.

I really wanted to like this we wanted to try TX bbq and we could walk here from our hotel in…read moreAustin. This place has the country vibes, old school store front with bottled cokes in old ice coolers, walk up order, get food handed to you then head to the register to pay. Prices were high for bbq, side options were Mac n cheese, beans, coleslaw, potato salad. Etc. Our group had pork ribs (2) with sides of beans, potato salad, coleslaw & mac n cheese, and a pulled pork sandwich served with pickle and raw onion on the side. Plates came with a slice of white bread. Unfortunately the food was okay but not amazing for what we paid, We will be searching for a good quality bbq still!!!

Gus's was fantastic. We came on a Saturday at 6pm and had no issues with seating. We ordered the…read moretwo piece dark chicken and the special that comes with four pieces. We both subbed beans for mac and cheese. My friend appeared the most jolly I'd ever seen him and thoroughly enjoyed the chicken. I really liked the mac and cheese, and I liked the chicken as well. The coleslaw was decent, and I often don't like coleslaw. The skin was tough and too much for me, but the food itself was great. The two piece was substantial for me, and the four piece seemed to be a little too much even for a big boy. The restroom floors were suspiciously very wet. I feel like they could provide some moist towelettes because the chicken was very greasy, and we had to just pour water on the napkins. Downtown street parking was a struggle, but I found 2/3 of a spot close by that I decided could count as a spot.

I heard a lot about Gus's and finally got to try it this weekend…read more I ordered the 2 Piece Dark Plate and substituted the beans and coleslaw for seasoned fries and mac & cheese. There was a small hiccup with the sides, but the staff was quick to fix it. The sides were good, and the chicken was juicy, flavorful, and didn't need any extra seasoning at all. I just wish the chicken pieces had been a little bigger! Overall, I had a good dining experience. The restaurant was clean and cozy, the service was great, and the chicken was delicious!

If you are wanting to try this place, be prepared to wait an hour at the minimum. But the wait for…read morearguably the best BBQ in the country is well worth it. The staff is very friendly, taking inventory of food to ensure that everyone is fed. The pork was super tender, fell off the bone, and the best part of the meal. The Brisket was one of the best I've ever tasted. The jalapeño cheddar sausage had a great pop to it when cutting into it. All 3 parts of the meal are a must order and I'd go back in a heartbeat to get it again. If you're in ATX and looking to try some world class BBQ, this should be near the top of your list, or at the top. Worth the 1+hr wait.

Whether a place is worth waiting in line is personal. For me, a 2-3 hour wait for Texas BBQ is…read moreworth it. Franklins is a place I would easily wait again in line. Why? Brisket- best in the country. Not sure how anyone is better than this place Turkey- incredible and almost the star of the show- see Brisket Sausage- great! Sides - decent but secondary since the meat is the star of the show. Desert- the individual pies are a must! Overall, love this spot and lives up to the hype. When in Austin, go here!