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Look, I love barbecue as much as the next Texan. But sometimes a girl needs more than brisket! Luckily, Austin is home to some of the most creative and delicious barbecue restaurants in the world. Here are my picks for smoked meats that go beyond basic.
Stiles Switch
The deep cuts at this longtime Brentwood favorite are always worth a try. I love their wings, preferably tossed in Alabama white sauce, and the pork belly burnt ends. And check the daily specials! The prime rib is the best in town, and they’re always coming up with new sandwiches.
Mum Foods
This combination barbecue joint and delicatessen in Austin is all about the sandwiches. Here you can get some of the best pastrami and corned beef in Texas sliced between two pieces of housemade brioche. The smoked chicken salad sandwich is not messing around, either.
Southside Market & BBQ
First they stuff a jalapeño full of cheddar. Then they stuff a sausage with that jalapeño. Then they wrap the whole thing in bacon. And then they smoke it. It’s the sausage slammer, and it’s what’s for lunch.
Slab BBQ & Beer
I love Slab’s over-the-top, towering sandwiches, which stuff barbecue into classics like a Cuban sandwich or their “McDowell” rib sandwich. Can’t decide? They offer a Slab Slider Trio, which comes with mini-versions of their pork, chicken, and brisket sandwiches.
Oakwood BBQ
Another great sandwich spot, Oakwood veers off the traditional barbecue trail with a fried honey buffalo chicken sandwich and a brisket melt (I’m a sucker for a patty melt, and a double sucker for a brisket melt).
Hoover’s Cooking
Hoover’s offers both barbecue and soul food options. I urge you to consider the excellent smoked jerk chicken when ordering. Start with a “Texas Charcuterie Plate” of sausage, cheddar cheese, crackers, and barbecue sauce. Then, wrap things up with a slice of sweet potato praline cheesecake.
KG BBQ
KG BBQ serves traditional Texas barbecue with Egyptian flavors, and this little food truck is offering some absolute bangers. I love the Egyptian Cowboy, a bowl of mac and cheese topped with pulled lamb shoulder, sumac pickled red onions, and pomegranate molasses barbecue sauce. Save room for a cardamom pistachio rice pudding for dessert!
Briscuits
Texans are accustomed to eating barbecue in the day, but Briscuits takes it all the way to breakfast with their biscuit sandwiches (biscuit + brisket = Briscuits, get it?). The blueberry sausage biscuit is a favorite of mine, or try the brisket egg and cheese. And don’t skip the hashbrowns!
The Peached Tortilla
Even restaurants that don’t specialize in barbecue get in on the fun in Austin. This Asian fusion spot offers a few smoked meats on their menu, but I’m ordering the brisket tacos, topped with a creamy apple slaw and a peach barbecue sauce.
Black’s Barbecue
Even an old school classic like Black’s can go off script occasionally. Candied brisket ice cream, anyone? I also love the pecan cobbler at this Austin barbecue joint.
