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Franklin Barbecue
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
900 E 11th StAustin, TX 78702
Neighborhood: East Austin
(512) 653-1187
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 11 am - 1 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
506 reviews for Franklin Barbecue
Review Highlights
"The brisket is delicious beyond words."
(in 383 reviews)
"But, I will assure you, it is well worth the wait."
(in 44 reviews)
"But you've got to get there early if you want in on it."
(in 44 reviews)
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506 reviews in English
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Review from Chris J.
Austin, TX
2/5/2012
BBQ thats real good.
Soul food wed. gets u greens and sweet potatos with your meal.
City council members and other big shots eat here .
I stop here when I'm in the area.
I dont stop at Stubbs because I dont like crappy BBQ! -
Review from Keith E.
Kyle, TX
Updated - 2/6/2012
Franklin is the bizarro "Soup Nazi". He denies you his barbecue with such a pleasant demeanor that it almost makes you forget that you can't get what you want.
Lines were ridiculous over a year ago, but they're astronomically ridiculous now. Unfortunately, I don't have a job where I can wait 2+ hours in line for lunch. I know, I know... somebody call a waaaambulance! I read reviews of people being okay with the wait times and even the fact that this place runs out of food early. Enablers, the lot of you!
I drove by last Thursday at 10:20 a.m., fully prepared to wait one hour to get lunch to-go. That's right, I drove right on by as the scene looked like a Black Friday crowd camping at Kohl's because the first 100 customers get a free bath towel.
The food here gets 5 stars. The inability or unwillingness to adapt to a growing customer base brings this rating to 2 stars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/17/2010
First time I've been here and it lived up to the hype. I arrived at about 11:15am today and the… Read more »
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Review from Don P.
Austin, TX
Updated - 1/31/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I'm updating my review based on my visit 10 days ago. We got in line at 10:20 on a Saturday and were served at 12:50... we waited for just a touch over 2.5 hours.
And it was worth it. The brisket and pork ribs were awesome... and I love the espresso bbq sauce. I've never had this dilemma before: "The brisket is SO good without sauce... but it's SO good with sauce"
Awesome. Nice work Aaron.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/12/2010
I expected more of Elsie and Wilber's ultimate sacrifice.
The first time I tried Franklin, they were… Read more »
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Review from Jamie b.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
Ok, here is the skinny on Franklin Barbecue.
First off the lines. Yes the lines are epic but at least one of the partners comes through offering drinks for sale. The people in front of us were obviously veterans because they had brought a cooler of beer to pass the time.
Question is why are the lines so long?
Because only Franklin(?) is allowed to cut and serve the Q. So even though there are others working there its essentially one person serving the legions of people. This creates an artificial length to the line akin to the line out in front of a club on a Friday night but when you get inside only to see it's empty. He is really nice guy and he wants to talk to every customer to create a tailored Q experience for them but the downside is it makes that wait even longer.
Second. The food.
What we did not like.
Sausage. The sausage reminded us of Baloney stuffed inside a sausage casing. Probably not something to order and certainly not anything worth recommending. Thumbs down
Brisket. On this outing they were out of fatty brisket. Unfortunately, the remaining lean brisket was very dry and flavorless. Based on what was posted on the wall I am guessing they are cooking the brisket at a hotter temperature than ideal to finish it in a shorter time. Thumbs down
Brisket/Sausage/Cole Slaw Sandwich. The cole slaw was delicious both on this sandwich and as a side. The sausage was a loss but the chopped up brisket was better than the whole slices received separately. Thumbs down
Beef Rib. The day we were there was there first day selling beef ribs and although neither of us like beef ribs these were delicious. Thumbs up
Sauces. We felt the sauces were very primary in flavor and missing the layers of flavor we like to see in great Q sauces. There were three kinds, they were all about equal in score.
On the plus side the prices were mostly great particularly considering that they use humanely raised beef.
Be ware that they sell out of food fast. They are listed as being open until 6PM but they typically run out by 2PM so arrive early if you really want to eat here and be sure to bring a cooler of beer to make a day of it. -
Review from Logan W.
San Antonio, TX
2/8/2012
It's official: Texas Monthly has lost all credibility when it comes to reviewing barbecue.
The latest hype, pitting (pun intended) Franklin vs John Mueller in a Texas smoke match in a swirl of hyperbole that merits a tornado warning is one one of the most egregiously misleading articles I've ever read when it comes to Q.
I waited and hour and a half to be served at Franklin Barbecue last Thursday, and I was thinking: If this many people are waiting this lng on a weekday, there must be something to it.
Alas, no.
Franklin Barbecue is a cool place with a great vibe, and Franklin himself is a very engaging impressario of a pitmaster. He doesn't hurry you through, chats you up a little and he's loaded with the personality that a chef who forms a bond with his customers. He's a real guy. You're in a relationship here, that goes beyond the food.
That said, the food does not rate in the pantheon of Texas Barbecue Greats. It just doesn't. There is little flavor to anything on the menu but the brisket, the ribs and pulled pork were so woefully over moist that they might well have been oatmeal, and the sides (if you care about sides, I tried the potato salad and the coleslaw) are virtual flavor free zones.
Here's what I think is at the root of Austin's mass hysteria over Franklin: Austin is so desperate to have a barbecue joint that can run with the likes of Smitty's and the City Market and Snow's, that there's a lemming like stampede to be early adopters of anything that "might" make it.
For my money, at least on the day I was there, Franklin may have tried to run with the big dogs, but finished as an also ran.
On a positive note, the sauces are each well crafted, deeply nuanced and satisfyingly flavorful.
Now barbecue is an "any given Sunday" kind of thing. Even the best of pitmasters miss the mark from time to time Unerring consistency is a noble goal, rarely if ever achieved. So, I will try Franklin again, and again after that to see if what I tasted (or didn't taste) was just an off day.
In the meantime, however, my advice: Get the bread, put sauce on it, and enjoy. Or drive to Lockhart, Lexington, Luling or Elgin for the real deal. -
Review from Aaron B.
Austin, TX
1/30/2012
It doesn't seem possible that this place could live up to the hype. I have been hearing about how amazing it is from co-workers, friends, out of town visitors, local newspapers and national culinary magazines for months. Unbelievably, amazingly, despite all the build up and breathless praise, this place exceeded my expectations. Blew me away completely.
Had to wait 2 hours in line and it was completely worth it. Would do it again, no question whatsoever. We are honored to have an artist like this working in our town and letting us enjoy his masterpiece. Bravo. -
Review from Kat C.
Austin, TX
1/15/2012
To me, this place was alright. Did it taste good? Sure. Worth the wait? No.
I love BBQ. Like, I LOVE BBQ. My dream job is to be a BBQ judge. You get the idea. Coming to Franklin was a little like jumping on any trendy bandwagon like Twilight or Harry Potter. People are there taking pictures. Everyone is talking about how amazing it is. There are articles stating how it is the best BBQ ever. Reviews stating that eating at Franklin is a religious experience, a must. I was skeptical as is my way, but I was definitely expecting something really good. Maybe not the best EVER, but really really good.
Now, they were already sold out of turkey and pulled pork by the time they got to us, but we did get brisket, sausage, and ribs. The first thing I tried was the brisket. Moist, falling apart, kind of like meaty butter. But....where is the smokey flavor? Where is the delicious blackened BBQ spice flavor? Maybe I didn't get enough of the blackened edge. I take another bite. No, definitely good beef, but no BBQ flavor. Reminds me of really good pot roast. If you like pot roast flavored brisket, you'll love it. For me, I want my brisket to have that amazing smokey, blackened spice flavor. It just wasn't there, sadly.
Next, I tried the sausage. I liked it. It is spiced well and the casing is perfectly crisp, but not tough. Again, not smokey, but I enjoyed it.
Finally, my ribs. Ribs are my favorite and I was again met with a lacking flavor. Also, only half of the ribs were falling apart tender. The rest were tough, dry, and stringy. Sigh.
Sauces...the espresso sauce just isn't my thing. The other two were too runny for my taste. I like a thick, peppery red sauce if I use any sauce at all.
The sides were meh. I've had WAY better potato salad (I can MAKE better potato salad easy). Beans were alright. Don't like slaw so who knows.
What I did like was the pecan pie. Super amazing delicious pie. Made by Cake and Spoon....but still sooo good.
So, there you go. Take it or leave it. Also, keep in mind that as it is cedar season I am having cedar fever. But, still, I should be able to taste BBQ flavor....I think. -
Review from Monica M.
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Q: Is the wait worth it?
A: Yes. If the wait is like, 45 mins to an hour. Any more than that? No. Come back another day. Preferably a non holiday Tues, Weds or Thurs for lunch. :)
I had the good fortune to go to Franklin St. on a day off - it was a Tuesday. We got there at 11:10 or so, and waited 1:15. It apparently happened to be the first day it was open since their holiday hiatus, which is why it was so slow for a Tuesday.
It *ALMOST* was not worth the low blood sugar crash. It tastes so damned good, though, that as soon as my lips hit those ribs, all was forgiven.
If there was anything good about waiting so long for BBQ, it was that it gave the hubs and I ample time to decide what we actually wanted. Turkey? Brisket? Ribs? We ended up with 2 orders of lean brisket, 1 of sausage and 1 of ribs. Good thing, too - the brisket and ribs were AMAZEBALLS. Both of us usually shy away from the briskets and ribs since they're typically so fatty - but this was genuinely good. The brisket was lean with the perfect amount of fat to peel off, and the ribs? They fell apart. It was a beautiful thing.
The sausage was a little too greasy. Meh. I'll try the turkey next time.
I had a mini facebook discussion with a friend about it afterwards - he said he'd rather go to Rudy's since it was fast just as good. Fast, yes.. but just as good? Not by a long shot.
Alan F is right when he says the beans are unremarkable - skip it. The coleslaw was good, and I'm glad the hubs ordered it. The potato salad is also a good bet. -
Review from Nghiem D.
Dallas, TX
1/8/2012
My friends and I arrived here at around 10:30 AM on a Saturday morning...terrible timing IMO. The line was already about 30-40 deep which wasn't bad, but I wish I had gotten there at 10 AM which was the original plan. It's okay though. We probably didn't eat til about 12ish? But it was DEFINITELY worth the wait.
The owner was very thorough on how we should order (by plates or by pound), he portioned everything for all of us, and he was genuinely just a nice guy. He even cut us some turkey to try and it was DELICIOUS. Turkey is sometimes dry at other barbecue joints, but here it was moist and seasoned very well. The brisket was amazingly moist, delicious, and flavorful. I was pretty much in heaven when I had the first bite of brisket. The sausage was probably one of the better sausages I had. My friend said the sausage was his favorite since he was pleasantly surprised. The sausage had this somewhat nice and smooth and very seasoned spiced to it. It was delicious! And the ribs were good. At first bite, I felt like the ribs were okay but once I start eating the rest of it, it definitely got better.
The three bbq sauces they had out were fun to try. One was more smoky and robust, the other was more vinegar-y, and the last one was like any tangy bbq sauce. The latter two were my favorites.
Do I wish the wait was faster? OF COURSE. Would I come here and wait for almost 2 hours? Anytime. I'm definitely gonna have to try the pulled pork & tipsy texan next time! -
Review from Ian A.
1/8/2012
Much like The Salt Lick, eating at Franklin is an EXPERIENCE. You're not just there for BBQ, you're there to go on a mini-adventure - either by spending 40 minutes driving to Spicewood or spending an hour waiting in line at Franklin.
I've only been once, but we did it right. We arrived at 10am on a Tuesday, secured a spot about 15 deep in line, and had a friend bring us coffee. By 11:15 we were drinking beer and eating some GD good BBQ.
Now, the brisket - it's good, it's great. But my love? Turkey. That spicy dark rind on the outside is my weakness. And the sauces are varied and delicious.
Carve some time out for this. -
Review from Vince M.
Austin, TX
1/12/2012
The hype is real. This was the best BBQ I've ever had.
It was a religious experience. Each bite I had to stop and ponder my existence.
I usually don't get ribs at BBQ places but Franklin's ribs are other-worldly.
The chopped beef was stupid delicious.
ABOUT THE WAIT: Franklin is doing his thing and I think that is fantastic...if you don't like it go to Rudy's; more for me! -
Review from Michelle J.
Houston, TX
Updated - 1/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Having mixed feelings following my first encounter with Franklin BBQ at their former trailer location, I took my family here on our latest Austin trip for a chance to re-evaluate the food. We got there a little before 9:45am on a Thursday morning, and there were already ~7 parties ahead of us. Somewhere between 10:30-10:40 they cut off the line. Although once 11 o'clock strikes the line will still move slowly as people order at the counter, rest assured that when it is your party's turn, you'll receive great service. Owner, Aaron Franklin, is the man actually working behind the cutting board, and you can tell BBQ is his passion.
Now onto the food!! I still stand by what I said last time that their BRISKET is THE BEST EVAR! Seriously, I got the fatty cuts which were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and my parents got the lean cuts which were equally delicious but less heart-attack inducing. Tried the sausage again...it was better constructed than last time but still nothing special. This was my first time to try the RIBS which were also AMAZING. The special seasoning on top is a bit salty, but it blends really well with the fall-off-the-bone meat. Although the trio of BBQ sauces still did not impress me, I've decided that is A-OK because I barely used them anyways. The flavor of the brisket and ribs are great standing alone!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/2/2011
I heard all the hype about this place and how there's always a long line on weekends, so my… Read more »
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Review from Jeff B.
Austin, TX
1/8/2012
I know barbecue. I grew up in Taylor dining in legendary places like Louie Mueller, and the Taylor Cafe. The barbecue and sides at Franklin are VERY good, however the wait sucks. I've got better ways to spend my time than inching forward at a glacial pace for food that may or may not be available for my consumption..
I was lucky enough to score recently when I caught a lull and they still had a bit of stellar brisket, delicious pulled pork and meh sausage, which was just OK and had very tough skin.
I know the line is part of the mystique, but until they figure out a way to cook enough food and a system to keep the line moving, I'll take random shots, but, I'll move on if the line looks too long. This is food, not Disney World. Maybe John Mueller, Stiles Switch, and Live Oak will help speed things up. -
Review from Jerald M.
Austin, TX
1/19/2012
I have traveled all over the state of Texas, sampling BBQ, some good, some not so good. Franklin's is the Nirvana of BBQ!! The brisket is so tasty, moist, tender that no sauce is warranted. The ribs are "fall off of the bone tender".
Aaron is truly a master of the smoker. Far and away the best meats ever. I would not wait for a meal with the president as long as I would wait for Franklin's BBQ. A religious experience for carnivores!! -
Review from Marvin C.
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
THE LINE: Pretty ridiculous. The place opens at 11am. We arrived at 10:30am to find a line of already 40 people and got our food at 1:30pm.
1 POUND OF BRISKET: Freaking awesome.
PULLED PORK SANDWICH: Beast of a sandwich.
The staff is awesome as well as the food. They totally compensate for the crazy wait for this place. -
Review from Soohyun K.
San Diego, CA
1/7/2012
Oh god I need me some Franklin BBQ.
Their ribs and brisket are so freaking good.
Unfortunately, I moved out of Austin so I don't get to go to this place. -
Review from Patrick F.
NATRONA HTS, PA
2/1/2012
Well worth the wait, AMAZING Texas barbecue. The brisket is so moist and the espresso BBQ sauce is to die for. FRANKLINS FOR LIFE
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Review from Amanda K.
Austin, TX
1/15/2012
To anyone who criticizes the simplicity of the flavors at this BBQ joint: that's the beauty of it! Everything is full of direct, clean smoke-and-peppery goodness, and absolutely reproducable at home--for the low, low price of building/acquiring a proper smoker and painstakingly maintaining temperature control for 12-18 hours. Makes the wait seem pretty reasonable in comparison, right?
No secrets. No frills. Just perfect, honest Texas barecue paired with the best service I've had at a reasonably-priced venue in ages. I've visited them at least 15 times in their trailer and new building, and the owners have been there personally serving and connecting with patrons each time. Now, they're even going as far as to get order plans from the line in advance so everyone knows when they've passed the point of likely receiving their preferred meat. AND they've gotten really great at cracking down on parkers--you know, those morons who try to save a table before their party is served even though they see folks with full trays with nowhere to sit. This has been a personal pet peeve of mine, and the last time I visited, they were ON IT, clearing a table of foodless squatters for us before we had even noticed the situation.
And then there's the pie! As if the best BBQ wasn't enough, they serve Cake and Spoon's divine creations. They alone are worth the wait.
So go, already! Just get there early, plan to wait forever, and don't bring anyone with you who can't do both of those with a big smile. -
Review from Linh H.
Sherman Oaks, CA
1/5/2012
This place is amazing...Thanks Yelpers!!! This is the highest rated place in Yelp for Austin BBQ. We decided to try it to see what the hype was.
Franklin BBQ has an interesting concept. They are open 11am until they are sold out. The first day we got to Franklin BBQ at 11:30am, it was sold out! Second attempt we got there at 10am, we made it! They ended up selling out at 11:00am.
Was it worth the wait??? Yes! If you do visit Austin, you should at least try it once. I think the atmosphere of waiting and getting hungry for the BBQ is a fun experience. We actually didn't end up eating until 12:30pm.
The brisket and sandwiches are great!!! You definitely should try a pulled pork sandwich and fatty brisket. Forget the lean!!!
Not only is the food great, the owner is super nice. -
Review from B N.
Austin, TX
1/17/2012
First off, the food here and the great service from the crew at the counter is straight up 5 stars. I've been a die hard since the trailer days and have been so in love with the brisket that I've stood in line for countless hours to get my fix.
So, why only 3 stars? Well, it's the line. And not the length of the line ... that's fine and I've learned to live with it. It's a part of the experience and kind of enjoyable (though less so in July).
My problem is with the way the line is maintained/managed (i.e., it's not). What happens these days is that you might line up at the end of a reasonably long line at, say, 10:20. Then, over the next 30+ minutes you will see 50-60 descend on the place and ... what the hell ... you're STILL at the end of the line! That's because half the people in line are holding spots for their friends and now you're 50 people back from where you started. It's ridiculous.
While holding a spot for a loved one might be acceptable on occasion, it seems to be the rule at Franklin nowadays. I actually had folks in front of me this weekend who called their friends to let them know that they were near the door and then had 6 more people get in front of me before I got in the building. And, of course, the pulled pork I got on the list for early on was long sold out by the time I got to the counter.
It should also be noted that it's this same class of people who will dispatch several members of their party to grab tables before they even make it to the counter, which means folks who just ordered their food can't find a place to sit since tables are being "held." It's uncivilized.
I've been a Franklin evangelist since soon after they opened, and I've taken every visiting friend and family member there as well. Honestly though, I might have to take a break from their heavenly brisket until they find a way to police up the line situation so that people who get up early and make their way to the restaurant aren't penalized when mobs of folks who wanted an extra hour or two of sleep finally show up. -
Review from Todd R.
Austin, TX
12/24/2011
Aaron Franklin is a meat Wizard. That's just a fact. It's science! Pigs and cows happily go to their own slaughter with the hopes that they end up being smoked and served at Franklin Barbecue!
The food is heavenly, that's a given, but let's talk about the rest...the line! Some people complain about it having to wait but I think it's pretty awesome! Where else are you going to find such a great barbecue community? People are usually in pretty good moods because they know they're about to fill their bellies with the most delicious thing they'll ever taste!!
I love this place so much I made a promo video for it! Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from Everett T.
Austin, TX
12/11/2011
Roughly once a month or so, the wife and I develop an insatiable need to dine on our bovine friends. We typically make the pilgrimage to Lockhart and head to Black's.
But one weekend, while heading to Zandunga, we passed a shack with a line out the door. A titanic, ridiculous line, spanning the length of the parking lot, in 95 degree heat. Franklin BBQ eh? Could this be the challenger that unseats Black's and saves us two hours of travel time on Sunday?
A small group of us arrived at 10:30am, to what appeared to be a small line. Of course, we immediately began picking the brains of our fellow line denizens. Pork ribs, brisket, and bourbon banana pie, done!
A Franklin employee starts coming down the line. Clearly shes here to take pre-orders, and help everyone through the line expeditiously. I mean, that's what common sense would dictate from a restaurant known for long lines. But no, shes here to find out what we want to order, but largely ignore it for the sake of knowing when they'll run out of meat. What kind of ass-backwards hillbilly planning is that? Seriously?
Alright, well everyone has been hyping this BBQ as legendary, the wait will be worth it if that's the case. The doors open at 11, and the line advances slightly. Then we wait. And wait. And wait. Once inside, it smells heavenly. We slowly creep up enough to view the chopping block.
The racks of ribs look so good they're downright pornographic. If you've ever wondered what the definition of "rib porn" is, watch them pull a rack of ribs out and unwrap it. Then add your own Barry White soundtrack in your mind. Time seemed to slow down slightly, and I was bouncing up and down slightly with excitement.
The fella taking our orders was genial and clever, clearly he enjoyed his job. The BBQ ran roughly $15/plate, pricey, but in the upper echelons of BBQ, you've got to pay to play.
Was the first bite orgasmic? Absolute BBQ nirvana? Ehhhh, not really. It was good, really good. Subtly smokey, with the most amazing texture. Bones were easily plucked out of the meat, which was so well cooked that meat and fat seemed to blend together in harmony, yet it still contained that tensile strength that tells you, you aren't chewing on a blob of lard.
I slather on some sauce in an attempt to kick it up a bit. The espresso BBQ sauce got rave reviews from the table, though I still preferred their classic, vinegar based sauce. It definitely improved the taste, combined with the sublime texture, and you've got a serious contender.
The brisket was equally moist, but largely tasteless despite have more rings than Saturn. Bonus points for the smokey beans, if only the brisket tasted like that! I hate to say it, but the bourbon banana pie was the star of the show. Amazing flaky crust, and a perfect palette cleanser.
Did Franklin's steal the crown? Not quite. Had I never had Black's before, Franklin BBQ would be the best I've ever had. But factor in 30 minutes of drive time + an hour and a half wait, and it would have been slightly faster to drive to Lockhart. Though Franklin BBQ has the best looking barbecue hands down, it's like your mama told you, sometimes looks aren't everything. -
Review from Solomon W.
Austin, TX
Updated - 12/7/2011
DISCLAIMER: I am making this review like a reverse movie for entertainment sake. I wrote it out and pasted it backward! Just because I have already written a review. I will jack this one up.
The moral of the story? Espresso: $2; BBQ for 3--and a dog: $80; Loss of human production: priceless.
Total? $80... of meat. So what was the effect? Well, I am still young and wild and free... they are older men. I ate 2.5 lb. of pure grease and protein. They put down probably 3 lb. together. I went to my DANCE CLASS afterward. I nearly died of food intoxication. Oh, and not to be stereotypical, but the Italian wanted an espresso to ease digestion afterward.
ThIt: Is that all the brisket we get? Make it another 1/2 lb. Add 4 more ribs.
(as we walk up to the line) Wangs: Let's get 2 lb. of brisket, 2 lb. of ribs, 2 sausages, and 1/2 lb. pulled pork.
The Wang Brothers: NO!
The Italian: Can we just try a little amuse bouche of turkey?
He and his cheese-and-wine buddy from the Boot came into Austin, and I directed them to go with me to Franklin. And, boy, were our stomachs much smaller than our eyes. Actually... not by much. We put down almost everything we ordered. Side note: we ate at Uchiko the night before, and we saw our servers at Franklin! Looks like foodies know where to eat...
My brother is a native-Texan who is now a high roller in NYC, so what does he miss? $20 meals of impossible BBQ. Heck, the Big Apple is as strict on BBQ laws as Texas is on booze. So, whenever he gets back into Big Tex, he makes a bee line for BBQ.
Also, it is not often someone from Italy travels to Texas JUST to eat. They probably also want to round up some cattle, brand something, and maybe even see the armpit of the universe--Waco. I jest... Italians probably come to Texas ONLY to eat. At least that was the case with my brother's friend.
It is not often that someone will wait 2 hours for a meal just to not eat... but I did it. I went with my friends 2 weeks after the incident that you are about to read and was so sickened from my prior visit that I could not bear to order anything from the glorious Franklin.Listed in: The Status Que
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/22/2010
First obstacle to enjoy absolutely the best BBQ in Austin: find this place. It took me 5 minutes… Read more »
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Review from Matt P.
Austin, TX
12/23/2011
Best BBQ Ive ever had. Simple as that. I went on a rainy day when there was no line. Im from Tennessee, which is the land of pulled pork and baby back ribs. When I got to the counter, I told the lady as much. She got out some brisket and sausage and gave me a big sampling of both. I immediately changed my order to those 2 things.
I barbecue at home and it kicks my ass on a pretty regular basis. If the rub is right, the meat isnt moist. If the meat is moist, theres not enough bark on the outside. As someone who finds it incredibly hard to get all the variables of smoking right, Im am absolutely blown away at how great Franklins is -
Review from Melvin T.
11/30/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Almost 500 reviews. How about an out-of-towner's perspective? I am visiting from Portland, OR. This is my 3rd time to Austin.
This week, alone, I have had the brisket at Salt Lick and Rudy's (YESTERDAY). Franklin Barbecue is HANDS DOWN, HANDS DOWN, the BEST BBQ BRISKET I have ever had. Foodgasm good. I hate to use the hyperbolic CAPS, but I just can't help it. The last time a slice of cow had me moaning and groaning this much was Katz's Pastrami in NYC.
I had given up on trying to go to Franklin because of the line horror stories. Surprisingly, on a Wednesday there was a very short line. I slammed the brakes, swerved in and was enjoying brisket 10 minutes later. Now that I have tried it, I whole heartedly agree that this brisket is worth standing hours in line for.
Franklin was super nice as he chopped my meat.
The brisket is the juiciest I have ever seen. I mean the juices are flowing and glistening. It was hypnotic. The bark/crust was out of control good. The meat was so tender and fall apart juicy, it was like meat-butter.
Franklin deserves all the praise and success he is enjoying, because it takes hard goddam work to get brisket done the way God intended. -
Review from Brian L.
Austin, TX
12/16/2011
I figured that after all this time, I should write another review since Franklin Barbecue moved.
For changing to a brick and mortar, the food quality hasn't changed one bit. Now, depending on the weather, you may get to wait only an hour for this food if you're the first in line on a cloudy/gloomy weekday.
This place is magical, there is always this moment of silence . . . my friends don't know what what has happened to me, they just see this delightful ear to ear smile on my face.
I took my new roommate here. This place is a test for one's man card. I knew my roommate was a quality guy when I saw his soak up all the extra brisket fat from his butcher paper onto his bread as he started another sandwich.
I still stand by my belief that if you told me that I'd have to punch a grandma that was sitting in a wheelchair and holding a newborn baby in order to get this food, that I would not hesitate.
Things I like about the new place - memorabilia, the fact they have pie, the fact that they have fountain drinks as well (Maine Root Beer - reg, blueberry, and prickly pear, as well as Dublin Dr. Pepper). I hate it that Franklin has been featured in so many publications, but you can only hide greatness for so long.
I have been in charge of some decent size parties for people, and I have always found Franklin accommodating when I ordered a few briskets and pork butts. Franklin's brisket makes me look like I have brought world peace.
For anyone that wants real BBQ and is ready for the rest of their BBQ experiences to all be ruined past and future, this is the place to go. -
Review from Geoff C.
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
YOU NEED TO GO HERE. But get there by 11:30am. The brisket was the best I've ever had. Pulled pork was fantastic. The pork ribs were good, but I'm more of a baby back fans so found these a little 'hammy'.
Line closed by 12:10 and restaurant was done serving by 1:45. Now that's efficiency! -
Review from Matt B.
Parnell, MO
12/28/2011
Jesus.
P.S. I think maybe.....ummmm....wow, just wow. Eat here, and really,that's all you need to know. Speaks for its self so I'll say no more. Just get there early.
P.S.S. F the guy who order all the fatty brisket and ribs they had left in front of my bro. Bad form dude. -
Review from Angelica S.
Austin, TX
12/8/2011
Well hot damn! I found a BBQ place worth every red cent I handed over. My only complaint is that they are so small that seating is limited....other than that, I am sold!
Their servings are large and they have blueberry soda....what more do you need to know? Take my advice and order the ribs...the meat is so tender. I'll go back again and again! -
Review from Jeffrey C.
Dallas, TX
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this place, and when I'm in town, my plan is always the same:
1) Choose a day.
2) Show up at 10am.
3) Wait for 2-3hrs.
4) Order 2 lbs of pork ribs.
5) Go to my happy place. (start eating ^ ^)
===================
PORK RIBS are the #1 thing to order there. The meat simply slides off the bone and has the perfect amount of tenderness. I don't get anything else there. The brisket, sausage, and turkey, although very delicious, doesn't have as much of a difference when compared to other BBQ places. The ribs on the other hand leave all other places dreaming for the one day they can reach such greatness. I'm glad I don't live in Austin -- otherwise, I'd waste all my time waiting in line at this place.
**Other noteworthy items: Their mustard-base potato salad is a nice change from the usual, and their expresso BBQ sauce is something you have to try (and may possibly become addicted to). -
Review from Teresa C.
Leander, TX
12/2/2011
I've been hearing about this place for quite sometime now, yet always got discouraged with the huge line outside the restaurant. My husband and I said " those people are stupid standing in line for BBQ ". Damn....was I wrong! I bow down to all of those people now! I was soooo wrong! We ordered the infamous "FATTY Brisket" OMG! that was extremely moist and just melted in your mouth.
Will I come back? HELL YA! -
Review from Oko H.
Frisco, TX
12/24/2011
It's a loooong line, but worth the wait. Be patient and friendly so you can thoroughly enjoy the best BBQ coming your way. Arrive early as they always sell out..
I tried the brisket, sausage, chopped beef and all the sauces. The ribs were already gone. We didn't get there early enough.
Liked it all, but I loved my "Tipsy Texan" sandwich the best: chopped beef, sliced sausage, onions and slaw on a bun. So good and messy. Yum. The dark espresso BBQ sauce was our family favorite too.
Also very pleased with the cleanliness and smiling service. -
Review from Mark L.
Austin, TX
2/4/2012
The food is really good, but the service is slow. The long wait is due to the guy at the counter chatting with the patrons. Some talk is okay as long as he can slice and talk at the same time. I only gave it 3 stars in hopes that the owner will read this and get another person at the counter to cut meat.
-
Review from Karl M.
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yeah, that's right, I didn't give it five stars. After all of the tremendous hype for this place, I expected great things. Really great things. The brisket here was outstanding, but it didn't blow my pants off like I was hoping.
The notorious 2-hour lines, countless accolades, and advice from my most seasoned BBQ confidants all pointed to this being the best BBQ experience of my life. Thankfully, I only had to wait an hour in line. I could read all the accolades on the walls as I approached the counter where the owner was slicing away, making pleasant conversation with every customer. I thought I was going to fulfill my destiny by eating the brisket here. Sadly, I was merely delighted. No explosion in my mouth. No fireworks. Just really yummy brisket.
I was, however, blown away unexpectedly by the delicious pulled pork. An unlikely candidate, the pulled pork proved to be mouth-watering and delicious. No sauce needed for this moist meat. Just pure amazing.
Taking everything in consideration, this place had really good BBQ. I just couldn't bring myself to give out 5 stars after the place had been hyped up so much. -
Review from Maureen P.
Austin, TX
1/22/2012
I love this BBQ - I just moved to Austin and it doesn't hurt that Franklin's is close to my house, but regardless, this is still REALLY good barbecue! I love the different sauces they have too! DELISH! Just beware - You'll probably have to wait in line - and once they sell out, they're out!
-
Review from Hoa T.
1/1/2012
amazing.
we came on a sat morning. hungover. waited about 2 hours in the cold and we arrived 15 min before they opened. had I been more prepared I would have brought a warmer jacket and some hot coffee to make my waiting in line experience better.
don't waste your tummy space for the sides. they're a waste and I wouldn't even spend a $1 on it. we had a pound of ribs and a pound of brisket. the meat was delicious and beyond anything I've ever had.
what I appreciate is that while you're in line waiting, someone comes out to ask what you think you'll get once you finally make it through the door. so if there's a chance they'll run out of food, you'll know. also, the owner is a young hipster looking guy who is super down to earth and friendly. he takes his time to serve every single one of his customers and even chats with them. hence, the line doesn't move very fast. I appreciate this though.
overall the meats were great. I don't know why they can't have better sides and they really should take some time to improve it. -
Review from Lisa K.
12/6/2011
I had the privilege of trying Franklin's BBQ without the experience of waiting in the line. Did it taste as good as it would have if I did stand in the line for two hours?
YES. Brisket is the way to go. Moist and melt in your mouth, add a little bbq sauce and you're set! -
Review from Oliver B.
Austin, TX
1/18/2012
My sister was in town from N.C, so my wife and I took her to Franklin BBQ yesterday. It was AWESOME!!! It was our first time and will defintely not be our last. The line was out the door, but totally worth the wait. The entire block has the best smell on Earth! We all had the brisket sandwich with cole slaw, onions and pickles. It was one of the best meals I have had in Austin in a long time! If you go, get there early and be prepared to wait in line! Enjoy!
-
Review from henry h.
11/7/2011
Franklin BBQ is as good as it gets.
The staff is friendly, helpful and efficient. They have to be since there is usually a long line before they open.
I came here with 4 other people but only 3 others were going to eat. The other person was a non-red meat person so it was her loss.
We got in line around 10:40AM (opens at 11AM) and didn't get our food until noon. Yeah the wait was long but the time seemed to pass by as quickly as an hour and twenty minutes could. On this day they sold out by 12:20PM.
While waiting in line my two friends were discussing how much they wanted to order. Since we were from LA and knew this would be our only trip here they couldn't stop talking about Franklin BBQ for 2 days. They even skipped breakfast for this.
Eventually they decided they wanted to order 7lbs of meat. They look over and asked me if this was enough. Seriously? 7lbs of meat isn't enough for you two? I told them my girlfriend and I weren't going to eat a lot so they were going to have to eat most of it. They said okay. They even thought about 8lbs of meat. Ughhhh....
So we order 3lbs of brisket, 2lbs of ribs, 1lb of pulled pork, 1lb of sausage and 1 serving of cole slaw for my girlfriend. The boys decided we were not going to fill our stomach with anything but meat. Good strategy but we still couldn't finish all the food. We had roughly 2lbs of food left. What a shame (and waste).
Everything was tender. Perfectly tender. Fall off the bone tender. My lord this was like meat heaven with a side of gluttony! Everything was moist and delicious. It was served dry but there was BBQ sauce on the table and to be honest it didn't even need sauce. It was so good the table was quiet. We just kept eating. I think one of my friend was having a religious experience when he was eating.
I wish I would have planned my trip properly cause I would have came here on my first day in Austin vs my last. That way I can make another visit.
This is really the real thing in Austin. If you ever find yourself in Austin it is definitely worth the wait. Enjoy! -
Review from Eric N.
Austin, TX
1/17/2012
Believe the hype. This place is for real and well worth the wait.
