Franklin Barbecue
★ 4.7 ｜ 7,239 reviews
Central Texas brisket · Austin institution · Long lines
📍 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
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Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
About
Long lines form early for brisket, pulled pork & other smoked meats at this bustling spot.
The full picture
Franklin Barbecue is a legendary Austin destination famous for its central Texas-style smoked meats, particularly its brisket which often draws global acclaim. People visit to experience what is widely considered some of the best barbecue in the country, often turning the long wait into a social event.
It suits dedicated barbecue enthusiasts and patient travelers who view the hours-long queue as a rite of passage.
Arrival by 8:00 AM is common to secure a spot before the daily supply sells out by mid-afternoon.
💡 Consider pre-ordering the five-pound minimum online weeks in advance to skip the legendary multi-hour line.
Visitors love
- melt in your mouth brisket
- exceptionally tender beef ribs
- flavorful smoked turkey
- attentive staff communication in line
- authentic smoky atmosphere
Some note
- extremely long wait times
- high price per pound
- unremarkable side dishes
- limited indoor seating space
Good to know
- Is it good for kids?
- The long outdoor wait of several hours can be difficult for children, though the atmosphere is casual.
- Is it OK on a rainy day?
- The queue is primarily outdoors and exposed to the elements, making it difficult during bad weather.
- How long should I stay?
- Expect to spend three to five hours including the time spent waiting in line.
- Is a reservation needed?
- No reservations are accepted for dining in, but pre-ordering meat for pickup is an option.
Visitor reviews
★★★★
Long queue but worth the wait.
Service and atmosphere:
Very good customer services. The team member kept people waiting in the queue well informed about the food and time to order.
The restaurant is small but you get the table as people leave in timely manner. There is also patio and tables outside.
Food:
Good effort. The BBQ meats were moist and well seasoned. My favourite were the pork ribs. I also enjoyed pinto beans which were on spicy and savoury side.
Pricing:
$$$ - pretty pricy per pound of meats served.
★★★★★
Brother and I came to Austin to eat and Franklin was our first stop. Didn’t have time to wait so we pre ordered the minimum five pounds of meat. Ended up finding some people to share with and none of the food was wasted. Can’t imagine brisket getting any better than this. Moist, tender, melt in your mouth perfection. Ribs may have been the best I’ve had as well. Pulled pork was nothing special until we put their vinegar bbq sauce on it and it was delicious. Sausage was good, but not great. Turkey was tender and very flavorful. Key lime tart was decent. The only side we tried was the potato sal
★★★★★
Arrived at 8AM with about 40 people in-front of us. Let me tell you the 3 and a half hour wait was well worth it!!! My dad and I are BBQ enthusiast and have some competition experience and after my dad’s first bite of the Beef Rib he said, “I don’t know how it could get any better than that!” I have heard the hype of Franklin’s for YEARS and it surpassed all my expectations! Brisket was the best I have ever had, Beef Rib was the same. Pork ribs blew my mind with the tenderness. Turkey was outstanding. Sausage was amazing. I do have to say that the sides are nothing special, just your typical B
★★★★★
Franklin Barbecue feels like a place where the anticipation is part of the experience. The line outside can be long, but once you get inside and smell the smoke from the pits, it makes sense why people wait. The atmosphere is casual, loud, and full of barbecue fans comparing trays before they sit down.
I ordered the brisket, ribs, sausage, and potato salad. The brisket was the clear highlight, with a smoky bark and tender slices that barely needed sauce. The ribs had a rich flavor and a little chew, while the sausage added a peppery snap. The potato salad was simple and creamy, which worked w
★★★★★
Excellent! The BBQ does have a heavy vinegar taste compared to a sweeter style like stubbs. We were able to try the Tipsy Texan all the way - it was perfect! Brisket was great and sausage was really good. They only have 3 sides potato salad was was a good southern yellow kind.