I got a lot of great feedback from BBI when I traveled to New Orleans a month ago. I just found out I'll be in Austin, Texas for the next 3 months for work.
Never been there before and looking for any good food or site seeing recommendations.
One place I heard about is Franklin Barbecue, which supposedly had the best brisket and pork ribs in Texas. Unfortunately, they just had a fire a few weeks ago but should be re-opening in a month or two. I will definitely check them out.
If you like craft beer, check our Banger's and Craft Pride on Rainey Street. Banger's has 100 taps and all sorts of beers and craft pride has 30 or so Texas beers on tap. Try the Detroit style pizza truck in the back at Craft Pride.
If you want a nice traditional meal, try Roaring Fork. Great food with Steaks and some tex-mex options too. Make a reservation.
Sorry its actually in Driftwood. Not aure where deer springs came from.
Also go see a University of Texas football game. UT is on the north end of downtown, and game day is a lot of fun.
They got 3 Saturday home games in a row in October, so I'll make sure to check it out a few times.
La BBQ is the best. Franklins damaged badly recently by Harvey I heard. Avoid Salt Lick (tourist trap). Torthy's for breakfast tacos (or Juan in a million).
"Here is a primer on a few things BBQ related in Austin and the surrounding area.
Central Texas BBQ is life changing. At any BBQ place make sure you order at least 4 things: Brisket (ask for the moist or fatty cut), Sausage (almost always house made - definitely get a jalapeno sausage if they have it), pork ribs, and Beef Ribs (huge brontosaurus ribs). If a place has beef ribs (they aren't always available) - fucking order one no matter what (as a Dallas poster last week attested after his first encounter with a beef rib shortly after I sang the praises of them).
I would also encourage you to try everything without sauce first. If you feel like you need sauce after - fine - but try it without. Also, strangely, BBQ pairs extremely well with a sweet soda called "Big Red" that offsets the saltiness. It's my go to culinary pairing.
BBQ Places in Austin - ranked by priority:
1. Franklin BBQ - The most famous BBQ place in the country right now, considered the best in Texas, and therefore the best in the universe. Bucket list BBQ. If you go, get there at least 3 hours before it opens to line up (and no, I'm not kidding). Best way to do it is to bring some lawn chairs and a case of beer. You can send 1-2 guys to hold the spot in line and just order for everyone. I realize waiting 3 hours for BBQ isn't for everyone, but Franklin is the real deal.
2. J Mueller Meat Co - Incredible cue' - Franklin actually learned the craft from this guy. This guy is also a drunk, refers to himself as the "Dark Prince of BBQ" and happens to cook some of the best stuff in the game. If you time it right, sometimes he hand you beers in line.
http://johnmuellermeatco.com/home/
(note from Metnut, i don't believe that this place exists anymore)
3. LA BBQ - Excellent BBQ (If I'm not mistaken here, the pitmaster learned the craft from Franklin, and took over the trailer/location from John Mueller)
http://www.labarbecue.com/
4. Micklethwait Craft Meats - More World class BBQ
http://www.craftmeats.com/
5. Kerlins - More incredible BBQ.
http://www.kerlinbbq.com/
6. Lamberts Downtown BBQ - Not as good as the 5 mentioned above. But this place is a fancier "sit down" place. So if you wanted to do a dinner here one night you could - but the others mentioned would be more authentic Texas BBQ experiences.
I'm sure there are a few newer places I'm missing, but these are the heavy hitters.
BBQ Places Outside Austin - I put these on here, because these are some of the legends of Texas BBQ. So if you wanted to take a drive outside Austin and see some countryside, these would be worth your time.
-Louis Mueller BBQ - Taylor, Texas - My favorite BBQ place on the planet. Every bit as good as Franklins, and the place has been in business for eons. It's a legend in Texas, and rightly so. The place is like a church. Their beef ribs, especially, are masterful.
-Lockhart for BBQ (Kreuz Market + Smitty's Market + Blacks). - Lockhart is considered the "BBQ Capitol of Texas" and each of the three places listed are top notch. Smitty's especially is incredibly historic, the fires have been burning there for like 100 years or something. Incredible atmosphere.
Places NOT to go to:
Salt Lick - Many people will tell you to go here. The atmosphere is pretty cool to be sure, and I think it's BYOB. But the food is decidedly second rate from any of the places above.
Stubbs - You've seen the sauce in stores. Thats because his BBQ sucks. Don't go here unless its for a concert.
Let me know what else I can answer. "
https://www.ndnation.com/boards/showpost.php?b=backroom;pid=315423;d=this - ( New Window )
I just signed up for AT&T cell and Directv with Sunday Ticket. I'll be able to watch the entire Giants season on my phone or laptop while I'm down there for 3 months.
Any recommendations you have for site seeing are appreciated. I'm even willing to drive 2-3 hours on the weekend to visit other cities close by like Houston and San Antonio. I have absolutely no interest at all to make the 3-4 hour trip to Dallas.
Quote:
there are at least 8 - 10 better BBQ places in town. As a resident, I'm happy to give more details. we do have more than just BBQ here. not a great place to watch Giants games though
I just signed up for AT&T cell and Directv with Sunday Ticket. I'll be able to watch the entire Giants season on my phone or laptop while I'm down there for 3 months.
Any recommendations you have for site seeing are appreciated. I'm even willing to drive 2-3 hours on the weekend to visit other cities close by like Houston and San Antonio. I have absolutely no interest at all to make the 3-4 hour trip to Dallas.
You need to spend the weekend down in San Antonio on the Riverwalk. Its like a mini-Venice. Bars and restaurants all along a series of canals. They have boat taxi's, etc. also. Good partying time.
Go tubing down the Brazo's river. Lots of people do this, I think they get on near Waco but I'm not sure. People just raft down the river in things like innertubes, rafts, etc., and bring beer. Town Lake in Downtown Austin has big party boats too, as does Lake Travis.
Breakfast Taco's will change your life. They are great, especially when hungover.
Make sure to hit the basement!
I've lived here my whole life, so any questions, ask away...