City Consensus
What Austin locals agree on · updated 2 months ago
Would your top five be different?
Rank your BBQ →Top 5s
1 listMattFounder@biznut1.Franklin Barbecue2.Leroy and Lewis Barbecue3.Interstellar BBQ4.Terry Black's BarbecueMatt's Top 5
Editor’s picks
Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Texas Monthly, CultureMap Austin, and Austin Chronicle. Updated July 2026.
Leroy and Lewis Barbecue · South Austin
Ranked #2 in Texas Monthly's 2025 Top 50. The highest-ranked Austin joint. Also holds a Michelin Star. Known for new-school cuts like beef cheeks and smoked burgers.
Interstellar BBQ · Northwest Austin
Ranked #6 in Texas Monthly's 2025 Top 50. Pitmaster John Bates's precision brisket and peach-habanero glazed pork ribs. Michelin One Star in the inaugural Texas Guide.
Franklin Barbecue · East Austin
On Texas Monthly's 2025 Top 50 (second 40). The James Beard-winning brisket benchmark. Michelin Bib Gourmand. Still the line-out-the-door reference point for Central Texas BBQ.
la Barbecue · East Cesar Chavez
On Texas Monthly's 2025 Top 50. Earned a Michelin Star in 2024. Pitmaster Ali Clem's smoked brisket and house-made sausages are benchmark East Austin.
KG BBQ · Manor Road
On Texas Monthly's 2025 Top 50. Kareem El-Ghayesh fuses Texas smoke with Egyptian spices. Brisket with dukkah, lamb with baharat. Michelin Bib Gourmand.
What’s your #1 BBQ in Austin?
Rank your top five and see where your taste lands next to the locals.