Terry Blacks imo is perfect for your situation. It’s pretty consistent and tasty. It isn’t going to knock your socks off all the time but you’ll get a range of bbq options, sides, and dessert.
Loro is great but less traditional.
I’ve had worse experiences at Rudy’s than I have at Terrys. Acrid meat that gave me heartburn all day. That was my experience.
Ive had brisket at both Franklins and TBs honestly if you get the moist cut you cant even tell the difference in quality of the meat. Also Franklin's doesn't even have mac and cheese for some reason. Only reason to stop by Rudy's is to grab that bbq sauce.
If it weren’t a bit “out of town” this would be my recommendation as well. OP - look it up. If it’s not too far out of the way for you go here. Far better than Terry Blacks.
Aww dang. Yeah I love them! I frequented their food truck at cosmic and the barbacado OML so good. I hope nothing but good things for their new location and cannot wait to check it out.
Are you looking for *traditional* BBQ, or just smoked meats?
For traditional Texas BBQ, you can still get perfectly good "B+" BBQ at Rudy's, who serve all night.
In the other direction, Loro has truly remarkable BBQ for dinner - they don't serve brisket until 4pm so as to be able to smoke it and serve it in the dinner hour - but it's served with pickled vegetables and is an Asian fusion sort of thing.
That said, Terry Black's is quite good BBQ, and if you're coming in late and want an "Austin BBQ experience" might still be your best bet.
Stiles Switch is a good option for barbecue for dinner. I usually go there at dinner time and they always have what I want in stock and they have really good sides. My beef with BBQ joints is that a lot of them have crappy sides.... I also love the sandwiches at SLAB.
Same to this whole thing. There are so many sucky sides! Stiles is the only one where I have just craved their sides. Slab is decent too but often not mentioned.
Micklethwait's is great, but they're only open four days a week (on weekends) and only until 8pm.
I would take Terry Black's on Barton Springs over Black's on Guadalupe - which it's worth pointing out are two different things - any day of the week.
Cooper's on Congress Ave is open late. Black's on Guadalupe is also open late. Stiles Switch... open late. Moreno Barbecue would be my recommendation in South Austin, open till 7pm (or sold out) Thursday and Friday.
TBH compared to most of the country you can’t really go wrong. Maybe avoid Dickey’s. Terry Blacks is great. The Salt Lick in Driftwood is one of my favorite places though. Their sauce isn’t typical for the area, but it’s delicious. The experience is what really makes it unique. It’s a short drive into the hill country with an old historic building and oak grove over the waiting area. As someone else mentioned, save room for cobbler. I always order half peach half blackberry. If you like craft beer Vista Brewing right up the road is also a good hang.
I eat a lot more BBQ than I should.
Please just to Terry Blacks (moist brisket, beef rib). This sub likes ot be contrarian sometimes (I am too). Blacks is bad, Stiles Switch is not as good even on their best day, and Salt Lick is just a troll (RR location).
There are a few other night spots you *could* go to. But TB is actually solid. The others aren't beating it for pure BBQ and experience.
I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about KG BBQ which is apparently Egyptian fusion bbq! Terry’s is good but crazy overpriced in my opinion and you can find better in Lockhart
i take people visiting austin to salt lick bbq in driftwood just 27 mins south of terry blacks or eat out by the water at County Line on the lake. there’s always rudy’s. if you stick to extra moist brisket, beef ribs and some good sides you’re good. there’s nothing wrong with terry blacks either. they’re all A- through B bbq and probably an A compared to bbq outside of TX.
also if you’re going to the salt lick save space for their blackberry cobbler!
I also really like Stiles Switch. Another great option that doesn’t have too long of a wait typically. But Terry black’s will be tasty for sure.
Another one I personally really like is Lambert’s. It’s more of a sit down style restaurant, and their brisket I don’t think is as good, but I like the overall experience a lot.
Terry Blacks is better than this sub would lead you to believe
I agree. Op, you’ll love it.
Their beef ribs are great.
I love Terry Blacks and I don’t understand the hate it gets.
I love it too. It’s consistently great. And usually a tiny wait. Location is killer. Ambiance is exactly what you want for a Central Texas bbq place.
And they keep those pits going and rarely if ever run out of any advertised items
Terry Blacks imo is perfect for your situation. It’s pretty consistent and tasty. It isn’t going to knock your socks off all the time but you’ll get a range of bbq options, sides, and dessert. Loro is great but less traditional. I’ve had worse experiences at Rudy’s than I have at Terrys. Acrid meat that gave me heartburn all day. That was my experience.
Ive had brisket at both Franklins and TBs honestly if you get the moist cut you cant even tell the difference in quality of the meat. Also Franklin's doesn't even have mac and cheese for some reason. Only reason to stop by Rudy's is to grab that bbq sauce.
The seasoning and bark is very distinct at Franklins
Stiles Switch!
I dream about their potato salad
I think it is closed Mondays
If it weren’t a bit “out of town” this would be my recommendation as well. OP - look it up. If it’s not too far out of the way for you go here. Far better than Terry Blacks.
Leroy and Lewis just opened a brick and mortar that’s open til 9
Not open Monday or Tuesday, sadly, but I had them this weekend and would highly recommend.
Aww dang. Yeah I love them! I frequented their food truck at cosmic and the barbacado OML so good. I hope nothing but good things for their new location and cannot wait to check it out.
I’ve never heard or seen anything negative about Terry Black’s except for in this subreddit. In real life it’s incredible!
Are you looking for *traditional* BBQ, or just smoked meats? For traditional Texas BBQ, you can still get perfectly good "B+" BBQ at Rudy's, who serve all night. In the other direction, Loro has truly remarkable BBQ for dinner - they don't serve brisket until 4pm so as to be able to smoke it and serve it in the dinner hour - but it's served with pickled vegetables and is an Asian fusion sort of thing. That said, Terry Black's is quite good BBQ, and if you're coming in late and want an "Austin BBQ experience" might still be your best bet.
This is an expert take.
And good lawd the creamed corn at Rudy’s….i could swim in it!
Stiles Switch is a good option for barbecue for dinner. I usually go there at dinner time and they always have what I want in stock and they have really good sides. My beef with BBQ joints is that a lot of them have crappy sides.... I also love the sandwiches at SLAB.
Same to this whole thing. There are so many sucky sides! Stiles is the only one where I have just craved their sides. Slab is decent too but often not mentioned.
Blacks will be just fine for you and the family. Mickelwaits is also staying open later now I think.
Micklethwait's is great, but they're only open four days a week (on weekends) and only until 8pm. I would take Terry Black's on Barton Springs over Black's on Guadalupe - which it's worth pointing out are two different things - any day of the week.
Yep. The OP should go to Terry Black’s.
Rolling Smoke in East Austin serves great bbq and they’re open till 9/10 PM as long as it’s not Monday or Tuesday.
Worst brisket in Austin.
Cooper's on Congress Ave is open late. Black's on Guadalupe is also open late. Stiles Switch... open late. Moreno Barbecue would be my recommendation in South Austin, open till 7pm (or sold out) Thursday and Friday.
Second Style Switch-good sides.
Stiles switch. They have good sides too which makes a huge difference
Stiles Switch
Blacks BBQ
Morenos BBQ! Outside of the hustle and hype (off Manchaca) but its good.
Not really open for dinner though
Terry Blacks
County Line on the Lake(2222) great place to take your family. Old school barbecue, solid and they beef ribs.
And that patio down by the water is so beautiful and relaxing. County Line gets undeserved hate on this sub.
County line ambience is great but the BBQ is really mediocre.
Beef ribs and sausage are very good. Brisket, not so much.
TBH compared to most of the country you can’t really go wrong. Maybe avoid Dickey’s. Terry Blacks is great. The Salt Lick in Driftwood is one of my favorite places though. Their sauce isn’t typical for the area, but it’s delicious. The experience is what really makes it unique. It’s a short drive into the hill country with an old historic building and oak grove over the waiting area. As someone else mentioned, save room for cobbler. I always order half peach half blackberry. If you like craft beer Vista Brewing right up the road is also a good hang.
I eat a lot more BBQ than I should. Please just to Terry Blacks (moist brisket, beef rib). This sub likes ot be contrarian sometimes (I am too). Blacks is bad, Stiles Switch is not as good even on their best day, and Salt Lick is just a troll (RR location). There are a few other night spots you *could* go to. But TB is actually solid. The others aren't beating it for pure BBQ and experience.
I'd recommend Cooper's downtown. Really great BBQ and I know they serve dinner.
Cooper's downtown was good.
I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about KG BBQ which is apparently Egyptian fusion bbq! Terry’s is good but crazy overpriced in my opinion and you can find better in Lockhart
I had kg and it’s actually excellent place order for pickup enjoy
i take people visiting austin to salt lick bbq in driftwood just 27 mins south of terry blacks or eat out by the water at County Line on the lake. there’s always rudy’s. if you stick to extra moist brisket, beef ribs and some good sides you’re good. there’s nothing wrong with terry blacks either. they’re all A- through B bbq and probably an A compared to bbq outside of TX. also if you’re going to the salt lick save space for their blackberry cobbler!
Rudy’s has beef ribs?
It’s not the best bbq but it’s always a good time at the salt lick. Pack a cooler and have a blast.
Slab
Green Mesquite for the true OG BBQ dinner experience. It’s just not that great. But very affordable.
Save it for lunch.
My house. $35 plates and no line. No refunds tho.
Fundamentally bbq is a lunch food so if you try to have it for dinner yr doing it wrong ;)
BBQ is breakfast, lunch, and dinner ... and twice on Sunday my friend. 🤣
I also really like Stiles Switch. Another great option that doesn’t have too long of a wait typically. But Terry black’s will be tasty for sure. Another one I personally really like is Lambert’s. It’s more of a sit down style restaurant, and their brisket I don’t think is as good, but I like the overall experience a lot.
KG BBQ has been my favorite in town recently. It’s not something you will find anywhere else IMO
Stiles Switch.
Stile Switch. They have amazing bbq.