November Austin HH BBQ?

[shaggie]

The other night at the October HH it was decided to have the next HH at a BBQ joint. It was also decided to put up a post to find out what is the best local BBQ joint.
So-Where's the (best) beef?

 

[AggieDad]

Shaggie
Very easy. Cooper's in Llano.
Now for second best...Whatever.
Rudy's is okay

I am not a good source. Once you have had cabrito at Cooper's nothing else compares.

 

[c-monkey]

IMO
Best atmosphere hands down is Salt Lick -- the original location.
Agree with AggieDad - Coopers is special and worth the trip, especially if you grab the junky courtesty car at the Llano airport.
J&J's on 1431 is great -but small.
Rudys is probably the most convenient.

 

[shaggie]

Maybe it's just me, but Llano might be a little to farther then I'd like to drive. My pick would probably be the County line on FM2222 and loop 360. My personal favorite is Kreutz in Lockhart, but that is probably to far to drive also.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Official Central Texas BBQ rankings (where I have eaten, of course):

Luling City Market - Luling 4 1/2
Louie Mueller's - Taylor 4 1/2
Rudy Mikeska's - Taylor 4 1/2
Kreuz Market - Lockhart 4 1/2
John Mueller's - Bastrop 4 1/2
Black's Barbecue - Lockhart 4 1/2
Smitty's - Lockhart 4 1/2
Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ - Llano 4 1/2
Crosstown BBQ - Elgin 4
House Park Bar-B-Q - Austin (Downtown) 4
Chisholm Trail BBQ - Lockhart 4
Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse - Elgin 4
Southside Market - Elgin 3/12
Ruby's - Austin (North Campus) 3 1/2
Sam's - Austin (Eastside) 3 1/2
Artz Rib House - Austin (Southside) 3 1/2
Gonzales Food Market - Gonzales 3 1/2
Cartwright's BBQ - Cedar Park 3 1/2
The Pit - Austin (Northwest) 3 1/2
Bert's - Austin (West Campus) 3 1/2
Railroad Bar-B-Q - Manchaca 3 1/2
Zimmerhanzel's Bar-B-Que - Smithville 3 1/2
Lewiss BBQ - Austin (Eastside) 3 1/2
Ben's Longbranch BBQ - Austin (Eastside) 3 1/2
Inmans Ranch House Bar-B-Q - Marble Falls 3 1/2
Fuschak's - San Marcos 3 1/2
Willie's BBQ - Austin (Eastside) 3 1/2
City Meat Market - Giddings 3 1/2
Branch Bar-B-Que - Austin (Northside) 3
Laird's BBQ & Catering - Llano 3
Sokkey's - Smithville 3
Chisholm Trail - Spicewood 3
Mann's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que - Austin (Northside) 3
Green Mesquite - Austin (Restaurant Row) 3
Crim's Central Texas Barbeque - Elgin 3
Southwest Market Barbecue - San Marcos 3
Oak Creek - Georgetown 3
Texas Rib Kings - Austin (Northside) 3
Iron Works - Austin (Downtown) 3
Buster's - Austin (Westside) 3
Salt Lick - Driftwood 3
County Line - Austin (Northwest) 3
Jim Bob's - Oak Hill 3
Dusty's - Manor 3
Donn's - Austin (Eastside) 3
Davila's Bar-B-Q - Seguin 3
Ray's BBQ - Austin (Eastside) 3
Benford's BBQ Stand - Hutto 3
Richard Jones - Austin (Southside) 3
Bbq World Headquarters - Austin (Northside) 3
Riley's Bar-B-Q - Blanco 3
Coupland's - Coupland 3
Rj Pitts Texas Road House - Austin (Southwest) 3
Jim Bob's Barbecue - Bee Cave 3
Dan's - Austin (Southside) 3
Frazier's BBQ and Grill - Hutto 3
Hamilton's Pit BBQ - Round Rock 3
Pok E Jos - Austin (Downtown) 3
Skull Creek BBQ - Wimberley 2 1/2
Ted & Garry's Bar-B-Q - Austin (Southside) 2 1/2
Dickey's Barbeque Pit - Round Rock 2 1/2
Vic's - Austin (Southside) 2 1/2
Texas Rib Kings Austin - (Northside) 2 1/2
Opie's Barbecue - Marble Falls 2 1/2
Stubbs' - Austin (Downtown) 2
Bill Miller - Austin (Northside) 2
Round Rock BBQ - Round Rock 2
Rudy's - Austin (Northwest) 2

 

[Mack Diver]

The original Salt Lick is great, hands down. County Line is also good. If we're looking for a central location, Pok E Joes on 5th is good as well. Personally, I think Danielle was down right generous to give Rudy's a 2. I think their motto "Worst BBQ in Texas" is truth in advertising.

One kicker to finding a spot is to get a place that will be open in the evening. Some of these joints close after lunch.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Well, I did put Rudy's last; they do OK with pork and pork ribs, but their beef is mediocre at best.

Green Mesquite, Iron Works, Stubbs, Ruby's, and Sam's are all open in the evenings. All the big pit places close after lunch, of course. In Austin, I would suggest Green Mesquite on Barton Springs - roomy, decent Q, and sort of festive for an informal meeting. http://www.greenmesquite.net/. Or Ruby's (NOT Rudy's) on the Drag at 29th, really great beef, and open until midnight. http://www.rubysbbq.com/site/press/.

 

[PvilleStang]

Saltlick, Iron Works, County Line, or Pok-E-Joes. Ruby's isn't bad either, although I haven't ate much there.

 

[Narcd_dvr]

Saltlick (original location), Rudy's, and County Line.

 

[carlislere]

Now there's a man who likes his BBQ!!!!