Hit a few barbecue joints while I was in Austin

[NDN98]

I was in Austin last week for a conference, so I decided to hit a few barbecue joints.

Started out hitting Lamberts, which was on last year's Texas Monthly list of top 50 barbecue joints. Got the brisket and was not impressed at all. $18 for maybe 1/3 lb of brisket and some pickled veggies. We had some appetizers that were great (crispy wild boar ribs and broiled oysters), but the brisket was lacking.

Next, I hit up La Barbecue, which also made the top 50 last year and has been getting a lot of buzz in the Austin area. The brisket was very good and the turkey (extremely juicy too) was some of the best I have ever had (slightly behind Franklin). The ribs and sausage were disappointing and below average in my opinion.

I really wanted to try Micklethwait Craft Meats on my last day there, but a buddy wanted to hit Louie Mueller's in Taylor instead and I decided to go with him there. Been a while since I have been to Louie Mueller's, but I forgot what a huge selection they had. I got the brisket, the turkey, the baby back ribs, and the original sausage. I wanted a beef rib too, but my tray was already full. Everything I had was great. Brisket had an excellent bark covered in pepper. The baby back ribs were falling off the bone and had a great smoke flavor. The beef sausage is one of my favorite beef sausages in the state. The turkey was covered in pepper and very smokey too. All in all, it was a great trip.

After trying Lamberts and La Barbecue, it really didn't change my top three favorite Austin barbecue spots, but La Barbecue cracked the top five.

Here are my top five that I have tried in Austin:

Franklin
Freedmen's
John Mueller Meat Co.
La Barbecue
Stiles Switch

[limey]

Wow, that first pic.. is that a china plate. Really
Some nice pics and good review on the rest, looked like a great trip.

[Okie Sawbones]

Love the pics. Thanks for sharing.

[cowboydon]

It is Chuck, Lamberts is not your ordinary BBQ Joint, it is a bit upscle than most. But I agree this was a real nice write up and the pictures are
really nice.

[BluDawg]

L.Mullers & City Market are my two favorite joints, Not to dis AF I just hate the line. I'll give you a free BBQ crawl tip. If it don't get served on paper or if there is table service it is 99.9% guaranteed to be a disappointment.

[NDN98]

L.Mullers & City Market are my two favorite joints, Not to dis AF I just hate the line. I'll give you a free BBQ crawl tip. If it don't get served on paper or if there is table service it is 99.9% guaranteed to be a disappointment.

I agree with you on your BBQ tip sir! I have never had outstanding BBQ at a joint with table service.

[spacetrucker]

not sure where Lamberts is, or how long in existence... but the picture is a real turn off to me....
the others look good and I have been to most on a routine basis my biggest problem is I live to close and usually eat my own cooking especially with the price of meat these days.

[cowboydon]

West 2nd in Austin - Opened in 2006 and takes reservations - Self proclaimed Fancy Barbeque

[RWBTEX]

L.Mullers & City Market are my two favorite joints, Not to dis AF I just hate the line. I'll give you a free BBQ crawl tip. If it don't get served on paper or if there is table service it is 99.9% guaranteed to be a disappointment.

I agree here too, have never had good bbq at a table service joint.