In Austin there is often much hype about the unlimited variety of restaurants here with someone always boasting a “better in Texas” claim to local delicacies. When you get right down to the brass tacks of food fare, the true Texas standard is barbecue. In Texas, an eatery must live up to its hype or it will be branded “all hat and no cattle.” One local barbecue joint corrals all the boasting and praise as it delivers the goods. When it comes to Franklin Barbecue, believe the hype. This iconic local barbecue destination lives up to all the praise and accolades heard throughout the world.
From Backyard To World Famous
Franklin Barbecue was started by Aaron Franklin after becoming the go-to guy for backyard cookouts and transitioned to a food trailer in 2009, according to the restaurant’s website. That grew into today’s Franklin Barbecue located at 900 E. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702. This down-to-earth joint is a destination for locals and travelers and its owner and chief pit master is literally a living legend in the world of barbecue. Aaron Franklin and his restaurant have won the most coveted awards for barbecue throughout Texas and the United States. He has his own television show and is building pits and grills for sale so others can try to duplicate his incredible cooking talent. Famous chefs, food critics and entertainment celebrities swear by Franklin’s “backyard BBQ” and go out of their way to get a taste when in town. The restaurant takes a break to close every Monday and each morning on the other six days of the week people line up early to wait for hours in hopes of getting their portions of the day’s fixings before all is gone. Doors officially open at 11 a.m. and serve until they run out by 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. – if it lasts that long. But if you don’t get your spot in line dang near the crack of dawn, your taste buds will suffer with no barbecue that day.
Don’t Miss Out
So, if you pack a breakfast snack and stand in line for hours, what’s on the menu at Franklin Barbecue? The barbecue classics are available such as brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage and turkey and the tasty sides such as potato salad, slaw and pinto beans. All the meats can be slapped on a bun for a sandwich and the “Tipsy Texan” adds an original sandwich option. Every morsel, especially the brisket, has been described as “mouth-watering” by satisfied diners who have visited from all over the world. You can wash it all down with iced tea (sweet, of course), Big Red soda, Mexican Coke (have to try it) or a variety of local wines and beer, including the classic Lone Star beer. If you’ve got any room left in the tank, dessert offerings include bourbon banana pie and the choice of Texans, pecan pie. Don’t argue with Texans about how to pronounce “pecan” or you might find yourself sent to the back of the line. Eat slowly, take it all in and enjoy what will surely be a bragging-rights culinary experience. Texas is the place for world-class barbecue, and Franklin Barbecue is the capital of barbecue destinations.