“The pilgrimage. The brisket that changed everything.”
Aaron Franklin's East Austin institution is the most celebrated barbecue restaurant in America, and the line that forms before dawn is proof of a reputation that reset the entire genre. In 2015 Franklin became the first pitmaster to win the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest, and the brisket has since become the standard against which all Texas barbecue is quietly measured. The fat is the miracle. Franklin's brisket renders to a silky, almost buttery consistency no other pit has replicated at scale, the bark holding a peppery snap over meat that gives with the lightest pressure. Beef ribs arrive as hulking, primal monuments, and the pulled pork proves the pit's range beyond beef. The genius isn't a trick — it's obsessive sameness, cooking exactly the same way every single day until consistency becomes the product itself.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 11am until sold out
- Closed
- Monday
- Heads up
- Franklin Barbecue keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Brisket (fatty), Beef Ribs, and Pulled Pork
What to Order
Why It Stands Out
**The brisket that reset the genre.** Franklin's fat renders to a silky, buttery consistency no other pit has matched at scale — the James Beard-winning benchmark, sustained by cooking exactly the same way every single day.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
- Phone
- (512) 653-1187
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 11am until sold out
- Website
- franklinbbq.com
- Price Range
- $$
- Established
- 2009
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Franklin Barbecue — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Franklin Barbecue?
Regulars point to Brisket (fatty), Beef Ribs, and Pulled Pork.
What are Franklin Barbecue's hours?
Tue–Sun 11am until sold out
What days is Franklin Barbecue closed?
Franklin Barbecue is closed Monday. Hours can change on holidays, so it's worth confirming before a trip.
Does Franklin Barbecue have limited hours?
Franklin Barbecue keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
Is Franklin Barbecue expensive?
Franklin Barbecue is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Franklin Barbecue serve?
Franklin Barbecue serves Central Texas Style barbecue — Central Texas BBQ is defined by its simplicity: salt-and-pepper rub, post oak wood, low and slow in an offset smoker. The meat is the star — no sauce needed. This is the style that put Texas BBQ on the world map.
When did Franklin Barbecue open?
Franklin Barbecue has been serving Austin barbecue since 2009.