What is Franklin Barbecue known for?

Franklin Barbecue is an iconic Austin destination famous for its highly sought-after brisket, which Texas Monthly has called "the best barbecue in the known universe." It is also famous for its long lines, with customers standing in line for hours and sometimes lining up before dawn.

What are the hours of operation?

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until they are sold out, which is typically around 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and also closes annually for a summer vacation in August.

The menu features brisket, pork ribs, sausage, turkey, pulled pork, sandwiches, and classic sides like cole slaw and pinto beans. The meat is seasoned simply with salt and pepper and smoked over post oak in Central Texas style.

Can I order food in advance?

Yes, the restaurant offers a preordering system that allows you to order takeout in advance.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Franklin Barbecue in Austin

Name: Franklin Barbecue
Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin, Texas, US

What to know

Located at 900 E. 11th Street on Austin's historic East Side, Franklin Barbecue is widely recognized as one of the most celebrated culinary destinations in the United States. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin and his wife Stacy launched the venture in 2009 as a small barbecue trailer alongside an Austin interstate. Its immediate success drove them to transition into a permanent brick-and-mortar location the following year. Inside, the restaurant maintains a remarkably simple aesthetic, featuring cement floors and a corrugated metal ceiling. Despite its humble setting, Franklin Barbecue has earned unparalleled acclaim. Texas Monthly famously declared it as serving 'the best barbecue in the known universe.' Pitmaster Aaron Franklin's culinary mastery was honored with the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2015, and he was later inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2020. The restaurant's legendary status has attracted high-profile fans, including Anthony Bourdain, Jimmy Kimmel, and President Barack Obama, and even inspired the Austin PBS television program 'BBQ with Franklin.' The menu centers on true Central Texas-style barbecue, where meats are seasoned simply with salt and pepper and smoked over post oak. While visitors can feast on pork ribs, sausage, turkey, pulled pork, sandwiches, pinto beans, and cole slaw, the star of the show is undeniably the tender, slow-smoked brisket. Experiencing Franklin Barbecue requires planning. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, starting at 11:00 a.m. and operating until they sell out, which typically occurs around 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Dedicated barbecue lovers regularly begin lining up outside before dawn to secure their meal. For those looking to bypass the legendary wait, the restaurant also offers an online preorder system for advance takeout.

Visitor tips

Arrive before dawn if you plan to stand in the morning line, as crowds gather hours before the 11:00 a.m. opening.
Use the online preordering system to secure your barbecue in advance and bypass the long daily lines.
Note that the restaurant is closed on Mondays, and they close daily as soon as they sell out, usually between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Keep in mind that the restaurant closes annually for a summer vacation in August.

Nearby context

Franklin Barbecue is situated on Austin's historic East Side, a vibrant neighborhood rich with cultural landmarks. Just a short walk away, you can explore the historic Victory Grill, a legendary music venue that once hosted famous blues and jazz artists. The area seamlessly blends Austin's deep-rooted heritage with its modern energy, making it a perfect starting point before heading toward downtown music hubs like Mohawk Austin.

Franklin Barbecue