la Barbecue image

la Barbecue

Restaurant Barbecue restaurant

Hopping BBQ counter in a small market offering brisket, pulled pork & sausages, plus outdoor tables. People often mention brisket, ribs, wait, pork, line, great, Austin, order, delicious, potato,


Address

2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, United States

Website

www.labarbecue.com

Contact

+1 512-605-9696

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (2.7K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 11 am to 6 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 6 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 6 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 6 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 6 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: brisket (28) ribs (20) wait (17) pork (17) line (15) great (13) Austin (12) order (11) delicious (11) potato (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jonathan V. 2 years ago on Google
    Atmosphere: I went for lunch. I was the only one inside. There is outside seating so most people were there. Nice mix of music. As I come to realize... Maybe I wasn't supposed to dine inside? 🤔... Apologies if I broke that rule. Food: Brisket: Now I know what brisket is supposed to be like. The layer of fat on the meat just melted as soon as it went into my mouth. I usually pull the fat off as I don't quite like the texture… but this… is just wow. Sausage. Well seasoned sausage with a good spicy kick. Ribs Fall off the bone ribs with a great sauce on it. Service: Not really needed. I mean the order was previously placed, they were courteous when interacting, then just left me to enjoy the food. I appreciate it Final thoughts: This is a must. This was referenced by a friend and I couldn't agree more. Excellence!!! BTW do go in the restroom.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy S. 1 year ago on Google
    Worth the wait! Get in line early! The experience when ordering is efficient and not rushed-so awesome! We had the ribs, original sausage, and fall apart brisket-everything was delicious. The sides were just as delicious in their own way. Mac & Cheese, potato salad and chipotle slaw (great spice)! Amazing to share with 2-4 people!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jared G. 1 year ago on Google
    Friends were in town and I recommend Franklin’s, but the reviews here were excellent and indicated far less long of a potential wait time, so we went here. Super freaking good; this place stands on its own! We ordered the sliced brisket sandwiches, the Mac & cheese, and pork ribs. The sliced brisket sandwiches were FANTASTIC. I’d say this brisket is the best I’ve ever had — as good or better than Franklin’s — but I particularly loved it in a sandwich. The pickles and onions really balanced the flavor out and made the sandwich not feel quite so heavy. Loved the potato buns (which had extra flavor from the brisket grease touching them). Pork ribs: definitely delicious / soft / fall off the bone, though Franklin’s is certainly better. Mac & Cheese: super delicious and creamy with a great texture, without being uncomfortably heavy; went well with the other items we ordered. We arrived at 9:30am on a normal Saturday (they open at 11am) and we were second in line. It was our turn to order by 11:15am. We all absolutely felt that the wait was worth it and we were happy with our timing. Whereas if you were to arrive on a weekend around noon, the line appears to go far around the block. If you’re a brisket person, I imagine that this is the best place to go in Austin. Can’t wait to return!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Connie K. 1 year ago on Google
    Yummy, this place is delicious. Recommended by a local. Wed 1pm, 30 min wait outside. Stand under some misty water, a skinny line of shade along the building and iced cold water. Once you're inside - your food is cut as you order. Plenty of seating inside and outside, clean and open. Big bathrooms with disco balls! 4 sauces to try, the signature one even warm when I used it! $38.50 for potato salad, 3 ribs (wow! So tender), 2 pieces of brisket (1/2 pound, star of the show!) and potato bread. Quality reflects price. Cocktails and beers are available to order. I'm glad I chose this place for my Austin BBQ and highly recommend!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brian W. 2 years ago on Google
    From out of state and visiting Austin. This was on our to do list before we came. I would say definitely plan ahead… we got there at 11:30am and didn’t get inside to order until 2. However they had a staff member working the line taking drink orders and helping to keep people hydrated. Staff is friendly and efficient! The food here is worth the wait. We had the brisket, pork ribs, sausages, and sides. The brisket alone is worth the wait, but the pork ribs will bring me back for sure. The slaw was surprisingly spicy, my wife says unnecessarily spicy; but we didn’t go there for the sides. ;) The short of it… some of the hands down best BBQ I’ve ever had!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 De’Andrea C. 9 months ago on Google
    My mouth is watering just writing this review. We all know we can find the best BBQ in Austin, but THE BEST BBQ is found right here at la Barbecue. The service is always friendly and in fantastic moods, they’ll even let you sample something if you’re unsure! But the star is of course the food. Brisket…Mac and cheese… potato salad..you can’t go wrong with any of it. I will always always convince people to come here anytime they’re in Austin! It’s a MUST when you’re in East Austin!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alon G. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is a great BBQ restaurant! ♨️ La Barbecue has an incredible collection of delicious beef 🐄 and pork 🐖 meats! The Shells 🐚 & Cheese 🧀 is great but a bit spicy 🥵. The line here is long - we came before it opened and still waited ~35 minutes to place an order, so make sure to join the line before they open at 11am. 🕚 They close at 6pm - so plan ahead! Staff 👨‍🍳 is super friendly and they have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. 🪑 I wish there prices 🏷️ were lower!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 melissa f. 8 months ago on Google
    Amazing BBQ! Oh my goodness. Would give 6 stars if I could. Went on a weekday around 2 pm and had to wait about 20 minutes to order. Service was top-notch. Brisket was perfection, spicy pickles, pickled red onions, and chipotle slaw complimented the meat perfectly. Mac and cheese was great, too. Do yourself a favor and add la Barbecue to the top of your list for places to eat when visiting Austin. 😋
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Niko M. 1 year ago on Google
    Unnecessarily long line as there was plenty of empty seating but the service was slow, almost like they want the wait time. Also difficult to understand how you run out of such popular items (pork ribs and sausage) an hour after opening, again seems like they want the induced scarcity. Having said all that, this was genuinely the best BBQ I have ever had anywhere period. Everything from the brisket to the pulled pork to the sauces and sides was fantastic. If the induced demand is genuinely part of the experience then I would just deal with it because the end result really is worth it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shyam V. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing BBQ!! The flavors were just on point and the meats were cooked to perfection. The brisket was the star for me and I will definitely be back to have some more. The BBQ sauces they had were also great and complimented the meat very well. Ordered ahead online so we could skip the line and get straight to it. Such a delightful BBQ experience. Will be back !
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dashmeire W. 2 years ago on Google
    For 3 years we've been driving 3 hours for this delicious barbecue. 1.5lb pork ribs, 2 brisket sandwiches, pickles, peppers & cucumbers, & potato salad. Perfect date lunch on a beautiful day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wenyi C. 6 months ago on Google
    La BBQ boasts not just some of the finest barbecue offerings, but also a brilliantly efficient line system that ensures you're served swiftly once you reach the front. But the showstopper has to be their Mac and cheese - hands down the best in town. It's an essential indulgence for anyone who steps foot in this establishment. Don't miss out!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sky T. 1 year ago on Google
    Worth the wait! Stopped here since it was near the airport and had good reviews. About a 20 min wait for a late lunch so a good sign that the food is worth it. They have a small parking lot too and some residential on the side. They also gave a small bite sample of their brisket! Real nice gesture! I got the El Sancho Loco, which has chopped beef, chopped pork, and sausage with pickled red onions on too. Delish!! Super flavorful with a nice smoke. I paired it with some of their slaw. It's peppery and creamy, but not sweet. Really enjoyed the savory take on it. Got the sweetness from the sauces so worked out very well. Overall, great start to my trip to Austin!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danny Z. 1 year ago on Google
    Arrived at around 11.30am on a Saturday and ended up queuing outside in the searing 100 degree heat for around an hour. Was appreciated that they had an employee serving drinks to those waiting in the queue and iced cold water was readily available. The wait was very well worth every bit of it. Some of the most succulent brisket I've ever had and the pork ribs were literally falling off the bone. To avoid the queue, I'd very much recommend ordering in advance more than 24 hours to avoid the long wait. Unsure when I'll be back in Austin, but if and when that will happen, I'll be sure to return!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jordan W. 2 years ago on Google
    I visited la bbq in December 2021 after a local recommended it. It was definitely some of the best beef bbq I've ever had. The beef was well seasoned with plenty of pepper. The potato salad, pickles and onions, we're great on the side too. The restaurant appeared clean with more seating outdoors than inside. So keep the weather in mind.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dia T. 2 years ago on Google
    First barbecue I got to try in TX! The brisket was pretty good. Good sauces and sides as well. I got the El Sancho Loco which has all the meats on it. Would recommend. Service was fast and smooth.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Julie K. 2 years ago on Google
    The barbecue here was amazing but the line is really long. The brisket and ribs were my favorites and the pickles had a nice kick. Would definitely go back, but would order online ahead of time (could even order days in advance if you are visiting).

  • 5/5 Gizem K. 2 years ago on Google
    The wait is long! I stood in line for 1hr 30mins but the barbecue was so worth it. After all the wait buy more so you have some leftovers. Definitely skip the sandwiches and get meat by the pound. Brisket and pork ribs are the way to go and their jalapeño sausage is great too! Potato salad was the winning side for us. Will definitely come back.

  • 5/5 Cris L. 6 months ago on Google
    Wow oh wow! Hands down THE BEST ribs I’ve ever had! I’m drooling just thinking about this delicious meal! The sides were delicious but nothing could compare to how the meat just fell off the bone. The shells and cheese was voted the best in Austin and it sure lived up to its name! Would definitely love to come back!! The service was also great. They keep you hydrated while you waited in line. The staff even gave a “perfect order” list recommendation! Came around 11:30 on a Sat and waited for an hour but it went by quick! Highly recommended!

  • 5/5 Cesar R. 2 years ago on Google
    Is the wait long? Yes, because there is no indoor dining at the moment and the staff are a bit slow. But is the food worth it? Absolutely. Recommend getting here early to beat the crowds. Obviously get the brisket and the ribs. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised at the jalapeño sausage — absolutely delicious flavors, you have to get it. As for sides, the potato salad really stood out and is a must. The barbecue paired nicely with their selection of beers. Not cheap but it’s a worthy experience.

  • 5/5 Joe H. 2 years ago on Google
    This was an excellent experience! All I’ve heard about when visiting Austin was Franklins and Terry Black’s but this place blows them out of the water. Excellent pulled pork and sweet in-house sauce, the brisket burnt ends sample was super savory too! Coolest bathrooms I’ve experienced, quite the hidden gem!

  • 5/5 Clàudia A. 8 months ago on Google
    The experience was absolutely INCREDIBLE! The meat was incredibly well cooked, tasty, juicy, and with a lot of flavor. We ordered two pork ribs, brisket, the chopped brisket sandwich, and the frito pie with pulled pork. Everything was really good, we were so surprised that all the meat tasted so well. My absolute favorite was the brisket by the pound, the best I tried in my life. The brisket sandwich and the pulled pork where really amazing as well, the last one was crispy and tasty. Service was so nice. The price is a bit expensive but it is worth it. I would go back again!

  • 5/5 Mere K. 8 months ago on Google
    We waited in line for about 30 minutes at 1 pm on a Saturday. The traditional sausage was quite spicy. The pork ribs were alright, but the beef ribs were phenomenal! The brisket was juicy, but felt quite greasy after a couple of bites. I would revisit La Barbecue just for the beef ribs!!

  • 4/5 Mary-Jo H. 4 months ago on Google
    Truly the most delicious barbeque in Austin. I will dream about their ribs for the rest of my life. There was a long line at around noon on a Sunday, took us almost an hour to get to the counter, however it is truly worth it. It looks like they do offer pre ordering online to minimize waiting but I didn’t know that prior to the visit. Ordered almost everything available and it’s all in the picture. Pork ribs are a must have, the brisket had great flavor and was very tender but was too fatty for my taste but again I would still recommend it. Jalapeño sausage was probably the best sausage I’ve ever had with a great spice level. The pulled pork sandwich with the slaw was also amazing I wanted to order a second! Sandwiches come on martins potato bread which is the superior bread. For sides we tried the mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, kimchi, house made pickles and pickled red onions. Overall the sides weren’t amazing to me but were good. The kimchi was spectacular with a strong garlic flavor. Their bbq sauces are also not to be missed , the mustard based sauce compliments the pork perfectly. My only complaint was the wait time which honestly seemed unnecessary as there was plenty of staff behind the counter but only 1 man actually taking orders and serving it up. If they had two stations it would run more smoothly. Though I will say the food was so good this would not deter me from returning.

  • 4/5 Eddy H. 4 months ago on Google
    Any centex barbecue nerd should know the pedigree that la barbecue comes with. I’d last visited them at their previous location 4 years ago. But having recently found out that these guys are actually part of the Mueller bbq dynasty, I just had to come check them out again. They’re also on the top 50 list by Texas monthly. Brisket (8/10): The brisket was tender as it could be. The gelatinous jelly-like consistency that I crave, it was there. The extremely coarse ground pepper made consuming the brisket an interesting textural experience in the mouth. However the seasoning was a little lacking on the salt. Chipotle Coleslaw (6/10): This might probably just be me, but the coleslaw was a terrible side for the brisket. I usually like having something sweet to counteract the cattiness of the brisket. But this coleslaw was too spicy. ——@eddythefoodcritic


Call +1 512-605-9696 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed outside
  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Comfort food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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