Franklin BBQ Reviews

Bring a chair and umbrella to sit while you wait. It's worth the wait. Order a little bit of everything and share with friends. Take the banana pie to go.

Why is there no sixth star you can use for special occasions? My friends back in the UK thought I'd lost it when I told them I was queueing for lunch - at 8am! But I wasn't alone - the hardcore were already there, in the best spots in the shade. So I grabbed a chair and joined them - read my book, caught up on my emails, enjoyed the atmosphere. After about 9am, they open the doors so you can grab water (important, if, like me, you're there in the heat of summer) or beer (hey, not often I have a beer at 9am!).

I got in around midday and ordered a half pound of brisket, quarter pound of turkey and a sausage. Turkey and sausage were great, but, wow, oh wow, the brisket. Sublime. It's up there with the very best. Worth a four hour queue? Well, I had nothing better to do that day, and I can now tick Franklin's off my list of 'must eat' restaurants.

Now the high has worn off, I have to ask myself if it was better than Louis Mueller's in Taylor or Blacks in Lockhart? Both places you don't have to queue from 8am. I'm not sure. But if lived in Austin, I'd be there at least once a week!

The food is so fantastic and it shoes with their world renowned brisket. Their system was kinda weird but regardless the food was fantastic.

Worth the pilgrimage. I'll never forget the greatness of the food here.

I've been about half a dozen times, starting when they only had a trailer. Their food is excellent - I don't know that I've had better brisket. The atmosphere is not terrible, but the service is very annoying. The people working there enjoy talking with everyone, but it makes it extremely slow. The line isn t that long, but they take forever to serve each person. It s turned into a place where you have to wait 2 or 3 hours to get food. The food certainly is good, but not worth the wait. I d check it out if you ve never been before, but I wouldn t say that it s worth a second visit unless you can get someone to wait in line for you.

The line out front of the s an experience in itself. If you preorder you can skip the wait and just enjoy the barbecue.

So we did the whole deal literally on the last day of the year.

Wake up silly early, get to the queue (which was already ridiculously huge) and wait. Wait four hours and 20 minutes before we sat down to eat.

And boy it was worth it.

Surprisingly fun too.

I was actually most impressed by the ribs, which were by far the best I've ever had. Due to my Brisket obsession, I had had amazing ones before. Here you can try "the standard". Every Brisket should be measured against this. Just perfect.

We took a bunch home (which made for the perfect New Year morning munchies "snack", feeding six of us). However, it really is that much better if you eat it straight away or same day VS the day after, so don't stock up and enjoy the moment!

Amazing. Brisket was as advertised, best I've ever eaten.

The lines can be hours long, but that's just part of the Franklin experience. My favorites are the brisket and the ribs. The staff is very friendly and will even teach you some Barbecue 101.

So much love from my dad and me on this Valentine s Day, Franklin s Crew! He planned his entire trip from California around a visit to Franklin s. Y all treated him like a king and even invited him to check out the smoke house. The memory in this picture is absolutely priceless.

They are really good at brisket but not at customer satisfaction. I wanted to buy just one package of brisket and ordered it online but because my plans changed I came to Austin 2 days before than I planned and I wanted to pick it up 2 days before the pick up day. I said I was coming from overseas but they told me that they were sold out on the first day. I wanted to pick up my order on the second day but they said it's impossible. I really wonder if it was so difficult to add just one more brisket to the pit for an overseas customer? But hopefully before coming back to my country I could buy 21 pounds of bbq from another bbq restaurant in Houston. By the way although I couldn't pick up my order and I cancelled the order they charged my credit card for 7.5$. I used to be a fan of Franklin BBQ but after this dissatisfaction I changed my mind. One more thing, I think long customer line and "sorry we are sold out" is a kind of marketing strategy. If they wanted they would cook more bbq but they don't.

Great times in Austin got there early and chilled with friends I be never met. Priceless

Delicious food! But be prepared for a massive waiting line...

Personal favourites are the briskets and the pulled pork. If you are with enough people, you should definitely try all options!

I have to say that Franklin's BBQ lives up to the hype (mostly). I say mostly because there is NOTHING I would wait in line for 3+ hours. I was fortunate to enjoy Franklin's at a catered dinner and it was fantastic. It took 5+ years for me to get a taste, because I refuse to queue in the tourist line, but if you get a chance to get your hands on some of their BBQ at an event, or have the patience and time to wait in the ridiculous line, you won't be disappointed in the flavor!

It's worth the wait. In case you don't know, Aaron Franklin is the recipient of a James Beard award--and he may be the only BBQ guy to have one. That's like the equivalent of the holy grail for chefs, so if you have not checked out Franklin's BBQ, put it on your bucket list. But get there early...typically they sell out by 1pm.

See other location for more, similar issues, different venue.

The best bbq in the United States. Brisket and ribs!! Both excellent. The curbside pickup was easy and efficient-a 15-20 minute wait. The sausage, chipped beef, and turkey are also really good, but the brisket and ribs are were it s at! Take advantage of curbside service. You won t regret it.

Brisket ans sausage is good but Turkey is awsome. Did not like the pulled pork. Good potato salad. Tastes simular to HEB potato salad. Price is reasonably for a BBQ place

Absolutely the best BBQ in the World! Everything is done right. I highly recommend the Tipsy Texan

Their BBQ sauce is really good. Waited in line for 6 hours. Was not disappointed.

It really is that amazing. Word to the wise, if you don't want to stand in the very long lines that form daily, you can show up a little later around 1:00. It's likely they will run out of something by then (beans, pulled pork, etc) but should still have their signature brisket. If you want the whole experience, lines start at 7:00!

Even compared to the many other great BBQ joints in Austin, Franklin is fantastic and an experience not to miss.

Good not great. More marketing than Great BBQ. Good music, drinks fantastic location. Really good service, friendly. Definitely in top 10. I've been to Blacks, Kent Blacks, City Market, Rudys and many more. I wish one could hit on all on all 8. Franklin's and Blacks will go out of their way to package to go. They are rebuilding after the fire and yet they are CLEAN. I will have to visit a few more times.

The five-hour line is worth the wait. Easily the BBQ I've ever had.

I never thought I'd wait in line for 3+ hours for BBQ. But I did. And the wait was worth it! Franklin Barbecue is delicious and absolutely lives up to the hype!

Stood in line for over 4 hours. Was it worth it? Oh yeah buddy !!!! They sell beer while you wait so that helped.

I didn't think that any food would be worth waiting in line for 5 hours but I was proven wrong at Franklin's. The Brisket is so succulent it melts on your tongue. Get there early, pop a beer and prepare for the best meat you'll ever eat!

Ate myself to painfully full...and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Waited two hours (able to buy & enjoy beers and get to know others in line to pass the time), bought a sweet t-shirt, feasted on the best brisket I have ever eaten & tender ribs & crunchy slaw & flavorful beans. My mouth waters as I type this, remembering that food. Get in line early if you want a chance to enjoy everything on the menu & plan to wait: they open at 11am & sell out EVERY DAY.

The hype is real. Hands down the greatest meal I have ever had in my entire life. I waited in line by myself for 1.5 hours on a Tuesday afternoon in late August and it was easily worth it. Had the brisket, sausage link, ribs, and potato salad. I started to cry.

No question about the food which is really good. But they have gone up considerably on the price $35/lb. Not only the high price, when I ordered 4 lb brisket for July 5 they automatically charged me 20 percent gratuity of $30.31 for a curbside pickup. This included gratuity on sales tax as well. When I protested they refunded me half the gratuity saying gratuity from 10 to 20 percent must be paid no matter what. This is not acceptable and unless they reverse this practice, their business will suffer.

Well worth whatever wait, get there early to have best pick at all meats

Pretty sure Jesus whispered the secret to perfect brisket to this guy while he was sleeping and he remembered every word. The wait is awful, but the food is so dang amazing, it s actually worth the 90 minutes or more it takes to get a bite of delicious brisket.

Fantastic barbecue. Best beef brisket you'll ever eat. Trust me.

Holy Brisket Batman. So worth the wait and weight. They have hot Togo bags, so order extra.

Smelled really good. Got there around 1 pm still 1 hr to just get in the door.

Great meat. Ok sides. Not sure what all the hype is about. There is bbq just as good at a couple other places in Austin. Glad I tried it

The Brisket is incredible....no other Barbecue compares. It's worth the wait....drink a nice local beer while you wait.

We enjoy what is worth enjoying even though it's hard to swallow under rated places.. the hype was definitely overrated..this is a 2.5 on the only 2 good thing service and freshness..!
Lacking flavor and overwhelming smoke bitterness sorry expected better..!
this should be a $$$$ rating seriously overpriced especially With the amount of volume that they purchase should not be so expensive....! not worth paying extra $$

I've had BBQ all over the US (NC, Memphis, KC, etc.). This is quite simply the best BBQ I've ever had. The fatty brisket is sublime. If you are in Austin for any reason, do your mouth a favor and make time for Franklin. But definitely go early as they WILL sell out of meat. For reference, the line gets started around 8 am for an 11 am opening (lots of folks take lawn chairs and coolers and sort of camp in the line). And YES Franklin's is definitely worth a 3 hour wait.

Not a rate and review person, however, on July 13th, in line at 11:10, at the counter at 1:10 ordering, exactly as we were told when we got in line. Well worth the wait and made new friends while waiting. Able to leave the line to get beverages. Yes, a server handed us a paper wrapped chopped beef on white bread when we arrived to carry us over. AMAZING sliced brisket, best I have ever eaten, and pork ribs were amazing. Tender, moist, flavorful. No sauce needed for either meat. A unique experience. Will def go again when in Austin from Florida....

Need to line up for more than an hour. The barbecue is delicious

Ahhh, what a delicious BBQ was her few weeks ago and every time I think about their stake and BBQ sauce my mouth water ....
nice and delicious and good service but it gets crowded so have to wait .

I MEAN do i really need to write a review? this place is the BOMB. drool-worthy brisket!!!!!!!!!!!! i love that you can get a combo plate (brisket and ribs with two sides) for $17 - which is totally large enough for 2 people. but if you are waiting in that long line, im pretty sure you are gonna wanna eat that yourself.

i think the brisket (moist, burnt ends) is the best. then ribz, then sausage.

their banana bourbon pie was the best pie of the bunch.

the line is cray but a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. wait with friends, get your drank on, and by the time 4 hrs goes by and you taste that brisket, you'll be happy as a clam!

Best Steaks and Sausages I ever had. Best BBQ in town and staff is also very nice and Service is faster than I expected.

It's Franklin's! What else is there to say?! Easily some of the best BBQ I've ever had!

The kings of BBQ. The turkey was out of this world.

Impressive place, excellent attention and service. The best BBQ in Texas. The bad thing is the waiting time, but it is quite an experience.

I tried the brisket and the ribs. The brisket was tough and overcooked, and neither the brisket nor the ribs had any smoke flavor at all. There are lots of great BBQ places around Austin; I can't for the life of me figure out why Franklin's is popular. Don't waste your time standing in line.

love best bbq worth the long wait
ever in austin enjoy

Ribs are okay, but the brisket is unreal. The best brisket in the United States.

Went in with high expectations due to the reputation that they have. I must say that they exceeded every expectation that I had. Best brisket and ribs that we had while in Austin. Such a cool little place. Get in line and wait! It's well worth it!

Excellent barbecue had everything except ribs, they were out. Waited 1.5 hours food was great but not that long a wait. Had nothing else to do so don't consider it waisted time.

Wow. Amazing. Fantastic. Go here, eat their BBQ, it is the best. You will love it. If you have read a negative review, you can completely disregard it. This place is simply amazing. I had Brisket and Turkey, AMAZING!

LOOOONG lines, reminds me of waiting at an airport. But the bareque was amazing. Will be back.

I had a great 1st time experience on a Sunday. I got in line with a couple of friends around 1pm and we were able to get brisket and sausage within an hour! I think the cold front that came in dampened people's enthusiasm for the line, but we gave it a shot when we drove by. Some of the best brisket I've ever had and the sausage was surprisingly really good as well. I also enjoyed the coleslaw, although the other 2 sides were very underwhelming.

Okay Franklin Barbecue...you're making me admit Texas BBQ is excellent! (I'm from Kansas City) I got friends and family who may disown me now! Seriously good eats though. Wait from start to food in bellies was 3 1/2 hours but totally worth it. Staff was ridiculously friendly too. 5 stars across the board. They might have thrown out some shade on KC BBQ though...but all in good fun

I waited in line for 3 hours. IT WAS WORTH IT. Ive never had bbq like that. I ordered 1lb of every meat. I ordered all the sides. We spent $135 on it. We picked it up for the guests we have at our house. We all said bad words in exclamations of joy after our first bites. We saw many others at Franklins doing the same, it was pretty funny to see so many people cuss in joy. Everything was cooked by a master bbq chef. The staff was super nice.

This is hands down the best bbq Ive ever eaten. Holy **** that was good. I would wait 4 hours if I needed too.

I was told they may run out of food before they even opened by a staff member. Luckily they had all the meats. When I finally reached the front. If you are worried about not getting your meats. Arrive 2 hours beford open.

Best meal Ive had all year.

Had a brisket sandwich with onions and pickles. Absolutely delicious.

Gordon Ramsay paid a visit today, didn't expect that

Not a fan of sausage so can't comment on that, but everything else is excellent and the brisket often transcendental. With so many other good BBQ options nearby, perhaps not worth the wait as often as it used to be.

Franklin's BBQ is the best i've had in Austin, it's gotten some great awards and for good reason! The line sucks but for the event itself of going to the great Franklins is totally worth it! Go to Franklins soon.

Brisket was as soft as frosting! I've never had anything so delicious. Well worth the $$ and wait!

Believe the hype. Go later after 2 p.m., the line will be shorter - 30 minutes - and they likely have at least brisket if not most items if it's not a weekend.

As a NC girl, grew up on pulled pork. Franklin's pulled pork is better then any I have ever tasted! It was so yummy

End of day ...everything else is gone! special is Da'bomb

Wait is worth it. Eat all u can. Bring Tupperware.

Omg.... I did not die.. but I sure went to heaven... best BBQ on earth...

So the BBQ here at Franklin's is pretty decent. We tried the brisket, turkey, and pork ribs. But, it's not all that much better than what you can get at Black's BBQ, County Line, or a number of other places in and around Austin. The sauces were just average, with a vinegar base. None of them were labeled so we didn't even really know what we were trying. Some of the sauces on the tables had weird colors as if the staff had gotten them mixed up when refilling them, so they ended up being a mix of 2 or even all 3 of their sauces. It was very confusing.

We had to wait in line for nearly 2 hours on a Thursday afternoon. They only had one guy cutting the meats and one guy working the register. We had to stand around with our food for another 10 minutes waiting for a table to open up. What really ticked me off was that they actually had the nerve to ask us for a tip on my credit card receipt and that they had a tip jar out on the counter. We have to stand in line for 2 hours, get our own food, get our own drinks, and then go fight for a table and y'all want a tip? What the hell for?? When did tipping stop being about customer service and instead just a reason for these restaurants to avoid having to pay their employees a decent salary? And it isn't like the food here is cheap. For the two of us it was nearly $70 (and we only had water and shared one dessert).

This whole place is just a one big gimmick. They create an artificial shortage of food and facilities and, for some reason, people just seem to love it. I think one time eating here at Franklin's was enough for us.

I have had the Franklin experience once. A buddy and myself waited 2 hours in somewhere around 30 degree weather and I just reviewed this place with 5 stars. The bbq is unreal. And the wait goes by faster than I thought it would.

Fantastic brisket, ribs and sausage. Pulled pork is good, but go with the other 3. Is it the best, well that's up to you. It's very good! I don't use sauce as the BBQ should stand on its own and this does. Austin has numerously highly ranked BBQ restaurants. You should decide if the wait is worth it. I've eaten here 4 times total and all have been great!

We made a pre-order for the food (brisket and sausage) so my review will be mostly based on the food and not entirely on the establishment. Although I do recommend pre-ordering the food to avoid waiting in line for a long time (there is a minimum amount of food required to pre-order) but even then you do have to pre-order way ahead of time.
On the brisket it was some of the best brisket I have had. I have had west and east Texas bbq before, but Franklin's bbq brisket is tops. The brisket was moist and tender and not chewy. A nice smoke ring on every slice and minimal fat.
The sausage was good. It did have a good amount of pepper in it, so a lot of my family did not like it; I like spicy things, and with a kick, so I found it to be good. The sausages come in links and are made with actual casings, the kiddos found it hard to eat through the casings.
Overall I loved the bbq and will definitely be going back for more.

Indeed the wait is painfully long, but oh, so worth it! The BBQ is amazing! The brisket & ribs were perfectly seasoned and cooked. I just wish the turkey and pulled pork weren't sold out by the time we got to eat. I picked up 2 bottles of the Espresso BBQ & TX Style sauce for the in between times.

We ordered Franklin BBQ in February for takeout and were super impressed with everything! The process was easy online (though we had to book a few weeks in advance) and the pickup was smooth. Everything we ordered was amazing! Of course, the food is best right there in the restaurant but to avoid lines and crowds during COVID, online ordering is a great alternative when you are hosting a larger group or feeding a family.

The brisket is ridiculously good! The star if the show!