It was perfect! From the wait to a happy belly! Every step was great! Rachel also gave us the best service! It’s a must stop! Pro tip: you can go in and buy beers for your time waiting in line! You can thank us later 😉

Beef ribs 😋 Waited 4 and half hours for this. Was second in line on sunday. Definitely well worth it. The beef ribs were so tender, fall off the bone, and oh the skin were crispy yet juicy. Flew from Seattle but for sure would do it again even with the wait.

+1

We came all the way from Florida to try this BBQ. Waited in line for almost 2 hours and it was worth the wait. The meat was all incredible. The sauces are delicious. The beans and slaw were great. The potato salad was not my favorite but it wasn’t bad. The atmosphere and service was really great. I highly recommend giving this a try. Get there EARLY! They ran out of some stuff while we were in line but the brisket alone made it all worth it.

Lenney Moore

On my bucket list as the most famous BBQ restaurant in the world! Got there at 8am on a Sunday and was 14th in line. The Line gradually grew very long and they do run out of food so I highly recommend getting there early! I tried several meats including brisket, beef rib, pork ribs, regular and jalapeño sausage and turkey with beans and slaw! The brisket is as good as advertised and a must try, and the other items were delicious as well. I had leftovers that blew my socks off it was so good! Definitely worth a visit, glad I got it knocked off my bucket list. Austin was great! Wonderful time spent enjoying the city!

+2

Katherine Cain

Not going to lie- never thought I'd go here. I am not a "wait in line to eat" person. I figured it was all hype. We were in the area today and it was later in the day so we thought- wonder if there is a line.... So we went and there was not. We got the brisket sandwich, the pulled pork sandwich and the pork ribs. Everything was outstanding. The brisket in particular. It was honestly some of the best brisket I have had. I liked the thick slices- not sure I have ever had it like that. Love/d it. They have 4 sauces you can experiment with as well though honestly nothing needed it- I used it on the potato salad. Picnic tables outside / covered and an inside. Everything was fantastic. Everyone that works there was very friendly and nice. 5 stars for sure. Well deserved.

Evan McGill

I lived in Kansas City for 10 years so I’ve had a lot of good barbecue, but I had to go to Austin for a business trip. I landed at 9:45 AM and had the morning off, so I decided to venture into the Franklin Bbq line. I arrived in line at 10:15 on a Thursday and it was still pretty deep. They open at 11 AM and I actually didn’t get my food until 1145. Totally worth it though. Time went by pretty quickly. Brisket is like nothing I’ve ever had before. Pulled pork was great too. Highly recommended.

George Spanos

Was first in line at 7:30 was totally worth waiting to go in amdhave the best bite of bbq i have ever had. I had gotten half pound of brisket, half pound of ribs, a quarter pound of pulled pork and 2 sausage links. Everything was juicy tender and bursting woth flavor.

+6

Amazing experience. Easily best brisket I’ve ever had. We only waited 40 minutes, must have been bad weather. I’d wait for it again. Bring a small cooler with beer and some friends. They dipped most or all of the meats in beef tallow right before serving, never had that before but it made all the meat appear so succulent and fresh.

Franklin Barbecue truly lives up to the hype. The brisket is hands down the best I’ve ever had—tender, flavorful, and absolutely worth trying at least once. They even provide camping chairs for guests waiting in line, which is a nice touch since we waited about an hour and a half. They had already run out of the Dino ribs by the time we ordered, which was a bit disappointing, and the selection of sides is limited. That said, the quality of the meats more than makes up for it. For me, this feels like more of an “experience” visit—something to do once for the tradition and the story. With so many fantastic BBQ spots in Austin, the long wait may not be worth repeating, but Franklin’s is still a 5-star establishment in its own right.

+1

Jay Hyatt

Group of 10 of us went. We got 5lbs of brisket, 12 ribs, 4 links of sausage and we ate it all. It was amazing!! The ribs were on par with the best I've ever had if not the best. The brisket was absolutely perfect. We got there at about 12:45 on a Sunday and waited about an hour to order. Periodically someone came through the line to ask what we were planning to order and giving a status on what was still available. Next time I hope to try the turkey and maybe some of the desserts. Thanks Franklin!

Been on my bucket list for a while. Everything it is cracked up to be. Brisket was fantastic. The beef rib was amazing. I was pleasantly surprised by the pork rib! Maybe not what they are known for, but it was delicious! Everyone was amazingly friendly and helpful. One of the staff even offered us a tour of the pit room to see where all the magic happens. Those smokers are something! Had a great time in line as well. Lot's of friendly customers to keep you company while you wait.

+1

Arrived Friday am around 9:45. Brought our chairs and started waiting. A staff member was selling local beer so I tried the large which was very tasty. Around 11 the line started to move and then another staff member came out to the line and informed how long the wait is based on your approximate position, ours was 2 hours. She also took a soft order prepping your expectations like how much 2 ribs weigh, how much brisket you might like etc. The wait is long but ultimately worth it. The BBQ is awesome so juicy and flavorful. All in all a must try.

+3

Brisket was good. Cheddar Jalapeno sausage was good. Pork ribs were the best I've ever had in my entire 50yrs of being alive!! Pulled pork was just okay. The beans were really good, but the other sides were just okay.

We've experienced Franklin a couple times before -- once during COVID for a to go order and once when we won a private dinner experience through a blood donation (still one of the coolest wins ever, unfortunately we didn't win this year, lol). This time, we were actually on our way to try a different BBQ spot when we noticed there was no line?? It was only 30 minutes before opening. This was right before the big freeze at the end of January, so everyone was huddled inside the patio trying to stay warm, but the vibes were still laid back and friendly. One thing we absolutely LOVE about Franklin is how they handle the wait. Doors are open before service starts, you can use the restroom, even grab drinks while you wait. That alone is elite level hospitality in the BBQ world. They also had someone walking around asking what people were thinking of ordering so they could gauge inventory, which is genius and helps manage expectations before you even get to the counter. Service was super friendly across the board. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there and wanted to make sure guests were taken care of. What we ordered: * Turkey - Moist and lightly seasoned, letting the meat shine. Simple and done right. * Beef Rib - Massive, tender, incredible smoke and bark. Surprisingly needed a little extra salt (yes, I said it ), but once we added it? WOW. * Brisket - We didn't think it would taste that different from the beef rib, but texturally it absolutely was. Melt-in-your-mouth tender with beautiful bark and the perfect level of seasoning. * Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage - Great snap, LOVED the gouda flavor * Pork Ribs - Fall-off-the-bone tender, smoky, and honestly some of the best we've had. We grabbed some bubbles (basically prosecco) while waiting and a Roadhouse beer. Alcohol prices are on the higher side, but the convenience of being able to sip while you wait, especially since we stopped in last minute, makes it worth it. We did forget to order the sausage initially, but it was super easy to walk over to the drink counter and add it without standing in the full line again. Also appreciate the free bread, pickles, onions, and sauce setup. It's the little things. Only slight hiccup: when it was time to line up for opening, they ask guests to honor the order of arrival. Unfortunately, people are people and not everyone follows the honor system. But that's not on the staff, they can only do so much. Overall, incredible food, thoughtful hospitality, and a super smooth experience even on a cold morning right before a freeze. Franklin continues to live up to the hype, and we'd absolutely go back.

Was in Austin for work and got a chance to try Franklin. Really wanted to see if it was worth the hype. I arrived around noon on a Thursday and it took 1h10 to get my food. Be prepared to wait. Seems like if you arrive after 1:30, wait is shorter. The brisket was amazing, very tender, not dry. Sausage was great, a lot of flavors. Bbq sauce were great as well. The spicy one was my favorite, just the right amount of spice (not too spicy). Sides were good/ok. Nothing special. Special mention to the key lime pie. Yummy! Worth trying at least once imho!

+1

Not wanting to stand in line for hours was top priority, so we placed a to-go order and ate at one of the two benches by the to-go trailer in back. There was a 5 pound meat minimum so it ain't cheap to do it that way. No sides ordered, so I can't review those, but the meats were all top notch. Best brisket, turkey, and jalapeno cheddar sausage that we tried on a BBQ mecca type trip to Austin and Lockhart, TX. The flavor of each item was rich and delicious. The sleeper of the meats was the shredded beef brisket. That on a sandwich (bread provided) with the pickles and jalapeno and the espresso bbq sauce was phenomenal. They need to sell the espresso sauce in the bottle like the other sauce flavors.

THIS is why I picked Austin for this leg of my trip! While there can be up to a 3 hr wait, only about a dozen people were in line when I arrived (40 min before opening). I saw in an interview once, Aaron said winter is a good time to come to minimize the wait. I got 1/4 pound of everything and both sausage styles. This was hands down the best bbq I've had! I got to chatting with Taylor who gave me great info on the place as well as other recommendations for while I'm in town. She also hooked up a behind the scenes tour with one of the pit crew, Mattie. He is an awesome dude and I greatly appreciated his time! While it was all delicious, my top 3 on the plate: the jalapeño sausage, the turkey, and of course the brisket (in that order). Props to Theo on the smoked sausages! Highly recommend! (And hopefully i spelled everyone's names correctly ha). IG: That1GuyTravels

+5

Steven Hernandez

Best bbq brisket I ever had. I have never had good brisket, unless I cooked it myself, until here. This meat was like butter in my mouth. He has converted me to brisket. I got to meat (pun intended) the man himself, Aaron Franklin, who was about as nice as a person can get. He was so gracious to take a picture with me. I actually stayed an extra day just to try it, and I am so glad I did. Just remember to show up early, like 2.5 hours early.

Steve Hines

First time visiting this restaurant but had a recommendation from a friend. I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of potato salad..everything was tasty. The pulled pork was juicy and tender and they had several sauce options you could apply..next time I'm in town will definitely need to try the brisket. You can't go wrong selecting this place.

James B

Is it worth the wait? Absolutely!! I was first in line arriving at 6am. The line atmosphere was fun and vibrant meeting all the people sharing a love of BBQ. The wait went super fast too. We ordered everything on the menu and it was all amazing! And I mean perfect amazing. Its crazy they can pump out so much food everyday of such a high quality. Could not fault it. Anyone who doesn't give this place 5 stars needs to get their heads checked! Thank you Franklin BBQ for the experience!

Everardo Reyes

The best brisket you are going to have probably in your whole life, Franklin BBQ is second to none. The consistency of the meat, the portion size, the service and the experience of waiting in line just to have a slice of this magnificent food makes it a must do experience in Austin. I don't think it's that wise to arrive very early... However you can go at around 10 and wait in line for about an hour and still get some brisket. (We went on Saturday). Everything about this place is great! Don't miss it.

+5

Luke Faddis

Finally had Franklin Barbecue, and it’s officially taken the #1 spot in my BBQ rankings! After years of reading about and watching Aaron Franklin’s techniques, I made it a priority to stop by during a Texas trip, and it did NOT disappoint. The brisket is the star of the show—tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. The bark was absolutely perfect, delivering that smoky, caramelized crust I’d dreamed about. It’s everything you’d expect from Franklin’s mastery and more. The surprise standout was the jalapeño cheddar sausage, which took second place among the meats. I’m not even a huge sausage fan, but the gooey, cheesy goodness that oozed out with every slice was unreal—pure deliciousness! The turkey, pulled pork, and pork ribs were all fantastic, tying for third. Each one is absolutely worth ordering, showcasing the incredible range of Franklin’s craft. I only tried the potato salad as a side, which was solid but not the best I’ve ever had—still a great complement to the meats. I grabbed two pies to go, and I’ll update this review once I dig into those. For now, Franklin Barbecue is a must-visit for any BBQ lover. The hype is real, and it’s worth the wait!

+2

While in Austin for a team offsite, we had a private dinner at Franklin BBQ and whew... it was worth the hype. And this is coming from someone who is not a BBQ person at all.\n\nOur meal was served f…

Aaron Franklin's brisket will transform the way you think about meat....This is absolutely worth the wait and a must go destination....

Aaron Franklin's brisket will transform the way you think about meat....This is absolutely worth the wait and a must go destination....

Aaron Franklin's brisket will transform the way you think about meat....This is absolutely worth the wait and a must go destination....

The wife and I walked to this place which was not far from our hotel. waited in line for about 35 minutes and it was worth it. The place is cool smells delicious and plenty of seating. But you have…

We got there around 11:30 am on a Friday and waited about 45 minutes in line. Not too bad! The staff was super friendly and the hostess (I think that was her job) would come out and check on the li…

Franklin barbecue is a must-stop if you love texas barbecue. I have driven past quite a few times and the line out the door is a bit much for me. Then it happened just the other day, maybe 3 pe…

Franklin barbecue is a delicious meaty heaven of brisket and sausage. I've been here twice in the past two years, and I have always gotten a whole brisket that's been vacuum sealed to go. Fun fac…

Franklin Barbecue is a delicious meaty heaven of brisket and sausage. I've been here twice in the past two years, and I have always gotten a whole brisket that's been vacuum sealed to go. Fun fact,…

It's been about three years since I had the pleasure to eat at Franklin bbq. I decided to go on a Tuesday morning and I got there about 9:30 am. I was number eight in line. Tuesday is the slowest d…

We were apprehensive about having to wait in line for "hours", but Sunday felt like a breeze. In line by 1130am, bellies full and happy by 130pm. I will say the beef rib was sold out by the time …

Worth the wait. Maybe slightly better food than the rest, but the experience was amazing. They ran out of beef ribs when we were next in line.

For me, Franklin Barbecue lived up to the hype.\n\nMy friend and I arrived at Noon on a Saturday, met with a long line but friendly face. staff told us the wait was 3 hours and they would be out of…

For me, Franklin barbecue lived up to the hype.\n\nMy friend and I arrived at Noon on a Saturday, met with a long line but friendly face. Staff told us the wait was 3 hours and they would be out of…

Even if we were only able to try the pulled pork because we arrived late, franklin barbecue is definitely the best barbecue in Austin. The potato salad was also wonderful. If you like a more vine…

The BEST bbq we've ever had! It was all worth the hype and the wait! Brisket and beef ribs that melt in your mouth. An absolute must try! Over and over again:)\nAnd service was great. Loved Hannah:)

Amazing experience at Franklin BBQ!\nI ordered the brisket, pork ribs, and jalapeño sausage with a side of beans, and everything was incredible. The menu is simple in the best way, straight to the …

This is a review for a preorder of brisket, ribs, turkey, and pulled pork. The ordering process online is easy. I submitted my order and payment about 40 days in advance. The process of picking i…

This was the first Texas BBQ I had several years ago when we were visiting for the F1 races, and we've been making it a tradition to return here for brisket and pulled pork whenever we're in town…

What an experience . They know bbq !!!! The brisket melted in my mouth. The sides were delicious too . And the dessert. Wow . I can’t wait to go back . When we went it wasn’t busy as we went around 2…

What an experience . They know bbq !!!! The brisket melted in my mouth. The sides were delicious too . And the dessert. Wow . I can’t wait to go back . When we went it wasn’t busy as we went arou…

What an experience . They know bbq !!!! The brisket melted in my mouth. The sides were delicious too . And the dessert. Wow . I can’t wait to go back . When we went it wasn’t busy as we went around…

What an experience . They know bbq !!!! The brisket melted in my mouth. The sides were delicious too . And the dessert. Wow . I can’t wait to go back . When we went it wasn’t busy as we went around…

Fantastic BBQ at Franklin’s! Get in line by 10:30 am or you may not get brisket! Food is fantastic! The sitting area is small inside and there are several outside tables in the shade.

Fantastic bbq at Franklin’s! Get in line by 10:30 am or you may not get brisket! food is fantastic! The sitting area is small inside and there are several outside tables in the shade.

Fantastic bbq at Franklin’s! Get in line by 10:30 am or you may not get brisket! Food is fantastic! The sitting area is small inside and there are several outside tables in the shade.

Ordering online and picking up from the trailer out back couldn’t have been more convenient. My order was ready right on time, and the team was outstanding—kind, welcoming, and highly professional. I…

Worth the wait (1 hr 20 min). I had the brisket, ribs, Cole slaw and pecan pie. Not a fan of the sauces but the meat is so well seasoned that sauce is merely an afterthought.

Worth the wait (1 hr 20 min). I had the brisket, ribs, Cole slaw and pecan pie. Not a fan of the sauces but the meat is so well seasoned that sauce is merely an afterthought.

Worth the wait (1 hr 20 min). I had the brisket, ribs, Cole slaw and pecan pie. Not a fan of the sauces but the meat is so well seasoned that sauce is merely an afterthought.

This is the absolute number 1 bbq joint in Austin and across Texas I would say. I was recommended this bbq joint by several friends and it didn't disappoint. They serve absolutely amazing jui…

Absolutely amazing experience, the food was perfection as expected but the staff were a highlight, happy to help, so friendly and getting to take a look at the smoke house was such a welcome surpri…

Went here on the spot around 11:30 am on a Wednesday. There was a line, but it wasn’t as crazy as I had been told. I was informed that the food would be enough, except the turkey was already sold o…

if I could give them 100000 stars? I would!!! I waited an hour and a half to try their BBQ and I do not regret it! Mind you, I am someone who hates waiting for food. I ordered .25 lb. of brisket,…

The line might seem intimidating, but trust me, it's worth the wait. The brisket literally melts in your mouth, and the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender. Don't skip the sides – the potato salad an…

Got there early on Wednesday, right from the airport. Great decision. The wait was tolerable and they still had food when we ordered. Brisket, pork ribs and big beans were all off the chart, e…

Father and son road trip, worth every bit the 2698 mile round trip from Florida on spring break. The brisket was like a fillet minion and the turkey breast was super moist like butter.

Franklins was mouth dropping delish! The atmosphere, friendly staff, and the BRISKET……oh my! Get there early, line starts hours before opening. They offer chairs. The line antics is half the experi…

Franklins was mouth dropping delish! The atmosphere, friendly staff, and the BRISKET……oh my! Get there early, line starts hours before opening. They offer chairs. The line antics is half the experi…

We have watched the shows and read the books so it was a real treat to eat at Franklin BBQ. We got there at 11 and were eating by 1pm, it was so worth it! Super friendly staff and amazing BBQ so gl…

So worth the wait. Tastiest, juiciest, most flavorful meat on the planet! Love the atmosphere and the proprietors and staff.

Picked up curbside at Franklin’s and was seamless , due to dining room being closed you must order online , VERY IMPORTANT; the earlier you place order for day/time you want , the better chance you…

This place is all about the brisket, eat it while it is hot and tender. The pork ribs, sausage and pulled pork weren’t stand out but still enjoyable. Not a big fan of their sides like cole slaw or potato salad and the only thing i may reorder in the future is their pinto. Queues can be as long as 2 hours even from 11am and while the queue becomes much shorter at 12.45pm, they may run out of meats so be warned.

Franklin Barbecue fully lives up to its reputation and is absolutely worth the wait if you’re serious about great Texas BBQ. The brisket is the clear standout—perfectly smoked, incredibly tender, and packed with deep, rich flavor without needing sauce. The sides are simple but done right, complementing the meat instead of distracting from it. Despite the long lines, the experience feels well-organized, and the staff keep things moving efficiently. For the $20–30 range, the quality is exceptional, and it’s easy to see why Franklin Barbecue is considered a must-visit for barbecue fans.

Laura Marlborough

Drove to Franklin from Houston on a Tuesday morning in January. Got there 1 1/2 hours before they opened and there were about 30 people in front of us. Between the weather being perfect and meeting some nice people in line, the wait was not bad. Wish I could say the food made up for the long drive and wait but we were a little disappointed. The brisket was just okay. The pork ribs were tender and the rub was excellent, but again, not what was expected from all the online hype. The jalapeño cheddar sausage though, now that was superb. Just the right amount of cheese and spice. We got pints of the coleslaw and potato salad. Both were underwhelming but we plan on seasoning the leftovers at home so it won’t go to waste. With all that said, this is not meant as a bad review in any way shape or form. It is very good barbeque. Our expectations were high with what we saw online, and we have better options that are much closer to home. If you are in Austin and want good bbq, then I would definitely recommend checking them out.

htxfoodexplorer

Franklin’s BBQ was definitely moist, tender, and super filling the flavors live up to the hype. The brisket especially was rich and juicy, and you can tell everything is smoked with care. That said, the experience itself has a few drawbacks. The lines get long, and once you’re inside it feels a bit cramped with not enough seating for how busy it gets. The menu is pretty limited on sides, and the price is definitely on the higher end. Parking is also tight, so be prepared to walk a little if you go during peak hours. Overall, though, it’s still a solid Austin BBQ spot worth trying at least once especially if you want that classic “Franklin’s experience.”

I got here at 10:10 or so on Tuesday morning and came down to eat around 11:40am. I was at the front side by the stairs that has the chairs underneath.\n\nSo the brisket was good, and sliced more thi…

We waited in line about an hour for our food. There was a woman who was very helpful with the ordering process. We got the brisket and ribs. They ran out of turkey a few people before us, and they …

Being a tourist in Austin I had to hit up the classic spot. We went a little past peak hours and waited around 30 mins. \n\nThe service was efficient and they have a lot of signs to get you ready t…

Being a tourist in Austin I had to hit up the classic spot. We went a little past peak hours and waited around 30 mins. \n\nThe service was efficient and they have a lot of signs to get you ready t…

We heard about this place and were hyped to try it. I ordered several items to try. The turkey sandwich, a reg sausage link, and brisket along with potato salad. We had a very short wait. The turke…