David S

December 2025 Wow, just wow! The brisket, pork ribs, sausage, coleslaw, corn bread, and pecan pie were unbelievable! There are so many great reviews here, so there’s nothing more I can add. I’m so glad I stopped here as my last barbecue place while in town on business. I’m really going to miss this!

+3

Joseph Pratt

Best BBQ in all of Texas. Which is to say it's the best BBQ in the US. Which is to say it's the best BBQ in the world. Went there a few years ago and it literally changed my life. I've been telling people about it ever since. I got to come back today (I'm not in Austin that often) and it was just as good. My photos to not do it justice. The turkey is perhaps my favorite, so moist and flavor-packed. The brisket is great, ribs are amazing. The beans are to die for. Can't give this place enough praise! Super friendly as well. Nolan and Leslie helped us out and they were very personable and helpful.

James M

First timer here and it was very good. Parking is very hard so be patient or walk from a distance. The line moves fairly quickly, we went on a Saturday night so not sure how busy it normally is. After getting your sides and dessert, you go to a meat cutter and get whatever you pick, then pay and try to find a table. We had to stalk in order to find one but we were happy to sit inside, there are tables outside too. It’s all you can drink they have Coke and tea. Brisket melts in your mouth it’s delicious, ribs fall of the bone and delicious. The sausage was also terrific as was the potato salad and mac and cheese. The cornbread was the best I’ve ever had, not sure what the secret ingredient is but it’s awesome. The banana pudding and peach cobbler were fantastic. The sauces at the table were all great we liked the original one best. They have a military discount of 10% which was nice, it’s not cheap to eat here but it’s great.

+2

Debashri Manna

Classic Texas Barbecue! My husband and I visited this place for my birthday dinner to taste the Texas BBQ. The vibe here is casual with a lively and energetic feel. We were excited when we got the intense smoky BBQ aroma outside of Terry Black's. They provide lots of options for sitting both inside and outside. We enjoyed placing our orders in a cafeteria-style queue and choosing our drinks, sides and meats based on weight. The staff helped us in placing our order for meat as this was our first time trying BBQ. We tried their pork ribs, turkey, sausage with sides of mac n cheese, potato salad, bread and pickles and everything was excellent. The ribs slid off the bone easily and were delicious. The flavors of pork ribs forced us to order again. The sausages had a pack of rich flavor. When we will return to Austin, this place will undoubtedly be our first choice for barbecue.

+2

Michael Newbrand

Fantastic experience at Terry Black last night. The food was exactly what you want in Texas barbecue: brisket with great bark and smoke, ribs that came clean off the bone, and sides that actually hold their own. We did the VIP tour and experience, so no line, a private tour, and everything came out hot. The place had a fun, easy vibe even though it was busy. Big shoutout to Tyler. He gave us the tour, checked on us several times, and walked us through the meats and sides like a pro. Tyler really turned a good meal into a great experience. This is now a must stop destination whenever I am in Austin.

Richard Thatcher

A wonderful bbq place that hits it right with me. It’s the first bbq place for me where I loved the side dishes first. That Cole slaw and potato salad was so vibrant with cilantro and mint…oh, wait..I forgot the main thing for the moment. Delicious brisket and sausage were so juicy…soft tender strength on my fork. I will remember this one for another day.

Renata Cayton

My friends and I were visiting a buddy that recently moved to Austin and when we ask for the best BBQ spot- he brought us here. The food here was absolutely phenomenal! We orderd the Small Family Pack: 3 lbs of meat and 5 sides. We got the sausage( both flavors) brisket, chopped beef, and turkey. The brisket was so tender and juicy, both sausage had the perfect snap and opting in to get the jalapeno sausage definitely was good choice. Never had chopped beef before- and it was delicious. Hands down the best BBQ I've had. The place has ton of indoor and outdoor seating- but on a first come first sit basis. Be fore warned- this place is extremely busy so know what to order and have your payment ready. Despite it being busy- the lines goes really fast.

+3

Kaustubh M

One of the best barbecue meals I’ve had period. Nothing could have been done better. Amazing cuts of meat, well seasoned, rich buttery fatty flavors coupled with wholesome sides. We got everything on the menu from a whole beef rib, pork ribs, sausage, chopped beef, etc. it was foodcoma soon thereafter but completely worth it. Highly recommended.

+4

Tri Dinh

I finally visited Terry Black’s Barbecue in South Austin, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by that amazing smoky aroma that makes your mouth water instantly. The atmosphere is lively and casual — classic Texas barbecue vibes with friendly staff and plenty of seating, both indoors and out. I tried the brisket, ribs, sausage, and sides, and everything was top-notch. The brisket was perfectly tender with that beautiful smoky bark and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The ribs were juicy, flavorful, and fell right off the bone. The sausages had a great snap and a bold, peppery taste that paired perfectly with the house barbecue sauce. The sides were just as good — especially the mac and cheese and cream corn. Everything tasted fresh and made with care. Even though the line can get long, it moves quickly and is totally worth the wait. Terry Black’s truly captures what Texas barbecue is all about — generous portions, rich smoky flavors, and great hospitality. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Austin, this is a must-stop spot.

+6

Rashid Mannan

This was my first time having barbecue in Texas and I was not disappointed. The line was very long when I arrived, but it moved very fast as they have a large staff taking orders and prepping the food. I was impressed by their streamlined ordering process: as you progress through the line, you first get to order drinks, followed by another station where you can select sides, and finally reach the meat counter at the end where you tell them the quantity of meet that you'd like. Once you pay for your order, the search begins for an empty table. The restaurant has a ton of seating space (both indoor and outdoor), but it was still difficult to find an empty table on a week night. I finally found a nice couple who let me share a seat at their table. I ordered the Sliced Brisket with a side of Pinto Beans. I thought both were really good. I love their Sweet and Tangy barbecue sauce and thought it tasted so delicious with the brisket. This is definitely a restaurant that I'd glad to revisit when I'm back in Austin.

R Tyler

Went to the famous Terry Black's last night, and they should be famous for how well run of a machine they are! The line on a Monday night at 7pm looked long, but ultimately went very fast and efficiently. Atmosphere/staff: Drinks were offered at the beginning of the line, middle of the line, and just before checkout. One lady even gave me a surprise sample of the black margarita! Staff was friendly throughout, and tables (when open) were cleaned quickly. There were heating lamps outside. Parking looks complicated. We took an Uber so no issues there. All in all, a great atmosphere. Food: I went simple with one side of Cream Corn and a Beef Rib for $54. Food is expensive but I can say it was the best Cream Corn and best Beef Rib I've had. I also particularly liked the sweet vinegar mustard sauce. My friend got two meats -Jalapeno Sausage and a Beef Rib - and three sides - Mac n Cheese, Cole Slaw, and Banana Pudding. Staff threw in a few Burnt Ends for free! His favorite was the sausage, but greatly enjoyed all the others. I sampled the other two meats, and they were also very good. I didn't try the other sides though. His bill was closer to $90. We also got to try some Austin-local craft beers. I always appreciate the offering of something local. Overall: Really enjoyed Texas BBQ, and the food was probably worth the price. However, the price may preclude you from coming back on a regular basis. For best results, I would suggest going with a small group and ordering their small combo of Three Lbs Meat and Five Sides, and then everyone can share!

+4

Another BBQ spot checked off the list! This was our first visit and the place was buzzing—super lively with a big, inviting patio that clearly knows it’s the star of the show. Ordering is counter-style, and yes, they do serve alcohol, which already earns points. We came for the brisket (obviously), but also grabbed ribs and sausage. The brisket had good flavor, but if I’m being honest, it leaned a little dry for my taste. The ribs though? Absolute winner. Juicy, smoky, fall-off-the-bone goodness. If you’re coming here, don’t overthink it—get the ribs. We also loaded up on sides: mac and cheese, beans, coleslaw, green beans, and cornbread. The mac and cornbread were the clear favorites and definitely deserved a second bite…or third. All in all, I’m glad we gave this BBQ place a try and I’d 100% come back—mainly for those ribs that understood the assignment. 🔥🥩

The customer service and atmosphere here are top tier, food was tasty, well seasoned, but they need better bbq sauces. Brisket has a tasty bark, just not very flaky, juice and tender for sure though. Sausage, rib, and turkey were all tasteful and well seasoned as well, not too salty like you sometimes see with texas bbq. Overall a 4.5 out of 5 on flavor, but the customer service really sells this place, I would come back time and again because its obvious they care about the customers, the food they serve, and the atmosphere they're setting for patrons. Music was also on point.

Was staying close, so I had to go right? Iconic name in Texas and I suppose anywhere really. BBQ brisket put them on the map in history. Did it live up to the hype? Well, you have to understand brisket and it's done close to perfect for that cut of meat. I also ordered pork ribs. They were close to the best pork rib I have ever had in my life. My only slight criticism would be just a little too much salt. Still amazing. I ordered coleslaw. Above average. It's coleslaw. The beans were a meal in themselves. Absolutely delicious with meat included. If you are on a budget, this is a must order. Speaking of budget. Place is the most expensive BBQ I have ever eaten. Would be a 5 star review of prices were lower. They didn't seem to have trouble doing business though. I went Friday night and it was very busy. Service deals with this very well. You get a tray and order sides then meat by the pound. I ordered 2 slices brisket and 3 pork ribs. That's plenty, especially with the sides. They have to go containers really available. Terry Black, the legend that still delivers. Same up for a special meal. You won't regret it.

Traditional good BBQ - the fatty brisket was good, the beef rib was massive and super expensive. I wasn’t very impressed with the green beans or potato salad. This was super efficient though and easy to go even at 6 pm

WhoDat ShoughDat

Firstly, I’ll start with the bad. The only seating, that would could see at least, was outside. TONS of birds overhead, TONS of bird shit on the tables. Also, not their fault, but their system had to be restarted which meant my food sat for an extra 10 minutes, so we ate the food cold. I will say, the gave me the desert for free, but with how cold the food became, I would have rather paid full price and exchanged my food at the counter. My wife also got a chopped brisket sandwich, might I add she’s from Texas so her standard might be high, but a chopped brisket sandwich isn’t pre-made brisket from a drawer, it’s freshly sliced and chopped up fresh in front of you. (They sliced the brisket in front of me, but pulled the chopped from a drawer) Now, the good: the food, even though it had sat, was excellent. The brisket was a bit dry but it was good. The sweet corn was delicious. The Mac n Cheese was Velveeta style and my wife loved it. I thought it was super mid. Lastly, the banana pudding was AMAZING. Fresh banana slices and vanilla wafers inside. I would come back just for that, and to try stuff hot and fresh. Also weird side note, but the Dr. Pepper was so good. The service was also amazing. They obviously gave me the dessert for free, for waiting. They were helpful at every stop, which was nice. This place was PACKED even for lunch. So many lan accordingly. I would come back here for sure.

Abigail Silva

Terry Black’s is an Austin classic, if you have visitors in town, it’s definitely a must! The food is tasty and the place has a great vibe. The sides are delicious, especially the mac & cheese, the corn, and the potato salad. The coleslaw isn’t bad either. The brisket is usually really good, and the beef rib is absolutely delicious, just be careful, sometimes you might get one that’s too fatty or has too much skin. Make sure to check when you order. Once, I got a bad one and the person serving me wasn’t very friendly, and since the rib is pricey, I didn’t ask for a change that time. But the second time it happened, I talked to the manager, and he was super kind and replaced it right away. The same thing once happened with the pork ribs, and again, the manager handled it very nicely. Most of the staff at the counter are friendly, though it can depend on who you get. Overall, it’s a good experience great food, good energy, and classic Texas BBQ. I went last Tuesday, around late lunch or early dinner, and the manager that day deserves recognition for his kindness and excellent service. I’ll definitely be back!

+6

I recently visited San Antonio and I made sure to get a rental car specifically to drive to Austin so that I could experience the famous Terry Black’s BBQ, this was my first time having a beef rib and it was as delicious as I imagined. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as impressed by the brisket, while the brisket breaks apart easily it wasn’t as tender as I expected it to be, the flavor was great though. I would definitely recommend giving them a shot based on the beef rib alone. I would also suggest arriving as early as possible, I got there at 11:30AM, all items were available and I did not have to wait in line.

It's ok. A nice change from Missouri's KC or St Louis BBQ. Side dishes were very good. I had some pinto beans and potato salad. For meat we had a half pound of pork ribs and brisket. That was just right for a husband and wife average eaters. The facility is pretty old but they keep it clean and it adds to the Austin atmosphere.

Paul Gallas

Trendy and they know it. I read a lot of great reviews but they created higher expectations than what I experienced. The restaurant is kinda like a Chipotle but with BBQ. You wait in line, grab what you want and peruse the sides of slaw, beans or pies, then you order your meat and sandwiches. The sides were fine, a bit pricey for cabbage and mayo. The BBQ looked amazing. I ordered the brisket sandwiche and my wife, 3 ribs. 3 ribs for $35 seemed really steep. The bone weighed more than the meat and we paid for materials we couldn't eat. Meat was good, tender, cooked well. But the sauces tasted like some on the store shelf. Too sweet. The spicy sauce had no spice, just sugar. We bussed our own table, stood in line, got our food, carried our food to the table, opened our beer and the register, $75 and an option to tip 20%, 22% and 25% That's just stupid and kinda ruined the whole vibe.

Alejandra Servellon

We visited Terry’s during a trip to Austin. I had heard they have delicious brisket and sides, but it wasn’t my favorite BBQ restaurant. We ordered one pound of brisket along with mac and cheese and coleslaw. The food was good, just not outstanding for us. They have plenty of seating, although parking is limited. One thing I did like is their ordering process—you line up and order buffet-style, so you don’t have to wait for a server, and your food is served fairly quickly after ordering.

Alex Gregurich

Had to go check out a staple name in Austin BBQ. Left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed. We ordered 3/4 pound of brisket, 1/2 rack of pork ribs, 1/4 pound of normal sausage, small order of green beans, small order of Mac and cheese, chips, Mexican rice, and waters. Price was insane. 4 dollars for a water and more for a small order of rice. The ribs were the best part of the meal with the brisket being dry and flavorless and the sausage being poor as well. It feels and acts like a tourist trap. Doesn’t feel very clean, service is fast and overwhelming, and I would recommend people never sit outside. There was a swarm of birds outside that were walking all over the tables and pecking in the open spouts of BBQ sauce outside. I never once say anyone cleaning tables or sanitizing anything inside or out. It fees like a giant health hazard. Needless to say, once is enough for our family. If you’ve read this far and are asking “so where should I go for BBQ?”… go check out Leroy and Lewis.