If you had to choose one... Franklin BBQ or Salt Lick?

I've not been to Franklin, but I've been to Salt Lick. The food was pretty much OK. Nothing special. The pits are cool to see, but, given the choice, I'd line up at Franklin's. Nobody wanted to go with me when we'd go to Austin (from OKC) to visit my in-laws, so I never did it. Maybe one of these trips down to San Antonio to visit my sister, I'll do it.

Dine in Southside Market in Elgin. Be sure to try their sausage. Get a call in to go order from Franklins and eat that at The Capitol grounds or town lake.

I’d carry a cooler stacked with ice for leftovers both places.

if Franklin's lines are too much you are better off going to LA Barbecue.

I would choose Franklin's just to say you have done it. La Barbecue (also in Austin) is good as well. Or take a drive to Lockhart where there are other great choices.

16Adams said:

Dine in Southside Market in Elgin. Be sure to try their sausage. Get a call in to go order from Franklins and eat that at The Capitol grounds or town lake.

I’d carry a cooler stacked with ice for leftovers both places.

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This is what I'm going to do next time I'm in San Antonio...call in the to go order and drive to Austin.

Franklin's, no doubt about it!

Salt Lick has great ambience and it's cash only, last time I was there. Food is not very good IMO. Franklins of course is great. If you want top notch brisket w/out leaving San Antonio head to 2M Smokehouse. Amazing brisket and food there.

Dr. Trout Bum said:

This is what I'm going to do next time I'm in San Antonio...call in the to go order and drive to Austin.

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I think you need to call a few days in advance for Franklins.

JS-TX said:

I think you need to call a few days in advance for Franklins.

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I'll check it out on their web site. When I'm there, it's usually for weeks at a time.

I'd go with la Barbeque or my favorite, Stiles Switch. You'll get great BBQ and they won't have to stand in line for hours at Franklin's.

https://www.labarbecue.com/#2027-e-cesar-chavez-austin

http://www.stilesswitchbbq.com/

Both are closed Mondays and la Barbecue is closed on Tuesday.

Salt Lick is reheated tourist BBQ to impress Californians. Its not even on the same planet as Franklin. Not sure why people compare them. That "pit" everyone talks about is a glorified microwave. They reheat food on it, not cook on it. I'd scratch this off the list.

(OPTION 1) Franklin is a place you gotta try and do the line so you can say you have been there and done it. It's like a BBQ right of passage. That said theres BBQ joints around town that have BBQ that's about as good, without the massive wait if you have people with you who wont do the line. Preorders at Franklin are currently only 1 week out, so not bad at all. Maybe look into this? They have a $100 minimum.

(OPTION 2)

LaBarbeque

Micklewait Craft Meats (walking distance from Franklin)

Freedmen's

Stiles Switch


(OPTION3)

Also you will be in San Antonio. They have 2M Smokehouse there.

https://www.2msmokehouse.com

Guy who started it used to be pitmaster at LaBarbecue. I have not been there, but I bet it's as good as any of the above. It's Texas BBQ with Mexican flair.


(OPTION 4)

Going to Lockhart and trying Kreuz, Smittys or Blacks would be a good idea too. Minimal lines, not as far as Austin, you get a vibe of BBQ history, indoor seating, and good BBQ. Be warned some of the places dont have BBQ sauce or forks. They do it old school. The tourist think they are joking when they get told "we dont use forks or have sauce".

Snow's. Unless you're not in town on a Saturday. Just get there real early.

Don't forget City Market in Luling. It's even closer than Lockhart.

Rockinar said:

(OPTION 4)

Going to Lockhart and trying Kreuz, Smittys or Blacks would be a good idea too. Minimal lines, not as far as Austin, you get a vibe of BBQ history, indoor seating, and good BBQ. Be warned some of the places dont have BBQ sauce or forks. They do it old school. The tourist think they are joking when they get told "we dont use forks or have sauce".

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Kreuz :hand: Over priced and not that good.

Smitty's was really good.

However, Black's was AWESOME! Those beef ribs were more like beef lollipops to this old man. :becky:

Coat said:

Snow's. Unless you're not in town on a Saturday. Just get there real early.

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Snow's and Mueller's are two I haven't tried yet that are on a "must taste" wish list. I need to figure out how to pick them both up on a single trip to the Austin area.

http://www.gristmillrestaurant.com/ or http://clearspringsrestaurant.com/new-braunfels/ way better than The Salt Lick , they're not Texas BBQ , but neither is the Salt Lick

I’ll stay true to this thread and answer the question straight.. if the in-laws are not serious about BBQ, the Salt Lick will be great for them.

Some people just can’t taste the difference so you need to decide if your company is in that group. If my in-laws were coming to visit me, Salt Lick is where I would take them.

Franklin's might be hard for dragging other folks to if they're not that into eating mind blowing BBQ, and Salt Lick is more like a fun place with just OK food.

As stated, Stiles Switch is a fantastic option - you can walk right in and get top notch BBQ. Also worth considering John Meuller's Black Box BBQ. He's on par with the best around there IMO. Anything Mueller is a win - Louie Mueller's and La Barbecue (I've only heard about LB - never been but it is universally praised).

Personally I think Kreuz is really good (love the pork chop and shoulder clod, along with the classics) and Smitty's is just OK (what we got was kinda dried out). Black's is great - meats are fantastic and if you like sides, they got 'em & the peach cobbler is a must.

My favorite is Snow's, but that might be tricky with a crew since you gotta be there around 8am on a Saturday and wait an hour or 2. But - as my son said after his first bite: "I'd do this again tomorrow."

Sid Post said:

Snow's and Mueller's are two I haven't tried yet that are on a "must taste" wish list. I need to figure out how to pick them both up on a single trip to the Austin area.

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Start out at Snow's and then drive 20 minutes to Mueller's. We did that a couple months ago and it worked out great.

Sid Post said:

Snow's and Mueller's are two I haven't tried yet that are on a "must taste" wish list. I need to figure out how to pick them both up on a single trip to the Austin area.

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I did not think Snows was that great. Everything they had was good, but nothing "WOW". Where Franklin is brisket specialist and everything else is "meh". I do like Snow's sausage more than anyone else I have tried. Also they open at 8AM. Its hard for me to get excited about eating greasy BBQ at 8AM. I may try them again to see if my opinion changes.