The Scene

Texas BBQ is a theology, and Austin is its Vatican. The Central Texas tradition — beef brisket, post oak smoke, salt-and-pepper rub, no sauce — is the most imitated BBQ style on earth. Aaron Franklin turned a trailer into a pilgrimage site and won a James Beard Award in the process. But Austin's scene extends far beyond Franklin: a new generation of pitmasters has built on that foundation with beef ribs the size of your forearm, jalapeño cheddar sausage that snaps when you bite it, and smoked turkey that converts even the most committed carnivore.

Must-Order Dishes

Best Neighborhoods for BBQ

Top Restaurants