8.0
Featherstone BBQ
$$Lakeway, Round Rock & Suburbs
The weekend-only Lakeway pit worth planning around
WEEKEND ONLYLAKEWAYUNDERRATED
⚡Friday through Sunday only. Check social media for availability.
AIAI-generated illustration — not a photograph of this restaurant. About our images
9.0/ 10
312 reviews“Round Rock's quiet giant. Brisket that earns the drive.”
John Bates runs Interstellar BBQ out of far North Austin near Round Rock, and it may be the best-kept secret in the metro. Removed from the downtown circuit, it draws a fraction of the crowds while turning out brisket that legitimately competes with the city's elite — a fact Texas Monthly confirmed by ranking it among the state's best. The brisket is exceptional in the details that matter: a pronounced smoke ring and a bark that shatters like glass over meat with real give. Pork ribs come glazed and clean-biting, and the smoked turkey is a genuine reason to order beyond the beef, moist where most turkey surrenders to dryness. Bates is also known for inventive sides, but the quiet is the luxury — you can actually taste the food without the dread of a two-hour line.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Wed–Sun 11am–3pm or sold out
- Closed
- Monday and Tuesday
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Brisket, Pork Ribs, and Smoked Turkey
What to Order
1
Brisket2
Pork Ribs3
Smoked TurkeyWhy It Stands Out
**Elite brisket with room to breathe.** Interstellar's bark shatters like glass over a pronounced smoke ring, and the northside location means you taste Texas Monthly-ranked barbecue without the two-hour downtown line.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N #105, Austin, TX 78750
- Phone
- (512) 994-6660
- Hours
- Wed–Sun 11am–3pm or sold out
- Website
- interstellarbbq.com
- Price Range
- $$
- Established
- 2018
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke9.2
Bark9.0
Tenderness8.8
Value9.2
Atmosphere8.5
Consistency8.9
Back to Best BBQ in Austin
Good to Know
Interstellar BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Interstellar BBQ?
Regulars point to Brisket, Pork Ribs, and Smoked Turkey.
What are Interstellar BBQ's hours?
Wed–Sun 11am–3pm or sold out
What days is Interstellar BBQ closed?
Interstellar BBQ is closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours can change on holidays, so it's worth confirming before a trip.
Is Interstellar BBQ expensive?
Interstellar BBQ is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Interstellar BBQ serve?
Interstellar BBQ serves Central Texas Style barbecue — Central Texas BBQ is defined by its simplicity: salt-and-pepper rub, post oak wood, low and slow in an offset smoker. The meat is the star — no sauce needed. This is the style that put Texas BBQ on the world map.
When did Interstellar BBQ open?
Interstellar BBQ has been serving Austin barbecue since 2018.
More to Explore
Browse All 
