8.7
Brown's Bar-B-Que
$South Lamar, South Congress & South Austin
South Lamar's charitable-priced brisket trailer
TRAILERSOUTH LAMARVALUE
AIAI-generated illustration — not a photograph of this restaurant. About our images
8.8/ 10
328 reviews“East Cesar Chavez's small-batch, oak-fired pit”
Bill Kerlin's trailer has held down the East Cesar Chavez barbecue corridor since 2013, growing a small crew into a proper Central Texas force without ever leaving the parking-lot ethos behind. It is small-batch by choice — oak-fired, hand-tended, and gone before dinner most days, which is part of why the line forms early. The brisket comes with a deep smoke ring and a bark that carries real pepper, and the pork ribs are among the best in the city, tender with a clean pull. Beef ribs bring the big-cut drama, and the jalapeño cheddar sausage is worth a detour on its own. Kerlin also earned a cult following for its BBQ kolaches — a Czech-Texan pastry stuffed with smoked meat that is the ideal thing to eat while you wait for the counter to open.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Wed–Sun 11am until sold out
- Closed
- Monday and Tuesday
- Heads up
- Kerlin BBQ keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Brisket, Spare Ribs, and Beef Ribs
What to Order
1
Brisket2
Spare Ribs3
Beef Ribs4
Jalapeño Cheddar SausageWhy It Stands Out
**Small-batch smoke that punches at the city's top.** Kerlin turns oak-fired brisket, clean-pulling pork ribs, and jalapeño cheddar sausage out of an East Cesar Chavez trailer — and the BBQ kolaches are a Czech-Texan detour of their own.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 2207 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
- Phone
- (512) 412-5588
- Hours
- Wed–Sun 11am until sold out
- Website
- kerlinbbq.com
- Price Range
- $$
- Established
- 2013
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke9.0
Bark9.0
Tenderness9.1
Value8.5
Atmosphere8.2
Consistency8.8
Back to Best BBQ in Austin
Good to Know
Kerlin BBQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Kerlin BBQ?
Regulars point to Brisket, Spare Ribs, Beef Ribs, and Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage.
What are Kerlin BBQ's hours?
Wed–Sun 11am until sold out
What days is Kerlin BBQ closed?
Kerlin BBQ is closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours can change on holidays, so it's worth confirming before a trip.
Does Kerlin BBQ have limited hours?
Kerlin BBQ keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
Is Kerlin BBQ expensive?
Kerlin BBQ is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Kerlin BBQ serve?
Kerlin 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 Kerlin BBQ open?
Kerlin BBQ has been serving Austin barbecue since 2013.
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