9.9
Franklin Barbecue
$$East Austin, East Austin
The pilgrimage. The brisket that changed everything.
LEGENDARYBRISKET KINGLINE REQUIRED
⚡Opens at 11am, sells out by 1–2pm most days. Arrive by 8am for weekend visits.
AIAI-generated illustration — not a photograph of this restaurant. About our images
9.3/ 10
445 reviews“Taylor's cathedral of smoke. James Beard honored.”
Louie Mueller Barbecue has operated out of the same gymnasium-turned-barbecue-hall in Taylor since 1949, its walls coated in decades of smoke residue that read like the rings of a tree. Third-generation pitmaster Wayne Mueller carries the family standard, and the restaurant received a James Beard America's Classics Award in 2006, cementing its place in the American barbecue canon. Walking in is like entering a smoke-stained time capsule. The brisket has a bark that is nearly black and a smoke flavor that penetrates all the way to the center of the slice — depth that only decades of the same pits can produce. The beef ribs are massive and magnificent, and the jalapeño sausage carries a peppery, garlicky snap. This is the place that shaped the modern Austin barbecue revolution — Aaron Franklin's primary influence, still cooking the way it always has.
Know Before You Go
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 10am until sold out
- Closed
- Sunday
- Heads up
- Louie Mueller Barbecue keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
- Price
- Mid-range ($$)
- Don't miss
- Brisket, Beef Ribs, and Jalapeño Sausage
What to Order
1
Brisket2
Beef Ribs3
Jalapeño SausageWhy It Stands Out
**The place that shaped the modern Austin revolution.** Louie Mueller's nearly-black brisket bark and smoke-to-the-center depth come from pits running since 1949 — a James Beard-honored cathedral and Aaron Franklin's primary influence.
Quick Facts
- Address
- 206 W 2nd St, Taylor, TX 76574
- Phone
- (512) 352-6206
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 10am until sold out
- Website
- louiemuellerbarbecue.com
- Price Range
- $$
- Established
- 1949
Ratings Breakdown
6 dimensions, each scored 0-10
Smoke9.8
Bark9.5
Tenderness9.2
Value8.5
Atmosphere9.5
Consistency9.0
Back to Best BBQ in Austin
Good to Know
Louie Mueller Barbecue — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Louie Mueller Barbecue?
Regulars point to Brisket, Beef Ribs, and Jalapeño Sausage.
What are Louie Mueller Barbecue's hours?
Mon–Sat 10am until sold out
What days is Louie Mueller Barbecue closed?
Louie Mueller Barbecue is closed Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so it's worth confirming before a trip.
Does Louie Mueller Barbecue have limited hours?
Louie Mueller Barbecue keeps limited hours and can run out — go early or check ahead before you visit.
Is Louie Mueller Barbecue expensive?
Louie Mueller Barbecue is mid-range ($$).
What kind of barbecue does Louie Mueller Barbecue serve?
Louie Mueller Barbecue 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 Louie Mueller Barbecue open?
Louie Mueller Barbecue has been serving Austin barbecue since 1949.
