Ali Clem is the acclaimed chef and owner of La Barbecue in Austin, Texas, a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its authentic Texas-style smoked brisket. Her journey to becoming a prominent figure in the...
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We visited La Barbecue on a Sunday with an 11:30 a.m. OpenTable reservation, and it was the best decision we made. We walked right past the long line, ordered immediately at the register, and had our food delivered to our table in about five minutes. By the time we finished eating and left—roughly 15 minutes later—the line had only crept around the front corner of the building. One reason the line moves so slowly is that only one order is processed at the counter at a time.
As for the food, the beans were excellent and probably my favorite part of the meal. The brisket was very moist but didn’t have the smoky flavor or peppery bark I usually look for in Texas barbecue. The sausage also surprised me—it leaned more toward a chorizo-style flavor than a traditional Texas smoked sausage.
Parking was easy to find on the street, and if you’re planning to visit on a busy day, I highly recommend making an OpenTable reservation. It turned what could have been a long wait into a quick and easy lunch.
La Barbecue is my go-to spot for BBQ in Austin. Their brisket is my favorite, melting in my mouth. They even give you a sample when you order! Their turkey is another must-try, smoked and juicy to perfection. As for sides, their mac n cheese with the shells is a classic. I recommend arriving early to avoid the line, but it’s always worth the wait.
4
Will definitely come back. We arrived at 10:15 am on a Friday and were the first people in line. We tried the brisket, beef rib, turkey, jalapeno and chorizo sausages, the chili dog, the Mac and cheese, and the potato salad.
We didnt really care for the potato salad, multiple members of our party said the Mac and cheese was the best thing we ate, and everyone had different opinions about the cuts of meat. It was good! Lived up to the reputation but was not so good we'll definitely choose it over other Austin BBQ
4
La Barbecue did not disappoint. We went all in and ordered the brisket with mashed potatoes, salad, chipotle coleslaw, and mac & cheese—and honestly, everything hit the spot. The brisket was super tender and flavorful, and the sides weren’t just as an afterthought—they were just as good (that mac & cheese especially!).
Portions are generous, so come hungry or be ready for leftovers. We sat out on the patio and had perfect weather, which made the whole experience even better. The vibe is pretty laid-back—not fancy, but it fits the whole BBQ scene.
Definitely a solid spot if you’re craving classic Texas barbecue done right.
5
Superb moist brisket, pork ribs and turkey. All flavorful, cooked to perfect tenderness. Staff was warm, and welcoming. Come early rhe sausage goes fast! You wont be disappointed at all.
