Craving the best barbecue in the country? You’ve arrived at Franklin Barbecue. Aaron Franklin founded this Austin, Texas, institution in 2009.
Initially, Franklin Barbecue was just a trailer. It quickly gained a cult following. Every day since opening, Franklin Barbecue has sold out of brisket. In 2011, Franklin Barbecue moved to a brick-and-mortar location. The building’s paint scheme mirrors the original trailer.
Why is Franklin Barbecue so popular? Aaron Franklin uses post oak wood. He seasons Meyer Angus beef with only salt and pepper. This creates his signature Texas-style brisket.
But it’s not just the food. Waiting in line is part of the Franklin Barbecue experience. People line up for hours. Some travel from across the country. Even Anthony Bourdain waited an hour and a half.
Many famous people have eaten here. President Barack Obama famously visited Franklin Barbecue. He even bought lunch for those behind him in line. The restaurant appeared in Jon Favreau’s movie Chef. Aaron Franklin and his general manager made cameos.
In 2017, a fire damaged the smokehouse. The main restaurant had only smoke damage. Franklin Barbecue reopened three months later. The smokehouse was redesigned and rebuilt by March 2018.
Franklin Barbecue’s menu includes pulled pork and pork ribs. They also serve sausages and turkey. But the brisket is the star. Bon Appetit called it the best BBQ in the country in 2011. In 2015, Aaron Franklin won a James Beard Foundation Award. He was the first barbecue chef to win. Texas Monthly ranked Franklin Barbecue number one in 2013. They included it in “The 50 Best BBQ Joints” again in 2017.
Aaron and Stacy Franklin are the faces behind this success. Aaron is also the co-author of Franklin Barbecue, A Meat-Smoking Manifesto and Franklin Steak. Stacy is the co-owner and COO. She manages the operations. Together, they’ve built a barbecue empire.
Aaron also worked with Austin PBS station KLRU to produce a web series, BBQ with Franklin, on barbecue. This show appears on the Create TV network which is part of the PBS family.
Franklin Barbecue also sells barbecue sauces and spice rubs. You can buy pits and accessories too. So, get in line. Taste the legendary brisket. Experience Franklin Barbecue for yourself.