Bon Appetit Names Franklin Best BBQ in Texas, if not America

In a recent article by Bon Appetit, they claim that the East Austin BBQ joint, Franklin is the best BBQ restaurant in Texas, if not America.  Funny how they follow that statement with "Let the debates begin."  I frankly (no pun intended) do not agree.  I have forever loved Salt Lick and Ruby's (NOT Rudy's) and in my opinion, Franklin has NOTHING on these two.  I agree that the brisket is glistening and melts in your mouth, but the flavor is just not all that good.  The espresso bbq sauce helps, but I want meat that can stand alone.  Their sides are pathetic.  No variety, and they are really bland.  And the worst part is waiting in their god-awful line.  No BBQ is good enough for me to stand in the Texas Heat for more than an hour.  Screw that, I'd rather drive the extra hour in the A/C to Salt Lick.  Plus, you run the potential of standing there for no reason (they run out by about 2pm or earlier).  So, anyway.  I know most people don't agree with me.  In fact if you asked my office, they would all disagree.  (Read Korn on the Koby's review of Franklin).

What do you think?

Franklin Barbecue: Come Early, Leave Full

Posted by Guest Blogger: Korn on the Koby

I must’ve driven past this place a hundred times during college and never even knew it existed. My co-worker, Jen, so gratefully told me about Franklin BBQ, and I knew I had to try it. After reading the Franklin Barbecue reviews on Yelp, I began foaming at the mouth. Espresso barbecue sauce? Check. Inexpensive? Check. Accepts credit cards? Check mate. I planned to go with my friend Nick, but he felt under the weather leaving me in quite the predicament: I could go by myself or I could wait another day to go. After envisioning how the brisket and pork ribs would taste, the decision was easy. I would go by myself…and go the following day, too.

Come Early

Franklin BBQ is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. But make sure you go early! All of the reviews on Yelp said to, and I’m saying to as well. The line forms fast and is by no means quick. I arrived at 10:55 am on a gloomy day and was luckily the first person in line. However, by the time I had left, the line was already 12 people deep.

Leave Full

Come with a large appetite and prepare to leave full – this plate will fill you up. I got the 2 meat plate: fatty brisket and pork ribs. You could see the brisket glistening – it was a glorious sight. Both the brisket and pork ribs were downright tasty. I tried a sample pork rib while I was waiting to pay, and right then and there I knew I had made an awesome decision. And their espresso barbecue sauce complemented the meat oh so perfectly. The plate also came with my choice of 2 sides. Compared to the barbecue, the sides were just okay. I got the potato salad and cole slaw, but they also have beans as an option. I was completely full when I finished my plate. Any more food would’ve been too much.

2nd Round

My second experience with Franklin Barbecue was just as tasty as the first. However, Franklin won the battle the second time, and I had to throw in the towel and take home leftovers. :)