Austin’s Franklin Barbecue is still sitting pretty at the top of Texas’ smoking-hot barbecue scene, with the East Side institution named the best barbecue joint in the state for the fifth year in a row. Out front, it is the same familiar ritual for regulars: camp chairs lining the sidewalk in the morning and brisket that is usually gone well before midafternoon.
Franklin took the Texas title in the 2026 edition of Southern Living’s South’s Best survey, marking a fifth consecutive state win, according to Southern Living. Food writer Robert Moss singled out the shop’s signature meat, calling it “Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here,” as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
Aaron and Stacy Franklin launched the operation out of a trailer in December 2009, and the business has since turned into a national draw that helped shape the modern Texas barbecue movement, per the San Antonio Express-News. After a 2012 visit, the late Anthony Bourdain declared Franklin’s brisket “the finest brisket I’ve ever had,” the paper notes.
How to snag a tray
The flagship shop at 900 E. 11th St. usually opens for lunch Tuesday through Sunday at 11 a.m. and shuts its doors when the day’s meats run out. The menu features staples like USDA Prime brisket, pork spare ribs, turkey and jalapeño-cheddar sausage, according to Franklin Barbecue. For anyone not eager to camp out in line, the restaurant’s preorder system lets customers reserve takeout in advance.
Franklin Backyard brings private events
In January, the owners rolled out Franklin Backyard, a private events and catering space at 2027 Anchor Lane that allows the team to handle bigger gatherings and offer catering without the flagship’s lines, Stacy Franklin told MySA. The space, roughly 100 guests inside and another 100 outside, gives locals another way to serve Franklin’s food at weddings, corporate functions and private parties.
Southern Living’s latest nod is one more reminder of why Franklin remains a destination for Austin residents and barbecue pilgrims alike. For those who would rather skip the legendary queue, the online preorder setup and the Backyard events option offer two clear workarounds, according to Franklin Barbecue.
