Franklin BBQ Menu 2026: Brisket, Ribs & Everything Aaron Franklin Serves

Franklin BBQ is best known for its oak-smoked Central Texas brisket — an 18-hour smoke on USDA Choice whole packer brisket with a salt-and-pepper bark. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2015, and the restaurant has been called the best BBQ in America by Texas Monthly, Bon Appetit and countless food writers. The beef ribs (weekend only, very limited) are arguably even more sought-after than the brisket.

Franklin BBQ opens at 11 AM Tuesday through Sunday and serves lunch only — the restaurant closes when the meat sells out, typically between 1 PM and 3 PM. It is closed on Mondays. Regulars begin lining up as early as 6–7 AM on weekdays and before dawn on weekends to guarantee a spot. Confirm hours on franklinbbq.com before visiting, especially around holidays.

Franklin BBQ does not take reservations for walk-in seating — it is first-come, first-served. The restaurant does offer a whole-brisket pre-order program online for pickup, which is the only way to skip the line and guarantee you get brisket. Check franklinbbq.com for current pre-order windows, which typically book weeks in advance.

Yes. Franklin BBQ is cash only — no credit or debit cards are accepted at the counter. There is an ATM on-site for customers who arrive without cash. Plan ahead, as the ATM line can add time on busy days.

On a typical weekday the wait runs 1.5 to 3 hours from opening time; on weekends and during SXSW or ACL Festival, waits of 4 hours or more are common. The queue forms along the East 11th Street sidewalk. Arrive by 9–10 AM on weekdays to be confident of getting brisket; by 7–8 AM on weekends. The restaurant stops seating once meat sells out — typically between 1 and 3 PM — so arriving at opening without lining up early is a gamble.

The brisket is the signature item and first to sell out. Fatty brisket (the deckle/point) is considered superior by most regulars — the extra fat content keeps it more moist and flavorful than the lean cut. The beef plate ribs — served on weekends only in very limited quantities — are arguably the most prized item on any given Saturday, and regulars queue early specifically to secure them before they run out.

Franklin BBQ is located at 900 E 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78702, in the East Austin neighborhood. Street parking is limited — most regulars park in the nearby lot or on side streets and walk. Ride-share drop-off is straightforward. The queue forms on the sidewalk along East 11th Street.

Franklin BBQ offers whole-brisket pre-order pickup through its website — the only guaranteed way to get brisket without waiting in the walk-in line. Pre-orders sell out weeks or months in advance. The restaurant also offers catering for large events in Austin; contact them through the official website for catering inquiries. Standard walk-in orders are for dine-in or immediate takeout.

Franklin BBQ is a meat-centric BBQ restaurant and does not offer dedicated vegetarian entrees. The sides — pinto beans, coleslaw and potato salad — are available as standalone orders and are the most vegetarian-friendly options on the menu, though the beans are cooked with meat drippings. Guests with dietary restrictions should confirm ingredient details directly with the staff on arrival.