BBQ · Austin, TX

Iron Works BBQ Menu: Austin's Legendary Texas BBQ Institution

Iron Works BBQ was one of Austin's most beloved barbecue restaurants, operating from 1978 to 2020 inside a converted 1913 iron foundry on Red River Street — just steps from the Austin Convention Center. Famous for its massive beef ribs, hand-rubbed brisket, and homemade jalapeño sausage, it became a mandatory stop for BBQ pilgrims visiting the Texas capital.

Austin landmark since 1978Historic iron foundry buildingCentral Texas-style BBQ

Jump to full menu Cheapest items

Sample · $$

Signature items

Beef Ribsmarket price

Sliced Brisketmarket price

Pork Ribsmarket price

Jalapeño Sausagemarket price

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Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Signature item

Beef Ribs market price

The dish Iron Works was most famous for

Iron Works BBQ full menu and current prices

Smoked Meats 9 items

Plates & Combos 5 items

Sides 7 items

Budget picks

Cheapest items on the Iron Works BBQ menu

1White BreadServed with every plate orderincluded with plate
2Jalapeñosincluded with plate
3Onions & Picklesincluded with plate
4Soft Drinksmarket price
5Sweet Iced Teamarket price
6Regular Sausage (single link)market price
7BBQ Sandwichmarket price
8Side of Beans or Slawmarket price

Most ordered

Iron Works BBQ: smoked meat serving guide

Central Texas BBQ is typically sold by the pound or half-pound for individual meats, or by plate with sides.

Item	Serving Style	Typical Order
Brisket	By the pound / sliced	1/2 lb per person
Beef Ribs	Individual bones	1–2 ribs per person
Pork Ribs	Full or half rack	4–6 ribs per person
Sausage	Per link	1–2 links per person
Smoked Chicken	Half bird	1 half per person

Price comparison

How Iron Works BBQ compared to other Austin-area BBQ

Like-for-like comparison of Texas BBQ staples across Austin's most-cited barbecue spots.

Category	Iron Works BBQ	Franklin BBQ	Terry Black's BBQ	The Salt Lick
Style	Central Texas	Central Texas	Central Texas	Central Texas
Location	Downtown Austin	East Austin	Downtown Austin	Driftwood, TX
Known for	Beef ribs, brisket	Brisket	Brisket, ribs	Family-style BBQ
Wait time (historic)	Moderate	Long (2–3 hrs)	Moderate	Long weekends
Setting	Historic foundry	No-frills cafeteria	Converted building	Ranch / outdoor

About

About Iron Works BBQ

Iron Works BBQ opened in 1978 inside the Fortunat Weigl Iron Works building at 100 Red River Street in Austin, Texas — a 1913-era iron foundry whose industrial bones gave the restaurant its name and character. Wrought-iron fixtures and old foundry equipment decorated the walls, making it one of the most distinctive dining rooms in the city. For over four decades, it served as an anchor of Austin's downtown barbecue scene, drawing convention-goers, tourists, and locals alike to its smoke-perfumed tables just steps from the Austin Convention Center.

The menu was quintessential Central Texas: beef ribs that required two hands to hold, hand-rubbed brisket sliced to order on butcher paper, house-made jalapeño sausage, and classic sides like pinto beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. Whole onions and dill pickles arrived free on the table — a nod to the old-school Hill Country tradition. The restaurant was beloved not just for its food but for its sense of place: the building's soaring ceilings, antique metalwork, and outdoor patio made it unlike any other BBQ joint in Austin.

Iron Works BBQ permanently closed in May 2020, a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure marked the end of a 42-year run and prompted an outpouring of tributes from Austin residents who had celebrated milestones, met clients, and introduced out-of-town guests to Texas BBQ within its walls. The historic building and its legacy remain a touchstone for discussions of Austin's culinary identity and the rapid changes the city has undergone in recent decades.

1978founded

2020closed after 42 years

1iconic Austin location

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Explore more Austin BBQ

Iron Works BBQ closed in 2020, but Austin's BBQ scene remains world-class. Check out Franklin BBQ, Terry Black's, or The Salt Lick for your next smoked-meat fix.

Visit Iron Works BBQ official site

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Iron Works BBQ still open?

No. Iron Works BBQ permanently closed in May 2020 after 42 years of operation, citing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant had operated at 100 Red River Street in Austin, TX since 1978.

What was Iron Works BBQ known for?

Iron Works BBQ was most famous for its enormous beef ribs — one of the signature items that drew visitors from around the world. The restaurant was also celebrated for its hand-rubbed sliced brisket, house-made jalapeño sausage, and its unique setting inside a restored 1913 iron foundry building.

Where was Iron Works BBQ located?

Iron Works BBQ was located at 100 Red River Street in downtown Austin, Texas, just steps from the Austin Convention Center. The building it occupied was the former Fortunat Weigl Iron Works foundry, built in 1913.

When did Iron Works BBQ open?

Iron Works BBQ opened in 1978, making it one of the longest-running barbecue restaurants in Austin's history before its 2020 closure. It operated for 42 years at the same Red River Street location.

What style of BBQ did Iron Works serve?

Iron Works BBQ served Central Texas-style barbecue — the classic Hill Country tradition of smoking meats (primarily beef) with post oak wood, seasoned with a simple salt-and-pepper rub, and served on butcher paper with white bread, pickles, onions, and pinto beans on the side.

Did Iron Works BBQ take reservations?

Like most Central Texas BBQ joints, Iron Works BBQ operated on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Guests ordered at a counter and were served cafeteria-style. This was standard practice across the Austin BBQ scene.

What sides did Iron Works BBQ serve?

Iron Works BBQ served classic Texas BBQ sides including pinto beans, creamy coleslaw, potato salad, and corn on the cob. Each plate came with white bread, fresh jalapeños, raw onions, and dill pickles — all standard accompaniments at Central Texas BBQ restaurants.

How did Iron Works BBQ compare to Franklin BBQ?

Both were Central Texas-style BBQ restaurants in Austin, but they occupied different niches. Franklin BBQ on East 11th Street became internationally famous (and earned Aaron Franklin a James Beard Award), often requiring hours-long waits. Iron Works was a more accessible downtown option with no extreme wait times — beloved by conventioneers and locals alike for 42 years.

Why did Iron Works BBQ close?

Iron Works BBQ announced its permanent closure in May 2020 due to the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant had been a downtown Austin fixture since 1978, but the combination of shutdowns, reduced convention traffic, and lost revenue proved insurmountable. Its closure was mourned widely across the Austin food community.