Who knew there was so much barbecue?

Iron Works Barbecue, Lamberts Barbecue, the Salt Lick, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Franklin Barbecue, County Line Barbecue, Ruby’s Barbecue, Smitty’s, Artz Ribhouse, The Green Mesquite, Bert’s and so much more. These are the top Barbecue restaurants in Austin. They all offer varieties of barbecued meat, sauces, entertainment, and personalities. With so many options, it could take a person quite a significant amount of time to try all of these restaurants.

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Rudy's stickers next their hand washing machine

The most notable barbecue locations are the big three for college students. Stubb’s, Salt Lick and, of course, Rudy’s. College students are on their own for the first time, so having these easily accessible, quick-serving restaurants works in favor of both students and restaurants.

“Barbecue is eternal, like the Mississippi. It’s big and it’s simple and it takes it’s own sweet time,” said C. B. Stubblefield, owner and creator of Stubb’s Barbecue.

Stubb’s is one of the hot spots of not only barbecue, but of musical entertainment. Stubb’s plays host to many different bands, usually once per day. While they are popular not only for the experience guaranteed upon visiting, they also stay in touch with visitors through facebook, twitter, their online website and, most importantly, through the specialty sauce available. Stubb’s was so popular that they made a product line of six sauces, five rubs, and six marinades.

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Stubb's Sauces

While Stubb’s offers and unique atmosphere of quality barbecue and live music,  the Salt Lick offers an experience that every young Austinite must have at least once in his lifetime. The likelihood of returning after that one experience, however, is almost a guarantee. With merchandise, sauces and rubs sold by the Salt Lick, this restaurant has come a long way from being just a fire pit with a screened-in porch surrounding it.

This delicious barbecue restaurant was started by Scott Roberts and his family as the only means for them to stay in the great state of Texas. While the Salt Lick is about a thirty-minute drive from the heart of Austin, the beautiful countryside offers true Texas atmosphere. Being able to see where the meet is cooked and how it is prepared is one of the unique experiences offered at the Salt Lick.

Salt Lick does a great job in keeping in contact with its consumers not only through the website and other social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, but they also create a buzz about their restaurant. While one of their main locations is in the Austin airport, they get Austin visitors as well as residents talking about their barbecue. While Salt Lick encourages a “bring your own beer” policy, they do cater for events including weddings and banquets.

The Salt Lick is a unique experience to be had on the outskirts of the beautiful city of Austin, but Rudy’s is front and center. With a family-style seating, Rudy’s has quality barbecue, fresh and heated sauce, a variety of meats as well as the best sweet tea in the state of Texas.

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The Green Mesquite BBQ

Rudy’s has a knack for creating word of mouth for multiple reasons. While the food is good and the experience fun, Rudy’s stays fresh on the minds of their customers. With the “I have clean hands” stickers as well as the reusable plastic cups, Rudy’s has subtle advertisements that consumers reuse. Their unique hand-cleaning machine is more than useful at the end of a messy barbecue, (not to mention it feels like a hand massage) and the stickers serve as free advertisement as well as helpful catalysts in generating word of mouth. While the cups are a keepsake of the experience, for the struggling college student, these cups are a way of life. People choose Rudy’s not only for the food, but for the “free” cup at the end of the meal.

With so many barbecue options, restaurants are in constant competition. Trying to outdo one another as well as making customers loyal to their brand are just a couple of the challenges facing barbecue restaurants in Austin today.