• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Ultimate Guide to Austin Pitmasters at Texas Monthly BBQ Festival 2019

October 28, 2019 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Guide to 10th Annual Texas Monthly BBQ Festival in Austin
The 10th Annual Texas Monthly BBQ Festival brings all the meat (Credit: Julia Keim)

Breakfast tacos, Tex-Mex, and barbecue. The three points of the foodie Texas Trinity. Arguably the tip of this triangle of tasty treats, barbecue fandom goes beyond intense. Tell somebody you prefer Rudy’s over Franklin’s and prepare for battle.

But barbecue doesn’t stop with Central Texas. The Lone Star State is flush with some of the finest pitmasters in the world, 31 of whom will be attending the 10th Annual Texas Monthly BBQ Festival on Nov. 3, 2019, at the Long Center.

Six local masters of meat will be representing Austin (more than any other major city). In true hyperlocal fashion, here’s our guide to each and every one of them. Though they won’t be offering their full menus at the event, you can build up your appetite with this review of their smoking hot strengths.

Note: This list is in alphabetical order.

1/ Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eric Sundermann (@ericsundy) on Mar 18, 2018 at 12:18pm PDT

When Cooper’s first moved into its current 3rd and Congress location, my heart jumped for joy. Legit Hill County barbecue inches from work? I’m in!

While bang-on brisket will be a theme with every joint on this list, Cooper’s also sports an insanely flavorful jalapeño and cheese sausage. Just the right amount of heat with a beautiful, smokey aroma makes it a winner. Pair the sausage with Cooper’s delicious mac and cheese, and you’re in smoked meat heaven.

2/ la Barbecue

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by la Barbecue (@la_barbecue) on Sep 14, 2019 at 8:23am PDT

With love and appreciation for every pit on this list, la Barbecue makes my favorite brisket in Austin (other than that famous MasterClass guy I see on Facebook all the time). The trimming is downright perfect, giving the meat a tenderness that’s above and beyond incredible.

While lines at this Austin institution can range up to an hour (and get there early, as la Barbecue will run out), Texas Monthly BBQ Festival will be a great chance to sample the wares without the wait.

And don’t sleep on the sensational pork ribs. A slice of ATX heaven.

3/ Micklethwait Craft Meats

Micklethwait Craft Meats Brisket at Texas Monthly BBQ Festival
Brisket from Micklethwait Craft Meats (Credit: Yulia Dyukova)

Another member of my barbecue A-Team, Micklethwait Craft Meats serves scrumptious. pepper-laden brisket by the pound full. But like everyone on this list, you don’t make the Texas Monthly Top 50 through barbecue’s holy grail alone.

Other menu standouts include a beautiful barbacoa, mustard heavy potato salad, and peach cobbler worth standing in line for. Luckily, the queue at Micklethwait rarely runs more than 20 minutes, so meat lovers won’t have to take a half day from work to enjoy world class ‘cue.

4/ Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew (@stilesswitchbbq) on Sep 7, 2019 at 6:11am PDT

A relative newbie to the Austin barbecue scene, Stiles Switch made a name for itself with delicious smoked meat and a fun neighborhood vibe. While the brisket is top-notch, especially the fatty variant, all should give praise to the beef rib. This rib meat separates from the bone cleanly, but doesn’t fall or crumble, leaving a rib with a tender chew that’s close to unmatched.

And Stiles Switch does sides to the nines. While the options are limited, each menu item rocks. The mac & cheese is gooey and creamy, and the pinto beans carry their smoke with pride. And don’t get me started on the corn casserole and insanely good (and aptly named) Buford T’s Diablo Sandwich. A place for friends and fantastic food.

5/ Terry Black’s Barbecue

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Terry Black’s Barbecue (@terryblacksbarbecue) on Oct 3, 2019 at 10:12am PDT

A perennial favorite of The Austinot team, Terry Black’s rarely gets the love hipper joints receive. While not flashy, this Barton Springs mainstay bangs out mouth-watering beef ribs and lean yet flavorful brisket on a daily basis.

Other menu standouts include smokey pinto beans, decadent mac-n-cheese, and a mini pecan pie that’s to die for. Add to the mix a great location close to Zilker, Palmer, and the Long Center, and you have a spot worth rediscovering.

6/ Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ (@valentinastexmexbbq) on Oct 20, 2019 at 8:20am PDT

Last but not least, Valentina’s Tex Mex made the simple yet cunning decision to take two points of the Texas Trinity and put them together: tacos and barbecue. Lovingly folding a slice of succulent brisket into a homemade tortilla and drenching it with tomato serrano salsa is a treat for the senses.

Ditto for the smoked carnitas and pulled chicken. Of course, you can get your ‘cue the standard way at Valentina’s, but taking a taco adds unmatched texture and flavor combinations. Pair your meal with a cup of mouth-watering charro beans and you’re good to go.

As of this writing, tickets are still available for Texas Monthly BBQ Festival, but we expect them to sell out soon. Purchase your tickets online. For more information about the festival, visit the official website.


@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Whose ‘cue are you psyched to try at Texas Monthly BBQ Festival?

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: bbq, texas monthly bbq festival

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of A...

    To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of Austin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!

Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are things to do on Monday in Austin, of course, things to do in Austin on Saturday night, and everything in between! Some of you may be […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend

Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of July 1, 2022, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Dive In Movies – Wells Branch, Bastrop Patriotic Festival, and more!   Top […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend | Brick Rodeo

10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!

  For summer camp information, check out our page for Best Summer Camps in Austin for 2022!  If you would like to discover more Things to do in Austin this Week & Things to do in Austin with Kids this Weekend, check out Facebook for immediate notifications.

texas swimming holes near austin

Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

If you have been looking for free places to swim in Austin or googling ‘swimming holes near me’, you are in the right place! Texas is known for a lot of things and one of them is relentlessly hot summers. The temperatures are rising in Austin and across the state. Luckily, there are also many […]

Austin trampoline parks - Urban Air Adventure Park (Cedar Park)

Austin Trampoline Parks – Best Indoor Jumping Places for Kids and Adults!

Trampoline parks were among the decade’s most unique leisure attractions. They offer a playful atmosphere where people can defy the laws of physics and have a good time hurling themselves around. It consists of a large room filled wall to wall with trampolines. On the weekend, you may get rid of your boredom and have […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!
  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!
  • Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Best Lakes in and around Austin
  • 7 Popular Lady Bird Lake Activities to Experience This Year
  • Day Trip in Austin: 10 Places To Visit Like a Tourist
  • 20 Restaurants Open Late in Austin – Best Late Night Food Places For Tasty Eats

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

wpDiscuz