Iron Works BBQ at the edge of downtown can arguably be rated the #1 join in Austin (Salt Lick is in Driftwood and John Mueller closed years ago).  A little history: Iron Works started as a ornamental Iron Work shop owned and operated by the Weigl family, and in 1978 this tin shop was converted to a BBQ restaurant and has been an Austin institution ever since.  Besides tourists, Austinites, and convention goers, you are just as likely to bump into Jay Leno, Matthew McConahay, Leo DiCaprio, Kevin Costner, Sandra Bullock, and Bob Dylan.  This place is a crowd favorite and there is something so cute about seeing a prim and proper old lady taking down a huge slab of meat!  The meat is first rate but like I always say, save room for cobbler!  Don’t feel like eating in?  Iron Works offers takeout, custom smoked meats (bring in anything you wish smoked), catering, and FedEx shipping of meats, sauce, & seasonings.  FYI: closed on Sundays as most Austin BBQ spots are and go early to lunch to get the best meat before it runs out.

the college slacker says: I live for this place, especially since Bert’s burned down by campus, I go at 10:30am to beat the lunch rush because it ruins my day if the ribs run out!

the spoiled brat says: I don’t like standing in line for food but I love that they serve wine.  And when Matthew McCounehay is sitting at the picnic bench next to me!

Iron Works BBQ 100 Red River St. Austin, TX 78701 www.ironworksbbq.com 512-478-4855