East Austin: Locals Know BBQ Food Tour
If there’s one thing you have to do in Austin—besides pretend you understand the local obsession with bats—it’s eat BBQ. And not just any BBQ. I’m talking about the kind of BBQ that makes grown adults cry tears of joy and toddlers demand seconds. My daughter and two nieces joined me for the Locals Know BBQ Food Tour, and let me just say: by the end of it, we were all gloriously stuffed, a little smoky, and completely smitten with East Austin’s culinary scene. If you’re heading to Austin and want to taste the soul of the city, this is how you do it.
Table of Contents
What Is the “Locals Know BBQ Food Tour”?
Think of this tour as the Beyoncé of BBQ experiences: iconic, unforgettable, and full of talent. Hosted in Central East Austin, this 3-hour, 5-stop food journey isn’t just about stuffing your face (though you’ll do plenty of that). It’s also about learning the stories behind each legendary pitmaster, understanding the history of Texas BBQ, and discovering why East Austin has become a hotspot for culinary genius.
- Start Time: 10:45 AM (because yes, BBQ is a breakfast food in Texas)
- Duration: Around 3 delicious hours
- Guests: Max of 11 (aka no crowding the brisket)
- Transportation Included: Yes. Praise be.
- Drink Package: Available for an additional $35 if you want to booze up your brisket
Now let’s break down the juicy details…
Stop #1: Mum Foods
What We Ate: Pastrami Sandwich on Housemade Sour Rye
The Vibe: Jewish deli meets Central Texas charm
Highlight: Daniel Vaughn (yes, the Texas Monthly BBQ editor) named it the best pastrami in Texas.
Backstory: Jeff Ellis, originally from Lubbock, wanted to bring a little New York to Austin with deli-style BBQ. His pastrami sandwich? Absolute perfection—thick slices of smoky meat, tangy mustard, and bread that would make your bubbe proud. It’s not just a sandwich; it’s an experience.
Stop #2: KG BBQ
What We Ate: A lamb chop with chimichurri, tahini, and a side of the Baladi salad.
The Vibe: Egyptian fusion meets Texas smoke. A lamb lover’s dream—kofta, chops, ribs, shoulder, and their famous brisket rice bowl
Highlight: Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh fell in love with BBQ during a visit to Austin in 2012, then basically became its international ambassador.
Cool Fact: He’s a TED Talk speaker, Netflix BBQ Showdown Season 3 contestant, and a Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree. And, he will occasionally be the host of this tour! Althought it will cost a little more you should try to jump on the tour when he’s the leader.
My Take: This is the most unique BBQ joint in the city. Middle Eastern spices on perfectly smoked lamb? YES PLEASE. Plus, the Baladine salad gave us a tangy refresh between bites. (Also: Kareem is as nice as he is talented.)
Stop #3: la Barbecue
What We Ate: Brisket, ribs, beans, and mac and cheese.
The Vibe: Classic Texas, but run by a trailblazing woman
Highlight: Founded by LeAnn Mueller and her partner Ali Clem, this spot is a love letter to BBQ and art. Ali Clem is the only Michelin-starred female pitmaster in the country.
Emotional Moment: Ali’s late wife’s art decorates the place, and the atmosphere is both badass and heartfelt.
Spoiler Alert: You may never want to eat BBQ anywhere else again.
Stop #4: Micklethwait Craft Meats
What We Ate: Ribs and cheesy jalapeño grits
The Vibe: Rustic trailer BBQ with next-level attention to detail
Highlight: Everything is made in-house. Like, everything. Sauces, pickles, esquites (Mexican street corn salad), bread, sides—you name it.
History Lesson: Tom Micklethwait started this from a trailer in 2012, eventually moving into an old church. He even built out smokers and furniture from reclaimed church materials.
Stop #5: Parish BBQ
What We Ate: Pulled duck, crawfish cornbread dressing, pistolettes (deep-fried rolls with hot sauce butter—omg)
The Vibe: Cajun-Texan mashup with serious soul
Highlight: Chef Holden Fulco is a Franklin BBQ alum who’s bringing serious Louisiana vibes to East Austin.
Fun Fact: Parish is the newest kid on the block but is already stealing hearts—and stomachs.
But Wait—There’s Dessert
While I’ve been sworn to secrecy about what we got, just know that this final sweet bite made the perfect end to a meaty masterpiece of a tour. Was it smoky? Yep. Was it melt-in-your-mouth good? Also yes. Was I tempted to ask for seconds? 100%.
BBQ 101: What We Learned Along the Way
Our guide didn’t just shuttle us from meat palace to meat palace. We got the lowdown on BBQ history, and here are some tasty tidbits:
- 4 BBQ Capitals of the U.S.: Texas, North Carolina, Kansas City, Memphis
- Texas Regions:
- Central Texas (that’s us): Focus on meat, salt, pepper, and post-oak wood
- East Texas: Cajun roots, slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone goodness
- West Texas: Open flame, charred, and fast
- South Texas: Mexican influence with barbacoa-style goat and lamb
And bonus: Austin does fusion better than anywhere. Egyptian lamb BBQ? Pastrami with pickles? Crawfish dressing? You name it—we ate it.
Final Verdict
The “Locals Know BBQ Food Tour” is more than just a tasting—it’s a full-blown sensory adventure through the heart (and belly) of East Austin. Whether you’re a hardcore BBQ lover or just want to eat your way through some culinary storytelling, this tour is chef’s kiss.
Pro Tip: Come hungry. Like, skipped-breakfast-before hungry. And wear something with stretch. You’ve been warned.
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