Franklin Barbecue
Best Barbecue in Austin · TX
The brisket people camp out for, since 2009.
Franklin Barbecue turned a trailer into a national phenomenon. Since 2009, Aaron and Stacy Franklin's East Austin smokehouse has drawn hours-long lines for brisket so tender it has become the modern benchmark for Texas barbecue — it sells out most days, and the wait is part of the legend.
Aaron Franklin won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest — rare for a pitmaster — and the smokehouse on East 11th is a genuine pilgrimage. It's the 2025 Centurion Award winner in Austin.
What they're known for
- Brisket
- Pork ribs
- Smoked turkey & pulled pork
Every award, on the record.
Each Centurion Award is its own dated annual record, and staying current means clearing the bar again each new year. Open a year for the full citation and verification details.
2025 Centurion Award
Best Barbecue in Austin Austin, TX · Awarded under the 2025 evaluation View the 2025 award →Awards run one calendar year and renew only if the business clears the bar again. Selection is by published criteria, never for sale.
Visit Franklin Barbecue
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This page is the standing record for Franklin Barbecue (2025). It was published by The Centurion Awards from the public record; the business did not have to apply for it to appear. It wasn’t voted on or sponsored, and selection is not for sale. Owners can claim the listing or ask us to remove it. For hours, bookings, and live reviews, go straight to the business itself.
This page was published by The Centurion Awards from the public record; the business did not have to apply for it to appear. Own this business? Claim the listing to manage it, or ask us to remove it.
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If you’ve put in the years, you may already qualify. Evaluation is free, private, and never for sale.