Franklin BBQ Named Best in Texas for Fourth Straight Year

Franklin Barbecue is content repeating its miraculous feat of perfecting classic Central Texas barbecue.

An Austin staple has been named the best barbecue in Texas by Southern Living magazine—for the fourth straight year.

Franklin Barbecue once again topped the magazine’s 2026 list of the best barbecue restaurants in every state. The restaurants were selected based on reader votes, which highlight standout dining destinations across the southern U.S.

The East Austin legend is led by pitmaster Aaron Franklin and is considered the pinnacle of Central Texas barbecue. It opened as a trailer in 2009 and has since expanded into a brick-and-mortar restaurant, located at 900 E 11th St.

Franklin has said he will not expand the restaurant to have multiple locations, a decision he has made in order to preserve the quality of the meat.

Acclaimed chef and author Anthony Bourdain stopped by once in an episode of his television show, “No Reservations.” He queued in the restaurant’s famously long line to get a taste of the brisket, calling it “supernatural.”

In addition to brisket, the restaurant also serves a traditional spread of smoked meats, including pork ribs, beef ribs, turkey and sausage, alongside fixin’s like slaw, pinto beans and potato salad. The five house pie flavors also make for a legendary dessert—if you have room.

Other restaurants that earned a spot on the list include Swadley Bar-B-Q in Oklahoma City and Jack Stack Barbecue in Kansas City.