GREEN MESQUITE BARBEQUE & MORE
Austin BBQ's Most Ambitious Menu

If you can't relax here you can't relax. Photo/SanFranAnnie

Green Mesquite Barbeque & More
1400 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin, TX
(512) 479-0485; www.greenmesquite.net

HOURS: Open Monday – Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm. Closed Sunday.

You can count 100 item listings on the Green Mesquite menu. Fourteen separate side orders, six different burgers, 12 sandwiches, 13 different specialties like Frito pie. Eight items on the kids menu, two versions of baked potatoes, five deserts, four family packs to go, nine menu listings for side orders to go and nine smoked meats by the pound.

Now I finally understand Granddaddy's old saying, Jack of all trades, master of none.

That said folks, I eat at this restaurant often. This is a very good, not great, Texas BBQ joint.

What makes Green Mesquite special isn't their solid and reliable BBQ. But good service and a back yard beer garden that's great to listen to music under the large oaks. Live music starts at 7 pm, Friday – Sunday. Green Mesquite is a happy fun happening place.

Many of my friends rave about this BBQ. I order the catfish or the catfish po-boy because this is absolutely great catfish.

If you like your pork rib meat to slide off the bone, you will love Green Mesquite. Personally I like to gnaw the meat off a pork rib. Don't like my ribs gooey.

Beef brisket is very good with a super mesquite flavor. Not overpowering like mesquite's reputation.

Green Mesquite smokes Elgin Hot Sausage. Not one of my favorites.

Pulled pork is inconsistent but when it's right, it's righteous. Mesquite does magic to pulled pork. It's a unique combination. Pork butt or shoulder is usually cooked with hickory or oak. Mesquite adds a new unique flavor to the age old southern sandwich.

I can also recommend the chicken with this caveat – ask your waiter how the chicken is before you order. If it's been resting longer than an hour, it's going to be as dry as Moses in the middle of the Red Sea.

I like this place because it's very Austin. Including a big slice of the slacker factor.

The food is good. I haven't had anything I disliked. More a family restaurant than BBQ joint.

For fun, get the All U Can Eat BBQ for $14.59. They just keep bringing it. Piling it on. My husband has made a spectacle of himself on many occasions.

One last thing, the onion rings rock and the Chili Bowl isn't bad either. I recommend the Big Catfish Plate for $9.99. My favorite.

AUSTIN TRAVEL TIP: After your meal at Green Mesquite, take a left on Barton Springs Road (east), go about a half mile to Sandy's Custard Stand (it will be on your right). Real old time soft serve custard, served with an attitude. More fun. Not the ice milk offered at other stands or fast food places.

Cold beer, catfish, BBQ ribs and music under the stars
in a real back yard setting. Little bit of old Austin still
lives here. WST Bluegrass band is playing. Photo/keeping it real

MENU: BBQ – Brisket, chicken, ham, sausage, turkey, pork ribs and pulled pork. Plates, sandwiches or by the pound. Family packs and BBQ to go. In addition to BBQ, they serve hamburgers, veggie burgers, po-boys. Specialties include chicken fried chicken, chicken fried steak, Jambalaya, Low Carb Jambalaya, vegetable platter, tacos, chef salads, catfish, chili, baked potatoes. Don't forget the pie, cobbler and ice cream!

CATERING: They cater BBQ and fajitas. You can see their catering menu here (PDF file, opens a new window).

DON'T MISS: Brisket, pulled pork (when it's right), catfish.

MAIL ORDER: You can order BBQ sauce and a t-shirt online. This link opens a new window.

LOCATION: On Barton Springs Road just west of S. Lamar.

LINK: Opens a new window and takes you to Green Mesquite.

Artz Rib House, Austin :: Ben's Longbranch Barbecue, Austin :: Black's Barbecue, Lockhart :: Central Texas BBQ Assc., Austin :: City Market, Luling :: Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, Llano :: County Line Bar-B-Q, Austin :: Crosstown BBQ, Elgin :: House Park Bar-B-Que, Austin :: Iron Works Barbecue, Austin :: Kreuz Market, Lockhart :: Mann's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Austin :: Mikeska's Bar-B-Q, Taylor :: Louie Mueller's BBQ, Taylor :: Ruby's BBQ, Austin :: Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q, Austin :: Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood :: Sam's BBQ, Austin :: Smitty's Market, Lockhart :: Stubb's Bar-B-Q, Austin

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