STUBB'S BBQ Is Known For Its Music
Not So Much For Great Austin BBQ

The outdoor Waller Creek Amphitheatre is located in back
of Stubb's BBQ and attracts many national acts. Photo/WordRidden

Stubb's BBQ
801 Red River
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 480-8341

HOURS: Monday; 5 – 10 pm. Tuesday – Thursday; 11 am to 10 pm. Friday – Saturday; 11 am to 11pm. Sunday; 11 am to 9 pm.

This review wasn't easy. I knew CB Stubblefield. He liked me and my husband. We were regulars at his IH-35 location. He use to talk about music for a good hour after we ate. Always sat in the booth with us and knew us by name. He was a kind, decent, gentle human being.

Stubb's BBQ had no equal. When he cooked outside at a cook-off or benefit, he was at his best. None better. Folks far and wide raved about his sauce.

I like to think about him in heaven cooking ribs for Buddy Holly, Elvis, Johnny and June Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Albert Collins, Freddie King and Lightnin' Hopkins. What a party. No joke folks. CB Stubblefield was the real thing.

The new Stubb's BBQ restaurant was opened after he passed away.

Frankly, in Austin, when someone says Stubb's, you think about music. Stubb's is one of the most loved music venues in the city. Everyone plays here. Willie Nelson, White Stripes, Go-Go's, Loretta Lynn and Los Lobos.

I got to meet Cesar Rojas from Los Lobos when I went to their show. I was hanging out in the pool room before the show and in walks Cesar Rojas. We talked for half an hour about Barbacoa, a Mexican barbecue. He said he always eats here when he's in town.

That's just some of the national acts that play outside at Waller Creek Amphitheatre. Inside, there is a night club stage for local performers.

Located in a 150 year old, stone and beam structure. A lot of old wood just cluttered and dusty enough to make you feel at home.

So how is the food? The best thing on the menu is an appetizer. Fried green tomatoes. Best barbecue on the menu is the pulled pork sandwich. Both fried green tomatoes and pulled pork are some of the best in the city.

This is not CB Stubblefields barbecue. I knew Stubb's and Stubb's BBQ isn't it. Maybe that's my problem. I expect Stubb's barbecue at Stubb's BBQ.

In my opinion, the rub they use on the ribs doesn't enhance the flavor of the meat. They are also guilty of over-smoking. The brisket was fatty and flavorless. Go figure.

Now, I kept this for last because I wanted to end on a high note.

Admittedly, I'm not a fan of their everyday barbecue menu. It's all good, just not outstanding. I'm not sure CB Stubblefield would eat this with the lofty standards he established for his own barbecue.

All that said, their Gospel Brunch is spectacular. The fried catfish was perfect. Coated and cooked just right. Grits, migas, potatoes, deserts too much to list. Simply one of the best brunches you can get in Austin.

There are two separate seatings for the Gospel Bunch. The first, at 11 am, and then again at 1 pm. Make reservations for the 11 am. I don't know why, but the food always seems better at the first seating. Fill up your plate with this abundant feast of delicious goodies than sit down and watch the Gospel performers while enjoying your meal.

This Austin restaurant is one of my favorite places to see music. My personal favorite brunch because of the food and music. I only wish I could recommend more of the barbecue items on the menu with good faith.

If this Austin restaurant was in Waco it would be the best barbecue in town. But Stubb's BBQ is in Austin.

And there's better barbecue choices available. Many agree with me. And that's what's sad. Stubb's once meant world class barbecue. He was the man. Undisputed king of Austin BBQ. I miss him.

I recommend Stubb's pulled pork sandwich. Photo/WordRidden

Located in a 150 year old building, there is
just enough clutter to feel right at home here. Photo/Silly Jilly

MENU: Stubb's has a full bar; cold beer, wine and any number of margarita concoctions.

APPETIZERS: Fried green tomatoes, Texas onion rings, homemade cornbread, loaded potato skins, Bottlecaps & Texas Teardrops, chili con queso

SOUPS & SALADS: House salad, Caesar salad, spinach salad, pork and green chile stew, Texas chili.

BBQ: Brisket, chicken pork loin, pork ribs, turkey breast, sausage, pulled pork.

DESSERTS: Blackberry cobbler, apple crisp, banana pudding, pecan pie.

DON'T MISS: Pulled pork sandwich and fried green tomatoes.

MAIL ORDER: Not their food. This link opens a new window for tickets to concerts and t-shirt merchandise; Stubb's Merchandise.

LOCATION: It's on Red River between 8th St. and 9th St.

LINK: This opens a new window; Stubb's BBQ.

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 :: Green Mesquite Barbeque, Austin :: 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

Leave Stubb's BBQ and go to TEXAS BARBEQUE.

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