Hi, guys! We love the barbecue in Austin. We've already been to Rudy's and the Salt Lick and really loved both. We're thinking of either County Line or Iron Works for our next trip. Have you guys been to either of these two? Which one would you recommend for good food? How's the ambiance? I see County Line has a location on a hill and one on a lake - which do you think has the better atmosphere? Thanks for any help you can provide!

County Line is ok, but a notch or 2 below SL & Rudy's in my book. It's more of a restaurant with a much broader menu and has the ambiance of a restaurant, not a bbq joint.

The location on the lake is nicer, but if you happen to be in the area near the Rt2244/Bee Cave Rd. location (On the Hill) then don't go out of your way to go to the lake one. Food is the same - it's a chain.

Ironworks is another basic low end (ambiance wise) but great BBQ. I like the atmosphere myself - it's all about the food to me, but some think it's a dump. Rolls of paper towels for napkins, shared picnic tables, etc.

Better atmosphere is all in the eyes of the beholder. What did you like or not like about the atmosphere at SL and Rudys?

I thought Salt Lick was great because you can sit outside under the big oak trees, they had live music, you can see the fire going - it was a fun experience to go there, and the food was great. Rudy's had great food, but we ate sitting next to a gas station on a highway, so I'd give Salt Lick better points for atmosphere. Good food is more important to us than atmosphere, but it would be great to have both.

What would you recommend at each place - any specialties?

Which Rudy's did you go to? I like the one on Loop360. It is at a gas station, but you can sit out back on the hill. Definitely not the same experience as SL, but hey when you pass it every day on the way home from work it's no added drive.

Both places are BBQ. I think CL specializes in racks of ribs. For me bbq anywhere is some brisket, some ribs, and some sausage, coleslaw and a beer. Don't recall IW menu.

I know it's not BBQ, but how's the food at Shady Grove? That's another spot that was recommended to me as being sort of Austinesque.

SG? It's the kind or place where you go with a group of friends when you really don't care about the food.

Hang out outside on a sultry evening, have a few beers, share a plate of nachos, and have a burrito or burger or sandwich.

Fun place to go with a group but I wouldn't seek it out just for the food experience. Chuy's just down the road has better food, IMO.

You didn't ask about non-bbq, but two of my other Austin favorites are.

Vespaio - south congress. Great Italian food. Rivals anything in other parts of the country w/ more Italian heritage. Dinner can run you $30+ pp (w/o wine), although you can get out for less if you just sit in the bar area and order a pasta. Not a big place, so it can get crowded. Not sure if they take reservations or not.

Fonda San Miguel - interior Mexican (not TexMex). Sun Brunch is their big thing, but great for dinner too. Also not cheap, and a bit out of the way. No problem to get to with a car.

I'd go to Iron Works over County Line. We like Shady Grove, basically for a burger and a beer. If you are into them or have kids, they also make real milkshakes. And FYI, Chuy's is good Tex-mex.

I've been to Chuy's and love it. I had my first official drink there as a 21-year old back in college. We have Chuy's in Houston too - always good. saige, my husband loves milkshakes!

Thanks for all the tips so far. I know we'll hit The Oasis too since we're staying nearby and love their view.

Hi volcanogirl

When are you coming to town?

If you're thinking of Iron Works, drive out to the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave. It's got a great outdoor patio, overlooking the fountains. And for dessert, head right next door to Paciugo - yummy gelato! (hmmmm, speaking of gelato, if you think you might go there, I'd love to meet up with you! Their coconut gelato is worth the trip alone!)

County Line is definitely a restaurant, with plates and forks, as opposed to paper and fingers, lol! We really like the one on Bee Caves Road, esp. at sunset. But their BBQ is more the beefy kind, thick ribs. There's also steaks, pork chops, etc. Good coleslaw! Live music too.

There's so many BBQ places in Austin, small and large like Rudy's. Outside of Austin (if you're hankerin' for a drive through our pretty countryside), try Cooper's in Llano or Kreuz's over in Lockhart. Both are WORLD (I kid you not) famous BBQ joints. Makes for a fun day to drive there, tool around the town for some shopping, then head back.

The absoute best BBQ in Austin is the City Market, in Luling

Iron Works over COunty line, but if you can go to both, get the chicken at County Line...

I agree the drive to Llano for Cooper's BBQ is always worth it! Another place I found good was Opie's BBQ in Spicewood. We stopped there after doing the zipline tour at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours. I plan to try Ironworks this next weekend when I go to Austin. I LOVE BBQ!!!!

I just got back from two days in Austin. We ate yesterday at the Iron Works restaurant. I had the sampler plate which had brisket, sausage, and one beef rib (huge), beans, potato salad, bread, onions and pickles. My son had a brisket sandwich. We loved the food. The sauce is tasty too. I enjoy trying BBQ places out and this will be one I will come back to. I also liked the location and we sat on the outdoor patio and enjoyed the pleasant climate.