About Franklin Barbecue

Franklin Barbecue is Austin's most celebrated restaurant — and arguably the most famous barbecue joint in the world. Aaron Franklin started with a small trailer on I-35 in 2009, earned a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2015, and turned a line of people waiting hours on the sidewalk into a national institution. The brisket is routinely called the best in Texas, which in BBQ circles means the best anywhere.

The restaurant sits on East 11th Street in East Austin, inside a modest converted building with picnic tables, an open pit room, and a line that stretches down the block on weekend mornings. The setup is simple: show up, wait, order at the counter, and eat. No reservations, no shortcuts. Just exceptionally good smoked meat.

Gluten-Free Dining at Franklin Barbecue

Franklin Barbecue is one of Austin's best gluten-free meals — not because it's engineered for GF diners, but because great barbecue is inherently gluten-free. Aaron Franklin's approach to seasoning is salt, pepper, and smoke. No wheat-based rubs, no soy sauce marinades, no flour-thickened sauces. The core menu is as clean as it gets:

  • Brisket: Beef + salt + pepper + post oak smoke. Naturally gluten-free with no additives or marinades.
  • Pork ribs: Simple salt-and-pepper rub, smoked low and slow. No wheat-based coating.
  • Turkey breast: Smoked whole turkey breast — straightforward preparation, GF.
  • Pulled pork: Pork shoulder smoked for 12+ hours. Naturally GF.
  • No shared fryers: Franklin doesn't fry anything. Zero fryer cross-contamination risk.

Cross-Contamination Note: Franklin Barbecue is not a certified GF facility. The primary cross-contamination risk is the white bread served alongside the meat (it's on the tray — just set it aside). The kitchen handles the sausage, which may contain fillers. Meats are carved and served separately. Community reports from celiac diners are consistently positive.

What's Gluten Free at Franklin Barbecue

  • ✅ Brisket — The centerpiece. Salt, pepper, smoke. Naturally GF.
  • ✅ Pork Ribs — St. Louis–style spare ribs with simple seasoning. GF.
  • ✅ Turkey Breast — Smoked whole turkey. Clean preparation. GF.
  • ✅ Pulled Pork — Smoked pork shoulder. Naturally GF.
  • ✅ Coleslaw — House-made slaw. GF by ingredients.
  • ✅ Pickles & Onions — Served on the side. Naturally GF.
  • ✅ Pinto Beans — Smoked beans, GF by ingredients. Confirm with staff if highly sensitive.
  • ⚠️ Sausage — May contain wheat-based fillers or binders depending on the current recipe. Ask staff or skip if highly sensitive.
  • ❌ White bread — Comes on every tray. Set it aside — it contains wheat.
  • ❌ Banana pudding — Contains vanilla wafers (wheat). Not GF.

How to Visit Franklin Barbecue (Practical Guide)

Franklin sells out every single day. There is no workaround — you need to arrive early. Here's what to know:

  • Weekdays: Arrive by 9–10am for the 11am opening. You'll be in line with 20–40 people. Usually fine to get your choices.
  • Weekends (especially Saturday): Arrive by 7–8am. Lines form before 8am on busy Saturdays. Brisket sells out first.
  • Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11am until sold out. Closed Monday.
  • Ordering: Counter service. Order by the pound. At minimum, get a half-pound of brisket — fatty preferred if you're a first-timer.
  • For GF diners: Tell the carver you're gluten-free when ordering. Ask them to confirm the sausage if you want it. Decline the bread on your tray.

Franklin also offers mail-order brisket for those who can't make the trip in person.

Location & Hours

  • Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702 (East Austin)
  • Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 AM until sold out (typically 1–3pm)
  • Closed: Monday
  • Phone: (512) 653-1187
  • Website: franklinbarbecue.com
  • Ordering: Counter service only. No reservations. No call-ahead. Show up in line.

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