Gonna be heading to Austin for the American round of Moto GP at the end of the month. Need a few suggestions for food off track and on...BBQ especially. We'll be staying between the airport and the track. Not opposed to driving for good food though.

Also, for those that have been to COTA for Moto GP, are there any other suggestions you'd make?

In May '25, Texas Monthly published their Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas List and of course Austin has 8 that made the list. Two of them are top 10 - LeRoy and Lewis #2 and InterStellar #6.


I've never waited in the 4 hour line for Franklin BBQ. Instead, I've gone to Stiles Switch or driven to Lockhart. One can actually drive to Lockhart, see some of Texas, eat legendary BBQ, and drive back before getting through Franklin's line.

In Texas, brisket is the king of the BBQ meats. It's become very popular and the price has followed supply and demand. I have a top 50 BBQ joint near my house and brisket is $35 per pound, and InterStellar BBQ charges $40 per pound.

Personally, when I try a new BBQ joint I get the same thing every time - sliced brisket and sausage plate. A good BBQ joint will have learned to season and smoke brisket so it doesn't need any sauce (i.e. the ultimate Texas insult is "It needed sauce") AND either makes their own peppery sausage or partnered with a sausage company who makes an excellent peppery sausage. I never try sandwiches first time as almost all buy their bread from someone else and bread can dilute/mask the quality of the BBQ.

In Pflugerville there is Brotherton’s Black Iron BBQ. It is some of the best BBQ I have ever had. They have been in the Top 50 list and there isn’t a crazy line, but they can sell out of ribs by noon or 1.

I’m jealous I’d like to go to the MotoGP in Austin someday.

If you're near the airport, then the TX130 toll road is right there, so get on it South and at 90 MPH you will be in Lockhart in 10 minutes give or take. Eat at Blacks. Thank me later. Get a dino rib if you want to ruin all other BBQ that you'll ever eat. Eat it with a Big Red.

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Originally posted by tatortodd:
One can actually drive to Lockhart, see some of Texas, eat legendary BBQ, and drive back before getting through Franklin's line.

This.

Just approaching Lockhart on the highway, you can roll down your car windows and smell BBQ.

Welcome to the Lone Star! Bbq, I’d recommend a trip to nearby Lockhart for Blacks, or, Driftwood for the Salt Lick, which honestly I think is better! Tex mex, Matt’s El Rancho on S Lamar. Magnolia on S Congress for breakfast once. If you do nightlife please avoid the drunk douchebags on 6th street and hit either 4th street, or Barton Springs, Rainey St. Most of all enjoy your trip!

Salt Lick was definitely on my radar already, so that just reinforces my desire to go. Keep em coming guys.

Salt Lick is definitely good. They have the best BBQ sauce in my opinion. My local grocery store sells their sauce and that is what I buy. If you like chicken wings, go to a Pluckers. They have a huge variety of sauces to choose from and their wings are big.

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Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
I’m jealous I’d like to go to the MotoGP in Austin someday.

I live here and drive past in weekly but have never been. I would love to go.

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Salt Lick is definitely good. They have the best BBQ sauce in my opinion. My local grocery store sells their sauce and that is what I buy. If you like chicken wings, go to a Pluckers. They have a huge variety of sauces to choose from and their wings are big.

It’s really an experience! Been a while since I’ve been there but bring cash, not sure they take credit cards, maybe they do now but not previously.

Lockhart is not too far from where you are especially on the 130 toll. If you are able to go down on Sat/Sun they do burnt end pork belly, it is fantastic. Also their half chicken is great but they usually sell out as the day goes on. The potato casserole is beyond good. I honestly don't even get brisket anymore, I have had it all over from every place on the lists.

I might get some hate for this but the beef rib at terry blacks for me is the best and wait is not bad at all. I have only had it at the Barton Springs location across the street from the Parmer center.

I am not sure if you would be interested in something a little different(not bbq) one of my favorite spots is Ramen Tatsuya(several locations in Austin). I know its just ramen noodles but the broth is the best. My favorite is the Miso Hot with extra chashu(pork belly) and a couple of corn bombs. If you want a little more the fried chicken they have there is also a great starter. I will put up with the gender neutral bathrooms, green/pink hair and hairy armpits for this meal, it is that good.

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Originally posted by StorminNormin:

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Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
I’m jealous I’d like to go to the MotoGP in Austin someday.

I live here and drive past in weekly but have never been. I would love to go.

I've been for F1 3 times, 2017-18 all 3 days and 2024 for Friday only [vendor comp]
Other than the traffic nightmare at the end, it's a fun time.

MotoGP & Lone Star LeMans are on my to-do list.
Nascar is hilarious to watch at COTA, and the tickets are pretty cheap.

Figure out your routes to/from the track where you don’t use 35 at all. It bricks and bricks hard, so avoid it like the plague. Can’t stress this enough. Use the back roads. We always stay east of the track renting a place for the weekend far away from 35. We’d leave after morning practice sessions, go back to the crib and cook brunch every day easily getting back into the track, etc. But lodging and where is absolutely critical for this. Food at the track sucks and it’s expensive.

Seats I like the main grandstand in case of rain. Spring here in TX is inclement weather season. It can always hail or flood rain. I did a riders for health trackday before the GP weekend started one year with Randy Mamola. Thursday track day. GP weekend then drove back on Monday. I’m on my way out of the Austin general area and baseball hail. Thank God I had rented a U-Haul van and the bike was inside. I found a tree to park under until it stopped. If that had hit the previous day on race day, oh my. Main grandstand is covered, nothing else is and it’s nice to get out of TX sun. There are various places around the track to sit on grass and see the bikes. Real nice spot on the grass for turns 18 and 19. There is a bar up there and my friends loved that spot for a session. When the Sprint or Race starts, I like the grandstand as every bike is bouncing off the limiter at the same time and it’s something you will remember the rest of your life so bring foamie earplugs, the good ones you’d use for shooting. If it’s good enough for shooting guns, your earpro, that’s what you want to use. Main straight is loud AF. Also spend the $ and do a session in the tower sir. It was $20 when we went every year. Moto 3, 2, or GP, irrelevant. It’s worth it. I’d also hike up to Turn 1 for a session. They are plowing down that straight and have to go down to first gear for turn 1. The elevation change alone is worth seeing in person. That elevation doesn’t show well on TV. It’s massive. A lot of work (your knees will feel it) but worth it.

BBQ, I like Stubbs, not saying it’s the best. But we avoid Austin proper (downtown anything) during the GP weekend unless it’s well into the evening. Austin was never built for the population explosion that has occurred there. GP traffic is something to really behold and getting stuck in it, bumper to bumper is awful so BBQ or any excursions I’d be checking multiple navigation apps. So lodging, our entire weekend, is about gaming that traffic so we can avoid it. The days are long at the track and traffic and exhaustion is not my bag. Laguna Seca and COTA I learned how to dime ingress/egress out where leaving the rental to sitting in my seat was 30 minutes flat. Same for leaving my seat at the track and being back at the rental relaxing. That means going into the track early, beating the rush, and leaving the track early as well to beat the rush. If traffic doesn’t bother you like it does me, then you have nothing to worry about. BBQ or eating out, I’d rather go into Bastrop than Austin proper. Whole lot less bs to deal with. Austin is big time overcrowded as is and you add in GP traffic, well doing my best here to warn you 3 times

Which lot did you get a parking pass? I might have more info depending on that. And did you get a paddock pass? I’d get your vendor stuff done on Friday. They’ll have full stock and it’s not busy. Friday is best for wandering around a lot. Saturday tighten that up, and Sunday, forget it. Sundays I’m in the grandstand and that’s it, no wandering around the track. Get that stuff done early. Any other questions let me know. I went to Laguna every year from 2000/2001 for WSBK until GP’s came back to USA IIRC 2005 and we went every year until COTA took it over and went to Austin. All the way through Vale’s last year in 2021. Haven’t been back since. The vibe and atmosphere never was like Laguna. The owners of COTA are pricks (they don’t allow trackdays anymore there, private membership shit only) so make your list, make it an event, and go once and chunk the deuce. They didn’t build the track right and there are foundation problems requiring constant resurfacing. COTA charges way more than Laguna ever did.

Thank you so much for the info Prefontaine. Knew you'd have some good answers.

Here are a few answers to some of your questions.

1. Staying close to the track (Western Mail Way/Ross Rd is the nearest intersection). Shows 5 minutes from the track going down Elroy.

2. No paddock pass (I'm a poor)

3. Haven't gotten a parking pass yet. Won't be on a bike so need one for a regular lot for the rental car. Suggestions? Went with lot T. Hopefully it's not a wet weekend, but it's a rental so I guess I don't care too much.

4. We've got Grandstand Mezzanine tickets. I figured just being out of the sun would make the days less miserable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mutedblade,

For something other than BBQ I like Tumble 22 for chicken and VIA 313 for Detroit style pizza.

I'll add, from a seating perspective.

2017: We sat in the T9 grandstands. Good view of a lot of the track

2018: We were at T4 in the esses. You can see probably 60-70% of the track from here.

2024: Had a suite at T18. Not a great view, but catered, covered and open bar.

If I was paying, and didn't want the main grandstands, would probably do T4 again.

We had very opposite weather experiences in 2017-18
2017 it was blazing hot
2018 was wet and misty on Fri/Sat and perfection on Sunday.

F1 is usually in October, so a lot different to March

quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
Thank you so much for the info Prefontaine. Knew you'd have some good answers.

Here are a few answers to some of your questions.

1. Staying close to the track (Western Mail Way/Ross Rd is the nearest intersection). Shows 5 minutes from the track going down Elroy.

2. No paddock pass (I'm a poor)

3. Haven't gotten a parking pass yet. Won't be on a bike so need one for a regular lot for the rental car. Suggestions? Went with lot T. Hopefully it's not a wet weekend, but it's a rental so I guess I don't care too much.

4. We've got Grandstand Mezzanine tickets. I figured just being out of the sun would make the days less miserable.

1. Excellent. You saved yourself the biggest headache here. A lot of people learn this the hard way and have an awful experience. They are commuting into the track and sitting in traffic before and after. And this could be hours of your day.
2. COTA has always charged double what Laguna would cost for the paddock pass. COTA is greedy AF and what they charge for a pass is insane. I just recommend it if this is going to be a one shot deal. Seeing the riders a few feet away and getting a feel for everything is worth it if doing once. Same for the pit walk thing where you can walk in front of all the garages. Buy once cry once thing.
3. You really want parking lot A. It’s next to the grandstand and closest. I’d park, and have maybe a 50 yard walk at best to get into the grandstand. Just get the closest to the grandstand that you can as I’m sure much is sold out.
4. It’s the way to go. You chose correctly. Use the grandstand as base then you can venture out and watch sessions from different points on the track. Then when you are tired of the sun, back to the grandstand. And as I said, on Sunday, I’d just stick to the grandstand all day. People, traffic, it’s Friday, easy, Saturday, medium. Sunday, difficult.

Going for 20+ years straight you get to really hate the traffic, the price gouging and the bullshit. Laguna was actually cheaper to go to minus the airfare. Believe it or not the price gouging on a room or rental was less there than it is in Austin. Austin area is greedy AF and COTA is also. Laguna you could bring a cooler in, COTA allows you to bring sealed water bottles in only. But I gamed COTA for years sneaking in my boat horns. American fans can suck too. I’d hit the boat horn, which you’d hear 20-50k of at say Mugello or many rounds. And American fans look at you like you are crazy. Lots of people will be there that have no clue about the sport nor anything else. If you really want to save yourself money, bring in your own water bottles, and refill them at the water fountains. And leave after the morning sessions and go eat away from the track. Unless Valentino’s shop had something I couldn’t get online, I wouldn’t spend any money at the track due to the COTA ownership. Paddock pass wasn’t even offered the first year, then when they did add it, was expensive compared to Laguna, but not insane. Next year they jacked up the price and it was ridiculous. Same thing for the suites. Laguna my suite for over a decade was Turn 3. $450-550 over the years and that was catered breakfast/lunch, all the drinks you could drink (including beer, soft drinks, Red Bulls, water, etc), snacks, and that included a paddock pass. As soon as they went to COTA same type of seat was like $1000, almost double.

Don’t know if you are flying or driving. If driving down, well on Sunday, after the race is over, you either do it two ways. I’d be light jogging all the way to the truck or car on the last lap if one of my riders wasn’t on the podium and leaving 100k people in the rearview with no traffic. Stick around and you could get stuck. Then leaving the area in general if coming from out of state, you’d want to either do that exact same thing, or wait until well into the evening at 9pm or later to drive out of the area. We’d leave at 11pm. I’m just hoping the sport moves to Flatrock in TN at some point, then I’ll start going again every year.

Just got back from Austin doing a BBQ tour with some friends last week and yes it was a glutenous affair. We went to just about all the top-50 bbq places below are some of the places I've been, just not all on this trip.

Burnt Bean in Sequin is fantastic, just as good as Franklin...and so is the line. While closer to San Antonio than Austin, it's on the map and the lines are long. Weekday line is at least 2hr wait, weekend 3hr for sure...and that wait is when to line-up before opening. Their brisket was sublime, the ribs had the perfect chew and their jalapeño/chedder sausage was the best, their #1 ranking is well deserved.

Louis Mueller is amongst the last of the old guard meat market barbecues. Located in Taylor, NE of Austin they are who I recommend for those looking for a quintessential TX Hill Country BBQ experience that is accessible. Mueller's has been ranked in the Texas Monthly top-50 every cycle it's been out, they've also been awarded a James Beard Classic Award. They're all about the Texas Trinity and that's it, no frills or imaginative sides; take your platter, get a drink at the fountain and enjoy.

Leroy & Lewis and Interstellar are both very good, they're apart of a new generation of pitmasters where they're making the traditional trinity (brisket, pork ribs & sausage) along with a lot of other unique items. Gone are the smoke-stained walls and heavy haze of the interior but a much younger and errr, progressive landscape. Their menu is very broad and not everything on it will be available on the day you visit. Interstellar has a lamb-shoulder taco that was tremendous, I believe unique items like this is what got them awarded a Michelin-star; their location is in the far NW corner of Austin in a small strip mall. L&L is at the South end of Austin, has two dining areas, up front is their bar where you can order off their anytime-menu which has a few BBQ meat items, whereas in the back is the meat counter for everything else.

Micklewaithe did not make the top-50 this time around but, they put out very good smoked meats to include beef ribs that I believe can compete against Louis Mueller and Black's in Lockhart. As a bonus their backyard seating area is a great spot to hang-out on a warm night.

Franklin's is fantastic and as advertised but, they're an international hit and the line is a 3-hr wait minimum. La Barbecue is near Franklin's in East Austin, started by the granddaughter of Louis Mueller who's no longer around. They're in a small location with a very loyal following set within a progressive/hipster neighborhood....I'll just say there's a lot of septum-rings and pathetic tattoos. Stiles Switch is off the Franklin family tree, with multiple locations I think they're some of the best of the accessible bbq places. Just know that there's Blacks and Terry Black's, I know there was a family feud several years back, I've only eaten at the Lockhart location and it was tremendous. Everyone that I know who's eaten at the other locations, has had an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

Brisquits is at the south-end of town, a good stop before heading to the airport. Located in a food truck park on the Radio Coffee property lot, their focus is brisket with very good biscuits & jam. They do meat plates for lunch but biscuit sandos is their specialty.

Mum Foods Smokehouse & Deli is located in East Austin, I've not been but I understand their specialty is pastrami and ribs. KG BBQ I've also not been but they're ranked #27 so, they must been doing something good.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: corsair,

I have been meaning to try Burnt Bean in Seguin as I see a billboard for them often on I-10, but I just never have had time to go as I am going back and forth from Austin and San Antonio via toll 130 and I-10. Good to know they have a crazy line as that means I will probably never go. Work takes me to Seguin once in a blue moon and might try to go when I am actually in the town next.

Please don’t discount Brotherton’s Black Iron BBQ I mentioned in Pflugerville, TX. I have lived just a few miles from them for since they opened here probably 10 years ago and never knew they existed until 3 years ago. I am telling you it is an amazing BBQ spot! No crazy line. They also do great sandwiches and unique sides on top of all your typical stuff. It is a hidden gem the community likes to keep to itself. https://pflugervillebarbecue.com/