This is the best BBQ I’ve ever eaten. I have lived in plenty of states across the country. I visited Austin to try the local food. Kerlin’s was by far the best place I have eaten. I can’t say enough about how good it was....Not to say the other places to eat in Austin weren’t good but Kerlin’s was by far the best.More
In his book The 100 Best Barbecue Restaurants in America, Johnny Fugitt ranks Kerlin #1. By any definition it is certainly in the top ten. One of the remarkable things about this little food truck is that there are no weaknesses on the menu-- or...as Bill Kerlin put it to me, no "afterthoughts." From top to bottom, you are going to find high quality here. Plan to come on Sunday to order the brisket kolaches, but come early because they are phenomenally (and deservedly popular). Sides: we would rank the sour cream cole slaw a top four item nationwide, and the jalapeno dill potato salad a top three. The pork belly burnt ends are the best in the country, and the pork ribs one of the top three in Texas. The fatty end of the brisket is superb-- moist, tender, with perfectly rendered fat and great smoky flavor underlying the traditional Texas salt-pepper rub. We would not rank it the best in the country, but it is certainly in the top five. Dollar for dollar, it is hard to conceive of getting a better return for your money than you will receive here.More
We stopped here on our food tour, and this place is bar none the best. I'm from Texas and have been to Austin lots of times and just found this gem. We tried the chopped brisket kolache and it is heaven! I had never heard...of such a thing, but it is GENIUS!! I dream about these kolaches and am already planning when I can drive down for more!!More
Born and raised in Austin. Best brisket in town - better than the the one with the crazy long line. Also something no one ever talks about are the sides. They are doing it right at Kerlin - the sides, like everything else, are on...point 👌💯More
Was visiting Austin for the first time and wanted some good local BBQ but didn't want to wait for hours in line for some of the more well known places. Kerlin's was recommended to me and I'm glad I went. I had the pork ribs...and moist brisket along with the blue cheese cole slaw and everything was great. Location is just a no frills food truck with picnic tables and that worked out great on the beautiful mid 60's day I went. Will definitely go back when back in townMore
No lines, no attitude, no hype Awesome BBQ and don't forget a kolache! Nothing but smiles here, they even specially wrapped up my brisket for the flight home. A must-stop in Austin!
While exploring East Austin I wanted to find and try Kerlin BBQ where it was highlighted as one of the top BBQ places in the city. Located off of East Cesar Chavez St I pulled into the gravel parking lot to find it tiny with...huge potholes feeling like I was driving on the moon. There were no spots and noticed a sign saying no parking in front of the piñata store next to it. Kerlin also shares the same spot with Veracruz Tacos food truck making this location a very popular destination. I ended up parking on an adjacent street and walked to Kerlin. I ignored the few homeless people but felt fine leaving my vehicle. I made my way to the Kerlin BBQ food truck passing a run down gas station and piñata store. The setup was nice where you order/pickup food at the truck and find a place to sit at under a cover awning. I ordered beef brisket, pork ribs, macaroni & cheese, and jalapeño potato salad. The order was ready pretty quickly and one plate had two big slices of brisket and the other pork ribs. Both meats were very soft and juicy where no knife was needed. It was unbelievably delicious where I see why listed among the best. Both meats had a nice smoky flavor and the sides were good too especially the jalapeño potato salad. It’s a no thrills place in the outdoor Austin culinary culture where it is all about the meat and cleanup after yourself when you are done.More
I'm working in Austin this weekend. But I'm going to enjoy some "Damn Good BBQ" too. Texas makes you salivate for good smoked meats. In my search and asking locals a couple recommendations keep repeating. "You got to try Kerlin BBQ". You won't wait an...hour and a half and you get some of the best damn BBQ in Austin. Tucked behind the Shell Gas station on E Cesar Chavez St (East of the 35), is a trailer, picnic tables and the smell of BBQ smoke. Kerlin quickly established itself as a serious player 6 yrs ago and have the accolades to prove it. Arizona transplants, Bill and Amelis Kerlin, started as backyard enthusiasts before hitting the competition scene and taking home a grand prize on there first outing. They embrace Central TX tradition with a standard post-oak wood smoke and then amp it up with quality Prime Angus beef. They also have some great Pork Belly Burnt Ends with really great flavor. I decided to build myself my own platter to sample some of the tasty things on the menu. One of those is a kolache, typically a Czech / Hungarian pastry. In Texas this is a staple in some barbecue joints. I've never had it before, but being part Czech I wasn't about to skip the opportunity. Basically a bread pocket filled with meat and plenty of flavor. I chose the sausage, cheddar cheese and jalapenos. All I can say is I can't wait to try the other meats. I hear the brisket kolache is the bomb! My platter; Smoked Prime Angus Brisket Pork Belly Burnt Ends Beef Hot Link Smoked Mexican corn on the cob Sausage, Pickled jalapeños and cheese kolache Pickles and onionsMore
This place was on point every step of the way! 20-30 minutes wait on a Sunday at lunch. Got there kind of late by Austin standards about noon or a bit later and we were eating with in 30 minutes. This place works like most...of the trucks: stand in line, order & pay, wait til your name is called, grab your grub and sit or carry-out. We had Fatty Brisket, Pork Spareribs, Sausage, Jalapeño Dill Potato Salad, Blue-cheese Coleslaw, Banana Custard Everything across the board was 4.5 to 5 Star!!!!!! My top-three experiences with Texas Style Brisket are inseparable and this was one of them!!! Louie Mueller in Taylor TX J Leonardi on Airport in Austin And now Kerlin's are my top three for Brisket (have not made it to Aaron's place yet) And Kerlin's has the best Pork Ribs I have ever had anywhere- no added sauce or anything else 5-Stars just as they are presented on a paper plate! DON'T MISS THIS ONE!! Recap: short line, nice people, Awesome BBQ, get there early! I got the last order of Spareribs and I ordered before 12:30!!More
Wow! This little food truck puts out a fabulous spread. Best brisket ever, moist and tender with a lovely crust. The sauce is vinegary, perfect to cut the richness of the meat. Ribs, excellent. Pulled pork was perfect, tender and moist. Jalapeño potato salad was...good. I would have liked more heat, but it wasn’t gloppy. Delish!More
We stopped to try Veracruz but the line was too long (not surprising). The chopped brisket sandwich was very good but the pulled pork kolaches was incredible. Can’t vouch for how it compares to other BBQ joints in the area, but not disappointed at all...that we saved 40 mins in line and ate really really good bbq.More
Get your kolaches fix here. Actually it is the only place I have gotten kolaches, but it was good. Seems to be a very Austin thing. It reminded me of a char shu bao from a Chinese bakery, but will the addition of shredded meat...and copious, stringy cheese. It was delish, and I would imagine a great accompaniment to beer or post-hangover. On the heavy side as a food, but very tasty and satisfying.More
We stopped by late morning on a weekend and there were no lines – yeah! The food was very good. The Brisket, Cheddar Kolach was memorable – I am still thinking about it. We also had the Brisket and the Ribs which were also good....There was something different in the BBQ sauce (mustard seed?). Whatever it was it was delicious. (Sauce is served on the side). The trailer is parked in a lot. Outdoor seating only (picnic tables), with shade.More
Loved it! Okay it’s a food truck, dirt parking lot and portable potties but don’t let that keep you from going!! (We almost left when we first saw the place and I’m glad we didn’t!) Prices are good and food is plentiful and they offer...a great military discount! I ordered the brisket sandwich and my son ordered the pulled pork sandwich. We shared a large blue cheese coleslaw and beans. Everything was WONDERFUL!! Service is fast and super friendly!!!! Loved it!More
When you visit Texas or even especially in Austin you have to get some BBQ. Kerlin BBQ had the option to eat the meats by the pound or they had different sandwich options. The sides were just as good if not better then the meats....I went with there Brisket sandwich, blue cheese coleslaw along with a jalapeno potato salad and finish off the meal with a banana custard that was unbelievable. If you craving some great BBQ this is the place for you.More
