Reviews & Ratings for Iron Works Barbeque

03/20/10

Very good bbq

by jdyeah at Citysearch

This is a pretty good BBQ place, even by Texas "standards". I'd rate it a 4.5 but there are no half-stars. It surprised me how few people in Austin have actually been here, when I talk with them about BBQ.

Service is usually pretty fast, the brisket and sausage are great and never dry and of course you can ask for leaner or fatty cuts. It didn't make the Texas Magazine for 50 greatest BBQ's in Texas, but you have to know those ratings are not exactly spot-on.

There is a nice big deck in the back and usually plenty of seating. It's right near the freeway, so its easy in-out here.

Be aware its closed on Sundays and their parking lot is tiny, so you have to park across the street or down the street. These are probably the two worst things about the place.

• Pros: easy location, reasonable price
• Cons: not much variety

01/14/10

Best BBQ Downtown

by PaddyMcP at Citysearch

This place is MUCH better than Stubbs. If you're in downtown and have the choice, no question, go to Iron Works rather than Stubbs. Just be aware that you order at a counter and carry your food to the table, so don't expect to be waited on.

I had the brisket plate and really enjoyed it. It wasn't quite as good as Rudy's is, but it was very good. The BBQ sauce is excellent. You have an option of original or spicy. I liked them both. I hear the ribs are great.. I'll try those next time.

• Pros: Good food, atmosphere
• Cons: Not quite as good as Rudy's

11/12/09

No Frills, Good BBQ

by marydavis at Citysearch

Iron Works is a no frills restaurant with great tasting bbq. You walk in, order off the menu on the board, and get a paper plate with your food and plastic tray to take it to the table. Nothing fancy about the decor and on a busy night expect to be seated family style at one of the long rows of wooden tables. The main attraction here is the food and it tastes great. Pork ribs were tender and juicy---not falling off the bone but still very good. I preferred their beef rib which was also tender and tasted great. Location-wise there is not much around it and the parking lot is small but there are lots across the streets. During my stay I went to Iron Works and Salt Lick in Driftwood (about 20-30 mins from Austin) and both were enjoyable for their own personalities.

• Pros: Beef Ribs

08/15/09

Good but NOT GREAT

by jwalker773 at Citysearch

We have read about this place for years and was really expecting it to be something really SPECIAL. NOT!!

• Pros: BBQ Sauce is Excellent, Pork Ribs are Excellent
• Cons: Brisket is over cooked and dry. Place needs Air Conditioner

07/01/09

Awesome Beef Ribs

by HBiz at Citysearch

The BBQ sauce is excellent!

• Pros: Great Ribs

11/24/08

Really good BBQ, especially the beef ribs

by shaft28 at Citysearch

I was very pleased with Iron Works this past Friday night. Very much like some of the more remote BBQ joints around Austin, more of a lunch counter style with delicious beef ribs. Tooks the whole family plus so got to try different dishes. Hands down the beefs ribs were the winner, in fact I can hardly wait to go back to have more with the delicious sauce the have (both regular and spicy were excellent). The pork ribs were loved by all, although I thought they were a little over-smoked but that tends to be Texas BBQ fare. The sausage was good, but not great. Nothing the sauce couldn't liven up.

Side dished were there, not really sure why every place in Texas has to have the bland watery chili bean side. Everyone has it and I dislike it at every place. So many better options out there for beans.

I would have liked my food to be a tad warmer but that is pretty minor. Have to rank this as #2 on my list so far because they do have one dish far and above all others. Good stuff.

• Pros: Beef ribs, spicy BBQ sauce
• Cons: bean side dish

09/14/08

best ribs

by camry at Citysearch

this place has the best ribs. The meat just falls off the bone. Truly cooked texas style. We enjoyed the decor as well.

• Pros: seated fast
• Cons: none

09/03/08

BEST BBQ IN TOWN!!!!!

by blondie09 at Citysearch

This is honestly the best BBQ I've ever had in my life. Every time I have family come into town I bring them straight to Iron Works to eat their famous ribs. Everything is slow cooked to perfection so that it falls off the bone. It seems a bit whole in the wall, but once you learn about the history of the place you understand why. Just know that in the summer you'll probably be hot in their lack of air conditioning, and in the winter you'll probably be cold unless you're sitting next to their old fashioned wood stove. Nonetheless, this place is the epitome of Texas BBQ. if you don't mind eating on plastic table cloths and picnic tables, then I would HIGHLY recommend eating here out of any restaurant in Austin-- you'll be in absolute BBQ heaven!!!!

08/25/08

BEST BARQ

by JCGRAND at Citysearch

SOME OF THE BEST RIBS I EVERY EATEN.GREAT PLACE TO TAKE YOUR FAMILY.I REALLY ENJOY THE WHOLE PLACE.BUT THE BARQ WAS WORTH THE WAIT.GO EARLY OR LATER AND ENJOY GOOD BARQ. I HAVE EATEN AND COOKED BARQ FOR A FEW YEARS.BUT EVRYTIME I AM IN THE AREA,I GO TO THE IRON WORK TO EAT BARQ.

• Pros: GOOD BARQ

08/21/08

Great place for family, and barbecue

by mrcmsc at Citysearch

Iron Works is our family's favorite place to eat! The kids love grabbing the cokes right out of the ice bends. I have never been a big pork rib fan, but I tried them at the Iron Works and all I could say was WOW! For dessert we love their pecan pie! We have a lot of family out of state, and we are able to place our order online, and send the barbecue Fed EX. These make great Christmas gifts!

• Pros: Our family's favorite place!