07/11/07

Good ribs, but everything else sub par

by ohyeahlach

Hope you're not looking for atmosphere, great service, or a clean place... you won't find it here. It was filthy in there! Cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, sticky floor in the bathroom (UGH!), dirty all around. I tried to have an open mind becuase of the great reviews, but the sides (and the uncleanliness) ruined it for me. The potato salad tasted like vinager & potatoes with no other seasonings. Slaw was ok. Beans ok. I tried 2 kinds of ribs. The Country Ribs I have to admit were tasty. The baby back were complete fat. Maybe one small bite of meat on each.

My advise is to do take out country ribs here, otherwise, pass. No excuse not to be clean people, you serve food there!

• Pros: Ribs
• Cons: Filthy place!

11/01/08

good stuff get over it!

by rchrd

If you think Artz is too average, then go down to Barton Springs and eat the MacRib in air conditioning! You'd probably complain about the heat at the Shady Grove, too!

• Pros: a joint
• Cons: parking

09/09/08

its okay

by mustcop

this place is okay. the food is decent, the place itself is darky, old and a little bit dirty. the waitress we had was not helpful at all, i dont blame the restaurant for that though. wouldnt go back there.

• Pros: food is ok
• Cons: service, value, ugly interior

09/01/08

Will never go there again.

by shadyhollow

Food is average at best and service is poor. Don't go expecting to hear live music as you will end up sitting outside in the heat unable to see or hear the band. There are too many other good choices in Austin.

07/18/08

Most overrated place I've eaten in Austin

by dafragsta

In a town with Rudy's, Ironworks, and near enough to Salt Lick to speak of it, I can't imagine how good things have continued to be said about Artz. I got the signature country ribs which were just "cooked," not falling-off-the-bone smoked ribs. They lacked any real flavor and to add insult to injury, the sauce is completely forgettable tangy mustard based and bland, completely devoid of any sweetness or bite. The slaw had nearly any dressing, and what was there didn't really add to the flavor in a positive way, and the potato salad was easily beaten by HEB. It was some of the most boring and uninspired barbecue I've had in Texas, so again I say "I don't see point of all the fuss."

• Pros: I got what I ordered.
• Cons: I got what I ordered.

04/10/08

Great babybacks! I love this funky place!

by MsInformedOne

It had been a while since I had eaten at Artz, but I have been twice in the last month or so and the ribs were wonderful. Tender, moist & very tasty. On my second recent visit, I had to order a full raack, so I had guaranteed leftovers to take home. Unlike some other reviewers, I like the BBQ sauce a lot. Even tho' the ribs taste fine without sauce, I gotta have it. It has kind of ruined me for other barbecue joints. It's a tangy tomato/vinegar style sauce and to say it is a mix of ketchup and mustard is just dumb.

The sides, beans, coleslaw, & tater salad were all very good. The potato salad is a different than I remember, but tastier.(I used to think it was bland.) I have always liked the coleslaw, which is NOT swimming in dressing as too many slaws are.

I do go along with the "Insider Tip"...go when the music is playing. The musicians I've seen there are usually pretty damn good.

12/03/07

Neat little place..

by elb4444

I enjoy the food, the meat is really good. Yesterday enjoyed with a friend, chicken, baby back ribs and sausage. We were seated very quickley and our food came super quick. I was disappointed that there were flies buzzing around and the cole slaw, is rather icky. Also, I swear there bar-b-que sauce is just ketchup and mustard mixed together. I enjoyed the food, but think next time I will get it to go, to eat in the comfort of my fly free home! Oh ya, the live music was a nice little treat too.

• Pros: Great service and yummy ribs
• Cons: Flies buzzing around, and cole slow gross...also sauce is kind of gross!

04/27/07

Worst Barbeque Ever! Don't believe the hype, it sucked.

by jimmyflare

Worst Barbeque ever!

My date and I went there tonight and I had my favorite ribs plate. It was the nastiest barbeque that I have ever tasted. It tasted like third day left overs. They must have had this sitting around since Monday because the barbeque sucked, bad! The sauce was a concoction of ketchup and vinegar with some spices. Not as bad as the barbeque, but nasty in its own right. The cole slaw was tasteless. The beans and potato salad were forgettible in the mix .

My date didn't enjoy her food, so I kept eating to not create an unpleasant mood. Bad mistake! It is 4 hours after my date and I still feel sick. She has boycotted the place. From now on, I will follow my intuition and go to the Countyline.

Heath my warning and go somewhere good.

One deserves to enjoy good barbeque and not nausea in return for their money.

I'm off for some pepto.

• Pros: old look and feel
• Cons: Dirty, bathroom with no soap(bad sign, where do employees wash?oh,oh), BAD BARBEQUE, CAUSE OF ALL NIGHT NAUSEA

Live music and food that will stick to your ribs.

by Contributor

In Short
Comfortably arranged with tables on several levels, this south Austin favorite combines small-town friendliness with world-class smells emanating from the kitchen. The award-winning baby back ribs are smoked to perfection; beef and pork ribs, smoked brisket, chicken and sausage round out the barbecue menu. All entrees come with potato salad, coleslaw, pinto beans, pickles, onions and bread. Vegetarian options include meatless burgers and skewered grilled vegetables, which also come with sides.

06/02/06

Literally Best BBQ in Town!!!

by pamgolightly

I've been eating at Artz Ribs at least once a week for years and they literally have the best ribs in town. Whether you're wanting a rack of baby backs ribs, briskets plate, veggie skewers or just a juicy hamburger you won't find any BBQ better than Artz.

I recently hired them to cater a wedding rehearsal dinner (out of town) and everyone LOVED the food and the owners - Art and Z- they're the BEST!!! Their attention to details made the rehearsal dinner come off without a hitch!

Whenever I leave town, the first thing I want when I get back is Artz!!!

Note: Ask Art or Z to wrap up a couple of racks of ribs to take with you when you're travelling and staying with friends. My friends love it when I show up with a little taste of Austin!!!

• Pros: Reasonably priced, Fast Service, Delicious food