08/22/02

the best

by gratrat

nice brisket, great chooped beef and the best creamy cole slaw you'll ever eat

11/07/07

best chopped beef ever !!!!

by polkadotkitty512

This place has a real bbq atmosphere with the blues decor and stucco wall. I love the home fries which are so unique with the thyme and rosemary.

Beware of the gumbo, the gumbo was the worst thing I have ever tasted, but the spicy chopped beef is absolutely fantastic! All in all I would definitely recommend this place.

• Pros: chopped beef
• Cons: gumbo

12/05/06

Worst so far

by prooke1

I've been on a mission to try every Que joint in austin and so far this has been my worst experience. The meat was fine but no better than some of the other places i've tried. everything else was pretty mediocre. I had high expectations for this joint, but will definitely not be going back after paying around $13 for a meal that I pushed around and didn't come close to enjoying. So far Iron Works is leading the pack in my search for the best Que in Austin.

Austin landmark near Guadalupe Street serves hot brisket amid memories of dirty blues.

by Contributor

In Short
UT students and slackers crowd the modest dining room or head out to the much larger, covered and fenced-in patio. Relics of Ruby's former neighbor, Antone's, cover the walls and blues music graces the sound system. The air is thick with the sweet, smoky smell of barbecue. The half-pound mixed combo includes two choices from beef, chicken, sausage or ribs and two sides. Chopped barbecue sandwiches and gumbo are some of the lighter options.

07/22/05

Yummmmy....

by fabeth

Ruby's is awesome. The smoked chicken is the best anywhere. The black bean tacos are great, and the sides are all good witht the exception of the creamy cole slaw-it's kinda bland. The place even smells great with a nice patio out back.

03/11/03

best bbq

by havarti69

hands down the best bbq in town. they also have very good chicken tacos and veggie bbq tacos as well.

02/21/03

best bbq

by lee74621

I've eaten lots of BBQ in my life and Ruby's is on my list as one of the best. The sauce is great and the meat isnt too fatty. Everything is just right.

• Pros: food, food, food
• Cons: ?

01/25/03

White folks can cook BBQ

by pyeager

Always the best. Forget the rest. Amazing bbq, unique side dishes that enhance the experience rather than detract. And the sauce!!! Most BBQ joints see the sauce as a necessary evil but Ruby's sauce is nectar of the gods.

07/25/02

best bbq, period.

by bitterkitten

meat quality, always good. never fatty or chewy. Sauce: excellent. Always spicy and great flavor. Ruby's also has great salads & dressing, and not just "for a bbq place." Everybody says Salt Lick is the best. Bah. Salt Lick does indeed have that nice open-pit traditional ambience, but I don't need to pay 10 bucks for an all-I-can-eat plate to get average BBQ sauce and average BBQ cooking. Ruby's does it right every damn time. Still impressive & cheap for the 6 years I've lived in Austin. Yum.

• Pros: super sauce, super price, super salads
• Cons: no credit cards, limited parking