Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line
Austin, United States

Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line

Outty Ranking 68 4.9 · 36 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $175
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Outty Ranking

68/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 36 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line worth booking?

Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line is a 3-hour experience in Austin, United States, from $175 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 36 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
68 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (36)
Duration
3 hours
From
$175 per person

Six barbecue stops in East Austin — including a MICHELIN One Star joint and two Bib Gourmand smokehouses — with skip-the-line access at every one and an air-conditioned ride between them. No walking in Texas heat, no three-hour queue, and enough food that most guests tap out before the last plate. la Barbecue holds a MICHELIN One Star and a line that wraps the building. Micklethwait Craft Meats is a Bib Gourmand honoree and one of Food Network's 25 Best Food Trucks. KG BBQ is chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, a James Beard semifinalist, smoking lamb with Middle Eastern spice. Mum Foods makes the pastrami Texas Monthly's barbecue editor calls the best in the state. Parish Barbecue brings Louisiana heat from a pitmaster who cooked at Franklin. Then a sixth stop we don't announce. It's sweet. You'll think you're finished eating. You aren't. Between plates, your guide tells you how East Austin was built and why these blocks became America's most argued-about barbecue. Come hungry.

What you get

    About this experience

    Six barbecue stops in East Austin — including a MICHELIN One Star joint and two Bib Gourmand smokehouses — with skip-the-line access at every one and an air-conditioned ride between them. No walking in Texas heat, no three-hour queue, and enough food that most guests tap out before the last plate. la Barbecue holds a MICHELIN One Star and a line that wraps the building. Micklethwait Craft Meats is a Bib Gourmand honoree and one of Food Network's 25 Best Food Trucks. KG BBQ is chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, a James Beard semifinalist, smoking lamb with Middle Eastern spice. Mum Foods makes the pastrami Texas Monthly's barbecue editor calls the best in the state. Parish Barbecue brings Louisiana heat from a pitmaster who cooked at Franklin. Then a sixth stop we don't announce. It's sweet. You'll think you're finished eating. You aren't. Between plates, your guide tells you how East Austin was built and why these blocks became America's most argued-about barbecue. Come hungry.

    What's included

    Included

    • Luxury SUV for groups of 8 or fewer; minibus for larger groups
    • Skip-the-line access at participating barbecue stops
    • All restaurant taxes and gratuities at tour stops
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Local guide with East Austin food and neighborhood history
    • Six food stops with generous tastings — enough for a full meal

    Not included

    • Gratuity for your guide
    • Alcoholic beverages (optional $35 drink package available at booking)
    • Pick up and Drop Off

    What you'll see and do

    1. Smoked lamb with Middle Eastern spice from chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, who took his Cairo upbringing into Central Texas barbecue. A MICHELIN Bib Gourmand honoree and a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Texas.

      35 minutes here

    2. Texas pastrami on house-made rye — called the best pastrami in the state by Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn, at a deli USA Today named to its Restaurants of the Year list. Queens deli technique, Central Texas smoke.

      25 minutes here

    3. The MICHELIN One Star stop, and the reason the line wraps the building. You walk past it. Sausage ground and stuffed in-house, plus brisket from a joint that has held a place on Texas Monthly's Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas.

      25 minutes here

    4. Start with brisket-stuffed kolaches and house-made sides at a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand smokehouse that Southern Living named a Top 50 barbecue joint and Food Network ranked among America's 25 Best Food Trucks. Owner Tom Micklethwait makes nearly everything by hand, down to the pickles.

      25 minutes here

    5. Louisiana flavor meets Texas tradition. Pitmaster Holden Fulco cooked at InterStellar Barbecue and Franklin Barbecue before opening his own truck, and the menu shows both lineages.

      25 minutes here

    6. Austin

      A secret sweet stop: We don't announce this one. You'll think you're finished eating. You are not finished eating.

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Austin

    You will receive a text the day of the tour with specifics on the address, where to park, and how to find your guide. Meeting address is also included in conformation email.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    You will receive a text the day of the tour with specifics on the address, where to park, and how to find your guide. Meeting address is also included in conformation email.

    Options you can book

    • Locals Know BBQ Food Tour in Austin Texas

    • BBQ Tour + Elevated Drink Pkg

      Elevated Drink Pkg Add On: Upgrade your tour and sip your way through Austin’s finest with FIVE local small batch brews and smoky concoctions.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 13 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Locals Know Barbecue Tour

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Guests using a wheelchair are welcome. All tour stops have wheelchair- and stroller-accessible surfaces, but our vehicle is not lift-equipped, so wheelchair users will need to follow the route in their own accessible transportation. Contact us before booking and we'll share the full stop list and timing.
    • Children who require a car seat are welcome, but families will need to provide their own car seat and transportation between stops.
    • Every guest who will be eating requires a ticket.
    • Some dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. Because our stops share kitchens and prep surfaces, we cannot safely guarantee accommodation for severe allergies. Please contact us before booking.
    • Please arrive 10 minutes before departure. Tours run on restaurant reservation times and cannot wait for late arrivals.

    Photos

    Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line, photo 2Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line, photo 3Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line, photo 4Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line, photo 5Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line, photo 6Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 35 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    6 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    35 verified traveler reviews for Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    33
    4 star
    2
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Claudia_B · October 2026

    Plenty of food and fun.

    We are locals to Austin, but had friends visiting from out of state. This is a great way to experience some of the best BBQ in Texas without the lines. Our guide Josh was very knowledgeable about the history of the places we visited and shared lots of information with our group.

    via Viator

    KazzaF82 · October 2026

    Recommended but need to be more organised

    Really good day and overall loved the food but could have been a little more organised. We loved everything thing but the newly added BBQ taco place as it was really crowded with no reserved seating and the food was too greasy for my taste. Our favourites were KG BBQ, La Barbecue and wicklethwait! Our guide was great fun and really knowledgeable in still recommend doing this tour as its a great way to experience different types of texas BBQ

    via Tripadvisor

    katiemP884EM · October 2026

    Best way to skip the BBQ LINES!

    Wonderful BBQ experience getting to try a variety of places and not wait in line! Best way to get a sampling so we know what to go back to. It does say 6 BBQ spots but it is actually only 5 so that was a little misleading. Come hungry, you will leave full!

    via Tripadvisor

    nathanbZ1176PB · October 2026

    Great food!

    Outstanding food and company. Lily rocks! Ask her about “Groove is in my heart.”

    via Tripadvisor

    Jason_S · September 2026

    Great tastings of 5 BBQ...

    Great tastings of 5 BBQ places. Made me wish I lived in Austin so I could go back and sample more from each place.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Sat, Sun
    Price range
    $175 to $215
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    13
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 68

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)90
    Review evidence (18% weight)52
    Booking momentum (14% weight)44
    Value for money (12% weight)32
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)59
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Austin.

    How much does Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line cost?

    +

    Prices start at $175 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Austin usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Austin is not rushed.

    Is Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 36 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Austin, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line?

    +

    Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Austin can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Austin and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Austin within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Austin?

    +

    Austin's activity list runs on food and water: barbecue crawls to the pits that sell out by noon, Lady Bird Lake kayaking under the Congress Avenue bat colony, live music walks on Rainey and Red River, and Hill Country wine and distillery runs. We weight timing detail in the ranking, because a barbecue tour that arrives after the brisket is gone is a different product entirely. On Outty we rank every Austin experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle, Best of Austin Small-Group Driving Tour with Local Guide, The Escape Game: Epic 60-Minute Adventures in Downtown Austin. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Austin?

    +

    March to May and October to November, avoiding the triple-digit summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Austin?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line?

    +

    Included: Luxury SUV for groups of 8 or fewer; minibus for larger groups; Skip-the-line access at participating barbecue stops; All restaurant taxes and gratuities at tour stops; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Local guide with East Austin food and neighborhood history. Not included: Gratuity for your guide; Alcoholic beverages (optional $35 drink package available at booking); and Pick up and Drop Off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line?

    +

    You will receive a text the day of the tour with specifics on the address, where to park, and how to find your guide. Meeting address is also included in conformation email. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Guests using a wheelchair are welcome. All tour stops have wheelchair- and stroller-access. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line?

    +

    Across 36 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, food and drink, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    What booking options are available for Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including Locals Know BBQ Food Tour in Austin Texas, BBQ Tour + Elevated Drink Pkg. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Austin BBQ Tour: 6 Tastings, Michelin Stops & Skip the Line.

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