$, Cheap Eats, Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Lunch Spot, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Open 7 Days
Set in old lake lodge, the County Line on the Lake is right on Bull Creek just off Lake Austin, and has been well known for years as The place in Austin to take out-of-town guests. Cocktails on the large redwood deck overlooking the water are a must. Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 days a week. The County Line Restaurants have been serving up legendary barbecue since 1975. During that period, the County Line Restaurants have been the foci of numerous feature articles and have been voted Best Barbecue in almost every one of their respective cities. Our barbecue is so in-demand that we ship it all across the country. *Live music on weekends*
We've eaten at this restaurant numerous times, and have loved it each and every time. The portions are huge, the bread is delicious. We always take family members here when they come in town.
Posted 04/22/09 | Report Abuse
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The County Line on the Lake is my favorite bar-b-que restaurant in Austin. The portions are generous. Their bar-b-que sauce and fresh-baked bread are the best part of the meal.
Every time I've had guests--personal or business--come to Austin, I've taken them to the County Line and they've been impressed.
Posted 01/07/09 | Report Abuse
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We recently went to County Line on the Lake with friends for dinner and were actually disappointed in the meal. While the homemade bread is definitely fabulous, the meats (all kinds) were tough and somewhat stringy. The sides weren't as tasty as they used to be; the beans were "just beans" and nothing really special. The atmosphere is as fun as ever, but the food was lacking in its usual character. I'll be hard pressed to get my husband to return there as he was really disappointed in it.
Posted 06/10/08 | Report Abuse
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I like taking visitors to this location. The BBQ is good the bread is INCREDIBLE (if you've not had it, you absolutely must! You can get a "mixed" loaf 1/2 wheat & 1/2 white). The leftover bread makes some WONDEFUL french toast the next day (FYI).
The location itself is wonderful. While you wait (there is usually a wait), go out to the back deck overlooking the river. There are usually turtles that you can feed/watch and you can just sit back under the trees and watch the river!
Very relaxing!
Posted 06/07/08 | Report Abuse
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Nice location and good food
by MorganaEos
The County Line on the Lake is surrounded by hills and green sites and faces Lake Austin. The food is very good and in good quantity, the staff is fun and helpful, and the prices affordable. County Line is definetely a good place where to eat after or before an afternoon spent hiking or walking for hours in the Hill Country.
Posted 03/15/08
Great setting, atmosphere - average food
by shaft28
I want to love this place, i really do. Close to my house, great back porch, live music and good happy hour...but we just don't like the food. BBQ is iffy, oversmoked and just not that good. Not just us, we have friends who feel the same.
Service is fine, usually crowded and they do a fair job of getting to you (albeit allow extra for outside). I'd stick to drinks and the appetizer menu. Have yet to find anything on the menu the we really enjoy. Wish we could say different!
Pros: great setting
Cons: the food
Posted 01/02/08
Best ribs in austin!
by kellykiller
I have visited the county line many times, seeing as it is absoloutely my favorite BBQ joint in austin. My fiance and I went back for lunch yesterday, and were reminded why we love this place so much. Between the fantastic scenery, the friendly service, and the outstanding food, you really can't go wrong. In fact, we love the place so much we decided to have our wedding there next march!
Pros: quality, location, service
Posted 10/09/07
True review...
by autlonghorn
Being born and raised in Austin I have sampled all the famed BBQ places around central texas. Overall The County Line clearly takes the top spot in central texas. Not Southside Market, Black's, Meyers, Salt Lick, Stubb's, and certainly not Rudy's. Sure some nights the brisket might not be as tender or other items might not be the usual but any place that really barbecues won't taste exactly the same every night. McDonald's McRib is for those people. Reading the negative reviews I can only think of 3 explinations for them... 1. you don't know real bbq 2. you don't really know The County Line or 3. you have some ulterior motive
All that aside if you want the best overall BBQ Restaurant in central Texas go to The County Line at either location.
Pros: Food, Scenery
Cons: Touristy
Posted 07/14/07
Hate to say it...
by native_austinite
Sorry Skeeter.. I'd do the prime at Rudy's any day over your Q.
Greatsight seeing for the out o towners, but the Q is just Q.
Pros: Austin must do
Posted 06/30/07
Nice View, Great Food -- But Long Wait
by coconino
We were there on Sunday from noon to 3pm, perhaps because it was father's day weekend, there were a lot of people there waiting to be seated. We got our table in an hour but time flies by when you and your friends could sit outside to enjoy the view and have some appertizer to start with. The homemade bread is addictingly soft and butterly! Brisket and Turkey are not as moist as Rudy's but the ribs are done perfectly -- especially the pork ribs. Food came in huge portion but also a little more pricey than other bbq joint I have been to. If you are not into slaws and beans you can always substitute them with baked potato for your side. My dining experience was great I will definitely go back again or try the one by the hill.
Pros: Great food and good view
Cons: long wait
Posted 06/17/07
Not Good, Barely Average
by jcorgidog
My wife and I tried to like County Line. We've eaten there twice. Both times I've found the brisket, chicken, turkey, and ribs to be overdone and dry, dry, dry. My jaw got worn out chewing the brisket. You have to soak the meat in sauce to keep it moist. The one exception is the sausage. Excellent flavor. Their potato salad and cole slaw are great, but you don't go to a top of the line barbecue joint just for side items. Lastly, their mens room was filthy and smelled of urine. Not good! This place has no business being in the top ten list.
Posted 04/27/07
Just Amazing BBQ
by foghornlonghorn
Where to start? Well, how about if I simply leave you all with this. If there isn't a County Line in heaven, I'm suing God for false advertising.
Pros: Great food and service
Cons: can't think of one
Posted 04/09/07
Top barbecue in Austin
by locke9k
This is hands down my favorite barbecue in Austin. The quality and taste of the food is outstanding, and the portions are enormous. I have a pretty big appetite, and I usually have two full meals worth of food when I eat here. The atmosphere is great. This place can get pretty busy on the weekend nights, but they have a lovely outdoor waiting area where you can sit by the river and order drinks while you are waiting. They are also quite large so the wait is not perhaps as long as it would be elsewhere given how many people go. You should note that this resteraunt is of the full sit down barbecue style and is therefore sometimes a bit more expensive than other barbecues in Austin, but it is also a nicer overall experience and better food. I highly recommend it.
Pros: Top of the line barbecue, great atmosphere
Cons: one of the higher priced type of barbecues, but well worth it
Posted 12/26/06
My first BBQ
by lawsarah
First place I ate BBQ when I moved to Austin from Iowa...It was so good! When someone visits, I take them here!
Posted 11/16/06
For Austin, it's like eating BBQ in LA
by ejmcbride
Austin and the surrounding areas have great BBQ. This is OK but not exemplary by any means, especially given the prices.
Posted 11/12/06
Excellent BBQ
by kgb512
Excellent BBQ - one of the best in Texas! Their BBQ and sides are alway consistently fresh and taste great. The bread is excellent also.
Posted 10/30/06
BEST BBQ
by sieon_ah
Always a great experience!!
The best BBQ in my opinion. Everything from the cole slaw (which I normally hate at all other places) to the HUGE beef ribs. I strongly recommend the pork ribs and brisket! My boyfriend lives byt he beef ribs. It's a little pricey but most Def. worth it!!!
Pros: Everything
Cons: n/a
Posted 10/29/06
Best Ribs!! Can't wait to go back!
by 10blond
Hey to all you Texans want the best ribs in Austin .this is it! Try the red barbeque sauce on the ribs wow! Youmust try the tuna is fabulous! highly recommend!
Pros: parking great waitresses and staff wonderful
Cons: nothing!!
Posted 08/30/06
Best Brisket in Town
by lorilynn55
It's hard to find bad BBQ in Texas and you won't find that here either. County Line is one of the best BBQ restaurants in the state. Great waiters, great selection, great food, great atmosphere. It's all here! My favorite is brisket and County Line had the best we found during our entire stay. Tender, great sauce, just wonderful. All of the accompaniments are delicious too. Be sure to stop in!
Pros: Best Food Anywhere
Cons: Get there early, they get busy fast
Posted 07/04/06
Great Food
by mattscards
cellent food. My wife and I were visiting Austin and just happened to drive down 2222 and wanted to get something to eat. We just happened by The County Line by accident and wanted to try some Bar-B-Que. Wow!! Great place!! Great food, good scenery by the lake, good service. Sides were good. We were real happy with the place. Definitely will go back again.
Matt Schoellman
Posted 04/15/06
Overrated
by walk885
This restaurant is said to be the best in Austin for BBQ. Well, the bread is great, but the sides are below average. The ribs are good, but the sausage tastes boiled. The brisket is average.
The service was good, but the food was not anywhere close to the reputation.
Pros: Lively, Friendly staff
Cons: Crowded, Remote Location
Posted 03/14/06
best BBQ!!!
by pedicam
Oh my god, their BBQ is the best in Austin. And enjoying a nice plate of BBQ outside along the water view is amazing.
Pros: ambience
Posted 02/16/06
Great meat
by goats_milk
We had all-you-can-eat beef ribs, moist brisket, and chicken. All three were great. The sauce was good too, as was the bread. I didn't like the sides much, but at a barbecue joint I'm perfectly happy to ignore the sides and focus on the meat. We left just enough room to top it off with cobblers a la mode - I had blackberry, the others had peach - which were delicious. I'm looking forward to trying the other location.
Pros: the meat, the bread, the cobbler
Cons: the sides, bit of a wait
Posted 02/03/06
Great BBQ
by crisangelini4
I love the County Line. Ususally when I go I get the meat plate and it is some of the best bbq I have ever had. I also have used the airship service to send food to my best friend (an Austin transplant) in Cincinnatti.
Posted 03/15/05
Lucky Texans
by redideal
The experience was great - The food, the service, the people and everything.
It's one of the reasons we fly all the way from Toronto (Canada) to Austin - just to enjoy it again and again.
I love it!
Posted 07/13/04
Yum! County Line is great!
by foos6la
Texans get very particular about their BBQ Joints. You won't find one consistantly well rated place on this whole site.
That being said -- County Line is great! If you want to eat good BBQ in a tranquil, AIR-CONDITIONED spot on the water, you can't beat this! We split the 5 Meat Platter. It's enough for the two of us! Top it off with a delicious homemade Cobbler. The Blackberry is divine!
Pros: Atmosphere, Air-conditioning, Location
Cons: Long Wait
Posted 08/20/03
BBQ for tourists....
by duke
This is what tourists think real TX bbq tastes like.
Ugh.
Great location. Beautiful restaurant. Friendly servers. Bad food. Just because you get enough to feed an army shouldn't be confused as to whether or not it is actually any good.
Whatever you do, don't go for lunch during the week. They have a shortened menu from which they serve food prepared long before you got there.
Pros: beautiful location, great ambience, service
Cons: bad food
Posted 05/22/03
You want real BBQ & service it is there
by Danial
The county line is the best resturant specilaize in BBQ when it comes in tast, portion, service, price and smily faces
Posted 01/01/03
A great place to eat
by battalion11
I just like everything about it. Our son lives in Austin and I love it when he takes us there to eat when we go to Texas for a visit.
Posted 01/01/03
RIBS!!
by txbecket
Great ribs and bread, but average on the other BBQ. Nice ambience and great waitstaff.
Posted 12/10/02
The Best in the County!!!
by plcampbell
Very excellant food and service. Nice comfortable atmosphere, and beautiful surroundings.
Pros: great parking, great bread, excellant sauce
Cons: crowded in the evenin
Posted 09/15/02
Place for big appetite
by mlcarroll23
The BBQ is great. I love the ribs and sausage....that is if you can get past the bread. The bread is so fresh and yummy it is hard not to fill up on it!
Pros: lots of food
Cons: weekend=crowded
Posted 08/25/02
A tired old tradition....
by LakeTravisGuy
If you've got to have BBQ, and for some reason you'd decide to eat here, the only thing worth considering is the family style. Come on - with brisket at .49 a pound, why pay $10 for a few slices?
But this place seriously needs to rethink it's policy about people at the same table ordering the family style. I can understand limiting those few who would take advantage of it, but penalize them - not everyone else. Besides, their BBQ isn't that good..
Posted 08/07/02
Best Barbeque in town!
by bevo3k
Best Barbeque I've had at a restaraunt and a great ambience. Also, the all you can eat deal is well worth it!
Pros: Good Food
Cons: Long drive from the c
Posted 08/07/02
Great place to take the folks!
by Phraeha
My parents came into town and they love barbecue. We all ordered the family style all you can eat, including: ribs, brisket and chicken, red beans and potatoe salad. My only complaint would be that you have to pay extra for their loaves of fresh bread. With the amount of food already included you don't really need it. The food was sensational and was a good value for the amount of food served. However, for my budget this a place I'll have to save for a special occasion. The service was friendly, efficient, and courteous. We sat in the back at a large enough table to hold all the food and not feel crowded. The seating area overlooked the lake, dock area and outdoor patio. BEAUTIFUL! I would recommend this to anyone who would like to impress the folks without looking like you were trying.
Pros: Great Food, Good Value, Beautiful View
Cons: Moderately Pricey
Posted 08/03/02
Top notch BBQ
by Brick1
Cut the crap and let's dance! For the best baby back ribs in Austin without the hoopla this is the place to go. The outdoor deck is a great place in the fall, winter or spring. Take out of town company
here for a meal they will never forget.
Pros: Fast Service, Easy Parking, Beautiful location
Posted 07/31/02
Great on the Lake
by beckyh
BEST BARBEQUE IN AND AROUND AUSTIN BY FAR! GREAT VIEW WHILE DINING. I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THIS STOP WHEN VISITING AUSTIN AND HAVE NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED.
Posted 07/25/02
