Iron Works Barbeque

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

Posted 11/11/09

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

Posted 08/14/09

The BBQ sauce is excellent!

Pros: Great Ribs

Posted 06/30/09

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

Posted 11/23/08

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

Posted 09/13/08

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!!!!

Posted 09/02/08

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

Posted 08/24/08

Finally, we have stumbled upon a real barbecue place. My husband and I tried all the same old bbq joints around Austin. A friend told us to try Iron Works in downtown Austin. My first reaction was Barbecue downtown? Wow, what a place it is! It is as if you have stepped back in time. The food was exceptional, I am still tasting that Sauce. We were surprised to learn that they have been there since 1978! A must see, and taste place!

Pros: The ribs are Huge!!

Posted 08/20/08

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!

Posted 08/20/08

This place is highly overrated! I would only go here if someone begged me! Not the best BBQ! I would try my luck at either Salt Lick or Rudy's!

Pros: ambience

Cons: the food!

Posted 08/19/08

I'm a beef eater and loved the beef ribs the first few times I ate there. But finally, although the ribs are tasty I always had a hard time digesting them... maybe too fatty. Anyway, at the end of the day all the cons added up and I no more enjoy going there, the last disapointment was that they no more carry diet coke, not even diet pepsi...

Posted 06/19/08

I have no idea what these two guys are talking about! The Iron Works Ribs are the best I have ever had! Always juicy, and tender, and HUGE! There are not a lot of BBQ places that do Beef Ribs, I have tried to find any that compare with Iron Works. I always come up short. Maybe these guys should stick to Colorado BBQ(Never knew there was a such a thing). And let the rest of us enjoy Iron Works beef ribs! Yum!

Pros: Great Food, Great Service, BBQ Ambience a Ten!

Cons: If you want lunch get there early, lines out the door!

Posted 06/02/08

I was very dissapointed. I heard this was a great place for BBQ but was very wrong! Meat was fatty sauce was nasty please dont eat here

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Food is horrible

Posted 04/08/08

My wife and I were visiting from Phoenix and ate at Ironworks based on recommendation from someone at the Hilton Hotel. We were very disappointed with the beef ribs. Tough, tough, tough. The green beans weren't much better. I came very close to asking for something else. I ate as much as I could get off the bone and had to leave most of it. If you are looking for FABULOUS BBQ, eat at Moe's in Vail, CO. I have to say that my wife did like her chicken. She didn't think it was the best, but at least the chicken wasn't edible. We certainly wouldn't go back, especially after seeing the bathroom.

Posted 03/22/08

Iron Works has a really good bbq beef rib where once you try it, you will start to develop cravings for it. The brisket is very good as well but I'll be coming back for more of the beef ribs.

Pros: Beef Ribs and Brisket

Posted 11/20/07

This is the only place in town where I can find delicious, mouth-watering beef ribs!!!! They're the best I've had.

Pros: Great Location, Delicious Ribs

Posted 07/08/07

ABWCD1234 is an idiot and has no clue what good BBQ is. If he/she did they may have told you whos better. This is by far the best BBQ in town. To get better you have to go to the the Salt lick in driftwood. I know there are a lot of great BBQ places around town but if you get there early, or in between the rush you'll find the best here. They have it all, from chicken to beef to ribs. It's all great. If you think Bill Miller is great BBQ, then go there and leave the line shorter for us. We love to feed the turtles from the deck with balled up bread. You go to Bill Millers and have a whopping good time with your slop.

Pros: Best BBQ in town

Cons: A long line if you dont arrive early

Posted 06/23/07

I don't know where their fame came from. We tried it out and didn't like it at all. There are tons of better BBQ joints in the town.

Posted 06/13/07

I came here based on the fact that this restaurant is on the top list of BBQ places in Austin. The first thing you notice when walking in is that you definitely feel like you are in a geuine BBQ place (unlike some BBQ places). The place is huge so it is great for groups. We came here and ordered the sampler platter that comes with brisket, brisket, ribs, and some potatoes. i have to say it was some of the best BBQ I have had in Austin. Whether this place beats Rudy's can be a tough call, but I see now why it is on the top list for BBQ for citysearch. If you have tried other BBQ places around Austin (Rudys, Salt Lick, Pok-e-Joes), and still havent tasted the meat here, then I strongly recommend checking this place out!

Pros: Great BBQ... period

Cons: price is eh...

Posted 11/20/06

Iron Works has the best BBQ food in the world! Family reunions without Aunt Charlotte's(Iron Works) BBQ just isn't the same! I could live off of the tastey sausage and wonderful beans! Not the mention the view from the upper deck is outstanding! Leave plenty of time to enjoy the historical building when visiting Iron Works

Pros: Sausage, Decor, Customer Service

Posted 07/13/05

i have loved iron works since i first tried it when i was barely over a year old... love it even more now. out in west texas now, so i don't get my iron very often- makes it all the sweeter. try this place for heart and health. you'll feel the same way i do. every meat is perfect and as it should be, the beans are the best, and the sauce's reputation is earning of itself... take your lady to the roof for the evening, and enjoy the heat.

Pros: chopped beef, brisquet, sausage

Cons: having to leave

Posted 07/07/05

My family has been taking me here since I was a child and am now 26. I have eaten at many bb-q places in this state that somehow year after year continue to rank high???? Places like Coopers and County Line.... are you kidding!!!! The hunters continue to write raving reviews because they are hungry, I say Iron works exands their service nation wide.

Pros: OLD PITS, SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN, EVERYTHING

Cons: NOTHING!

Posted 06/20/05

Sure, the historical ambiance is OK. That is, as long as the creek outside of the patio is not stinking to high heaven! (By the way, there isn't any air conditioning, just noisy fans.) I guess that"s part of the "atmosphere". I CAN highly recommend the beef ribs! But overall this joint is a far cry from the best in the area. I found the brisket and all the sides to be barely average. And by the way, here's a warning, if your a large man, don't even attempt to brave the really tight quarters in the men's room! You'll just get yourself stuck and you may need to a start yelling for help! Try your luck somewhere else.

Pros: Good beef ribs, Central location

Cons: average food, Stinky creek, No A.C.

Posted 05/23/05

I'm a huge Central Texas style BBQ fan. I finally tried Iron Works on a Saturday morning soon after they opened at 11 am. Got the sampler plate of brisket (I requested extra moist), beef ribs, and sausage. It was excellent! The brisket was tender, moist, and smokey. The beef ribs were so meaty and bursting with flavor. The sausage had a heavy gamey flavor that I enjoyed but did not expect. I'm not much of a sauce person, so I can't say much about it. Decent potato salad. Beans were just ok. Great atmosphere for Texas BBQ eatin'!!

Pros: bold meaty flavors, authentic style decor, good sized portion

Posted 10/24/04

The interstate order out by fed exp is super, I have ordered lunch for my clients in Virginia and had it arrive ab 10:30 the next day just in time for lunch.

don

Posted 04/03/04

The swinging screen front door tells the story before you even cross the threshold. Iron works offers incredible food and quick service in a VERY rustic atmosphere. You can enjoy lunch with a coworker within 35 minutes when you get there early, and it'll be the best luinch you'll have all week. Oh...and the spicy bbq sauce has a fantastic Texas kick...wipe the brow.

Pros: YUMMY food, Location, Texas Atmosphere

Cons: Prices a tad high

Posted 09/14/03

I can't imagine who would think Iron Works has great barbecue except possibly someone from the NE. The regular sauce was terrible and the spicy sauce was OK at best. The brisket was dry, the sausage was OK and the beef ribs were actually pretty good. I wont be going back though.

Cons: Food

Posted 07/08/03

Best sauce, best brisket and biggest ribs ever! Atmosphere wonderful!

Posted 01/08/03

Recently had a relaxing lunch on the back porch of the Iron Works. The food was great! Enjoyed the atmosphere and the bird entertainment was great. Would recommend this historic establishment a must for visitors to Austin.

Pros: Relaxed, Good location

Cons: Need more smiles

Posted 12/06/02

At Iron works, the sauce is awful and the barbeque is mediocre at best. It's a shame because the location is great and the building looks the part. However, for much better food, try any of the following: House Park, Buster's (on Lake Travis), Stubb's, Rudy's, Sam's, and, if you don't mind driving, Salt Lick.

Posted 11/04/02

If you want to show some out of town folks, What
Austin is all about take then here, Great BBQ and
a walk back in time.

Pros: great bbq, downtown

Cons: parking

Posted 10/25/02

Best Atmosphere, Best Food, parking could be a lot better and easier, but no better bbq in Austin

Posted 07/25/02

This place takes you back to a time when people had pride in their product. The meat was -fall off the bone- good, the sause was just the way it should be. The atmosphere was the final compliment to a wonderful experience- it felt like Texas used to be before strip malls and fast food- They've got real county atmosphere, great food, in the heart of Austin. Who could ask for more-

Posted 07/17/02

This place has a very log cabin feel and the food is yummy. I get the combo plate because I can't choose just one meat. The ribs are tender and juicy, but not greasy. The brisket isn't too dry and the sausage pops in your mouth on the first bite.

Posted 05/20/02