Randy W.
Google
Black Gold BBQ offers an upscale BBQ dining experience, and our first visit left a positive impression, especially given that this was the restaurant’s opening week. We went with a large group and ordered nearly everything on the menu. Having visited Interstellar BBQ earlier in the day, we were ready to compare—and Black Gold held its own in several areas.
The Meats:
The brisket was solid, with a nice smoke ring and good flavor. However, make sure to ask for the wet/moist cut (the fatty portion), as they tend to serve a mix of moist and lean cuts, and the lean can be disappointing.
The pork ribs sparked some debate at our table. One friend declared them better than Interstellar’s, while my wife felt they didn’t quite measure up. This might come down to personal preference.
We ordered two beef ribs, and the quality was inconsistent. One was moist and flavorful, while the other was much drier. This lack of consistency was a bit of a letdown for such a signature item.
The turkey had decent flavor but lacked the smokiness you’d expect, and the smoke ring was barely visible.
The hot link sausage was mild, not living up to the “hot” descriptor. However, the poblano Oaxacan cheese sausage stood out with its great smokiness and flavor, though the casing was a bit too chewy.
The Sides:
The esquite fritters had good flavor but were too dry and crumbly, missing the mark on texture.
The garlic parmesan fries were tasty but could have used a bit more seasoning to elevate them further.
The mac and cheese was a table favorite with its creamy, cheesy goodness, but the portion size was disappointingly small, especially for a group.
The beet salad was flavorful, though there weren’t enough beets, and one of our party noted that grilling the beets made them less juicy without adding much flavor.
The garden salad was a pleasant surprise, with the smoky dressing receiving high praise from everyone who tried it.
The Drinks:
The cocktail program is excellent, and the drinks were a highlight of the meal. I tried "The Becky," their unique take on an espresso martini, which was well-balanced and delicious. Other members of our party also raved about their drinks. However, the cocktails were served after all the food, which felt out of sync with the flow of the meal. Water, oddly, is served without ice and not chilled, which some may find off-putting.
Service and Atmosphere:
The service was where Black Gold BBQ truly shined. Despite being a new establishment, the staff was extremely accommodating and attentive. We moved tables three times to find the right spot for our group, and the server and manager handled it graciously, ensuring we were comfortable. The server was quick to address all our needs, and while the cocktails came out later than expected, the overall pace of the meal was excellent.
What set Black Gold apart was the personal touch—the server and manager took the time to talk to us, ask for feedback, and genuinely seemed eager to improve. All the comments mentioned here were shared with them, and their openness to constructive feedback shows a commitment to delivering a top-notch dining experience.
Final Thoughts:
Black Gold BBQ is off to a strong start with flavorful BBQ, excellent cocktails, and exceptional service. While some inconsistencies in the meats and sides need to be addressed, the overall experience was superb, especially for opening week. With some fine-tuning, this could become one of Austin’s go-to upscale BBQ spots. We’re looking forward to returning to see how they continue to evolve.