Nestled in East Austin, Sam's Bar-B-Que is a beloved, no-frills gem serving up tender brisket, rib, and mutton, with a vibrant community spirit seeping through every bite.
"This East Austin spot has been barbecuing meats since 1957. And, in that time, they've become a smoke-billowing staple of the rapidly developing area around 12th and Chicon. Sam's has all the classics—smoked brisket, ribs, sausage, and the like—but our favorite thing to get is the mutton. It’s tender and a little gamey, tastes great smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, and comes with a pile of baked beans and macaroni." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
"Sam’s Bar-B-Que opened on the east side in 1957 or so (the history is a little unclear), and its current location was rebuilt in 1992 after a fire. This is a no-frills barbecue joint, with photos and Polaroids of celebrities and loyal customers alike all over the walls. The place was a favorite of one celebrity in particular, Stevie Ray Vaughn, who was such a fan that he had it flown to New York City while he was recording an album with David Bowie. It is known for having mutton in addition to the usual barbecue staples, including stellar brisket and sausage, and sides like Southern-style macaroni and cheese, green beans, and banana pudding." - Melanie Haupt
"The longtime East Austin barbecue spot Sam’s first opened in 1957 and has been serving smoked meats ever since. They have all the classics like smoked brisket, ribs, and sausage, but our favorite thing to get here is the mutton. It’s also home to Austin Daiquiri Factory, where you can pick up frozen daiquiris by the cup or by the gallon (depending on what kind of night you’re having)." - nicolai mccrary
"The longtime East Austin barbecue spot Sam’s first opened in 1957 and has been serving smoked meats ever since. They have all the classics like smoked brisket, ribs, and sausage, but our favorite thing to get here is the mutton. It’s also home to Austin Daiquiri Factory, where you can pick up frozen daiquiris by the cup or by the gallon (depending on what kind of night you’re having). " - Nicolai McCrary
"The longtime East Austin barbecue spot Sam’s first opened in 1957 and has been serving smoked meats ever since. They have all the classics like smoked brisket, ribs, and sausage, but our favorite thing to get here is the mutton. It’s also home to Austin Daiquiri Factory, where you can pick up frozen daiquiris by the cup or by the gallon (depending on what kind of night you’re having)." - nicolai mccrary, adele hazan, raphael brion
