Iron Works BBQ
Downtown 'cue inside an 1870s ironworks forge
Iron Works BBQ is a barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas.
Iron Works has served barbecue since 1978 out of a converted 1870s ironworks building near the convention center, and the setting is genuinely unmatched in the city — an original iron forge and antique tools still hang on the walls. For downtown visitors and conference-goers, it offers a taste of old Austin within walking distance of the hotels.
The cook is honest and steady rather than showy: brisket with a peppery bark, snappy smoked sausage, and ribs that hold together off the pit. It doesn't chase the craft-trailer heights across the river, and it doesn't need to — the character of the room, the convenience of the location, and a menu that has stayed true for decades are the draw. It is the place to take out-of-towners who want history with their smoke.
- Style: Central Texas Style
- Price: $
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Serving since 1978
What to order
- Brisket
- Sausage
- Ribs
How it scores — 7.8/10 overall
Visiting
- Address: 100 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
- Phone: (512) 478-4855
- Website: https://ironworksbbq.com
Hours: Mon–Sat 11am–8pm
344 words
Related Pages
Archie's BBQ, Austin, TX
Archie's BBQ in Austin is an East 12th Street counter pit serving salt-and-pepper brisket, pork ribs, chopped beef sandwiches, and coarse smoked sausage.
B Cooper Barbecue, Austin, TX
B Cooper Barbecue in Austin is an under-the-radar Manor Road trailer smoking post-oak brisket, rare smoked lamb breast, and weekend Mangalitsa pork ribs.
BBQ Fiends, Austin, Texas
BBQ Fiends in Hutto near Austin is a Texas Monthly Top 50 trailer serving dark-bark brisket, pork ribs, and coarse smoked sausage on a first-come basis.
Bee Caves B-B-Q, Austin, TX
Bee Caves B-B-Q in Austin brings Schmidt-family Central Texas tradition west with salt-and-pepper brisket, big beef ribs, pork ribs, and house-made sausage.
Bert's Bar-B-Q, Austin, Texas
Bert's Bar-B-Q in Austin is a Northwest Hills pit open since 1970 and named a 2022 Texas Treasure Business, serving traditional brisket, pork ribs, and sausage.
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Austin, TX
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q on Slaughter Lane in Austin serves the Texas chain's hickory brisket, sausage, and famous breakfast tacos from early morning through dinner.