About
Welcome to Interstellar BBQ, an out-of-this-world barbecue destination located at 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N suite 105, Austin, TX. This Michelin-starred gem has quickly become a must-visit spot for barbecue lovers across Texas and beyond. With a menu that swings from traditional to innovative, Interstellar BBQ elevates the barbecue experience in a way that honors classic flavors while introducing unexpected twists.
Here, each dish has a story to tell, starting with their signature Peach Tea Glazed Pork Belly. This standout has received rave reviews for its perfect balance of flavor and texture. Guests have described it as the dish that stole the show, with a robust peach tea flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the palate. Complementing this marvel are other stellar options like the Brisket and Lamb Shoulder, carefully prepared to ensure maximum tenderness while retaining a pleasing bite.
The menu also features delightful surprises like Beef Picanha and the Chimichurri Beef Rib, showcasing the kitchen's commitment to not only deliver classic barbecue staples but also embrace lesser-known cuts that shine brightly. While the Pork Ribs and Sausages might not steal the spotlight, they are still executed with a sense of perfection that captures the essence of good barbecue—moist, flavorful, and satisfying.
On the side, you can explore a rotating selection of seasonal accompaniments, such as Smoked Scalloped Potatoes and Jalapeno Slaw. Each forkful is designed to enhance the main attractions, carrying just the right touch of seasoning. The crowd-favorite Mac & Cheese boasts a crunchy topping and creamy goodness, ensuring it becomes a reliable go-to with every meal.
And let’s not forget the dessert: the Banana Pudding. Diners rave about its creamy texture and the perfect aid to combat the richness of the barbecue. It's a sweet finale that leaves impressions long after the last bite.
While waiting in line is part of the Interstellar experience, it's a testament to the dedication of both the patrons and the team behind the magic. The enthusiastic staff and involved ownership add a warm backdrop to your culinary adventure, creating an atmosphere where every guest feels valued.
Whether you're a barbecue aficionado or a curious newcomer, Interstellar BBQ delivers an unforgettable experience worth every minute of the wait. Great food, a friendly atmosphere, and exceptional flavors combine to make this a culinary landmark in Austin’s vibrant food scene.
“ Great BBQ with friendly service and a very involved owner who rewards his team. The peach tea pork belly was by far my favorite thing on the menu for the day since they didn’t have brisket. Pork ribs are also amazing and super tender. The sausage has a great crunch and good flavor. Their sauces while not needed are delicious should you try them. Overall a great experience. Certainly with the best of the best in Texas BBQ. ”
“ Interstellar BBQ serves incredibly delicious barbecue. The meat effortlessly pulls away from the bone, and the seasoning is spot-on. I highly recommend their short rib with chimichurri and brisket, especially with their Texas red BBQ sauce. If you enjoy creamy mac and cheese, it's a great side choice. You absolutely must order their banana pudding - its deliciousness is beyond words. Their meal is worth the wait at the BBQ restaurant. ”
“ Absolutely out of this world, delicious bbq! I can definitely see why they got a Michelin Star. Got there at 10:30ish on Sunday and waited in line for about 2 hours but it was so worth it (and better than waking up at 6 am for Franklin's). This place definitely takes traditional BBQ and adds some very innovative twists. My favorites were definitely the Peach Tea Pork Belly, the Brisket and the Lamb Shoulder. Also got the Beef Picanha, the Beef Short Rib and the Pork Ribs. Those items were also incredible. As far as the sausage goes, they were the only disappointment. The Polish one was pretty dry and the beef was kinda average. Other than that, every meat was beautifully seasoned, perfect salt levels and super tender and moist. These definitely did not need any bbq sauce, but there was bbq sauce if you wanted it. The Peach Tea Pork Belly was definitely the star of the show. Very tasty and strong peach tea flavor without being overpowering and the meat to fat ratio was perfect. The Lamb Shoulder was definitely a surprise. When you first bite in, you taste the seasoning, quickly followed by a nice lamb flavor that sticks around even after swallowing. For the Brisket, it was super tender while still having a nice bite and even the leaner cuts were tender. I also loved their pickles which were definitely cucumber and not dill. They were not super briney which I loved. The pickled onions were also yummy and both really helped cut the fat. As far as the sides go, the scalloped potatoes were very tasty and buttery while the mac and cheese had a nice crunchy topping and very cheesy, and creamy flavor. I was not a fan of the cole slaw. The only flavor was the spicy jalapeno, otherwise very bland. Lastly the banana pudding was good, had lots of bananas and nilla wafers and wasn't overly sweet. Overall, despite a couple of misses, this place definitely lives up to its reputation and l'll definitely be coming back soon! ”
“ The eighth and final stop on my Texas tour in search of the perfect barbecue is Interstellar Barbecue. I travel a bit outside of downtown Austin to reach Interstellar Barbecue, a restaurant with one Michelin star. I drove up, parked, and got in line. The line is endless—about an hour and forty-five minutes—before it's my turn. The menu is different from those of other barbecue restaurants I've been to, with dishes like pulled lamb and BBQ duck legs. I'm not tempted, so I order the brisket, their signature dish, the peach tea pork belly, the pork ribs, and the Polish sausage 1963. For side dishes, I order potato salad, smoked gouda mac & cheese, and chorizo cheese grits. The pork ribs are very good, with a nice bite, which I like. They're consistent and tasty, though not particularly flavorful. The brisket is top-notch. It seems less fatty than others I've had, but it's nice and moist with a very tasty bark. The 1963 Polish sausage is also very good, with an absolute "snap," and is mouthwatering and flavorful. The peach tea pork belly is perhaps the dish that disappointed me the most. It could be because I had higher expectations for this dish and was looking forward to tasting it. It was lightly toasted and consequently not very crispy, so only the fat and flavor of the glaze were noticeable. I can't say anything bad about the side dishes. The potato salad was very good, with nice chunks of whole potato. The mac & cheese was mouthwatering and really very well done, although the smokiness of the Gouda was not particularly noticeable. I appreciated the chorizo cheese grits, which I expected the least, but they were tasty and made me want more. The service was average, although I should mention the kindness of one of the pit masters, who showed me how they cook their briskets and explained many interesting things. I also appreciated that there was an attendant to clear the tables. The bill was average. ”
“ They deserve the star. Every piece of meat here was absolutely delicious. The food was worth the wait, and the service was great. Staff were very friendly and helpful throughout the visit, helping with choosing food amounts and with our table. The atmosphere inside is fabulous with everyone eating barbecue and enjoying the music. I love the tiny items and decorations placed around with tons of artwork, posters, etc. Another amazing Texas barbecue restaurant that's actually worth the hype. ”
“ Food was really the best BBQ I have had, place is clean ( even the bathroom) the staff was great! Very helpful and so nice. The pulled lamb shoulder is now my favorite food. You gotta try it. The South Texas pork hash is very good I don't know what it is but I would definitely get it again. Also it's byobeer but they do make a fabulous latte. You are allowed to have beers and bring chairs as you wait in line. ”
“ Phenomenal, to say the least. I came here for my birthday with high expectations and somehow left wanting it even more than before I got it. Everything was amazing—you won’t be disappointed with anything from here. The chimichurri beef rib, pulled lamb shoulder, and pork belly were next-level. Tender, flavorful, and unforgettable. I’d come back just for those alone. This is easily in my top 3 barbecue spots—what sets it apart is how perfectly they execute the more niche items. It’s not just the classics done right; it’s the creativity and precision behind the lesser-seen cuts and flavors that really impressed me. My only gripe: someone had placed their order for the wrong day and basically guilt-tripped their way to the front. I was second in line, and while he offered to pay for the group in front of me, it didn’t feel fair to the rest of us—especially the 100 behind. That group had flown in from San Diego and had been up since 3:00 a.m. local time just to be there. They were making a weekend out of it, and honestly deserved their spot more than anyone. I’m all for southern hospitality, but this felt more like a “not my problem” situation that should’ve been handled differently. Still, the food makes it absolutely worth it. I’ll definitely be coming back. ”
“ I jumped in line at 10am and being served by 12.30pm. Plenty of chats in line and the time goes petty quick. I can 100% see why the restaurant has the accolades it has. It was an amazing experience, from the friendly staff walking the line, the meat cutters, the check out staff and the wait staff. All genuinely passionate, present and wanting everyone to enjoy the visit and the meal. The BBQ was as expected, absolutely next level and also as expected, I over ordered. But I had to try all of the sausage. Great food, cooked really well. All smoked with Oak wood so just a real nice subtle savoury smokey flavour. So good! John was kind enough to stop for a chat. This was really cool that I got to ask a few questions about the BBQ and his journey. Certainly it seems getting awarded a Michelin star has ramped everything up and it's great that the quality of the food and service is outstanding with getting busier. I also hung out a bit with Warren in the pit trailers and took a few photos. Both great guys and for a busy AF restaurant i was really grateful that they take the time. #interstellarbbq #bbqwithbark ”