Barbecue Restaurants & BBQ Joints

Besides being a downtown late night eatery on the east side, Sam's BBQ is also close to many Austin historical sites frequented by visitors during the day, including the Texas State Cemetary and the LBJ Library. Sam's Bar-B-Cue has been consistently rated best barbecue in Austin over the years in the Austin Chronicle Reader's Poll and is nationally known for it's juicy and tender brisket and ribs. Owner Dan Mays purchased Sam's Bar-B-Cue 25 years ago from the original Sam, who owns the nightclub next door. Mays has been known as Sam ever since. If you're looking for him, you can usually find the seventy-something father of six sitting on the front porch of his restaurant, cane in hand. His daughters Waunda and Kay run Sam's now. Waunda Mays says she's proudest of her chicken, but Sam's is also known for it's mutton, moist and tender on the inside, dry and crisp on the outside. Besides the homemade barbecue sauce, plates are served with a sweet, Southern-style potato salad and spicy beans. The late guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan was a devoted Sam's customer, even making some long distance call in orders for Sam's specialties while he was on the road. In February 1992, a grease fire destroyed the family business. But within a month, the community of east Austin and loyal customers donated their money, time and hands to help rebuild their beloved barbecue pit.