La Barbecue sits in East Austin, where chef and owner Ali Clem smokes Texas-style brisket in a tradition she and her late wife, LeAnn Mueller, built together. A Fort Worth native, Clem got her start in restaurants at eighteen while attending college in East Texas, and has spent her career refining that craft since.
Smoked meats are the center of the menu — brisket, turkey, ribs, pulled pork — served alongside sides like potato salad and shells and cheese. Vinegar and barbecue sauce come on the side, letting diners finish each plate their own way.
Michelin has awarded La Barbecue a star in both its 2024 and 2025 guides, and the James Beard Foundation named it a 2026 semifinalist for Best Chef in Texas. Eater has included it among Austin's essential restaurants, and The Infatuation has also scored it highly.
Smoked meats are the center of the menu — brisket, turkey, ribs, pulled pork — served alongside sides like potato salad and shells and cheese. Vinegar and barbecue sauce come on the side, letting diners finish each plate their own way.
Michelin has awarded La Barbecue a star in both its 2024 and 2025 guides, and the James Beard Foundation named it a 2026 semifinalist for Best Chef in Texas. Eater has included it among Austin's essential restaurants, and The Infatuation has also scored it highly.