If you’re scouring the web for some mouth-watering “BBQ near me” in Austin, Texas, then Pok-e-Jo’s is the place to be. We’ve been serving up delicious smoked meats and sides for over 40 years, and it’s no surprise that we’ve become a staple of the Austin food scene. Something that sets Pok-e-Jo’s apart from other BBQ joints is our attention to detail when it comes to smoking meats. We slow smoke brisket, ribs, chicken, turkey and sausage, around the clock which gives each meat a unique flavor profile that’s both savory and smoky.
It’s not just the meats that make Pok-e-Jo’s a must-visit spot for BBQ lovers. Their sides are also top-notch, with options like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad that perfectly complement the smoky meats. Pok-e-Jo’s cares about more than just delicious food; they are committed to customer service! From the moment you walk in the door, you’re greeted with a smile and treated like family. The staff is always happy to make recommendations and answer any questions you might have.
Whether you’re a longtime resident of the Austin area or just passing through and looking for some delicious Texas BBQ near me, Pok-e-Jo’s is a BBQ joint that you won’t want to miss.
BBQ Nearby in Austin
Pok-e-Jo’s has been smokin’ it slow, servin’ it up fast, and saving the day during the holidays in Austin since the 1970s. They’ve got the just-in-time dinner to feed an army.
BBQ is the perfect way to feed a big crowd around the holidays and during those bowl games. Pok-e-Jo’s is kind of like home cooking, if your mom or dad were the best BBQ grillers in history; but it is so much better, because they don’t have to do any of the work. You just get on your phone, search for Pok-e-Jo’s, give ‘em a call, and order what you want. Then go pick it up, or have it delivered, and there you go…BBQ perfection on your table and happy campers with full bellies on the couch. Barely any clean up so you can grab some cobbler.
We said nearby because there’s always a Pok-e-Jo’s close to you in Central Texas. In Northwest Austin, head to Pok-e-Jo’s in the Arboretum at 9828 Great Hills Trail. That’s the old original Arboretum area, in the parking lot of the Macaroni Grill.
On the north side of town, off Mopac, head to the Pok-e-Jo’s at 2121 Parmer Lane. There’s easy access coming from Metric, MoPac, or IH-35.
Down south you can head to Pok-e-Jo’s in the Brodie Oaks Shopping Center, just north of the Ben White/South Lamar interchange.
And right in the middle of town you can pick up some BBQ at Pok-e-Jo’s in Hancock Center, next to HEB.
Finally, way up north in Round Rock, Pok-e-Jo’s is right off the freeway at 1150 North IH-35, on the West side north of 71.
And good news, our 6th location is now open – the new Pok-e-Jo’s in Georgetown! Just head to the locations page on our website for all the details and directions.
And if you really don’t want to cook, be sure to order your smoked turkey from Pok-e-Jo’s. That’s some BBQ nearby in Austin that’ll make your holiday feast fantastic.
BBQ Restaurant Near Me in Austin
Wherever I am during my day, there is always a BBQ restaurant near me in Austin…Pok-e-Jo’s! There are currently 5 convenient locations, plus a sixth on the way. Pok-e-Jo’s is definitely a “go-to” choice for BBQ. You don’t have to drive an hour to visit, but you always get delicious bar-b-que, smoked slow and served up fast.
We don’t want to “knock” driving out of town to eat some good BBQ. We’re all-in for that as well. Sometimes we like to try something new (or more likely not new), at a shack outside of town as well. It can be really good. But when it’s time for your lunch hour, or you want to grab a meal with the family, or pick up some BBQ on your way home, you need a BBQ restaurant that is a lot more convenient for your life, and still really good. That’s where Pok-e-Jo’s comes in…barbecue as good as it gets, near you in the greater Austin area.
Down south, get your fix – and fixin’s – at Pok-e-Jo’s in the Brodie Oaks Shopping Center. You can see it from the fly-over at Lamar and Ben White. It’s a free-standing restaurant located in that shopping center. Close enough to just about anywhere in south Austin.
In Central Austin, come see us at Pok-e-Jo’s at Hancock Center. Hancock is just off IH-35 at 41st Street, in the center with HEB and the big Twin Liquors. So, grab your bottle, grab your groceries, and grab dinner to bring home from Pok-e-Jo’s.
If you’re in northwest Austin, stop by Pok-e-Jo’s in the Arboretum at 9828 Great Hills Trail. That’s just west of Highway 183, in the shopping center that’s right on Great Hills, in front of the Regal Arbor theater, and next to everything else.
When you’re in north Austin, off MoPac, maybe in the Domain area or even a short drive from Pflugerville, head to the Pok-e-Jo’s at 2121 Parmer Lane. There’s super easy access coming from Metric, MoPac, or IH-35.
Finally, way up north in Round Rock, Pok-e-Jo’s is a mainstay of the BBQ community. Visit us right off the freeway at 1150 North IH-35, north of 71 near Gattitown.
We did mention a sixth new location that is coming soon! That’s the new Pok-e-Jo’s in Georgetown, so stay tuned for more info on that far north, Georgetown (south Dallas) location.
It is comforting to know that no matter where you are in Central Texas, there is always bbq near me in Austin, thanks to one of Austin’s favorite BBQ restaurants, Pok-e-Jo’s. In fact, Pok-e-Jo’s has locations all over the greater Austin and Round Rock area, so you’re never far away from the best Texas-style BBQ in town.
Since Pok-e-Jo’s is all over town, it makes for a great place to grab food for your family on the way home from work or the ball game. Check out Pok-e-Jo’s family-size favorites to-go. Just call ahead, and we’ll have it ready for you to pick up and quickly be on your way with to-go BBQ.
Our Original “Family Pack” serves 3 to 4 people depending upon your level of starving! It includes 1.5 pounds of sliced meat or chicken, 3 pint sides, a half pint of Pok-e-Jo’s BBQ sauce, bread, and plenty of fixin’s from the condiment bar. Our Pok-e-Jo’s Five Pack serves 5 to 6 people, including 2.5 pounds of sliced meat or chicken, 4 pints sides, plus sauce, bread, and fixin’s. Or if you’ve got a big crew (like the team is coming home with you!) order “The Big Deal.” 5 pounds of sliced meat or chicken, 4 quart sides, a quart of BBQ sauce, bread, and fixin’s will feed up to 12 hungry BBQ-lovers.
Pok-e-Jo’s has 5 locations, plus we’re coming soon to Georgetown. Find us in South Austin at the Brodie Oaks shopping center off 360, in North Austin 2121 West Parmer Lane, Central-ish Austin in the Hancock Center off IH-35, in the Arboretum area on Great Hills Trail, and in Round Rock off of IH-35. Regardless of where you grab your BBQ near me in Austin, it’s sure to be extra good if you choose Pok-e-Jo’s Smokehouse.
BBQ Restaurants Near Me in Austin
Near and dear. No, I’m not talking about my loved ones. I’m talking about BBQ restaurants near me in Austin that are oh, so dear to my heart!
Actually, I do care for my loved ones, which is why I bring them to Pok-e-Jo’s when we’re itchin’ for some BBQ.
Pok-e-Jo’s has 5 locations throughout the greater Austin area, so there’s always one close to us. Personally, we spend our time over at the Arboretum restaurant because it’s the closest to home. Dine in or carry out, it’s always the same. And that “same” is pretty amazing.
In my family, we all have our favorites. When we’re dining at the restaurant, I always go for a three meat plate because I can’t just pick one or two! My go-to is beef brisket with that special peppery bark (I like the piece on the end). I always have the brisket. Usually I go with sausage and Texas pulled pork for my other meat choices. I love grabbing some white bread and making a sandwich out of it, and all three of those choices do just fine as a sandwich. I grab some pickles and onions off the condiment bar to make that sandwich complete, and pour on the BBQ sauce. For sides, I usually get the green bean casserole and fried okra, cooked when I order it so it is crispy and hot.
My wife usually goes for a two meat plate, which always includes the pork ribs. Ribs are her thing! She’ll either try the chicken or sausage as her number two. She always goes for “Texas” fries and coleslaw. Fries are just better with BBQ sauce.
My daughter is just a little one, and we’re trying to teach her about Texas BBQ, but she usually orders from the kid’s menu. A grilled cheese sandwich. I know it makes her happy, but I’m doing my best to tempt her taste buds with the joys of BBQ. Here’s how I’m doing it…I take a little bit of my pulled pork, and slip it in to her grilled cheese sandwich. Daddy’s little girl gets some protein, and I know that I’m teaching her about the finer things in life.
When looking for BBQ restaurants near me in Austin, I never have to look at a map. I just head to Pok-e-Jo’s.
Great BBQ Places Near Me in Austin
Great BBQ deserves a special place…right near me! BBQ places near me in Austin are the perfect places for great BBQ, because that means I can enjoy it any time and all the time.
I’m one of those people that can eat bar-b-cue every day. Give me a brisket taco for breakfast, a chopped beef sandwich for lunch, a full plate with some smoked turkey and sides for dinner, of course, followed by cobbler. That’s why I love Pok-e-Jo’s. Pok-e-Jo’s has BBQ places near me in Austin, regardless of where I am in town with 5 locations.
Something I like about Pok-e-Jo’s, beyond the food (and cobber!), is the fact that I feel I can just “come as I am.” There is no pretense. No imaginary BBQ snobbery that has started showing up at a variety of restaurants. I mean, BBQ is about the most family-friendly type of food and restaurant ever created, so I should feel like I’m welcome anytime. That’s Pok-e-Jo’s. I’ve been going there for several decades, and it’s the same great, friendly experience, every time.
My favorite thing to eat at Pok-e-Jo’s is the brisket, because I can eat it so many ways. First, two pieces of white bread, some coleslaw on top, and a bit of BBQ sauce – filled with brisket. That’s my favorite sandwich in the world. I like to pair that with some of Pok-e-Jo’s tasty Texas fries, because I can dip those in the BBQ sauce as well.
I also love eating brisket with pico de gallo from the condiment bar. It creates the perfect BBQ/Tex-Mex combination.
My other favorite is the BBQ Super Spud – a giant baked potato filled with a quarter-pound of meat – brisket, of course – and all the fixin’s.
Since Pok-e-Jo’s is so convenient, I often bring my kids and, thankfully, there’s a Kid’s Meal. They usually go for the mac ‘n cheese or chicken strips, but you know what I try to get them to eat? The chopped beef sandwich because it’s made with…chopped brisket. Go figure.
Pok-e-Jo’s fills the plate for BBQ places near me in Austin with 5 locations. Where they’re smokin’ it slow, servin’ it up fast.
Daily Special BBQ Near Me in Austin
One of the things I appreciate about Pok-e-Jo’s is that when I have a craving for bbq near me in Austin, I can be assured Pok-e-Jo’s is never too far away. There are five locations within Austin, so I’m never too far from the bbq I love.
Something I enjoy is Pok-e-Jo’s daily bbq specials – a heaping one-meat plate at a discounted price of just 11 dollars, which includes a generous amount of meat, two of Pok-e-Jo’s world-famous side items, buttery and crispy Texas toast to sop up all the saucy goodness, and a trip to Pok-e-Jo’s condiment bar.
The specials menu makes sure I try something different each day of the week, and I have my list of recommended sides I enjoy with each of these offerings:
Monday is the sausage special. With sausage, I tend to go traditional on the sides with pinto beans and potato salad. You just can’t beat the combination. My first slice of sausage always goes on the Texas toast with some sauce and pico de gallo from the condiment bar for a BBQ-Tex-Mex sandwich…that is fusion I can get behind.
Tuesdays are made for turkey specials. With turkey, my picks are the baked potato casserole and a side of fresh sautéed vegetables. That combo just feels like something my grandma would serve.
Wednesday’s are extra special featuring Pok-e-Jo’s moist and juicy pork loin. The perfect sides for the pork loin, in my humble opinion, are the green bean casserole and mac ‘n cheese.
Thursday’s are bbq heaven at Pok-e-Jo’s with the pork ribs on special. With ribs, I’ve got to get the jalapeño corn bread casserole and a side of fried okra, which is fried when you order it and brought fresh to the table.
Finally, we’ve got chicken goodness for our end-of-week special. Crispy, juicy, tasty bbq chicken is the best, especially with Texas French fries and a side of coleslaw.
Those are my picks for the ultimate week of Pok-e-Jo’s specials when looking for bbq near me in Austin. Getting’ hungry just thinking about it.
BBQ Places Near Me in Austin is a Good Thing
I admit I have a problem. I’m a bar-b-que addict. So, it’s a good thing there are so many BBQ places near me in Austin. There are so many versions of Texas bar-b-que that you could eat for days and days and always find a new flavor. That’s without even touching any BBQ from nearby states, but quite frankly, who needs to?
I like spicy bar-b-que sauce, and sweet sauce, too. I like beef ribs, and pork ribs, sausage and turkey. Extra moist brisket can hit the spot, as well as some lean meat. And I’ll eat a chicken pretty much any way you cook it.
However, I can always feel safe because of five BBQ places near me in Austin that are my go-tos. Pok-e-Jo’s Smokehouse.
Wherever I am, I’m never too far from Pok-e-Jo’s. Round Rock, Parmer Lane, Arboretum – no problem. East side or downtown are close enough to the Hancock Center Pok-e-Jo’s. And even down south I can get my fix at the Brodie Oaks location. There’s even a rumor that there may be more Pok-e-Jo’s on the way! So, proximity is never a problem when it comes to getting some amazing, authentic Texas BBQ.
Here is my perfect week of lunches around and about Austin.
Monday I’m at my office up northwest, so the BBQ place near me is Pok-e-Jo’s in the Arboretum. Mondays are made for meat, so I start the week right with a 3-meat plate: ribs, brisket and sausage. I take it light on the sides, so I just go with some Texas fries and coleslaw (and yes, Texas toast). Plus, a heap of pico from the condiment bar. It’s healthy, right?
Tuesday I’ve got to visit my mom up north, so Round Rock it is. Momma loves BBQ too, so I take her out for Super Spuds, loaded with a quarter pound of chopped beef.
Wednesday I’ve got to go downtown to see my accountant, so that’s close enough to Hancock Center to make a noontime stop. I’m feeling a bit stuffed by Wednesday, so chicken sounds just right. I find the best sides with chicken are baked potato casserole and pinto beans.
About the time Thursday comes around, I’m back up north heading along MoPac, so with a quick jog east, the Parmer Lane Pok-e-Jo’s is right there. Thursdays were made for sides. I order the veggie plate that comes with 4 sides. My choices…jalapeño corn bread casserole, mac ‘n cheese, fried okra and potato salad. With another side of peach cobbler!
Finally, it’s Friday, so I make the journey down south to Brodie Oaks for a late lunch, and for a good reason. Friday is my day for ribs…pork ribs, with a variety of sauces for dipping and some jalapeños to spice things up. That’s it…ribs and sweet tea. The reason my Friday is a late lunch is because by the time I’m done, it might as well be the weekend, so I just cruise up the street to my favorite honkey tonk!
When you gotta have bar-b-que five days a week, it’s a good thing there are plenty of BBQ places near me in Austin. My favorites are Pok-e-Jo’s!
I’m a typical long-time Austinite, former Houston-area resident, lured to Austin by the BBQ. But my time pre-dates the cool-factor barbecue restaurants have now attained. This was before Texas Monthly dedicated an issue to Texas Barbecue. Before public television created TV shows about barbecue. And long before people decided it was a good idea to wait in line for 3 hours to eat meat.
My story is from 1992 – and there were just a few places to eat BBQ. You could drive out to Driftwood to the Salt Lick, but that didn’t even seem like part of Austin. Cooper’s and some other out-of-town experiences were there, but again, you might eat it when driving out of town, but no one made pilgrimages for BBQ. Back in 1992, there were a couple of standard BBQ joints, and my favorite was Pok-e-Jo’s. Pok-e-Jo’s has been in Austin since the 70’s, so by the time I heard about them, they were already part of the fabric of Austin. Much of that fabric has since eroded into history, but thank goodness, when I look for barbecue restaurants near me in Austin, I still find my beloved Pok-e-Jo’s.
Why do I love Pok-e-Jo’s so much? Because it is every day BBQ. Like, I could eat it every day. There are plenty of options to choose from for me for lunch, like the Super Spud – a baked potato filled with a quarter pound of meat and all the potato fixin’s on top of that. So, I can have the spud one day, come back the next for a hot Turkey Pot Pie, the next day for a sausage wrap, followed by a spicy pulled pork sandwich, and then finishing off the week with a Chef Salad (because after that Mon-Thur lunch schedule, I need a bit of a break!). And that entire week never even consisted of a standard 2 or 3-meat plate. Or even a veggie plate that includes my choice of 4 sides. You could eat lunch every day at Pok-e-Jo’s for a month and never order the same thing. That beats the heck out of your standard sausage plate with potato salad and beans that you find these days at most BBQ restaurants.
The other thing I love about Pok-e-Jo’s is the sides. I’ve always said it’s not the main course that makes you love a restaurant so much – it’s the little things. Like at a Mexican restaurant, it isn’t the enchiladas you come for, it’s the queso, salsa and margaritas. Well at Pok-e-Jo’s, the BBQ is amazing. But I just can’t get enough of the sides. My favorites are the green bean casserole and the jalapeño corn bread casserole. I also love the baked potato casserole, but I’m kind of embarrassed to order 3 casseroles on one plate! When you’re at one of their restaurants, be sure to try the fried okra. It is fried to order, so always hot and crispy and perfect.
Pok-e-Jo’s has 5 Central Texas locations, so for the past 27 years, and the next 27 years to come, Pok-e-Jo’s is my choice for bbq restaurants in Austin.
Barbecue Restaurants Near Me In Austin
So, you’re hungry for some amazing Texas barbecue, and you don’t want to drive all the way out in the country to get it. Don’t fret. Pull out your phone and type in barbecue restaurants near me in Austin, and pretty much wherever you are, you’re going to find a Pok-e-Jo’s near you. For barbeque in Round Rock, north Austin, at the Arboretum, South Austin, and right in the heart of town, Pok-e-Jo’s is ready to satisfy your craving every day. No matter where you are in and around town, Pok-e-Jo’s has all your barbecue needs covered.
What makes Pok-e-Jo’s unique? Our BBQ is about as good as it gets, without costing you an arm and a leg. But it’s not just the barbecue that keeps people coming back from all over Central Texas. It’s the side orders at Pok-e-Jo’s that are so different from every other BBQ restaurant on earth. No other barbecue restaurant can compete with our selection of sides.
Try these on for sides…baked potato casserole, jalapeno corn bread casserole, green bean casserole. You know what casserole means? You get that full, satisfied, home-cooked meal feeling you can only get from a home cooked meal.
You can also choose from healthy sides at Pok-e-Jo’s with fresh sautéed vegetables, coleslaw, green salad, broccoli salad or fruit salad. You could go healthy. Or just jump in for mac ‘n cheese, fried okra or “Texas” fries. You know that’s what you want anyway.
Of course, you’re going to want some pork ribs, homemade sausage, turkey breast and beef brisket to help those sides go down. This is Pok-e-Jo’s Smokehouse, so you know it’s as good as it gets.
Go ahead and ask Siri to find barbecue restaurants near me in Austin and set your navigation to head straight to Pok-e-Jo’s.
