Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

Going out for barbecue in Austin often requires some annoying compromise between parking, air conditioning, availability, and, most importantly, quality. Stiles Switch pulls off the rare feat of offering Central Texas-style barbecue with very few compromises. The dining room has all the charm of an icehouse in a small Texas town, complete with dim lighting, neon signs, draft beer, short wait times, and plenty of cold air—this might be the most convenient place to eat barbecue in Austin. 

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

If the meats at Stiles Switch were served in any other state, they’d likely be praised as “the best you’ll find outside of Texas.” Here, though, they’re just a step above average—with a few notable exceptions. The smoked wings are among the best in the city, and the rotating sausage specials—like smoked weisswurst or a pickled pork firecracker—are different enough from the typical smokehouse selections to keep repeat visits exciting. The rest of the menu won’t give you a newfound appreciation for time and smoke, but it will leave you perfectly satisfied with your meal. The best part is that you didn’t have to camp out in a long line or take a nap after eating a pound of meat at 11am because you were afraid the brisket was going to sell out. 

Food Rundown

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Brisket

Both the lean and moist parts of the brisket are seasoned well, with a nice smoky finish. They tend to be a bit dry, though, and need a generous amount of barbecue sauce to properly enjoy.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

St. Louis Pork Ribs

The ribs are solid but somewhat forgettable. Get these if you can’t resist pork ribs, or just save room for other stuff.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Oak Smoked Chicken Wings

The skin is crispy, and there’s an intense smoke flavor to these that can occasionally overpower some of the lighter dry rubs. As long as you’re OK with heavy smoke, salt, and pepper, they’re excellent.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Sausage

We’ve had these range from classic pork sausages to a veal-and-pork smoked weisswurst. They’re consistently snappy, moist, and one of the highlights of any meal here.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Brussels Sprouts

These are our favorite side dish here. They’re fried, then tossed in a serrano glaze that’s spicy, sweet, and satisfying.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Coleslaw

The coleslaw at Stiles Switch is among the most forgettable we’ve had. It’s not particularly refreshing, tart, or crispy. Skip this and get more sprouts or one of the other sides.