Hill Country

Description:

• In a competitive market, and the world of barbecue is very competitive, everyone needs an edge. Hill Country's edge is Texas-style barbecue, Austin in particular. And in Texas, beef reigns, so it's not surprising that the standouts are the barbecued beef items, specifically the brisket, served moist or lean (go for the moist) and especially the gargantuan beef ribs, coated with a spicy dry rub. If you can't go without your dose of the pig, the Kruez market sausage, shipped right from Texas, is the real deal. At Hill Country, once you are seated at one of the picnic tables in the Texas-sized, loud dining room, you are given a card. Then you proceed to the meat and/or sides counter where you order: by the pound for the meat or by the size container for the sides. Whatever you ordered, drinks and desserts included, are checked off, and on your way out, your card is tabbed up by a cashier. The system is a bit gimmicky and awkward, though maybe not for Austin, but all is forgiven once you dig in and the grease begins to spread on the brown butcher paper beneath your food. Hill Country is a mecca for meat lovers, but don't ignore those sides: the cheddar mac and cheese, beer braised cowboy pinto beans, and the white corn pudding are musts. Every Wednesday through Saturday, there is live country, rock, and blues in the restaurants lower level.

• © OpenTable 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010
•  Recommended 2009
•  Recommended 2010