Rudy's, Salt Lick, Artz: Three of the best Texas BBQ joints on your Austin golf trip

AUSTIN, Texas - Admittedly, I’ve eaten more BBQ and been to more happy hours than I’ve actually golfed around Austin since I moved here in the fall.

But this city, as you’d expect with anywhere in Texas, does BBQ right. What’s great for golfers here is the best meals aren’t at expensive, fancy-schmancy restaurants, they’re at casual BBQ and Tex Mex joints where you eat like a king for $10-20. And after a round of golf, nothing hits the spot like a cold Fireman’s 4 Blonde Ale and some delicious baby back ribs or brisket.

I don’t think I’ve eaten bad BBQ since I’ve been here, but these three joints are exceptional (and each is located in a different part of town).

Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ: I went to the northern location with four buddies over the weekend which is located in an old gas station. When we arrived and said we’d never been, without hesitation they prepared samples of their three different kinds of brisket, plus their cream corn. Everything was delicious but most of us opted for their moist brisket. It was so good, it even kept our motormouth buddy Josh quiet as he gobbled his up (at least for a few minutes).

Rudy’s is a relaxed and casual atmosphere (you eat on wax paper) with both inside and outside seating and an ideal option if you’re golfing north of Austin or in Round Rock, though there is a southwest location, too, somewhat close to Barton Creek Resort. See www.rudys.com for more.

Artz Rib House: Artz is located just south of the city on Lamar. This is a friendly, local joint that you’ll want to hit up for some baby back ribs. Practically everyone there orders the half or full rack and they come almost frighteningly easy and tender off the bone, but have a little crispiness to the outside. On weekend nights they have live music, too. See www.artzribhouse.com for more.

Salt Lick: This is an Austin-area institution about 20 minutes south of town that transports you away from the city into a ranch that finally looks and feels like rural Texas, right down to their giant open pit BBQ. If you’ve got a golf group, get the all-you-can-eat family meal, where they’ll bring tons of meats and vegetables out until your face is stuffed.

Oh yeah, it’s BYOB here, so pick up a case of beer and a cooler before you head out (and expect a half hour wait at least on a weekend). Salt Lick is about 8 miles from Circle C Ranch Golf Club. See www.saltlickbbq.com for more.

I haven’t eaten at any BBQ outside of Austin yet, but WorldGolf.com’s Mike Bailey has. Click here for a recent south Texas BBQ gem he came across.

Stay tuned for my favorite Tex Mex joints in Austin…

You can follow Brandon Tucker’s golf blog and more on Twitter: http://twitter.com/brandontucker or follow WorldGolf.com at Twitter.com/worldgolf