Franklin vs interstellar - what is worth the line right now?

12 posts · 412 views · started 21d ago

1. Jul 21, 2026, 9:12 AM#1
   So my brother in law is visiting next month and insists we go stand in line somewhere. i keep hearing mixed things about what line is actually worth the time nowadays. Is franklin still the king or has interstellar passed them? i live up off parmer so interstellar is closer, but he says franklin is on his bucket list. apologizes if this has been asked a million times already.

   Learning as I go.

2. Jul 21, 2026, 9:26 AM#2
   If it is his bucket list, take him to East 11th. You cannot talk someone out of a bucket list item. Get there early, sit on the western facing shaded patio, use their folding chairs, drink a beverage at 9 AM, and buy a full rack of ribs and at least a pound of brisket. I went mid-May on a Thursday with my crew. We rolled up at 7:00 AM to get first in line. By 8:45 there were 19 behind us, 56 by 10:25, and over 100 by the time doors unlocked at 11. It is a commitment, but Aaron Franklin still holds the crown for a reason. The brisket literally melts, and the ribs are equal to it. Plus you get the coleslaw and potato salad, which are elite.

   Fat cap up. Always.

3. Jul 21, 2026, 9:54 AM#3
   7 AM on a Thursday just to eat lunch is insanity. That commute from Round Rock down to 11th Street in morning traffic is brutal enough without sitting on a sidewalk for four hours. If you are already up North, just go to 620. I drove past the Interstellar strip mall last month around 10:30 AM on a Wednesday and the line was maybe 20 people out front under the covered wooden benches. Way less stress than fighting downtown parking.

   The express lane is a toll on your patience too.

4. Jul 21, 2026, 10:36 AM#4
   Wait, since when does Interstellar take reservations? I read some online travel guide article the other day that claimed you have to book Interstellar way in advance like it is a fancy sit-down spot and smart casual dress is recommended. Is that true? Every time I go, you just walk up to the strip mall, stand in line, and order cafeteria style inside with the checkered floors and black metal chairs. Did they change things?

   Migas, flour, no salsa needed.

5. Jul 21, 2026, 10:54 AM#5
   Whoever wrote that article is making stuff up. There are no reservations at Interstellar. It is counter service. You walk in, look at the big blackboard menu, order cafeteria style, and sit at a wooden table. You wear whatever you want. I go in shorts and a running shirt after hitting the trails. They do have back-to-back Michelin stars for 2024 and 2025 hanging on the wall, but it is still a barbecue joint in a strip mall off 620. Open Wed-Sun 11 to 4 or until sold out. No alcohol served there either, though Slackers Brewing is right next door if you want a beer while you check out the pits in the parking lot.

   See you at the 3rd crossing.

6. Jul 21, 2026, 11:39 AM#6
   That travel guide garbage is hilarious. Smart casual for brisket on 620. OK. If he wants Franklin, take him to Franklin. Stop overthinking it.

   Been here long enough to remember when Manor Rd was quiet.

7. Jul 21, 2026, 1:31 PM#7
   Too many people in this city now. Lines everywhere you go. Used to be you could just get good meat without turning it into a four hour festival.

   Twenty five minutes out and worth every one.

8. Jul 21, 2026, 2:06 PM#8
   Sorry, i did not mean to start a big debate! If we do go to Interstellar since it is near me, what should we order? And how early do we actually need to get in line to get the good stuff?

   Learning as I go.

9. Jul 21, 2026, 2:58 PM#9
   Don't apologize kid. At Interstellar, get the Peach Tea Glazed Pork Belly. Four pieces for a half pound. You will not find that anywhere else. The peach tea flavor hits right away and it is super tender. Also get the brisket, the smoked scalloped potatoes (best side on the menu), and the four cheese mac. Line wise: a buddy of mine went on a Wednesday recently. Got there at 9:30 AM and was 3rd in line behind two guys from College Station. By 10:30 there were 19 people behind them, 44 by 10:45, and around 80-90 by 11:00 AM opening. The GM comes out around 10 to open the doors for the coffee bar and bathrooms. So if you get there around 9:30 or 9:45, you sit on the covered benches out front and you are golden. Total bill for a group of 3-4 doing brisket, beef rib, pork ribs, sausages, pork belly, sides, and drinks will run you around $195 before you head out.

   Fat cap up. Always.

10. Jul 21, 2026, 5:58 PM#10
    Just a heads up on the beef short rib at Interstellar. They serve it topped with chimichurri sauce. It has a thick bark, but honestly the smoke flavor was a bit light when I tried it, almost like the chimichurri was covering it up. The meat was slightly tough compared to Post Oak or Louie Mueller's. Stick to the pork spare ribs or the brisket there instead. The pork ribs have a really nice light glaze and great meat-to-fat balance.

    Migas, flour, no salsa needed.

11. Jul 21, 2026, 9:58 PM#11
    If you end up going to Franklin on 11th Street, doors open at 11 AM, but you can go inside to use the bathrooms around 9 AM when the music starts. They also start selling drinks at 9 AM if you want a beer while you wait. Staff comes down the line around 10 AM to take pre-orders so they know when they will sell out. And if you want load-in style parking, good luck. Street parking fills up fast. Also for your comparison: Franklin does salt and pepper on the beef, post oak wood on custom offset smokers. Jalapeno cheddar sausage and the garlic black pepper sausage are both great. And they have a minimum 5 lb pre-order option online if you do not want to stand in line, but you have to book that way ahead.

    Tip your sound guy.

12. Jul 21, 2026, 11:23 PM#12
    Franklin brisket is still a 10 out of 10. Interstellar is close, maybe a 9.5 or 9.75 on the brisket, but Franklin still holds the top spot. But if you do not want to stand on 11th street for four hours starting at 7 AM, Interstellar's overall tray with the pork belly and those scalloped potatoes is a damn good compromise.

    Fat cap up. Always.