AUSTIN, Texas -- South by Southwest has barely begun, and already the lunchtime line outside the Iron Works Barbecue is as long as the registration line at the Austin Convention Center.
The restaurant, located in a former ornamental ironworks shop just around the corner from SXSW central, serves up excellent barbecue plates (a variety of pork, beef and chicken) with beans, pickle chips, potato salad and onion on the side.
The creaky interior -- or maybe that should be "creeky," since the high-water mark from the flood of '35 is clearly scrawled high up on the restaurant's wall -- makes good on the advertised "country atmosphere."
A hungry Team Underwire tried the smoky and substantial beef ribs (pictured, before and after), which came flame-licked for a satisfying char; the tender brisket; and the down-and-dirty chicken.
The secret, according to catering manager Roland Cantu? The "slow-cooking process." For example, the crew will toss tomorrow's briskets in the smoke tonight and leave 'em on overnight.
Delicious, and probably the perfect SXSW opening-day brunch.
Photos: Jim Merithew/Wired
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