Brisket has become so expensive that Texas barbecue joints are selling it knowing they won’t make a single dollar back. Brisket is king, and it gets people through the door, but you might as well be setting your wallet on fire. So, if you’re looking to save a few bucks while still supporting homegrown Texas barbecue, it’s time to try some alternatives.
For pitmaster Ali Clem at la Barbecue up in Austin, she told MySA that beef is more expensive now than at any time in its previous 14 years. To offset those costs, she’s been looking at highlighting non-beef and non-meat items on La Barbecue’s menu. For any first-time visitors, she recommends the pork ribs.
“Our pork ribs are absolutely one of my favorite things that we do,” Clem said to MySA. “We sell a ton of them. We go through 28 racks a day, and there’s about 10 bones on a rack, so that’s like 280 ribs. Pork, we can still make a little money off of. Yes, it’s still a little more expensive, but that’s just inflation in general.”
As of Thursday, October 8, la Barbecue is selling pork ribs at $31 per pound, according to its online menu. By comparison, brisket is $36 a pound, making it the most expensive item on the menu.
Elsewhere, Clem praised la Barbecue’s turkey and sausages, priced at $31 per pound and $5.25 per link, respectively. The pulled pork is also going for $31 a pound, but la Barbecue is also a top spot for barbecue sandwiches. The El Sancho Loco and the La Frito Loco pulled pork sandwiches are only two examples of deliciously crafted bites that can also keep some money in your pocket.
As for the brisket, Clem, like every other barbecue joint in Texas, is doing everything she can to keep brisket from reaching ridiculous heights.
“I’m trying not to raise my prices so much that people can’t come in more than once a week,” Clem said to MySA. But it’s gonna start to get to where I have to raise them pretty quickly, and I hope it doesn’t affect my customers and the amount of times they can come see me.”
Find it: 2401 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78702