Micklethwait Barbecue in Austin is almost the ideal place to enjoy non-brisket barbecue. The sausages, turkey breast and pork spare ribs are all options that can save you a few dollars, but the standout cut of meat is the pulled lamb.
“It’s really popular, and we’ve had that for maybe 10 years on our menu,” pitmaster Tom Micklethwait said to MySA. “And for a long time it was kind of like a sleeper thing. I’ve noticed in the last year or two that I think generally the popularity of lamb has grown, but also it’s sort of a standout. That’s my favorite non-beef item.”
Unfortunately, the pulled lamb and brisket both cost $36 per pound, according to Micklethwait’s menu, meaning the item won’t be a money saver. However, brisket prices have climbed so high that Texas barbecue joints are selling them only to get people through the door, knowing they won’t make a profit on the famed meats.
Micklethwait told MySA that brisket prices have quadrupled since the restaurant opened in 2012, but it’s allowed other items on the menu to help the smokehouse turn a profit.
“It’s kind of interesting now that with beef prices where they are, it’s kind of leveled the playing field a bit on a lot of things,” Micklethwait said to MySA. “Even though the prices of locally sourced meats haven’t, like, gone down or gone up, they’ve pretty much stayed the same since the commercial beef, like the Packer beef, is getting close to that. Now it’s becoming, I think, more feasible to source more locally because it’s essentially the prices are the same, or you can start adding things on, like more lamb and duck.”
Find it: 4602 Tanney St., Austin, TX 78721