Franklin Barbecue will temporarily close its East Austin restaurant from Aug. 10 through Aug. 20, with plans to reopen Aug. 21, the restaurant announced in a post on Instagram. That means barbecue fans have less than a week to make one last pilgrimage before the smokers go cold.
The annual shutdown isn’t because of renovations or a change in operations. Instead, it’s become something of a summer tradition for the acclaimed barbecue spot, giving its staff a chance to step away during one of Texas’ hottest stretches of the year.
“Austin summers are no joke, and neither is the work our crew puts in day in and day out,” the restaurant wrote in a post on Instagram. “So every year around this time, we do what we’ve always done. We close the doors for 10 days, put out the fires and give our team a real vacation.”
For a restaurant known for its famously long lines and its brisket, the brief hiatus is an annual reminder that even one of Texas’ best smokehouses occasionally needs to take a breather.
In 2024, the East Austin joint earned a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide, recognizing restaurants that offer exceptional food at a more approachable price point.
The accolades have continued to pile up beyond Texas. In 2025, LoveFood.com named Franklin Barbecue the best barbecue restaurant in the United States, placing it at No. 1 among 66 standout barbecue destinations across all 50 states. Southern Living has also named Franklin Barbecue the best barbecue restaurant in Texas for four consecutive years, cementing its status as one of the state’s defining culinary landmarks.
For anyone hoping to squeeze in one more tray of brisket before the annual break, the clock is ticking. Beginning Aug. 10, the pits will go cold for 10 days before the restaurant returns on Aug. 21.