Austin, Texas is a city perpetually caught between its weird, indie-rock roots and its explosive growth as a booming tech hub. When Bourdain rolled into town for the season nine premiere of No Reservations (2012), he wasn’t interested in the trendy, new-money gloss. He came looking for the visceral, deeply ingrained flavors that define Central Texas. Austin’s food scene is anchored by two immutable forces: the religious devotion to smoked meat, particularly brisket, and the foundational, deeply complex influence of Mexican and Tejano traditions. His angle was to capture the intersection of these cultures against the backdrop of a city undergoing rapid gentrification. He sought out the legendary, line-inducing barbecue pits where craft borders on obsession, and the unpretentious, family-run joints serving genuine Tejano comfort food. It was an exploration of what makes Austin, Austin—before the soul of the city was entirely paved over. From legendary smoked brisket to iconic bowls of chili, here are the spots that gave Bourdain a true taste of Texas.
When Anthony Bourdain visited Austin, Texas on his show No Reservations, he and his crew picked many restaurants. Here are all the addresses and the dishes showcased in a convenient list.
This is No Reservations, season 9, episode 1. It first aired on September 3, 2012.
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DISH – “Texas Barbecue”
WHAT IS IT?
They had ribs, brisket – half pound lean, half pound fat – and a couple of sausages.
“That’s pretty, wow, holy crap right?…it’s unbelievable. There’s more people out there at the end of the line.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States
Austin, Texas
DISH – Tacos
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain had enchiladas con cuilota made of quail and Texas barbacoa.
“Wow, it’s delicious. It’s like the head and the tail. It’s all the kind of good stuff in there.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
El Taco Rico
Austin, TX 78705, United States
Austin, Texas
NOTES
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
DISH – Fish Tacos
WHAT IS IT?
They had oysters, fried catfish, fish tacos with the band’s very own hot sauce, crack pie and beer.
“Crack pie? Yes! I like anything with crack in it.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Quality Seafood Market
5621 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751, United States
Austin, Texas
DISH – “Genuine Tejano Cuisine” – Anthony Bourdain Austin Texas
WHAT IS IT?
They had chicken wrapped in tortillas with mole sauce served with rice and beans, cabrita or the meat from young milk-fed goats fried up then served with rice and salsa fresca.
“Ohh… It’s awesome.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
El Azteca Restaurant
2800 Guadalupe St, San Antonio, TX 78207, United States
Austin, Texas
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DISH – “Texas Barbecue” – Anthony Bourdain Austin Texas
WHAT IS IT?
They had beef ribs, shoulder, and some sausage. They also had baked squash.
“Ohh look at that, that’s a good thing there huh. That is… pretty. We did right, we’ve ordered with zen-like skill, I can tell already.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
JMueller BBQ
1502 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704, United States
Austin, Texas
NOTES
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
DISH – “Mexican Pastries” – Parts Unknown Austin Texas
WHAT IS IT?
They had piña bread, conchas and tacos with chuletas.
“Oh that’s good. That’s pure sugar.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
La Mexicana Bakery
1924 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704, United States
Austin, Texas
NOTES
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
DISH – Texas Chili – Parts Unknown Austin Texas
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain visited Texas Chili Parlor located in Austin, Texas.
They had Texas style chili
“The tshirt says ‘Keep Austin Weird’ and for sure Austin doesn’t seem at first glance, to look like the Texas in movies with the imagination but then, people blabber on about the real America all the time don’t they? And what does that look like? You know what? It looks like this. This, is the real America.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Austin, Texas
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This 2012 Austin episode perfectly captures a specific era in the city’s culinary history, documenting the moment when the Central Texas barbecue renaissance was hitting critical mass. Bourdain’s legendary early visit to Franklin Barbecue helped cement Aaron Franklin’s status as a pitmaster icon. Yet, he brilliantly balanced this meat mania by shining a light on essential, and sometimes endangered, institutions like El Azteca and La Mexicana Bakery, acknowledging that true Texan cuisine is inextricably linked to its Mexican roots. It’s a memorable snapshot of the real, unvarnished America he so frequently sought. When you head to the Texas capital, prepare to eat heavily, embrace the wait in line, and experience the smoky, spicy heart of Austin.
