We had the chance to attend the grand opening of Waylon J’s BBQ (inside Salty Sow) on 6/20, and let me tell you—this new BBQ spot in Austin is bringing the heat in all the right ways.
We loved it so much the first time… we had to go back and get almost everything again.
This time, we ordered the Brisket Sandwiches, along with extra sides of brisket, Psycho Sausage, turkey, and the unforgettable whiskey maple pork belly. Every meat was incredibly tender and smoky, without being over-seasoned. It’s the kind of BBQ that lets the quality of the meat speak for itself—and it absolutely does.
We didn’t get the Whole Hog Sandwich this round, but I tried it on our last visit and it was amazing—definitely worth ordering if it’s on the menu.
The sandwiches came on toasted potato buns—crisp on the outside, soft on the inside—which added a great texture contrast and held up perfectly with the juicy meat.
The pork belly is still one of our top favorites. I dipped it in their house mustard sauce, officially called Texas Gold, and the combination of the sweet pork and citrusy kick from the sauce was next-level good.
For sides this time, we went with the potato salad—creamy, well-seasoned, and a great cool-down pairing with the warm BBQ. On our previous visit, we had the mac & cheese, which was rich, cheesy, and perfectly gooey—one of the better versions we’ve had at a BBQ spot.
We didn’t get dessert this time, but on our last visit we had the Mississippi Mud Cake—and it was unforgettable. Rich, ooey-gooey, filled with melty chocolate chips that added a light crunch, and topped with a fluffy, airy whipped cream. It was the perfect sweet finish to a hearty meal, and definitely something we’ll go back for.
What made this visit extra special was getting to try a new item: the Sichuan Bacon Rib. Moist and flavorful, with a subtle pecan note, it was rubbed with their Whiskey Maple Mop—which added just enough sweetness to complement without overpowering. It came with a side of pepper oil and roasted pecans, adding a perfect kick and crunch that brought everything together beautifully.
We were short on time, so most of our meal was packed to-go—but we couldn’t resist a few bites before leaving. (And yes, we’re sharing a few photos from our last visit too, because the food deserves it.)
Waylon J’s BBQ has its own parking—a big plus in Austin—and the space is welcoming and relaxed. A few indoor tables, a large shaded patio with fans, and super friendly staff make it feel like you’re hanging out at a friend’s place—if your friend just happened to serve phenomenal BBQ.
This place is clean, cozy, and easy to enjoy—even in the Texas heat.
Waylon J’s BBQ is only available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11am to 3pm, so plan accordingly. It’s thoughtful, flavor-forward BBQ done right...
Read moreThere’s a new BBQ spot in Austin you need to check out—Waylon J’s BBQ (inside Salty Sow)! This fresh addition to the local food scene is serving up some seriously impressive BBQ that stands on its own, even inside a well-known name.
We ordered a mix to explore the menu: the Whole Hog Sandwich, Brisket Sandwiches, plus extra sides of brisket, sausage, and the whiskey maple pork belly. Every meat was incredibly tender and smoky, without being overloaded with seasoning or sauce. It’s the kind of BBQ that lets the quality of the meat shine through—and it does.
The sandwiches came on toasted potato buns—crisp on the outside, soft on the inside—which added a perfect texture contrast and held up well with all that juicy meat.
The pork belly was a standout. I dipped mine in their house mustard sauce, and it brought out a sweet, citrusy kick that took the flavor to a whole new level. That combo is something I’ll definitely be going back for.
We paired the meal with mac & cheese and beans—classic sides done right, hearty and satisfying.
And dessert? The chocolate pudding cake was rich, ooey-gooey, and filled with melty chocolate chips that added just the right bit of crunch. Topped with light, airy whipped cream, it was the perfect sweet finish to a bold, flavorful meal.
Waylon J’s BBQ is coming in strong—making a bold entrance into Austin’s BBQ scene with a focus on flavor, simplicity, and quality. This isn’t gimmicky, overdone barbecue. It’s thoughtful, well-prepared, and true to what good BBQ should be. From the tender meats to the balanced seasoning, everything feels intentional and done with care. If you’re looking for a new go-to spot that’s getting BBQ right from day one, Waylon J’s BBQ is it.
Look for the Salty Sow BBQ by Waylon J’s building—you...
Read moreWifey and I came here for lunch during our day trip to Austin. We got bury me in smoke tray so we could try a little bit of everything. It came with brisket, turkey, pork shoulder, pork belly and two different flavors of sausage and two sides. We chose potato salad and mac n cheese along with the banana pudding dessert oh and it comes with biscuits. To start the biscuits were so yummy, adding the butter on top was a nice sweet savory treat. The brisket was flavorful and tender, same with the turkey neither were dried out. The sausages for me were good but I’m a texture person and wasn’t overly crazy about them like everything else. Both the pork shoulder and pork belly were also tasty! I will say the pork belly was delicious but had more of an Asian flavored sauce that it was topped with, but I definitely enjoyed it! The sides were good as well, I preferred the potato salad over the mac but still would get again! Lastly the sauces, you have the Texas gold and classic Que, the classic was more vinegary and the gold was more mustardy but both soo good! Oh and the banana pudding has real bananas in it, I hate banana pudding but my wife loves it, I actually tried it and it was good! As for customer service this place is top tier! Was greeted and had all of our questions answered when ordering, everyone was so friendly. We essentially did not have to lift a finger! Anyways highly recommend!! Definitely plan on coming back with...
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