Austin Republic — Restaurant in North Palm Beach

We have a new go-to—and it’s a serious vibe. Austin Republic just opened in the old Ruth’s Chris location, and it’s already making a name for itself. We weren’t sure exactly when they were opening, but spotted something online and decided to swing by late on a Monday night. Total win.

First off, they’re open late, the food is actually good, and the drinks are on point. North Palm has been desperate for a place like this.

Here’s what we ordered: • I had the Brisket Burrito ($18) — a hefty flour tortilla packed with tender prime brisket, rice, black beans, lettuce, avocado, and sour cream. Smoky, juicy, and totally satisfying. • My partner got the Chauncy’s Chicken sandwich ($13), which came with a thick, crispy chicken thigh, creamy avocado crema, and pickles on a soft bun. It hit all the right notes—crispy, tangy, and juicy. • We split the Yuca Bites ($8) from the appetizer menu (they call them “Yuca Tots”) — golden fried bites with a killer combo of crispy outside and fluffy inside, served with a cool avocado crema and queso fresco. Total sleeper hit.

We sat at the bar, which is the only section open at the moment, and it’s beautifully done—dim lighting, stylish finishes, and some of the most comfortable bar stools around (with footrests! Yes!). The bartender was super friendly and mixed a great drink—we didn’t catch the name, but it had mezcal and grapefruit and we’d absolutely order it again.

It’s worth noting that this is a huge upgrade from their West Palm location (which we liked!). Everything here just feels more elevated—bigger space, better vibe, and they nailed the late-night concept.

Can’t wait to see what the full dining room looks like once it opens. But for now? Bar menu or not, Austin Republic is a must-visit—especially if you’re hungry (or thirsty) after hours.

Welcome to the neighborhood! We’re seriously stoked...

If you’re anywhere near North Palm Beach, Austin Republic is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you pull up, you can smell the magic happening outside where they slowly smoke their meats to perfection. The brisket is nothing short of phenomenal—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor that only comes from true low-and-slow cooking. They serve everything fresh until they sell out, which tells you just how much care goes into every plate.

The sides are just as impressive, with an authentic variety that rounds out the meal beautifully. And whatever you do, don’t skip the Texas toast—it’s the perfect complement to that mouthwatering brisket. What really sets Austin Republic apart, though, is their Tex-Mex twist on barbecue. The brisket enchiladas and brisket tacos are so good they’ll make you swear you’ve been transported straight to Austin, Texas.

The atmosphere is welcoming and versatile: a cozy dining room for relaxing meals, a fun arcade to keep the kids entertained, and even a separate side section that stays open until 2 a.m. for late-night bites. Being able to step outside and actually see the meat smoking right in front of you makes the whole experience even more special.

Austin Republic has all the ingredients to become a North Palm Beach staple for years to come. I can’t recommend it enough—this place is...

We were really excited about this place opening near us. Really good barbecue is hard to come by and so we really wanted to like this restaurant. The first thing that I noticed when I walked in was the decor. It feels like all the big brown couches that are at the communal tables were bought at a city furniture yard sale.

My wife and I ordered iced teas, which both of us exchange for water because they had absolutely no flavor. It looked like instead of tea being brewed that it was made from some kind of syrup that sat in the bottom.

We ordered our dinner right after 5 o’clock and had to wait almost an hour for the food to come, which is unbelievable for a barbecue place. I ordered brisket and two tacos, with a side of rancho beans. The brisket was hard to eat as it was about 80% fat on my plate. The tacos were absolutely terrible. The tortilla had a weird texture to it, and the filling had way more chopped onion than meat. The beans were just gross. My wife had a similar situation with her plate, and both of us left extremely disappointed and still hungry. As we were getting up to leave some of the table next to us made a comment that they’ve been waiting over an hour for their food

Avoid this place and take your business somewhere that knows what...