Presidential BBQ
President Obama makes one last pit stop in Austin: Franklin Barbecue
News of our famed East Austin barbecue joint Franklin Barbecue has officially made it all the way to the White House.
After a speech at the Paramount Theatre Thursday afternoon, President Barack Obama made his way to Franklin Barbecue. At around 1:40 pm, the presidential motorcade pulled up to the East 11th Street restaurant to cheers from curious onlookers.
After jumping out of the armored car, Obama spent a few moments greeting folks waiting in Franklin's famed line. (Though it's getting close to closing time, we imagine the butcher paper "Sold Out" sign does not apply to the ruler of the free world.) KXAN is reporting that POTUS picked up the tab for folks in line behind him.
Obama did hint at his lunch plans during today's speech saying, "Everyone knows I love Austin, Texas," he said. "I love the barbecue."
Praise is nothing new for the east side restaurant. In addition to being named the best BBQ joint in Texas by Texas Monthly, it also claims the spot of best barbecue in the countryby Bon Appetit. To read more about Franklin's pitmaster Aaron Franklin (and find out about some of his favorite local haunts) check out "A night out with an Austin legend: 3 beers with Aaron Franklin."