Barbecue News
Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue to close after 9 years in Pflugerville
Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue stayed open for two and a half years following the loss of late pitmaster John Brotherton.
A well-known Pflugerville barbecue joint is planning to close its doors soon. Braedon Brotherton, son of the late pitmaster John Brotherton, appeared in a video on August 2 explaining that August 30 "might be" the last day of business at Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue. The written caption presents a firmer announcement that it "will be" the final day.
The written post listed a few reasons for the closure: economic pressures including the "outrageous cost of beef," plus poor parking options at the strip mall. It did not cite the 2024 death of John Brotherton as a factor, but both the written post and the video thank customers for supporting the business after his passing.
Fans of the restaurant already knew it was struggling, since the team publicly asked for help in January 2026, mostly in the form of increased visits during a slow period. The post also references that period as the start of an ongoing period of struggle, during which no solution really stuck.
Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue started in 2017 as a partnership between the pitmaster and Kelly Gerry, owner of Black Iron Eats.
Texas Monthly taco editor Daniel Vaughn praised the collaborative sandwiches — Brotherton's smoked meats and Gerry's flavor-stacking capabilities — as "some of the most creative barbecue sandwiches in the Austin area." Vaughn still listed Brotherton's as one of the best barbecue joints in the Austin area as recently as 2025, and it was an honorable mention on the prestigious top 50 list.
Customers are encouraged to stop by before the final day at Brotherton's, since the business will probably get crowded and may sell out.
"To all of our customers: thank you so much for all of your support over the last nine years," the post says. "Especially after the passing of John Brotherton, you continued to show up and show us so much love. If it wasn’t for you guys, we wouldn’t have been able to make it this long. To the great city of Pflugerville, thank you for welcoming us with open arms and allowing us to become a staple of this community. We’re forever grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey."
