If you have spent any time in Austin's barbecue scene, you have likely come across The Green Mesquite BBQ & More. It has been holding down its spot at 1400 Barton Springs Road, just a short walk from Zilker Park, since 1988, which is a long run for any place in a city that treats brisket with near-religious devotion. The name tells you exactly what is going on: Central Texas barbecue smoked over mesquite wood, with enough on the menu to fill in the 'and more' part.
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The meat is the obvious place to start. You can order by the pound if you are feeding a group, with brisket landing around $24.99 to $27.99, pork ribs in the $22.99 to $24.99 range, and smoked sausage and pulled pork both at $20.49. There is also chopped beef at $22.99, smoked turkey at $26.99, and a whole chicken for $20.99. If you are flying solo, the BBQ plates are the easier move: a one-meat plate runs $14.99, two meats $16.99, three $18.99, and four $22.99, with two sides included on each. There is a second set of pricing listed as well, with a one-meat plate at $12.49 and a four-meat at $19.99, adding a dollar for brisket or pork ribs.
That 'and more' is where the menu stretches. Alongside the smoked meats, you will find chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken both at $15.99, a catfish plate starting at $10.99 for two pieces and going up to $16.99 for six with hush puppies, and a bowl of Texas-style jambalaya for $9.49. Burgers are another option, with a hamburger sandwich at $9.99 and a cheeseburger at $10.99, both jumping to $13.49 and $14.49 respectively if you add two sides. Fried okra rounds out the sides that come with the plates.
For anyone who would rather eat at home, the family packs are to-go only: $50 for three to four people, $86 for six to eight, and $125 for nine to twelve. Catering is available as well, with two meats and two sides at $18 per person, three meats at $20, and four at $22, plus a peach cobbler that serves 25 to 30 for $42. The place also takes private dinners for up to 125 people and offers pickup and delivery.
A few things make it an easy weekday stop. There are $1 wings Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm, a 10% discount for first responders and military, and live music played at the location. It has also earned a spot on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which is about as close to a badge of honor as a place like this gets. On the numbers side, it sits at 4.3 out of 5 stars across roughly 1,800 to 2,100 reviews, with a 7.6 overall score and slightly higher marks for atmosphere at 7.8 and value at 7.9. It takes almost everything — American Express, Google Pay, Apple Pay, cash, check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
Hours are steady: 11 am to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. If you are near Zilker Park and want a plate that leans into the mesquite tradition without any fuss, this is a reliable old standby.
