Ask any Austinite where to go for authentic, down-home Texas barbecue, and County Line will be on the list. A reliably satisfying institution, County Line is famous for its legendary and mouthwatering meaty beef or pork ribs, brisket, chicken and sumptuous sausage.
Also on the menu at County Line are fish, ham, turkey, and plenty of heaping servings of sides – coleslaw, potato salad, beans, and their famous, fluffyhouse-baked bread. Friendly staff serves up the generous portions of the savory, smoked meats, and your waiter or waitress will likely remind you that no meal is complete without Aunt Ruth’s Pecan Pie a la mode.
A Restaurant Born of Love
Located on Bee Caves Road in West Lake Hills, and opened in 1975, County Line on the Hill is the original location of the popular chain of restaurants. The old stone building was built in 1935 as a gambling den, which was proceeded by a lively speakeasy. But since 1975, the handsome walls have been saturated with the essence of smokehouse barbeque, and absorbing the happy energy of generations of Austinites and visitors who’ve marveled at the flavorful meats that grace the tables.
Founded by University of Texas students and graduates who cherished Austin’s heritage and loved its barbecue, the restaurant is frequently featured on food TV shows, and has grown on the solid foundation laid by the founders into a thriving chain with locations throughout the Southwest.
The founders, besotted with Austin and the Hill Country, set down four principles that still guide the County Line on the Hill today: feature only the highest quality barbecue and traditional sides; second, serve the food in generous portions at reasonable prices; third, offer friendly table service with proper linens and full bar service; and fourth, feature the food in an authentic location that celebrates the heritage of Texas. The formula has worked for almost 40 years, and shows no signs of wear.
World-Class Cuisine in a Homestyle Atmosphere
As you approach the doors of the restaurant, your olfactory senses are sent into overdrive as the mouthwatering and unmistakable aroma of smoking meat envelops you. Inside, you’re greeted by a comfortable, old-timey atmosphere featuring relaxing wood accents and artifacts of a bygone era. Inverted beer-bottle light fixtures are among the decorative touches at County Line on the Hill.
While standard BBQ platters are, of course, available, some of the most unique and attractive items on the menuare the three “family style” selections. When you order “family style” at the County Line, all guests at the table need to agree which of the options — and which particular meats — the table will choose. And that’s it. Once the order is placed, servers will keep bringing more of whatever your table selected until no one at the table cares to eat another bite.
Country Style, the Cadillac Option and “All You Can Stand”
There are three levels of “family style.” First is the “Country Style” option, with bottomless servings of sides and however much you like of three meats your table selects; the “Cadillac” option, with endless sides and endless servings of whichever five meats your table selects, plus endless bread as well as ice cream for dessert; or the “All You Can Stand” option — the same as the Cadillac but with a choice of six meats —and the added choice of cobbler for dessert. Drinks are free with all family style selections.
The restaurant also offers extensive catering services, happily delivering its distinctive meats and sides to a location of your choosing. Order your next staff lunch from County Line, and you’ll be the most popular person in the office. They have even established a shipping service that will deliver their deliciousness anywhere in the country.
Breathtaking Views for a Private Party
Celebrating a special occasion? Consider treating up to a hundred friends or family members to County Line’s delicious cuisine in the restaurant’s private party room, which features two private decks overlooking a breathtaking 25-mile view of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. You’ll be the hero as your friends, stuffed to the brim with food they’ll never forget, enjoy breathtaking sunset views from the expansive decks.