Many people consider The Salt Lick to be the best BBQ Austin has to offer. It's pretty good if you can spend an evening and drive out to the Driftwood location, which is about 30 minutes from downtown. We would always take friends there when they're visiting for the experience. The Salt Lick is BYOB, so fill a cooler with your favorite beers, print out some directions, and hit the ATM because it's cash only.

The drive through the Hill Country is very pretty, and before you know it you'll be pulling off into the huge unpaved parking lot. Be prepared for a wait though - the place will be packed on a nice fall night. And the combination of BYOB and unlimited stacks of brisket, sausage, and ribs served family-style with potato salad, slaw, and beans means that tables turn very slowly.

Next door to the Convention Center is Iron Works Barbecue. My visits there have been hit or miss, but they have some good reviews on Yelp. It is literally a two-minute walk from the Exhibit Hall, so if you're in a rush you can give them a try.

If you had to make me pick a joint inside the Austin City Limits, I'm always going to pick Rudy's Country Store. It's not a fancy place at all. When you first walk in you might think you're in a convenience store. But don't be afraid. As you make your way back to the BBQ counter, grab an ice-cold drink from the massive trough and maybe a side of potato salad. You order your meat by weight - I recommend starting with "quarter moist, quarter turkey, and half a regular sausage". If you can go with friends I recommend sampling almost everything, because as they say "It's alllllll good."

As an added bonus, Rudy's has ridiculously good breakfast tacos. It sounds crazy, but try the chopped beef and egg. If you do and you don't like it, I'll give you a booster pack.