On August 26, 2017, Franklin Barbecue caught fire from a rogue ember that flew away from the pit. With an estimated $200,000 in structural damage and $150,000 in content damage, the Austin Fire Department put out the flames as quickly as possible, salvaging some of the restaurant. While the pit room suffered heavy damage, there was only smoke damage to the dining room and public part of the restaurant. So in the midst of Hurricane Harvey cleanup across the state, Franklin Barbecue went to work to rebuild.
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On November 21, Franklin Barbecue officially reopened to the public. While the restaurant was closed, the barbecue team made rounds throughout the Austin and Hill Country area, setting up shop in food trucks near bars and at public events on the weekends. However, we can imagine how good it feels for Aaron Franklin and Stacy Franklin to finally be back at home in a routine at their brick-and-mortar. In honor of the fire, designer Tom Whalen created a new enamel pin for the barbecue joint.
Featuring owner Aaron Franklin and a flaming phoenix, the pin commemorates the way the bbq joint rose from the ashes, literally, with the caption "Reborn 2017." The pin can be yours for $7.
Whether or not a pin from one of the best barbecue joints in the country is your style, there's no denying the simply delicious meat-smoking manifesto practiced at Franklin. If you've never braved the long line, it might not seem worth it until you try the beef ribs and potato salad. With some of the best brisket out there, the smoked meat flavors at this Central Texas barbecue joint are unbelievable, even in an area that features the best of the best when it comes to Texas style BBQ.
Franklin Barbecue also offers other products for the fan of the obsessed-over barbecue joint. You can find t-shirts, custom YETI tumblers, and even an authentic Franklin Barbecue cafeteria tray.
