The County Line, On The Lake
21 people recommend, 12 warn against itvia r/askaustin, r/austinfood30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 20 threads.
What people say, in short
County Line draws recommendations across its Austin locations, especially for beef ribs; the lakeside restaurant on RM 2222 is specifically praised for its setting. Diners describe a relaxing waterside patio and enjoyable visitor meals, and one commenter recommends it for a family outing. That does not settle the question of barbecue quality. Critics find the brisket ordinary or dry, and some praise the ribs while warning that other meats are less impressive. It is a setting-and-ribs proposition, not an undisputed choice for the best barbecue in town.
Address
County Line on the Lake, 5204 Ranch to Market Rd 2222, Austin, TX 78731
At a glance
- Signature dishes
- Beef ribs
- Best for
- Visitors
- Opinions divided
- Yes
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Caveatu/tweedstoat in r/askaustin · Oct 2024
Would remove County Line from the itinerary.
- Caveatu/Internal_Shoulder670 in r/austinfood · Oct 2025taste
Compares the barbecue unfavorably to hospital food.
- Recommendsu/Critical_Thinker_4ev in r/austinfood · Jun 2025taste
Says it stays open late and that the beef ribs were not bad when tried years ago.
- Caveatu/safetypins22 in r/askaustin · Oct 2024taste
Says it's a fun staple but the barbecue just isn't great.
- Caveatu/dskot in r/austinfood · Mar 2024taste
Called it mid at best despite the beautiful setting.
- Recommendsu/chateauversailles in r/austinfood · Mar 2024
Calls the lakeside location a great family spot with old-school, solid barbecue and beef ribs.
- Caveatu/Adventurous-Motor889 in r/austinfood · Oct 2025taste
Found the brisket dry and the rib bad at one location, though sides were good.
- Recommendsu/shinywtf in r/austinfood · Nov 2024taste
Recommends the place but says to order only the ribs and the bread.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Caveatu/hadleybead in r/askaustin · Oct 2024taste
Found the barbecue brisket below average and hasn't returned, though the patio view is cool.
- Caveatu/Austinfoodadventures in r/austinfood · Mar 2024taste
Didn't like the barbecue there, valuing taste over ambiance.
- Recommendsu/AUserNeedsAName in r/austinfood · Mar 2024ambience
Patio by the water is beautiful and relaxing; thinks it gets undeserved hate.
- Recommendsu/texyymex in r/austinfood · Mar 2024ambience
Suggests eating by the water at the lake location when showing visitors around.
- Recommendsu/GeneralOptimal10 in r/austinfood · Nov 2026
Says it should be open at night with brisket left.
- Recommendsu/Faceit_Solveit in r/austinfood · Oct 2025
Suggests shipping County Line BBQ ribs to parents who loved it.
- Caveatu/genteelbartender in r/austinfood · Oct 2025consistency
Says quality has dropped dramatically over the decades the chain has been open.
- Recommendsu/Confident_Poetry590 in r/austinfood · Oct 2025taste
Defends the place, saying out-of-town visitors preferred it and praising the beef ribs and turkey.
- Caveatu/crazyCarl512 in r/austinfood · Feb 2025taste
Agreed it's only par for barbecue.
- Recommendsu/martinbogo in r/austinfood · Dec 2024value
Says its half-rack of good beef ribs with sides is far cheaper than competitors.
- Mixedu/PiousZenLufa in r/austinfood · Dec 2024taste
Best beef ribs in town, bigger and better, but other barbecue there is not top notch.
- Recommendsu/Sy-lo in r/austinfood · Dec 2024
Direct answer suggesting County Line BBQ.
- Recommendsu/hereandthere888 in r/austinfood · Nov 2024
Names County Line on the Lake as a recommendation.
- Recommendsu/Winston_Smith-1984 in r/austinfood · Nov 2024taste
Agrees the beef ribs are legit while everything else is only okay.
- Recommendsu/atxsince91 in r/austinfood · Nov 2024taste
Likes the wings and considers the beef rib solid.
- Mixedu/legomarble in r/askaustin · Oct 2024ambience
Pretty riverside setting and tourists loved it, but skip it if seeking the best barbecue.
- Recommendsu/LAK2018 in r/austinfood · Mar 2024taste
Loves the potato salad and cole slaw.
- Mixedu/papertowelroll17 in r/austinfood · Mar 2024taste
Feels the setting is great while the barbecue is really mediocre.
- Mixedu/ClerkEnough in r/austinfood · Mar 2024taste
Rates the beef ribs and sausage very good but the brisket not so much.
- Recommendsu/BartSimpsonGaveMeLSD in r/austinfood · Feb 2024
Says the barbecue will be good and locations are fun for visitors.
- Recommendsu/Dry_Principal_165 in r/austinfood · Jan 2026ambience
Loves the fatty brisket and creek-side patio with turtles; hill location also great.
- Recommendsu/Remarkable-Life- in r/austinfood · Nov 2024taste
Goes to the hill location when craving a beef rib.
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Freshness
Details last checked 9 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.