Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 494-1500
- Price:
- $$$
- Hours:
- Restaurant: Mon-Sat 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm, Sun 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm , Bar: Daily 2pm-close
Editorial Review for Lamberts Downtown Barbecue – by Joshua Hinsdale
In Short
House-made is de rigeur for the down-home delicacies with an upscale twist that come out of the open air kitchen at this creative eatery in the historic Schneider building. A business crowd lunches on natural smoked meats and free-range chicken plates or sandwiches with comfy, yet creative sides like jicama and carrot slaw and classic potato salad. Dinner offerings are as swanky as their audience: pesto-rubbed San Angelo lamb chops and wild king salmon.
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Insider Tips
Save MoneyAlthough dinner prices range around $44, more thrifty eaters can pay about $12 for the lunch menu.
Where to SitHorse-shoe shaped booths in the main dining room and upstairs offer relaxed seating while an outdoor patio takes advantage of Austin's all-weather attitude.
Know Before You GoLamberts accepts reservations for any size party.
Look GoodThe bar's cocktails and tasty appetizers like cornmeal fried rock shrimp help patrons enjoy live music upstairs into the wee morning hours.
The ExtrasThe upstairs lounge seats up to 50 people and can accommodate live music and other set-ups.
User Reviews for Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
07/14/2008 Posted by rwschroeder
Went to Lamberts for the first time Saturday. We called for reservations and they said they only had real early or real late, so at 6:30 we were one table of about 4. Anyway, our waitress was very friendly. She checked back often and made sure we were taken care of. The appetizer (wild Boar Ribs) were AWESOME! So were our entrees. Some of the best brisket I have ever had. Very well prepared. Since it wasn't that busy, we also got our food very quickly as well. I expect a meal to be a little pricey when it is ala carte, but I think the sides were a little over priced. The drinks were overpriced as well. $6 for a pint of Amstel Lite?!? This is not New York people. The drinks and sides were the most overpriced things of our meal and neither had the prices listed on the menu! I wouldn't mind paying $6 for a draft beer if I at least knew the price upfront. Also, if you want to charge that kind of money then at least have a dress code. My girlfriend and I were dressed up for our night out but we were surrounded by people in shorts and flip flops. I know it's "Austin" but if I want to go to a nice place for a night out and pay those prices I don't want to feel like I'm in an icehouse. I know they are trying for an "upscale BBQ" thing, but make up your mind. If you want it casual, then lower the prices. If you want upscale then make it that way. Overall, I can't complain about the food or service. As I said, I thought they were both excellent. I do think they need to put all prices on the menu. I had a little "sticker shock" when I received my tab. Also, if they really want to be upscale then at least don't allow shorts and flip flops.
Pros: Great food and the wait staff was on top of things.
Cons: Too pricey for a place that casual. Need to list the prices of everything on the menu.
05/03/2008 Posted by james01
This place could really do better---great atmoshere, location, and service.....but sorry to report, well below average food. We were a party of 4. 3 of us tried the ribeye....fyi--the bone in @ $40 was barely warm and very greasy, and not seasoned very well---not fresh and juicy. The $30 non-bone in was seasoned much better and was tastier. My wife tried the brisket for $12---not bad, but you will still be hungry after this serving. Mac n cheese was very good.....the main courses just weren't good enough to warrant the prices. We don't mind $30-40 steaks, but Lambert's steaks are not good enough to command $40....I can think of about 12 other steak houses in the area that serve better steaks....and same for BBQ. To summarize: great place to have a beer and a snack.....then my suggestion would be to walk to dinner at the other establishments in the area. The main entrees here were forgettable. Sorry
Pros: atmoshere, location
Cons: food quality, taste, price, portions
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