Food spread at Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville.
Peter L. Scamardo II/MySA
One of the best barbecue joints in Central Texas is about to shut down its pits for good. The smokehouse has been open for almost a decade, but the past two years have stood as a memorial to one of the state’s most celebrated pitmasters. Now fans only have a little over one week left to taste the acclaimed smoked meats.
Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue has carried on the legacy of pitmaster John Brotherton since his death in 2024 at age 49. First opened in 2017, the business has continued despite rising costs and parking restrictions, but the Brothertons will say farewell for good at the end of August.
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“My dad had a very strong legacy in the town. He really knew how to talk to people, a lot better than I can, a lot better than just about anyone else I know,” Braeden Brotherton, John’s son, said to MySA on Tuesday, August 18. “So I think that his relationship with the community and the fact that people are coming in so strong to support us is his legacy, more so than just this restaurant was. The fact that people are going to be like, ‘oh man I remember brothertons, that was such a great restaurant, I loved this, I loved that about it,’ that’s the legacy.”
Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville is closing at the end of August.
Peter L. Scamardo II/MySA
The news of a barbecue joint closing down has become all too common across Texas. The past year has seen the likes of Mija Barbecue, Brix Barbecue, Schmidt Family Barbecue and Ribbee’s all close down, many of them citing the rise in beef prices across the country as a huge factor. At Brotherton’s, the situation is no different. The brand can only raise prices so much to turn a profit before it starts turning away customers.
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On top of that, Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue is in a shopping center whose landlord added multiple food trucks in the last two years that take up a huge amount of parking spaces and prevent many would-be Brotherton’s customers from accessing the restaurant. Add in the presence of a church, and Sundays become almost impossible for barbecue.
In light of all that, Brotherton’s announced on August 2 that it would be closing for good. The news has been followed by a surge in business as Brotherton’s has sold out of food every day, but it all seems like too little too late.
“It’s the way things go where people come in because they know it’s the last time they can kinda get it, get what they want from us,” Braeden Brotherton said to MySA. “I’m happy that we’re so busy during this last month here.”
Braeden added that the atmosphere on the staff has been bittersweet. They’re sad the restaurant is closing, but it’s somewhat unified the staff knowing they’re all looking for work elsewhere and are constantly chatting about where they’ll end up next.
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Food spread at Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville.
Peter L. Scamardo II/MySA
Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville.
Peter L. Scamardo II/MySA
John Brotherton, founder of Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue, died in 2024 at age 49.
Peter L. Scamardo II/MySA
As for the food, MySA can confirm Brotherton’s will be missed when it’s gone for good.
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The brisket is on the leander side but still tender with a great smoke ring. The perfect bite between not too fatty and not too lean. You won’t need the barbecue sauce to enjoy it.
The turkey and ribs were tender and juicy, with the ribs having a nice sweetish rub. The jalapeno cheddar sausage was super cheesy and juicy with the right amount of heat to enjoy each snap. The same goes for the green chile mac and cheese, which offers a nice kick on the back end that complements the creamy shell pasta.
The jerk chicken also has a nice kick without surrendering any juiciness. The green beans elevate their flavor with a coat of Parmesan cheese and don’t rely on any soupy broth. Meanwhile, the cornbread casserole is fluffy with chunks of corn inside. It cools your mouth off and gives a sweet bite to recover from all the hot meats.
Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville.
Peter L. Scamardo II/MySA
Most barbecue joints usually have something that disappoints, but everything at Brotherton’s was delicious. Perhaps that’s why some guests have been calling for the brand to reopen as a food truck, but Braeden Brotherton tells MySA that the restaurant’s final day will be the end of the Brotherton barbecue chapter.
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“Barbecue specifically was my dad’s passion, and he was always very, very insistent that if it wasn’t my thing to follow, then don’t follow it,” Braeden said to MySA. “That was his dream. People expected us to close when he passed away 2.5 years ago, and we fought through, and I’m very, very proud that we have lasted 2.5 years after that. In a lot of ways, I take pride in that. I wouldn’t want to open a food truck and follow someone’s dream if that’s not mine.”
Find it: 15608 Spring Hill Lane, Suite 105, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Dining and Cooking