Austin BBQ: Bites Nearby

Imagine the hard work involved in opening and running a new family-owned restaurant, especially in these economic times.

Doug Pierce did just that eight months ago when he opened Austin BBQ at 226 W. Front St., in downtown Wheaton. And the report card so far has been more than encouraging.

Customers have posted favorable reviews onYelp and on our very own  along with an interview article that describes Pierce’s 4,200 pound 100 percent wood-burning stove.

ABC’S The Hungry Hound picked up the scent of the new business in May with a spot featuring Steve Dolinsky giving mouth-watering rave reviews of his meal served Austin-style with pickles, onions, cheese and white bread accompanying the beef brisket.

This July, Chicago Magazine bestowed Austin BBQ with the distinction of one of Chicago’s Best for Food and Drink in 2011.

No stranger to the restaurant business, native Chicagoan Pierce ran a Rosati’s franchise for ten years before his brush with barbecue in 2005.

Years of experimenting and learning how to cook beef the Texas way culminated in the business’ opening which by all accounts has been grand.

Austin BBQ manager Steve Sweeney gave his perspective on his boss and the success of the restaurant thus far.

“Doug is a really passionate guy,” Sweeney said. “He puts all he has into everything he does.”

Sweeney said that Pierce’s attention to detail and knowledge of the restaurant business have served him well as has his adherence to “keeping it simple.”

All meats, whether they’re beef, pork or Kreuz sausage from Lockhart, TX, are slow-cooked at low temperatures for hours. A smoky ring in the meat separates the crispy blackened outside from the juicy, flavorful inside.

And don’t worry about choosing just one meat—you can order a three-meat combo platter.

The list of appealing side choices such as macaroni and cheese, bleu cheese potato salad, jalapeno hush puppies and brisket chili suggest you should arrive at Austin’s really hungry.