Exclusive: LeRoy & Lewis opens barbecue restaurant in South Austin. Here's what to expect.

The owners of Austin's best barbecue truck are planting a more permanent flag in South Austin this week.

LeRoy and Lewis will open its first restaurant at 5621 Emerald Forest Dr. for lunch and dinner on Wednesday. The restaurant from couples Evan and Lindsey LeRoy and Sawyer and Nathan Lewis will be much more than a duplication of the truck that has operated since 2017.

The restaurant will not only offer a bar and retail operation for packaged barbecue goods (and more) but will expand on the new school barbecue mentality that has guided the truck at Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden.

Here's what to expect when the restaurant opens later this week.

What's the building like?

The restaurant blends modern and traditional barbecue aesthetics, with a walk-thru line for ordering and intimate bar and lounge areas. The 5,000 square-foot space seats 150 people inside, with more seating outdoors. As a nod to the whole animal ethos that anchors the restaurant's butchering, the space will feature decorative steer skulls painted by local artists.

The first generation restaurant space and the restaurant's aesthetic was designed and built in collaboration with OPA Design Studio (Counter Cafe and Cuvée Coffee), Solutions General Contractor (Cosmic Saltillo), Helms Workshop (Austin Beerworks, De Nada Cantina) and McCray & Co. (Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, Meanwhile Brewing).

"Since the beginning, our work with the LeRoy & Lewis team was built around the juxtaposition of new school BBQ, old school service," Helms Workshop founder Christian Helms said. "We brought that mantra into the new space with a bang, combining what might sound like a dizzying array of design elements into a space that feels simultaneously electrifying and comfy. We paired vintage-inspired porcelain, neon and internally lit signs with wild pops of contemporary color and progressive, expressive graphics and typography."

Alright. But what about the barbecue?

In addition to the pulled whole hog found at the trailer, guests at the restaurant can expect new items like sliced and chopped beef made with flat iron and chuck steak and pulled lamb. Beef cheeks, which have been a centerpiece at the trailer, will be served only on Friday, with Akaushi brisket and bacon ribs served as a Saturday special and pork chops on Sunday. There will also be daily specials.

LeRoy and Lewis sources all of its meats locally and sustainably from Texas producers, including Peaceful Pork, Sloan Dennis, 44 Farms, Heartbrand Beef and more.

Burger time

The LeRoy and Lewis truck makes one of the best burgers in town, and that 1/2 pound brisket-based beast is on the menu at the restaurant, draped with American cheese and topped with grilled onions, pickles and special sauce. There is also a smashed pork burger topped with shrettuce, tomato, onion and mustard; and a lamb burger with chimichurri and feta cheese.

Sausage party

The creative sausage making continues at the restaurant, with all beef chorizo, pork sausage and lamb kofta on offer.

There will be tacos

LeRoy and Lewis is serving tacos regularly for the first time, including refried beans and chopped beef with jalapeño salsa, and a pulled pork and cracklins taco with salsa macha. There is also a trio of sandwiches, including an Italian beef and a chopped cheese.

For the vegetarians in the crowd?

The smoked section includes cauliflower burnt ends and miso-glazed carrots, and several of the 10 sides are vegetarian, including the kale Caesar slaw, kimchi and arugula salad.

Don't want to wait in line?

Patrons can order from the "Anytime Eats" section of the menu when dining at the bar. That section includes a Frito pie, a dip platter, arugula salad, cheeseburger and pork burger.

What's to drink?

A pilsner from ABGB pilsner and dark lager from Austin Beerworks are on draft, and there about a half dozen Austin cans, along with Lone Star and Modelo. Wines served come from Texas, California, Spain and Italy. Specialty cocktails, many of the low-ABV variety, include creations like a concoction of port, vermouth grapefruit lime and basil. In a wink at Texas barbecue tradition, there is also a frozen Big Red sangria.

Where is it, exactly?

LeRoy & Lewis is located at 5621 Emerald Forest Drive, just off West Stassney Lane, between Menchaca Road and South First Street.

What are the hours?

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, with plans to eventually expand hours.

Whither the food truck?

The LeRoy and Lewis truck at Cosmic is closed for a about a month while the restaurant gets off the ground. Follow @leroyandlewis on Instagram for updates.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: LeRoy & Lewis open barbecue restaurant in South Austin: What to expect