Loro
Asian Smokehouse · South Lamar · $$
Loro on South Lamar Boulevard, Austin. Photo: editorial use.
The verdict: Loro is what happens when Austin's best pitmaster and its best sushi chef build a smokehouse together. Aaron Franklin's smoke technique meets Tyson Cole's Southeast Asian palate over a counter-service menu and a big patio. For a no-line, mid-priced taste of Franklin-grade smoke with a beer in hand, it's hard to beat. For a quiet sit-down dinner or classic Central Texas barbecue, look elsewhere.
Why Loro works
Opened in 2018 on South Lamar Boulevard, Loro pairs pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue with chef Tyson Cole of Uchi. The result is an "Asian smokehouse" — Central Texas oak smoke run through a Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese lens. It is counter-service and unfussy by design, which is the point: Franklin-level smoke without the four-hour Franklin line.
The kitchen smokes everything over oak, then dresses it with bright, herbaceous, chile-forward flavors. The oak-smoked mushrooms with miso and the smoked brisket with chili gastrique are the dishes the room runs on, alongside smoked sausages and crunchy sides. To drink, the frozen gin and tonic is the signature, made for the Texas heat.
What to order
Smoked meats run roughly $14-24 per half pound and bowls and sides land at $5-12, so most people spend $25-40 per person before drinks. Build a plate around the smoked brisket and the oak-smoked mushrooms, add the crispy rice salad or the green papaya, and get a frozen gin and tonic. It's a strong patio lunch as much as a dinner.
Who it's for — and who should skip it
Perfect for: groups, casual dinners, families, and anyone who wants serious smoke without committing to a barbecue line. The patio, the order-at-the-counter format, and the moderate prices make it one of South Lamar's easiest good meals.
Not for: Loro is the wrong choice if you want full table service and a quiet, romantic room — it's a busy counter-service spot that can get loud. Purists chasing traditional, sauce-on-the-side Central Texas barbecue should head to Franklin instead, and the lightest eaters may find the chile-and-fish-sauce seasoning more assertive than classic 'cue.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dinner at Loro cost?
Loro is counter-service and mid-priced. Smoked meats run $14-24 per half pound, sides and bowls $5-12; most diners spend $25-40 per person before drinks.
Do you need a reservation at Loro?
No. Loro is walk-in counter service with both indoor seating and a large patio. Large groups can reserve some areas.
Who owns Loro in Austin?
Loro is a collaboration between pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and chef Tyson Cole of Uchi, opened in 2018 on South Lamar.
Related Austin restaurants
Explore more of the city's best tables: Franklin Barbecue, Uchi, Uchiko, Odd Duck, Barley Swine, Suerte, Emmer & Rye, Juniper. Browse all Austin restaurants.
Compiled by the Restaurants for Kings editorial team from primary reporting and published coverage of Loro and its founders. Last updated May 2026. We may earn a commission from reservation partners at no cost to you.