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Portland just gained a Michelin-starred connection: Lil’ Barbecue, the offshoot of Austin’s la Barbecue, has fired up smokers inside Woodlawn’s Tough Luck. Opened quietly on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, the kitchen now serves seven days a week, matching the bar’s late-night hours. For neighbors, it’s a rare Texas-caliber smokehouse steps from NE Dekum.
At the helm is pitmaster Ben Vaughn, a longtime la Barbecue veteran, partnering with owner Ali Clem. After la Barbecue earned a Michelin star in 2024, this Portland project is the brand’s first move beyond Texas. Vaughn’s collaborative model puts Lil’ Barbecue in the back-of-house while Tough Luck runs service—an arrangement that enabled a swift mid-October launch.
Menu: Central Texas hits—brisket, pork ribs, house sausage, pulled pork, smoked chicken thighs—and a vegan curveball: beet ends. Sandwiches land on Texas toast with slaw and pickles; Ali’s Burger stacks brisket‑trim patties with American cheese and mustard. Platters include The Bob (all meats), The Cindy (all sides), and Holy Matrimony (meats plus sides). Weekday specials rotate; all meats are gluten-free…