Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ in Texas

[leemajors]

http://www.texasmonthly.com/eat-my-words/list-top-50-barbecue-joints


Every five years or so (since 1997), this magazine dispatches a team of trained eaters to travel around Texas incognito, ingesting huge amounts of barbecue. Their goal is to visit as many of the state's approximately two thousand barbecue joints as possible in order to come up with a list of the fifty best. At each joint, the eaters sample at least three meats, a couple of sides, and a dessert. In areas of high barbecue density, they may visit as many as nine places in a day. Immediately after each visit, our eaters fill out a detailed score sheet. The final score considers intangibles like setting, service, and history, but mainly it is based on the meat. The brisket score counts the most. This time, eighteen places from the 2008 top fifty made it onto the list. (The joints with asterisks are ones that were featured on the list in 2008.)

The team consisted of fifteen staff members and one carefully vetted freelancer. The group was led by food editor Patricia Sharpe and barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn. Their eating took place over the past eight months. In all, they logged 33,168 miles and visited 658 places, the most ever in the history of our top fifty list. In case you can't tell, we take this pretty seriously.

ALAMO
The Original Willie's Bar-B-Que

AMARILLO
Tyler's Barbecue

AUSTIN
Franklin Barbecue
John Mueller Meat Co.
La Barbecue
Lamberts Downtown Barbecue*
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

BELTON
Miller's Smokehouse

BRYAN
Fargo's Pit BBQ

CYPRESS
Brooks' Place

DALLAS
Lockhart Smokehouse
Pecan Lodge

EAGLE LAKE
Austin's BBQ and Catering*

FANNIN
McMillan's Bar-B-Q*

FORT WORTH
Cousin's Bar-B-Q*
Longoria's BBQ

FREDERICKSBURG
Cranky Frank's Barbecue Company

GALVESTON
Leon's World's Finest In & Out Bar-B-Que

GARLAND
Meshack's Bar-B-Que

GIDDINGS
City Meat Market*

GRAPEVINE
Bartley's Bar-B-Q

HENDERSON
Bob's Bar-B-Que

HOUSTON
Gatlin's BBQ & Catering
Virgie's Bar-B-Que*

JASPER
Billy's Old Fashion BBQ

JEFFERSON
Joseph's Riverport Barbecue

KERRVILLE
Buzzie's Bar-B-Q*

LEXINGTON
Snow's BBQ*

LIVINGSTON
Hitch-N-Post BBQ

LLANO
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que*

LOCKHART
Black's Barbecue
Kreuz Market*

LULING
City Market*

MARLIN
Whup's Boomerang Bar-B-Que*

MCKINNEY
Hutchins BBQ

MEXIA
Kirby's Barbecue

PEADENVILLE
Hashknife on the Chisolm*

PEARSALL
Cowpoke's*

PECOS
Pody's BBQ

ROCKPORT
Hatfield's BBQ & Blackjacks Beer Garden

SAN ANTONIO
The Granary 'Cue and Brew
Two Bros. BBQ Market

SAN MARCOS
Hays Co. Bar-B-Que and Catering

SMITHVILLE
Zimmerhanzel's BBQ

SPICEWOOD
Opie's Barbecue*

SPRING
Corkscrew BBQ

SWEETWATER
Big Boy's Bar-B-Que

TAYLOR
Louie Mueller Barbecue*

TYLER
Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue*

VICTORIA
Mumphord's Place BBQ

[baseline bum]

What's the asterisk for? And no Smitty's in the top 50? Are they fucking nuts? Never had brisket that was anything but spectacular at Smitty's.

[ohmwrecker]

Terrible list.

[Capt Bringdown]

Cooper's in Llano over-rated and expensive, IMO.

[jeebus]

Bill Millers

[ohmwrecker]

Bill Millers

GTFO

[benefactor]

Stanley's...:tu:tu

[DesignatedT]

Snows FTW

[baseline bum]

Snows FTW

Is their brisket that much better than Black's, Smitty's, City Market, etc. to justify the drive? I know leemajors thinks so, but I gotta get a second opinion. :lol

[DPG21920]

People really love brisket? I mean, it's ok but I always prefer ribs.

[leemajors]

What's the asterisk for? And no Smitty's in the top 50? Are they fucking nuts? Never had brisket that was anything but spectacular at Smitty's.

Asterisk means they were in the last one 5 years ago. Black's has always been meh so they must have had a real off day.

[leemajors]

Cooper's in Llano over-rated and expensive, IMO.

Cheaper than the Austin places outside of Styles Switch I believe, but I haven't been to Styles even tho it's 2 miles from my house. LA BBQ is probably the best in Austin IMO.

[leemajors]

Terrible list.

How so? I like that there is no ranking of the top 50, just presenting good places to try.

[baseline bum]

People really love brisket? I mean, it's ok but I always prefer ribs.

Brisket's one of those things I don't really like unless it's done extremely well (well as in skillfully done, not well as in burnt to a crisp). A piece of HEB brisket or something from Bill Millers is really meh, since brisket is such a lousy cut of meat. But in the hands of a skilled cook who has been smoking it 16-18 hours, brisket is pretty damn tough to beat. Have you ever tried it at City Market, Smitty's, or Black's? There's really nowhere in San Antonio that I think makes good brisket (or are you up in DFW? I forget).

[DesignatedT]

Is their brisket that much better than Black's, Smitty's, City Market, etc. to justify the drive? I know leemajors thinks so, but I gotta get a second opinion. :lol

Best brisket I have ever had. All the meats are good though. Problem is they are only open Saturday morning and you need to get there before 11 AM.

[baseline bum]

Best brisket I have ever had. All the meats are good though. Problem is they are only open Saturday morning and you need to get there before 11 AM.

I heard you better be in line a lot earlier than that if you want brisket.

[baseline bum]

Who do you guys think smokes the best chicken in South/Central Texas?

[DPG21920]

Cheaper than the Austin places outside of Styles Switch I believe, but I haven't been to Styles even tho it's 2 miles from my house. LA BBQ is probably the best in Austin IMO.

Over Franklin's? I have not had Franklin's yet (only eaten at Iron Works and Salt Lick), but it seems like most people I know prefer Franklin's.


Brisket's one of those things I don't really like unless it's done extremely well (well as in skillfully done, not well as in burnt to a crisp). A piece of HEB brisket or something from Bill Millers is really meh, since brisket is such a lousy cut of meat. But in the hands of a skilled cook who has been smoking it 16-18 hours, brisket is pretty damn tough to beat. Have you ever tried it at City Market, Smitty's, or Black's? There's really nowhere in San Antonio that I think makes good brisket (or are you up in DFW? I forget).

Have not had any of those, but I live in Austin now.

[leemajors]

Best brisket I have ever had. All the meats are good though. Problem is they are only open Saturday morning and you need to get there before 11 AM.

FYI, you can call ahead and just pick it up/pay at the pit.

edit: pick up at pit

[leemajors]

Over Franklin's? I have not had Franklin's yet (only eaten at Iron Works and Salt Lick), but it seems like most people I know prefer Franklin's.



Have not had any of those, but I live in Austin now.

The guy who did a lot of the pit building for Franklin is at LA BBQ, he also happens to be my former brother in law. They also have house made sausage, which is a big bonus IMO. He got a big writeup in the Chronicle recently:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/food/2013-04-26/la-barbecue-turns-ups-the-heat-with-secret-pit-technology/

[Viva Las Espuelas]

DALLAS
Pecan Lodge

Yes sir :tu

DALLAS
Lockhart Smokehouse

GRAPEVINE
Bartley's Bar-B-Q

MCKINNEY
Hutchins BBQ
gonna definitely have to try these up here.

GARLAND
Meshack's Bar-B-Que

oh damn. i forgot about this place. it really is a shack and you wouldn't know it's there if you weren't looking for it. i found this place driving down the road with my windows rolled up and i smelled bbq. i had to turn around because it was that good. i really had to go back because they'd been closed for an hour. good stuff.

AUSTIN
Franklin Barbecue
is this place really that good? he looks like a snot-nosed prick on pitmasters and i can't picture him making good bbq.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Salt Lick

wasn't really impressed with that place. smelled better than what it tasted like imo

[leemajors]

is this place really that good? he looks like a snot-nosed prick on pitmasters and i can't picture him making good bbq.

They have excellent BBQ, but the price is up there (around $15/lb for brisket I believe, Niman Ranch beef but still gmafb), and the wait is anywhere from 30-90 minutes if you get there early. Half of the problem with the line is when Aaron is working and jaws with every customer for at least 5 minutes. I can't do it anymore.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

he jaws, alright.

[Capt Bringdown]

They also have house made sausage, which is a big bonus IMO.


Always wanted to learn how to make home-made sausage. A common skill of my Tex-German ancestors. Rural folks. Pretty much every family had their own smoke house.

Lost traditions and skills :(

[Viva Las Espuelas]

smh

[Capt Bringdown]

They also have house made sausage, which is a big bonus IMO.


Always wanted to learn how to make home-made sausage. A common skill of my Tex-German ancestors. Rural folks. Pretty much every family had their own smoke house.

Lost traditions and skills :(


He got a big writeup in the Chronicle recently:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs...it-technology/

F'n hell, this looks good. That black crust...
http://www.austinchronicle.com/binary/97f4/AustinsBestBrisket.jpg

[ohmwrecker]

How so? I like that there is no ranking of the top 50, just presenting good places to try.

No Smitty's, No Black's, No Live Oak . . . :lol putting that alcoholic loser Mueller on there.


Edit: I see Black's now.

[baseline bum]

No Smitty's, No Black's, No Live Oak . . . :lol putting that alcoholic loser Mueller on there.


Edit: I see Black's now.

Love Black's brisket. Their sausage isn't anywhere close to City Market's, but the brisket is really flavorful every time I go. Smart business plan to make you walk through all the sides first to get to the meat too. You go to City Market or Smitty's and it seems like no one gets sides, but you rarely see someone walk past that setup empty-handed at Blacks.

[Capt Bringdown]

For me, the big let down of a lot if not most of BBQ places are the sides. Take for instance the custom of serving shitty white bread - unacceptable. And canned beans and non-homemade potato salad/cole slaw is all too common.

[johnsmith]

Franklins in Austin is honest to God, life changing....just get there early!

[leemajors]

I only eat shitty white bread at Texas BBQ places, and it is badass there. That and a Big Red and I am set.

[baseline bum]

I only eat shitty white bread at Texas BBQ places, and it is badass there. That and a Big Red and I am set.

Yeah, shitty white bread is great with the sauce. Ever since I saw CosmicCowboy post about jalapeno cornbread though (thought it sounded horrible) I haven't been able to pass the stuff up at Black's. It's not even that great of cornbread, but have def become a big fan of the stuff after trying it. Other than that though, it's usually 2 of brisket/ribs/sausage + shitty white bread + Big Red.

[Capt Bringdown]

Good bread is so much better, why settle for less? The same effort put into making BBQ should be put into every thing else. After a recent trip to Germany, I'm convinced Americans are stuck on dumb, baby-food bread. You couldn't sell our white bread to a dog over there.

[The Reckoning]

Good bread is so much better, why settle for less? The same effort put into making BBQ should be put into every thing else. After a recent trip to Germany, I'm convinced Americans are stuck on dumb, baby-food bread. You couldn't sell our white bread to a dog over there.

lol

mcdonalds is quite popular over there

[Capt Bringdown]

lol

mcdonalds is quite popular over there

So are gummy bears. But since we're discussing neither gummy bears nor hamburgers, a rather curious ejaculation on your part.
Like I said, stuck on dumb.

[The Reckoning]

So are gummy bears. But since we're discussing neither gummy bears nor hamburgers, a rather curious ejaculation on your part.
Like I said, stuck on dumb.

i didnt realize hamburgers weren't made with bread. my mistake.

german supermarkets stock basic sliced american style bread and frozen white buns, but i guess your whole three days in germany means you're quite the expert on economics and preference. here's a hint - cheap is good even if it means myself ejaculating into your girl's buns.

[The Reckoning]

upping post count

[Capt Bringdown]

i didnt realize hamburgers weren't made with bread. my mistake.

[FONT=Verdana]german supermarkets stock basic sliced american style bread and frozen white buns, but i guess your whole three days in germany means you're quite the expert on economics and preference.

German Supermarkets stock all kinds of things, including American beer on occasion. That doesn't mean that American beer is standard in Germany. It's exactly the same with shitty American bread.
Yes you can buy baby-food American factory bread in Germany, but it's not the standard. Their bog-standard German bread is miles better than our shitty whitebread. Do you dispute that?

[The Reckoning]

German Supermarkets stock all kinds of things, including American beer on occasion. That doesn't mean that American beer is standard in Germany. It's exactly the same with shitty American bread.
Yes you can buy baby-food American factory bread in Germany, but it's not the standard. Their bog-standard German bread is miles better than our shitty whitebread. Do you dispute that?


they have more of a leniency toward wholegrain bread and nuts. yes it's good, but america has other specialty breads such as banana bread (which my german girl LOVES but they don't have in germany). they also love croissants. you can also buy better breads than plain white bread n the US, but we have less markets. it all depends on the context and what the situation calls for. they do buy american bread (they call it toast because that's what they usually use it for) but mostly prefer the white bread rolls because you can shape them easily.

and no, you can't compare german beer with bread. that's an entirely different monster.

[Capt Bringdown]

and no, you can't compare german beer with bread. that's an entirely different monster.
Sure you can: American beer, American whitebread vs German beer and German bread. Beer & bread go hand in hand after all.

I'd say Germany wins hands down for people who prefer quality and taste.
Regional beers and bakeries on every corner are standard in Germany (and many other places that care about that kind of thing). Not the case in the US by and large. That's unfortunate.

BBQ is a quality, hand-crafted product. It deserves quality sides, not factory bread and stuff out of the can. You can find quality sides in the bbq world, but the standard trends towards crap IMO.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

I guess we'll have to wait for Texas Monthly's top 50 BBQ sides in Texas, now.

Oh my stars........

[CosmicCowboy]

SAN ANTONIO
The Granary 'Cue and Brew
Two Bros. BBQ Market


WTF?

Two Brothers is way overpriced shit Q

Where the hell is the Granary? Never heard of it.

[mrsmaalox]

The shitty white bread freaked my parents out the first time they visited me in Augusta. Then they learned it's not true southern bbq without it. Utilitarian and delicious.

[mrsmaalox]

Who do you guys think smokes the best chicken in South/Central Texas?

I really, really loved the chicken at Coopers in Llano, it's probably all I'll have next time I go. I sat with some locals there and they said they only go there for the chicken and haven't had anything else there for years.

I only have brisket and chicken at bbq places. I don't like beef ribs and I make the best pork babybacks in the world in my backyard. There's great sausage all over the place around here so I don't waste tummy space on it at a good bbq joint.

[Frank Dux]

chisholm trail in lockhart is a relative newcomer but as of a couple of years ago had great brisket and the best sides in lockhart

I used to go there quite a bit in 2006 when I'd be in Lockhart for work. The brisket was solid, but going through that line of sides was the shit! I miss that place!

[lebomb]

I just ate at chisholm trail about 3 weeks ago for lunch..............slammin sides and BBQ. I had greens, home made Mac N Cheese, cabbage, sausage, brisket, corn bread, green beans.........and a nice half n half Tea.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

So Franklin's got #1. Pecan Lodge #2. Eh. I'm sure the "weirdness" of the town had some influence.

[ohmwrecker]

Love Black's brisket. Their sausage isn't anywhere close to City Market's, but the brisket is really flavorful every time I go. Smart business plan to make you walk through all the sides first to get to the meat too. You go to City Market or Smitty's and it seems like no one gets sides, but you rarely see someone walk past that setup empty-handed at Blacks.

Yeah, that's the on thing that's cool about Cooper's. They have a gazillion sides. It's the perfect place to go if you have that one annoying vegetarian in the group. Live Oak's side are pretty boss too. All made on site from scratch. Them collard greens . . .

[johnsmith]

So Franklin's got #1. Pecan Lodge #2. Eh. I'm sure the "weirdness" of the town had some influence.

Telling you though, Franklin's is absolutely amazing. Dude only uses salt and pepper on the brisket too. I don't understand why it's so much better than anything else I've had.

[Horn Tooter]

SAN ANTONIO
The Granary 'Cue and Brew
Two Bros. BBQ Market
Cosmic Cowboy's Ranch

[baseline bum]

chisholm trail in lockhart is a relative newcomer but as of a couple of years ago had great brisket and the best sides in lockhart

I heard that's where most local people get their BBQ. Truth?

[Durant82]

People really love brisket? I mean, it's ok but I always prefer ribs.

There's nothing that comes close to perfectly barbecued brisket. Nothing. There's also nothing worse than a poorly cooked brisket. Unfortunately 90% of bbq restaurants have no clue how to cook it right, or they're just too lazy.

[DPG21920]

I heard that's where most local people get their BBQ. Truth?

I've eaten there and it's solid. I mean, the meat was good and lot's of sides and it's quite easily the best value. Insanely cheap.

[Homeland Security]

Texas Monthly? OK, so the top 50 is not *really* about which places have the best-tasting food. It's a combination of the food and the credibility conferred upon urban-cowboy-playing Austin white liberals by being seen there.

[Durant82]

So Franklin's got #1. Pecan Lodge #2. Eh. I'm sure the "weirdness" of the town had some influence.

There probably is a bit of bias since Franklin's is Central Texas BBQ and Pecan Lodge is in the historically shitty bbq area of Dallas. Plus Aaron Franklin is the media darling right now so that probably factors in a little. The food there really is mind blowing tho. But Pecan Lodge is right there with Franklin.

[gameFACE]

Where the hell is the Granary? Never heard of it.

It's a new place at the Pearl. Haven't been there but I think it's froo-froo BBQ. Supposed to be good, though. I might give it a try one of these days but it's not a priority.

[Durant82]

Texas Monthly? OK, so the top 50 is not *really* about which places have the best-tasting food. It's a combination of the food and the credibility conferred upon urban-cowboy-playing Austin white liberals by being seen there.
The HNIC of that list is from Dallas.

[baseline bum]

There's nothing that comes close to perfectly barbecued brisket. Nothing. There's also nothing worse than a poorly cooked brisket. Unfortunately 90% of bbq restaurants have no clue how to cook it right, or they're just too lazy.

This. Brisket is terrible in the hands of the vast majority of people, but I'll take great brisket over any steak, any lobster, any crab, etc... even over raw oysters, fresh mussels, or great cajun food.

[Homeland Security]

The HNIC of that list is from Dallas.
Doesn't really change my point. Knox-Henderson hipsters aren't different from South Austin hipsters.

[CosmicCowboy]

This. Brisket is terrible in the hands of the vast majority of people, but I'll take great brisket over any steak, any lobster, any crab, etc... even over raw oysters, fresh mussels, or great cajun food.

hmmmm.

I do absolutely killer brisket....but...I like to mix it up with stuffed pork loins, beef and pork ribs, smoked beef tenderloins, smoked poppers, etc...it's all good.

Did some killer poppers last weekend with some giant japs, fresh ground Italian sausage, and Wrights peppered bacon that were freaking amazing. The baby back ribs (I cooked six racks) were pretty off the chart too.

[baseline bum]

hmmmm.

I do absolutely killer brisket....but...I like to mix it up with stuffed pork loins, beef and pork ribs, smoked beef tenderloins, smoked poppers, etc...it's all good.

Did some killer poppers last weekend with some giant japs, fresh ground Italian sausage, and Wrights peppered bacon that were freaking amazing. The baby back ribs (I cooked six racks) were pretty off the chart too.


Giant Japs? What are they, about 5'5" 145?

[mrsmaalox]

Giant Japs? What are they, about 5'5" 145?

LOL I was expecting to see "no racist" next to that.

[DPG21920]

This. Brisket is terrible in the hands of the vast majority of people, but I'll take great brisket over any steak, any lobster, any crab, etc... even over raw oysters, fresh mussels, or great cajun food.

Wow - crazy. Maybe I just never had a really good brisket like that. I am a seafood fan so nothing tops great fresh seafood/sushi for me.

[Homeland Security]

Giant Japs? What are they, about 5'5" 145?

you a bad manner boy

[baseline bum]

Wow - crazy. Maybe I just never had a really good brisket like that. I am a seafood fan so nothing tops great fresh seafood/sushi for me.

Yeah, brisket is one of those things you just wonder 'what the hell is the hype?' until you try it from someone who really knows what he's doing.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

The HNIC of that list is from Dallas.

And that's Head Nagger In Charge for all you honkeys.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Doesn't really change my point. Knox-Henderson hipsters aren't different from South Austin hipsters.

Its not really in the Knox Henderson area.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

crofl crofl

east austin hipsters, you mean

he ain't too good with directions.

[Homeland Security]

crofl crofl

east austin hipsters, you mean

the tx monthly list is meant to be controversial (but credible) and generate discussion
no, when some faggoty-ass anglo moves to east austin it doesn't make him an east austinite.

lol thinking you can gain authenticity by osmosis

[Viva Las Espuelas]

ok. so i just came back from lockhart smokehouse. i just had to try. it's in the bishop arts district, for the dfw peeps. he has a nice set up. it's good but it's no Pecan Lodge. i got the brisket and pork chop. chop had good flavor, moist and was cut pretty thick. brisket was good. good flavor, moist, right amount of seasoing, nice bark but overall not as good as Pecan Lodge's. still worth trying out, though. they carry Kruez's sausage. the owner is Kruez's cousin.

[baseline bum]

east austin HIPSTERS
no east austinite

hipsters stay away from south austin. still too brown

Is East Austin no longer the home of the $20 rock and the $10 hookers?

[leemajors]

Is East Austin no longer the home of the $20 rock and the $10 hookers?

it's the home of shacks selling for 250k

[baseline bum]

it's the home of shacks selling for 250k

So they kicked all the crackheads off 11th and 12th and it's a yuppie hood now? That area had some torn up homes; can't imagine people wanting to buy those.

[baseline bum]

hipsters, man

there's an episode of king of the hill about this

Yeah, that was pretty funny. But they were just trying to take over Arlen; not an East Austin ghetto that looked like Dresden post firebombing.

[The Reckoning]

gentrifiers

[baseline bum]

Eh, so I was reading that 12th is still to be avoided. God that place once looked every bit as bad as some of the worst parts of Houston, Los Angeles, Compton, and Watts I have ever been. By that I don't mean run down, but full of drug pushers and 90 pound prostitutes.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

ok. so i just came back from lockhart smokehouse. i just had to try. it's in the bishop arts district, for the dfw peeps. he has a nice set up. it's good but it's no Pecan Lodge. i got the brisket and pork chop. chop had good flavor, moist and was cut pretty thick. brisket was good. good flavor, moist, right amount of seasoing, nice bark but overall not as good as Pecan Lodge's. still worth trying out, though. they carry Kruez's sausage. the owner is Kruez's cousin.
http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/94/img20130517134445.jpg

[DMC]

County Line has some of the best BBQ in Austin.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

The chain?

[SA210]

https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2416051975/a8riusej2c5rcf8rrfj9_normal.jpeg Bill SimmonsVerified account ‏@BillSimmons (https://twitter.com/BillSimmons)

Just tried Two Bros BBQ w/ @jalenrose (https://twitter.com/JalenRose) - off the charts tremendous. SA BBQ jumps to an early lead over Mem BBQ. Mem calls timeout to regroup.



https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/statuses/336277082696982529

[JudynTX]

http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/94/img20130517134445.jpg

That looks really good. Sauce or no sauce?

[Viva Las Espuelas]

None

[baseline bum]

That looks really good. Sauce or no sauce?

Seriously, woman? Great brisket should never be ruined with a sauce. The sauce is for the white bread and the beans. If you need sauce for your brisket, find a new BBQ place ASAP cause the one you're at sucks.

[lmbebo]

https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2416051975/a8riusej2c5rcf8rrfj9_normal.jpeg Bill SimmonsVerified account ‏@BillSimmons (https://twitter.com/BillSimmons)

Just tried Two Bros BBQ w/ @jalenrose (https://twitter.com/JalenRose) - off the charts tremendous. SA BBQ jumps to an early lead over Mem BBQ. Mem calls timeout to regroup.



https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/statuses/336277082696982529


I've never heard of Two Bros. I used to drive that street everyday. New (i.e. last 10 years?)?

[gameFACE]

SA (and central Texas) BBQ and Memphis BBQ are apples and oranges. But I like that Simmons thinks SA is up one there, too. :)

[jjktkk]

Hard Eight BBQ in Coppell has excellent brisket and sausage. Sauce is good, and the sides are great as well.(Potato salad, coleslaw, mac-n-cheese, and beans.)

[JudynTX]

Seriously, woman? Great brisket should never be ruined with a sauce. The sauce is for the white bread and the beans. If you need sauce for your brisket, find a new BBQ place ASAP cause the one you're at sucks.

:lol That's one way to rile men up...tell them to put sauce on their meat.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Hard Eight BBQ in Coppell has excellent brisket and sausage. Sauce is good, and the sides are great as well.(Potato salad, coleslaw, mac-n-cheese, and beans.)
that place is pretty good. i wouldn't call it excellent compared to Pecan Lodge. I didn't try their sides because they were pretty pricey and didn't look all that great. beans were ok. i'm glad they were free :)

[ohmwrecker]

County Line has some of the best BBQ in Austin.

Uh . . . no.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

:lol

[jjktkk]

that place is pretty good. i wouldn't call it excellent compared to Pecan Lodge. I didn't try their sides because they were pretty pricey and didn't look all that great. beans were ok. i'm glad they were free :)

Yea, the sides are expensive, but good. And the beans are pretty good. For me personally, I also rank a BBQ's sweet tea, and hard eight has great tea.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

I judge the tea too and tbh I don't remember how it was there. I know its a chain but Spring Creek has some damn good sweet tea.

[Mark in Austin]

If you need sauce for your brisket, find a new BBQ place ASAP cause the one you're at sucks.

:tu nothing more disappointing than brisket served w/ sauce. Have never had a pre-sauced brisket be worth a damn.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Well, I tried Chisolm Trail the weekend after last. It was solid. Nothing great but nothing bad. Great prices too. The brisket was tender, good, but didn't really stand out. Sides were good. Sausage was pretty good. Took some back home with me. They had a lot of people come in. I guess it is the local's favorite.







But nevermind that shit.

This past Friday I finally made the trek to Franklin's and Sweet Jesus........... We get there and my Mom is wanting to get some links along with the brisket and all the other stuff we wanted. They apologized but explained that they had an unexpected large order for sausage and they were all out. They had just been open for 2 minutes and we'd been in line since 8:30. We ordered our order and the dude gave us a nice row of burnt ends, on the house. Sweet Jesus. I couldn't wait until we got to the table. I had to inhale a chunk. Wow. I had read a review of their brisket and the reviewer said when they unsheathed a hunk of brisket, Aaron Franklin served him personally, he said it jiggle like jell-o. I had to shake the tray and see for myself. Sweet Jesus. My foodie boner was standing at high noon for the duration of our.......breakfast? While we were enjoying it, one of the helpers came by and asked if everything was ok. My mom asked him to let us know if any sausage became available because we wanted to get some even though we had plenty of food on our table. The guy said "Certainly!". About 15 minutes later he comes to our table with 5 fresh links and said for us to not worry about it. I was speechless. He's got a top notch place and I highly recommend it. Definitely worth the wait and money. I'm a believer. Still hate Austin, though :toast

[gameFACE]

I can't believe I did this. My wife's brother is here passing through town for a couple of days. It was too late to go to Two Bros last night but we got to The Barbecue Station at 8:15 pm. They were out of beef and pork ribs and chicken so we left. Why we walked in to a County Line I don't know. Bad decision! It was the worst garbage ever. Especially with the smell of mesquite smoke still on our clothes. I vow to never go there again. He thought it was okay but he's from Florida so I'll let it slide.

He's trying to get his Texas barbecue fill while here so I just texted her that if he's still in the mood for more to please take him to Two Bros for lunch.