I've had this idea to go on a tour, a safari if you will, of all the BBQ hot-spots in the country: Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, the Carolinas. A few weeks ago, I started the safari. A co-worked was in Austin for a 1-year work assignment, so I used up my saved airline miles, hopped a plane, and headed to Texas to eat a lot of BBQ over the course of four days. I'll share my experience over the next few posts.
I know there are some Texans here on the board. This is probably old-hat to you and I envy you for that.
Right out of the airport, I headed south to for first and second lunch. First things first: 85 MPH speed limit and no traffic on a Friday? Yes, please.
Started At City Market in Luling for first lunch:
Short line for lunch. The smoke room is in the back corner where you get the meat and sides and drinks are up front. Chatted with a nice local gentleman while in line. Said he drops is once a week. Lucky. Also said City Market is better than any of the joints further north in Lockhart. I'll see about that.
The Texas Trinity: Brisket (fatty slices, of course), pork ribs, and sausage. The brisket was good, the ribs not as much, but I ended up with an end cut which was a little dry. The sausage? Un-freaking-believable! Best sausage of the trip, right off the bat. Beefy and peppery, almost crumbly inside the casing, which snapped like a twig. Like nothing I've ever had.
I headed north to Lexington for second lunch. This time, Kreuz Market in Lockhart.
The smoke room, with a bunch of people gawking at the menu board.
My choices: Pork steak, jalapeno-cheddar sausage, cheese, crackers, and a Mexican Coke. Pork steak was smoky, juicy, and GIANT. Sausage wasn't anything like City Market. Much more moist and not nearly as crumbly. Still good, just different.
At this point, I was full to the point of discomfort. I chilled in Kreuz's A/C and read a book for a bit before I headed back to Austin to meet by buddy after he got out of work. Driving back in, I stopped by Waterloo Records, pick up a couple records and continued on.
After we met up, it was time for dinner: Terry Black's BBQ. Part of the Black BBQ family of Lockhart, this restaurant is run by the twin sons of Terry Black. Arguably, one of the cooler looking smokehouses of the trip.
Because we're not complete gluttons and still had a lot of BBQ to eat, we split a beef rib. I also got a jalapeno-cheddar sausage link and some pinto beans (gotta balance all that protein with some fiber). The sausage was a lot like Kreuz. Moist and spicy. The beef rib was fatty and decadent, but I will admit I tapped out early. Three BBQ meals in a day is rough. Of special note: This was my first Big Red. It is a tasty beverage and I wish we had them up north.
We worked off the meal with a walk to The Continental Club to catch The Blues Specialists' happy hour set and have a few drinks. Can't be in Austin and not catch some live music.
I know there are some Texans here on the board. This is probably old-hat to you and I envy you for that.
Right out of the airport, I headed south to for first and second lunch. First things first: 85 MPH speed limit and no traffic on a Friday? Yes, please.
Started At City Market in Luling for first lunch:
Short line for lunch. The smoke room is in the back corner where you get the meat and sides and drinks are up front. Chatted with a nice local gentleman while in line. Said he drops is once a week. Lucky. Also said City Market is better than any of the joints further north in Lockhart. I'll see about that.
The Texas Trinity: Brisket (fatty slices, of course), pork ribs, and sausage. The brisket was good, the ribs not as much, but I ended up with an end cut which was a little dry. The sausage? Un-freaking-believable! Best sausage of the trip, right off the bat. Beefy and peppery, almost crumbly inside the casing, which snapped like a twig. Like nothing I've ever had.
I headed north to Lexington for second lunch. This time, Kreuz Market in Lockhart.
The smoke room, with a bunch of people gawking at the menu board.
My choices: Pork steak, jalapeno-cheddar sausage, cheese, crackers, and a Mexican Coke. Pork steak was smoky, juicy, and GIANT. Sausage wasn't anything like City Market. Much more moist and not nearly as crumbly. Still good, just different.
At this point, I was full to the point of discomfort. I chilled in Kreuz's A/C and read a book for a bit before I headed back to Austin to meet by buddy after he got out of work. Driving back in, I stopped by Waterloo Records, pick up a couple records and continued on.
After we met up, it was time for dinner: Terry Black's BBQ. Part of the Black BBQ family of Lockhart, this restaurant is run by the twin sons of Terry Black. Arguably, one of the cooler looking smokehouses of the trip.
Because we're not complete gluttons and still had a lot of BBQ to eat, we split a beef rib. I also got a jalapeno-cheddar sausage link and some pinto beans (gotta balance all that protein with some fiber). The sausage was a lot like Kreuz. Moist and spicy. The beef rib was fatty and decadent, but I will admit I tapped out early. Three BBQ meals in a day is rough. Of special note: This was my first Big Red. It is a tasty beverage and I wish we had them up north.
We worked off the meal with a walk to The Continental Club to catch The Blues Specialists' happy hour set and have a few drinks. Can't be in Austin and not catch some live music.