Chris B.
Footballguy
Yep, I'm definitely looking for that fatty brisket. Which Rudy's location do you prefer?
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BBQ Restaurants (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Joe Bryant
- Start date
whoknew
Footballguy
You don't really have to wait at Franklin anymore. You just pre-order. And then the wait in your car may be like 20-25 minutes.
whoknew
Footballguy
You said you know all the big hitters so I reckon you know, but back when there was a long line for Franklin, I'd always send people to Stiles Switch. They are really, really good and never longer than a 10 minute or so wait.
A few weeks ago I tried Brown's - which is a trailer on S Lamar. I went their twice in a two week span. First time I had turkey and one piece of sausage. Both were outstanding. Second week we went and tried the brisket. I thought it was ok - not great. But they get good reviews. So it may have been me or something. You may want to give it a try.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
There are plenty of places that are good on a given day for a given meat. Consistency is what creates a Franklin or Mueller's or Truth, etc. And consistency is what prevent's Rudy's from being consistently great. Too many locations with inconsistent pitmasters. But when you hit a good one on a good day they can compete.
In the greater Austin area for CTX BBQ I would recommend Stiles Switch, La Barbecue, and Micklethwaite as the 2nd tier behind Franklin and Mueller. In fact, La Barbecue is a Mueller joint.
If you want to travel a bit and are interested in cowboy style BBQ then go out to Llano and visit Coopers. They do a wide variety of meats cowboy style and it's fun to pick your meat off the pit. Classic place. Sometimes they have cabrito, cabeza, mutton, backstrap, boar, and other less common meats.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
In the USA??? That's a big project, dude. I'm not sure I could get through TX without boring everyone.
ChiefD
Footballguy
nirad3
Footballguy
Dickie Dunn
Footballguy
You might laugh, but I'm fortunate enough to have the consensus best Southern-style BBQ place in Massachusetts just down the road from my house. Both Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain (RIP) have visited in recent years and praised the brisket.
In The Zone
Footballguy
Sadly I just found out that this place burned down on 5/31. They are planning on rebuilding which is great.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-pik-n-pig-bbq-restaurant
whoknew
Footballguy
Have you eaten at the Coopers in Austin? I've never been to Llano so not sure how it compares.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
Not Austin, but I have been to the one in New Braunfels. And one in Junction. The original in Llano is the best. They all practice the same style of cooking but they seem to have more meat variety in Llano and they do more volume so meats don't hang out all day on the serving pit.whoknew said:
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
Fege's in Houston isn't any good for the meat. But their sides are creative and excellent. Just don't call what they do to meat BBQ.
McBokonon
Footballguy
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Desert_Power
Footballguy
I'd say Charlotte has a lot of above average BBQ places, but no true great ones. If you don't want to detour to Lexington, Noble Smoke is a cool stop because it has such a big setup with giant smokers putting out the NC style. Sweet Lew's is my favorite locally.
I'd probably say drive to Lexington though. Or hit up something like Sweatman's or Duke's near the 26/95 merger since you're probably heading to Florida
BigJohn
Footballguy
Tybee Island.I'd say Charlotte has a lot of above average BBQ places, but no true great ones. If you don't want to detour to Lexington, Noble Smoke is a cool stop because it has such a big setup with giant smokers putting out the NC style. Sweet Lew's is my favorite locally.
I'd probably say drive to Lexington though. Or hit up something like Sweatman's or Duke's near the 26/95 merger since you're probably heading to Florida
What are your thoughts on Red Bridges in Shelby? They seem to be mentioned a lot.
I'm trying to go fit small town roadside type places. Midwood Smokehouse seems to be a decent place in Charlotte, but just not what I’m looking for.
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Insoxicated
Memphis finally has proper Texas-style BBQ. Bain BBQ has opened up a food truck focusing on brisket but also serving spare ribs, pork shoulder, sausage, and beef ribs (occasionally). I picked up a full packer from him (leftovers) for $100. Vaccuum sealed and re-heated with sous vide... incredible. Best I've had from a restaurant... by far. Including a decent smattering of texas spots.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Never been, I've only even driven through Shelby once. Yeah, Midwood is not what you are going to be looking for.
In The Zone
Footballguy
Midwood is not bad. The one time I went I got the burnt end sandwich and it was pretty tasty.BigJohn said:
However, when I think of true Carolina BBQ, North or South Carolina, I don't think of Midwood.
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In The Zone
Footballguy
Last year my wife's work put her back and forth between Florence and Charleston SC on the 4th so I rode with her and we made a side trip to Scott's BBQ in Hemingway SC.
This year is more of the same as we ended up in Charleston again and this time we hit up Lewis Barbecue
Man let me tell you that Brisket is on the money. The pulled pork was pretty good as well but the brisket was the star. My wife got the smoked turkey sandwich and man that was moist, tender, and very flavorful.We got a hot sausage link and it didn't disappoint either. Good Mac and cheese and pinto beans. The Mrs said the collards were too stemy. The sweet tea needed a little more sugar.
All in all it was a great meal. A little pricey but I can see why. There was a line out the door when we got there. It probably took 35 or 40 minutes to get through the line. When we left there was still a line out the door.
Bought a t shirt and still have some leftovers.
This year is more of the same as we ended up in Charleston again and this time we hit up Lewis Barbecue
Man let me tell you that Brisket is on the money. The pulled pork was pretty good as well but the brisket was the star. My wife got the smoked turkey sandwich and man that was moist, tender, and very flavorful.We got a hot sausage link and it didn't disappoint either. Good Mac and cheese and pinto beans. The Mrs said the collards were too stemy. The sweet tea needed a little more sugar.
All in all it was a great meal. A little pricey but I can see why. There was a line out the door when we got there. It probably took 35 or 40 minutes to get through the line. When we left there was still a line out the door.
Bought a t shirt and still have some leftovers.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Thanks to @Joe Bryant @ChiefD and others- just got back from Kansas City and am very happy to have visited Arthur Bryant’s. Due to group dynamics I wasn’t able to visit any of the other places on my list from this thread, but Bryant’s was #1 and I made a point to take our group there for the food and experience. I had a lot of bbq at other places while we were in town and it was all fantastic but Bryant’s was special.
If any of you ever get up to Wisconsin, we have a lot of pretenders here but there are a few legit gems. A wonderful young man just opened a second location near my house and he makes the best bbq in town - https://www.heavenstablebbq.com - but there are several others making good old school bbq. If you only read Yelp and the travel guides, you’ll probably get a plate of heavily sauced shoe leather, so please check with me if you want to find the good Q in Milwaukee.
If any of you ever get up to Wisconsin, we have a lot of pretenders here but there are a few legit gems. A wonderful young man just opened a second location near my house and he makes the best bbq in town - https://www.heavenstablebbq.com - but there are several others making good old school bbq. If you only read Yelp and the travel guides, you’ll probably get a plate of heavily sauced shoe leather, so please check with me if you want to find the good Q in Milwaukee.
kutta
Footballguy
Oh man. I know I’m going to get hammered here, but I was at Arthur Bryant’s last week and came away disappointed. My wife had the Brisket and I had the 3B sandwich. Her brisket was pretty dry, and my burnt ends were so tough I could hardly eat them. We sure did love the fries, but that wasn’t why we were there.
We probably just got a bad batch, but color me disappointed.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I don’t know why anyone would disagree - it’s 100% about your personal taste and experience and you had a bad meal. I’ve only been there once and it was fantastic so can’t comment otherwise.
That's awesome, GB.
And that's exactly how I describe Arthur Bryants - "Special". It's not the best BBQ ever. But it's special. Love that place.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
This has been my experience at Arthur Bryant's as well. Almost exactly. And part of the reason I continue to advocate that consistency of product, one of the most difficult but important things to achieve, become a hallmark of BBQ ratings.
It's hard to explain. But BBQ is one of those things where a lot of grace is extended based on factors besides the food.
Snows in Texas probably isn't in the top 30 for food. But I don't object to the love Tootsie and crew get and am fine with people having them at #1. It's special.
Arthur Bryant's is this.
The original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa is similar. Some of the toughest ribs you'll find. But I go.
It's why so many people will say their favorite place was "that joint down the street that isn't there any more".
And yes, I know it doesn't make a lot of sense.
Snows in Texas probably isn't in the top 30 for food. But I don't object to the love Tootsie and crew get and am fine with people having them at #1. It's special.
Arthur Bryant's is this.
The original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa is similar. Some of the toughest ribs you'll find. But I go.
It's why so many people will say their favorite place was "that joint down the street that isn't there any more".
And yes, I know it doesn't make a lot of sense.
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Ron Swanson
Footballguy
Anyone else notice Louie Mueller's in the background of the new RAM commercial?
Instinctive
Footballguy
Wife and I doing a little road trip from Charlottesville down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville next two weeks - any BBQ recs in the area, top, bottom, or along the way? VERY unfamiliar with this part of the country.
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Agreed. I've had Franklin and Louie Mueller's (long time Footballguys customer) shipped and they're fantastic. My take is they're about 80% as good as in the restaurant which is pretty amazing.
Nice! It's such great place for photos. My favorite it the Vaughn Album cover that was shot there. https://www.flickr.com/photos/joemoconnell/5923431446/in/photostream/
The Commish
Footballguy
Bridges has gone pretty corporate. It's no longer the shack it was and the last time I was there (about 10 years ago) it had gone down hill a bit as a result. It's still pretty good, but Bubba's BBQ is pretty much the same thing (I'd say a little better) and it's right on 77...exit 16B actually....just before you get to the 85 interchange (as you're going south on 77).
Not Tybee but Southern Soul BBQ in St. Simons is a couple hours away and one of the best in the country.
Instinctive
Footballguy
Alrighty: we are about a week away from Asheville week on our vacation and I'm plotting out a couple stops.
Buxton Hall BBQ is closed, unfortunately. So we are looking at Bear Smokehouse and Luella's BBQ as the two spots to go. If anyone has other ideas or suggestions, let me know. Otherwise, I'll plan to report back!
Buxton Hall BBQ is closed, unfortunately. So we are looking at Bear Smokehouse and Luella's BBQ as the two spots to go. If anyone has other ideas or suggestions, let me know. Otherwise, I'll plan to report back!
Foosball God
Foos
My 18 year old son wants to make a BBQ "pilgrimage" in Texas. Basically we'd take a week or something and hit a bunch of BBQ places, famous or otherwise. Texas is huge, obviously, is there an area that is better suited for this? Like Dallas area, Austin, San Antonio, etc. Any thoughts on must stop places?
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
I had the pleasure of eating at Cooper's in Llano, TX a few years back and I managed to hit quite a few BBQ spots in Texas, including Terry Blacks in Austin and also got to enjoy The Pecan Lodge in Dallas. Those 3 stood out above almost any place i have been but I haven't tried or been to many of the places you all suggest.
I do have a place in St Pete, FL that is not on the level of some of these that I mentioned but it certainly is better than most of the other food joints anywhere around it and if you were to go to a Rays/MLB game at the Trop, this place would definitely be a spot you could hit coming or going from the Stadium.
Dr BBQ is on the newer side of things and they have a 2nd Floor Tiki Bar when its open that should also be looked up when you visit. I like their Turkey and Brisket, they have BBQ Beans that are about as tasty as I've had. They have an extensive menu and also a pretty hip bar up front too that takes up a lot of space. They're biggest issue is they can get packed and like everywhere they are short on staff. We ate there a couple weeks back and the food was excellent, sides were delish.
Some folks think its expensive, with the booze you can drop quite a penny in there if you're not careful but I don't think the prices are that high for what you get.
I do have a place in St Pete, FL that is not on the level of some of these that I mentioned but it certainly is better than most of the other food joints anywhere around it and if you were to go to a Rays/MLB game at the Trop, this place would definitely be a spot you could hit coming or going from the Stadium.
Dr BBQ is on the newer side of things and they have a 2nd Floor Tiki Bar when its open that should also be looked up when you visit. I like their Turkey and Brisket, they have BBQ Beans that are about as tasty as I've had. They have an extensive menu and also a pretty hip bar up front too that takes up a lot of space. They're biggest issue is they can get packed and like everywhere they are short on staff. We ate there a couple weeks back and the food was excellent, sides were delish.
Some folks think its expensive, with the booze you can drop quite a penny in there if you're not careful but I don't think the prices are that high for what you get.
You might get the meat sweats. On my first trip to KC I went to BBQ every day (sometimes twice a day) to hit all the places in the area. Amazingly enough it ended up being too much meat and by the end it diminished the goodness of some of the places. This comes from someone that grills/BBQ 3 or 4 times a week at home.
Going on a BBQ pilgrimage sounds good but not sure if it will end well. I would try and space things out and not over due it. Definitely only one a day but add in some rest days to keep you fresh.
kutta
Footballguy
Foosball God
Foos
My daughter isn't a big meat eater, but my son is all meat and potatoes.Must be wonderful. My son is a full-fledged vegan
In The Zone
Footballguy
The only BBQ that I have eaten in Asheville is 12 Bones.
The ribs with the blueberry Chipotle sauce was fantastic.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
I would focus on Central TX. Not to say that good BBQ can't be found elsewhere but most of the classic and great unknown places are within roughly a 100 mile radius of Austin. Or use the Texas Monthly list as a guide. Lot's of folks do that.
Bogart
Footballguy
Made the quick 15-min drive from my house to Goldee's BBQ today, the new Texas Monthly BBQ champ.
Opening at 11, I got there right about 10 am, and was met with a modest line, but had a free beer and a sample of burnt ends that was passed around by one of the owners, and by the time it was my turn, around 11:45, they had only run out of Bread Pudding.
Got a good variety plate to go, and was not disappointed in the least. The brisket and burnt ends were some of the best I have ever had. I would put them up against Franklin's and Cattleack. Pork ribs were somewhere around amazing and the sausage fell into the very very good category. Beef ribs were a bit too pricey and I figure I'm going to have enough turkey later in the week.
The all important sauce was a vinegar based, yet creamy and delicious, even though not needed. Sides all knocked out of the park. Beans had a high meat to beans ratio, almost making it a thick chili. Potato salad had a great flavor due to fresh dill and the surprise winner was a black pepper, cheesy grits dish.
Owned by 5 young pitmasters who grew up together in Fort Worth, went and worked all the known places in Austin (Franklin, La Barbecue, Micklethwait, Valentina’s) and came back home to hang out and make BBQ together. They stick with the basics and make them at a world-class level. Highly recommend this place to @Joe Bryant , the local DFW guys, or anyone traveling out Fort Worth way.
Opening at 11, I got there right about 10 am, and was met with a modest line, but had a free beer and a sample of burnt ends that was passed around by one of the owners, and by the time it was my turn, around 11:45, they had only run out of Bread Pudding.
Got a good variety plate to go, and was not disappointed in the least. The brisket and burnt ends were some of the best I have ever had. I would put them up against Franklin's and Cattleack. Pork ribs were somewhere around amazing and the sausage fell into the very very good category. Beef ribs were a bit too pricey and I figure I'm going to have enough turkey later in the week.
The all important sauce was a vinegar based, yet creamy and delicious, even though not needed. Sides all knocked out of the park. Beans had a high meat to beans ratio, almost making it a thick chili. Potato salad had a great flavor due to fresh dill and the surprise winner was a black pepper, cheesy grits dish.
Owned by 5 young pitmasters who grew up together in Fort Worth, went and worked all the known places in Austin (Franklin, La Barbecue, Micklethwait, Valentina’s) and came back home to hang out and make BBQ together. They stick with the basics and make them at a world-class level. Highly recommend this place to @Joe Bryant , the local DFW guys, or anyone traveling out Fort Worth way.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
Interesting article. Can't say I disagree with it. Kreutz fell off my list a long time ago.
https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/article/Lockhart-Texas-bbq-barbecue-road-trip-brisket-16842638.php
https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/article/Lockhart-Texas-bbq-barbecue-road-trip-brisket-16842638.php
Sleestak
Footballguy
In the Advance, NC area visiting my mom. Drove down to Lexington at noon for a sliced (with a little brown) tray with hush puppies and sweet ice tea. Pork shoulder, if you need to ask. Vinegar slaw. Excellent as always.
Then drove over to Conrad & Hinckle for some grocery shopping. Got some of their pimento cheese.
Then drove over to Conrad & Hinckle for some grocery shopping. Got some of their pimento cheese.
