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C'mon Stu, Dallas to Lockhart to Paris is under a 10 hour drive according to Google Maps. Figure an hour to eat at 3 places and it's 13 hours for historic BBQ. Gotta get your priorities straight...Disco Stu said:
But you're right, if you can't go for the Shrines, Rudy's is good enough to get a feel for what chain type BBQ should be. Not sure where he's from, but Rudy's is likely to be the best BBQ brisket he'll ever have.J
I've eaten at Bartley's multiple times. I've eaten at Kreuz Market, Smitty's, Black's, City Market and Salt Lick multiple times as well. Is Bartley's as good as those others? No, but it isn't like comparing Bob's Steak and Chophouse to the Sizzler, either. Did I eat it and think it was "uninspired" or "decent"? Not even close. And FWIW, I didn't stand in line to get it. There's nothing I can do if people around here don't know where the gettin's good.My point is this: Dallas is not Central Texas when it comes to BBQ, but the idea that there's not a single good (not just decent) BBQ place in the Metroplex is absurd.Battles said:No one needs to. If they were that good people would know about them and stand in line for an hour to eat at them. It just doesn't happen in Dallas. I've lived in DFW and now live down the street from a BBQ Mecca. It's just different.honky kong said:
I grew up in Grapevine and eating Bartley's. It's decent.I've eaten at Bartley's multiple times. I've eaten at Kreuz Market, Smitty's, Black's, City Market and Salt Lick multiple times as well. Is Bartley's as good as those others? No, but it isn't like comparing Bob's Steak and Chophouse to the Sizzler, either. Did I eat it and think it was "uninspired" or "decent"? Not even close. And FWIW, I didn't stand in line to get it. There's nothing I can do if people around here don't know where the gettin's good.My point is this: Dallas is not Central Texas when it comes to BBQ, but the idea that there's not a single good (not just decent) BBQ place in the Metroplex is absurd.Battles said:No one needs to. If they were that good people would know about them and stand in line for an hour to eat at them. It just doesn't happen in Dallas. I've lived in DFW and now live down the street from a BBQ Mecca. It's just different.honky kong said:
I'd rather eat at Rudy's. I think a lot of people would agree. I think most review sites like Yelp would give a good overview of Bartley's being decent, acceptable, etc.Also, to add, Main Street BBQ in Euless is on the D Magazine list as being a "top" bbq place. It's terrible.
FYI, Franklin BBQ got too big for a trailer. The new location is nothing fancy and still fairly Austin/quirky, but it's a permanent building.I was there this past Sunday. I think he said they just opened the previous Saturday. Really nice guy.I'm pretty sure the reason everyone thinks they have some of the best brisket in Texas is because they have some of the best brisket in Texas. I'd be surprised if that many people were wrong. Zero need to try to "convince" me of that.As far as the trailer goes, I think it actually helps them get hype and adds to the experience. Best BBQ in Texas is cool. Best BBQ in Texas and it's served out of a trailer with a gnome? Even cooler. Would you disagree?
J
You shoulda bought a lottery ticket immediately after leaving there because it looks like luck was on your side.
was in the 512 last week and managed to hit Smittys, Kreuz, Salt Lick and Iron Works but forgot all about Franklin's :(
In my opinion, Smitty's is a lot better than Kruez. Luling is a little out of the way, but it is awesome also.
68 cfs = tons of walking in a dry river bed with tube under arm.You might try the Comal, but it's busy as #### because of the condition of the Guad. The city shut it down in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday a couple weeks ago.San Marcos River maybe?
I can't imagine a more cliche recommendation (even if it is reasonably pleasing). I think Stu's done that gig before.
"You're...You Are, not YOUR". You get paid to post here, act like it.
no I don't.
I've never had a good experience at Coopers. I've been 3 times.I'm a big Kreuz fan. Everything is always really good.
of Taylor. I usually drive to Kreuz when I want good bbq.
Yeah, I was wondering if it was floatable at this point. Some friends did the San Marcos two weeks ago and said it was ok... just took a long time.
Better get to Franklin around 10:30 at the latest and expect to wait a good 30 - 45 minutes in the heat
Is it more crowded on a Tuesday than it is on the weekend? Last trip I think we got there at 12:15 on a Sunday, which was cutting it pretty close.
I've driven by during weekday at 11:00 and there was a long line. Then again, perhaps it's just random. The later you get there the longer you'll wait in line then again the earlier you get there the longer you'll be standing out there. Pick your poison. Bon Appetite ranked it #1 BBQ in country recently and no way you'll be able to get in at 12:15 and get any BBQ.
For dinner in Fredricksburg, I'd recommend Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse for a nice atmosphere and more than decent food. I've only been once, but they had excellent entertainment and service, along with a damn good filet.
Grape Creek winery is one of the "better" wineries just outside Fredericksberg - although "better" is relative considering this is central Texas wine. Try the Super Tuscan. Also when you are working your way back to Austin (depending on your route) you might try Dutchman winery just south of Dripping Springs. There is an excellent Italian restaurant there also (Trattorialisna).http://www.grapecreek.com/
I've been to both Smitty's and Kreuz several times and honestly, the only differences between the places to me is the atmosphere. Smitty's is in the original building that Kreuz was in before they upsized and now Kreuz is in what I would call a BBQ cathedral - it's built to pack people in. I'm assuming you've never been to Black's (also in Lockhart) but I would recommend swinging by there as well after hitting Smitty's or Kreuz if you have the time. Black's has the one thing the other two don't - sauce - and while all of it is great without sauce, it seems to take Black's ribs to another level for me.
I went by Trattoria Lisina last year and that place was a nice surprise (as was the winery there). It should definitely be included on any wine tour of the area.
I've done a bunch of these. One that is really underrated is spicewood. Plus they do the whole operation on site, and most of the places just have a few vines out front for decoration and buy their stuff from around lubbock.
Go off the map, and head east to Bryan, TX = Messina Hof Winery. The wine isn't that good and it's out of your way. Just drop your lady friend off for a tour and wine tasting, and I can take you out on a bender. Once lit up, you can take her out for a nice dinner at the winery, and crash at a really nice B&B. Win, win.'Disco Stu said:
I'm not a fan of #6 (Driftwood Estate Winery). I thought their wine was poor compared to Mandola Estate Winery, which is just a couple of miles away.'Disco Stu said:
Hmm. I'm leaning toward trying Louie Muller this time. Hopefully Franklin will have the new pit built by the next time I'm in town.
If you make it by there, please report back. That and Cooper's are at the top of my list of places I haven't tried yet.BTW, any of you Dallas FBGs try the Lockhart Smokehouse yet? The claim is that they are bringing Lockhart BBQ to Dallas (with a considerable markup, I'm sure).
Hi Stu,I've not been to Franklins but have been to the others.
If you do go to Gruene, there is a place right across from the dance hall that has a bunch of Texas wines to taste. Not the ambiance of going to a winery but can still sample many Texas wines.http://www.grapevineingruene.com/'Disco Stu said:
The potato salad was good though.
Never knew about the porkchop at Kreuz.the smoked prime rib at Kreuz is the most delicious piece of meat i have ever tasted.
Nice report - my next trip to SA will include a stop in Taylor for sure. And I'm right there with you on Red Hot & Blue. I guess that's the one drawback to those journeys to these BBQ meccas.Just realized I didn't report back. Here's what we ended up doing...
Saturday:
- Late lunch at Cooper's in Llano. Not bad but nothing special. The ribs and brisket were fairly dry. Sausage was ok. Blackberry cobbler was the highlight.
- Happened upon Bell Mountain winery and very glad we stopped. Sweet little old lady showed us around, told us about their history and wines, and served us tastes of everything for free. Including us, she had six visitors that day. One of the oldest wineries in Texas. Everything is grown, produced, and bottled on site.
- Also stopped at Grape Creek Vineyards. Much fancier and busier. $10 to taste six wines. Tours are $20 and require reservations (passed). Some very good wines.
Sunday (the no-bbq day):
- Floated the Comal. Wasn't moving very fast but plenty of water of course. We started early enough (11) that it wasn't very busy.
- Fish tacos at Cantina Del Rio in Gruene. I remembered them being better last time. I was also much drunker last time. Still good though.
- Stopped in to Gruene Hall and watched a band for a little while. Doesn't seem possible, but it was too hot to drink beer. I fought through it enough to down one Lone Star. GF barely touched hers, and I had no desire to help.
- Cooled off by wading in the river with the poor people. Sitting in the rapids, drinking a beer and listening to a live blues band was nice. Noticing the world's smallest leeches on our skin was less nice.
- Dinner at Clear Springs Cafe was great. Onion rings and catfish delivered. Shocking number of tall, young blondes working there.
Monday:
- Drove to the nurturing BBQ bosom of Lockhart, TX. Decided on Smitty's Market. Cool place. Walking almost directly into a fire as you walk in is a nice touch. Ordered moist brisket, ribs, and shoulder. No idea what I was thinking with shoulder instead of sausage. Brisket and ribs were both very good, though maybe not as good as I hoped. Both a little drier than I like. Shoulder was pretty boring. I understand the no sauce thing, but why no forks?
- As we were finishing up, I said "since we're in Lockhart, we might as well try Kreuz Market too". Wow, this place is huge. Already full from lunch #1, we each ordered just one slice of moist brisket and one rib. Oh yes... now this is some amazing bbq. Brisket was moist and flavorful. Ribs may have a little too much pepper for some, but I loved it.
I noticed another customer at the table next to us, and asked "weren't you just at Smitty's?". Yes, they were trying both places also. Full disclosure: the fact that she was an attractive 23(?) year old Asian may have had something to do with me remembering her from the previous stop. And though we probably ordered within minutes of each other at both places, they preferred Smitty's.
- Instead of treating the meat coma with wine, we decided to drive on to Austin with no more detours. Drinking at the Omni pool sounded like more fun than finding more wineries.
- Met some friends at the Iron Cactus for happy hour. Not the slightest bit hungry but shared a Ahi Tuna Ceviche, which was good.
- Walked to Stubbs to see The Decemberists. They are awesome.
Tuesday:
- Took a detour (a little more out of the way than I realized) to Taylor for lunch at Louie Mueller BBQ. Hopes were high when I saw this place. Guy taking the order and cutting the meat was really friendly. I asked for three pork rib ends, thinking that would just be a taste. After seeing how big they were, I changed it to two. No problem. The beef rib was MASSIVE. One was more than enough. Also had to have some moist brisket. When he dropped the wrapped brisket on the cutting table and it wobbled beautifully, my hopes rose even higher.
I'm pleased to report, I was not disappointed. Everything was damn near perfect. Having a little thin sauce for the pork ribs was a good thing. Beef rib was completely coated in pepper and completely delicious. Cut off a filet sized chunk of beef to take home. Brisket was right up there with Kreuz.
I slightly preferred this place to Kreuz, while my gf had them flipped.
Wednesday (leftovers day):
- My son enjoyed the shoulder from Smitty's.
- I had most of a pork rib and the chunk of beef from Louie Mueller, plus some brisket from Kreuz. The pork was a little dry after reheating, but all the beef was probably even better leftover.
Thursday:
- Catered lunch at work. BBQ?? Oh no... It's from Red Hot & Blue, which I used to like. Now it's garbage.
Nope. It was between Franklin and Louie Mueller for the Tuesday slot. I've been to Franklin twice, never been to Mueller. And I didn't want to get up early to stand in line in this heat. Fairly easy choice.I'll be back to Franklin again though. Hopefully soon.No stop at Franklin
Thanks for this.
I'll be in Austin for SXSW in March and will add this place to the agenda. Was already looking forward to a return trip to Franklins. 
