Finally Made It To Salt Lick

Salt Lick didn't disappoint. I had the three meat plate. All three delicious. The sides were...we'll they are just that - sides. I go for the meat! The sauce was interesting, but delicious. The atmosphere was nothing special. Real plates and real waitstaff. Not what you expect from a BBQ joint. But the taste was certainly there.

If I lived in Austin and wanted to take foreigneres (those from the other 49 states) out for Cue. This would be the place to get a good taste; but I'd take them to some place with paper and no A/C just to complete the picture.

Back to Lockhart: Kreutz

Weeeell...the beans were really good.

Aw, Mann...

Mann's made the top 50 (see Texas Monthly Magazine) but they barely made a 50 in my class. Mr. & Mrs. Mann (I assume) were quite a kick. They have the right customer service spirit. Mann's has plenty of options for sides and meat. They even have PULLED PORK! (I thought I detected a southern accent.) The servings were adequate, and price was good if you got one of the specials. Everything about it was perfect...except the meat.

Sorry Mann's. I will come back again and try the turkey and the pork.

I ordered a lean brisket that was on the edge of tough; and the sausage - yuck!

I'll try again, but I suggest you try Iron Works when in Austin.

Texas Monthly was right: Vann's

Vann's in Oakville, Texas.

Well this one was really different. You can get it to go, but we chose to set down. No buffet counter - you can't see what you're getting. But, it doesn't matter. Everything was great!
We ordered two three meat plates and got to sample almost everything. Here's what the boys say...

Son 12 = "Chopped beef wasn't the best, but really good. Sausage was great."
Son 8(almost 9) Rating: "ribs=4 Sausage=5 potato salad=6" (out of 10)

The ambiance was unique. Check out the TM article for a great description. I really enjoyed the colorful waitress. Kinda reminded me of Ma Richards (the former Texas Governor - R.I.P.) As we silently chewed our food we couldn't help but hear her espouse her philosophy on parenting and life to a nearby table. She was a hoot!

Atmosphere: A-
Sides: Best potato salad since mom, beans were great
Meat: A+ every meat that we sampled was tops in taste and condition
Sauce: Didn't need it! ~C
Customer Serivce: A++

If you're just passing through...just stop for a snack!

In Dallas: A Sonny Bryan's on Every Corner

Couldn't make it to the "original" before closing - "4 or 5 for when the food runs out" :) - but I visited the one on Lover's Lane. The regular prices weren't bad though, and free fresh rolls. I had a BYGOF coupon so I was able to get alot of meat. (you can sign up for one on their website)

Everything had flavor, and I mean everything. Sides were tasty (can you say butter) and the turkey, though a bit dry, was very flavorful. The sausage was smooth and meaty, not spicy or fatty like some of the South Texas sausage.

Three things stand out...everything had flavor, even the sides (butter?)...ribs were meaty...good food for a chain restaurant.

Atmosphere: B
Sides: B (lots of options, too much butter, potato salad too creamy)
Meat: B+
Sauce: A
Customer Service: A++

Extra credit for the customer service. This customer was being complicated with his coupon and his need for sampling everything. But they didn't even blink.

Overall: A much better experience than Rudy's for a chain restaurant. Though you can't beat Rudy's for atmosphere.

Finally Made It...

to Smokehouse on Roland St. in San Antonio. I certianly don't see what all the hooplah is. Turkey was pretty good, but ribs and brisket were fatty. Portions were generous and so were the people. Sorry I have to rate them down.

Atmosphere: A
Sides: A
Meats: C-
Sauce: B+
Customer Service: A+

Iron Works Worked

Since I'm paying for BBQ and not customer service, this place worked for me.

PRO: I got the brisket plate. The brisket was perfect. It came with excellent beans and potato salad. As we've said before - good meat don't need not sauce - but the sauce at Iron Works was my idea of perfect sauce.

CON: As to the customer service comment... Generosity was lacking at IW. The serving and the people. I was not allowed to get a half turkey/half brisket plate unless I was willing to pay for a second full serving of meat. The amount of beans, bread, onions, and pickes was rationed from behind the bar. Only tea option was unsweet. Only limes available. The employees that I came in contact with were about as generous as the portions. Seemed like my requests were out of line. On the otherhand, i met a delightful attendant sweeping the floor and making the place enjoyable.

Ambiance: A
Brisket: A+
Portions: C
Sauce: A+
Service: C

I Found It!

Brisket! In San Antonio!

Well, near San Antonio. It's a few miles north in the community of New Braunfels. Cooper's claims to be "all about the meat." We'll its true.

While everything was average or above average, the brisket was...how shall I say...perfect. Smoky and tight, without being shoe leather. Soft enough to not have to chew, but lean enough to enjoy it as meat rather than fat.

The only thing below average for me was the sauce. It was thin and vinegary. But, as we've said before, good barbecue doesn't NEED sauce. That was certainly true at Cooper's.

My only regret is that I ate too much to have room for a full serving of peach cobbler.

Honorable Mention

Well it's not really a BBQ "joint" but the ribs I had last month at The Gristmill in Gruene (pronounced Green) were my favorite since Memphis. So, I honor them and mention them.

Cibolo Means Buffalo

Just north of San Antonio is Cibolo. Harmon's BBQ is there. It's a great place to enjoy live music on occasion in a family atmosphere. But we really care about the Cue. Everything is good, though slightly more expensive than some of my lunchtime options. Meats are good. Ribs are great! The sauce has a kick to it without burning your lips. You won't be disappointed in the food, unless you want to subsitute something on a plate or special. In that case you will have to live with disappointment or buy a la carte.

Austin Road Trip

While spending the weekend in Lakeway near Austin, we were able to enjoy two of the best Texas has to offer.

Opie's was "as advertized" in the TMtop50. The meats we had were excellent (forgot to try the sausage...guess I have to go back!). They were so good, in fact, that you didn't need any sauce. That means more dipping your bread. Bonus points to Opie's for the following.

• Presentation = Walk in the door and they open this big...thing...full of meat. I picked the exact rack of ribs I wanted. My wife designated the precise amount of brisket.
• Bread = They offered WHEAT!
• Free Beans = They weren't just free...they were reeeeeeally good.

Stubb's was a unique experience. We attended the Gospel Brunch. Didn't know we needed reservations before 4 on Saturday. But there were two seats left on the patio. It was the perfect location becasue it was in sight of the buffet and in earshot of the stage. Any closer we wouldn't have been able to talk. The brisket was A-MAY-ZING. Sausage was very meaty tasking -which I prefer. The rest of the items were more brunchy. I will go back for the full menu and we look forward to another Sunday off when we can enjoy the Gospel singing.

Opie's and Stubb's are definintely in my top 10...for now...