Barbecue, Texas

Finally Made It To Salt Lick

2009-12-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

Weeeell...the beans were really good.

Aw, Mann...

2009-08-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-14T04:00:00.001-07:00

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...

2009-07-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-11T18:27:00.001-08:00

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

2009-02-06T16:06:00.000-08:00

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...

BBQ in SAT!

2008-12-13T08:17:00.001-08:00

So, what input do we have about San Antonio BBQ?
We'll Rudy's and Bill Miller BBQ seem to get all the press. A word about each.

Rudy's is fun. ATMOSPHERE perks me up on a cool fall or winter day. Standing in line, butcher paper, the fire on the patio. It is the best BBQ experience in SAT for now. The price is another issue. I guess you are paying for ATMOSPHERE, becasue you aren't paying for BRISKET (see previous BBQ Necessities posting)...but the SAUSAGE!!! Wow. My boy's wouldn't eat sausage until we met Rudy's. Rudy's also has great turkey and if cholesterol isn't your hang up, the chopped "meat" is addictive. (It's a combo of turkey, pork, beef.)

BILL MILLER is the SA standby. You always know what you are going to get and the price is unbeatable. (The best thing they have going is Breakfast Tacos, but that's outside this discussion.) Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. But bragging rights go to their Sweet Tea.

I suppose the best thing we've found is THE BARBECUE STATION. ATMOSPHERE is a A- but the price, SAUCE, and options are A+.

BBQ in SAT?

2008-12-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

Anyone...anyone...BBQ in San Antonio...anyone...anyone? Has anyone been to THE SMOKEHOUSE on Roland? Everywhere, I see it written about. Never, has it been reccomended by a local. And I grew up here, though I became a MISPLACED TEXAN 1986-1991 and again 1999-2002. I am now a REPLACED TEXAN in search of good BBQ.

BBQ Necessities

2008-12-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

Great BRISKET is a good way to get on our good list, however bad brisket can be trumped by turkey and ANYTHING the kids like....and they are picky.

ATMOSPHERE is a bonus, but not enough to trump bad food. Texas Pride, east of San Antonio in Adkins is the coolest atmosphere we've seen yet, but not worth the stomach aches and the clueless teens serving.

SAUCE is a great part of the BBQ experience, but we don't let it get in the way of judging the meat. On occasion the sauce gives a joint extra credit. Sauces have so many unique characteristics, we just love to experience the variety. City Market in Luling, Texas got our attention with their sauce. Not what you expect, a bit of a kick but not the kind that you need to call the VFD.

DESSERT? Well, that deserves its own blog. We don't have the time nor the room. But I will say a scoop of bluebell on anything will work.

Our BBQ list...as of December 2008

2008-12-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Right now, the top of our list is in Dallas near Fair Park. Baker's Ribs has a fun atmosphere, plenty of choices. Can't comment on dessert b/c didn't leave room for anything. Every meat option was great or superior. Sides were diverse including some things kids love. Be careful not to slip on the peanut shells on the way out.

We frequent Riley's in Blanco, Texas when camping. Since it's the only option in Blanco we can overlook the faults and price in order to get to the Peach cobbler and Bluebell Ice Cream. I like the ribs. My junior sausage grinder likes the sausage. They have some interesting sauted onion available at the condiment bar.

You cant go wrong in Lockhart. But the big 4 are each unique. Chisolm Trail for variety. Black's for taste. Kreuz for a different taste. Smitty's for that old fashioned smokehouse experience.

Next Blog Entry: Our BBQ Criteria

To give us your reccomendation email replacedtex@gmail.com

Welcome To Barbecue, Texas

2008-12-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

This is a place where you can discuss all things found at the intersection of Barbecue and Texas. We, a simple texas family, will express our thoughts and FEELINGS regarding great Texas BBQ. And invite you to do the same.

In the sidebar you will find resources like a link to the 2008 edition of Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas as reported by Texas Monthly.

If you're serious about this you might like this Google map
based on the aforementioned TM article. We have begun our own building list of the BBQ Joints we've experienced. As we try out your suggestions we will add them with Red, Yellow, or Green icon based on our reccomendation.