Headed to Austin and lookin for some good brisket while I'm in the state

I've heard good things about Stiles Switch and la bbq.

La BBQ

La BBQ.

Hey Jock,

I highly recommend you take the 45 minute drive out to Taylor and try Louie Mueller's BBQ.
They have insanely good beef ribs ($25-$28/ea though at 1.75lb).

I've been to Mickelthwait and find it overrated.

I had brunch at Lambert's and enjoyed it.

Looks like la bbq is closed today and tomorrow

La BBQ is very close to Franklin's quality. Stiles Switch is good but nowhere near in quality. John Mueller's on the east side isbsuposed to be solid as well.

I've had Stiles Switch and John Mueller's and would go with JM. It's similar to Louie Mueller's in that it has a lot of black pepper.
On a lower level, I've had Iron Works, Donn's (Oak Hill), and The Pit, Donn's would be the best out of those.

Mickelwait. Is worth it just for the jalapeno cheese grits. But I think their bbq is very solid.

Nevermind today is Tuesday they're open on Wednesday, think I'll try la bow tomorrow

La BBQ

Mickelwait is really good.

LA BBQ, and most definitely NOT Stiles

Stiles is good, just not up to the same standard as the others named.

Micklethwait was very good when I went. Brisket was amazing...close to Franklin's quality. I thought Stiles was worse than Rudy's when I went.

quote:

---

Mickelwait is really good.

---

I would agree that Mickelwait is pretty solid as well. Brisket wasn't my favorite of all time, but still very good. Best part is there is no line at all.

Stiles is not in the Franklin,LA, or Micklewait category. They aren't as good but their model is different, they have BBQ open to close rather than selling out, which makes consistency harder

I've recently started going to Valentina's TexMex BBQ near Brodie/Walsh Tarlton. It's a trailer in the parking lot of a shell station.

You don't get the ambiance of a Franklin, La BBQ, or Micklewaith Craft Meats, but if all you're looking for is a sandwich (or a damn good brisket taco), I'd put them up against any of the big guys, and it's supposedly a favorite of Aaron Franklin. Never waited longer than 15 minutes, whether I've showed up at 11AM, noon, or 3pm, and never seen them out of Q either.

[url=http://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com/][/url]
http://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com/


For something a little closer to town, I really like Freedman's BBQ near campus. It's got the worst parking of any restaurant I've ever been to, but they make some damn good, if slightly fancier (read higher priced) BBQ.

http://www.freedmensbar.com/

Rudys

Ill have to try mickelthwait again...just wasnt overly impressed the two times I went.

I drove through Taylor yesterday and am currently finishing up a plate of leftovers. Great BBQ.

You know what's interesting about Louie Mueller's? There was a time where it wasn't very good. The grand father passed away and the kids had trouble getting everything consistent and running smoothly.

I was unimpressed by the brisket then.

I tried it a year later and it was much improved.

I haven't found an equal beef rib anywhere, but then again, I haven't really seen them offered many places. In fact, there was a long write up about how they aren't cost-effective due to the grill space they take up vs lb sold/served. Brisket is the cash cow (pun intended), and BBQ places would rather dedicate most of their space for that.

quote:

---

For something a little closer to town, I really like Freedman's BBQ near campus. It's got the worst parking of any restaurant I've ever been to, but they make some damn good, if slightly fancier (read higher priced) BBQ.

http://www.freedmensbar.com/

---

hipster bbq.

+1 on Louie Mueller's beef ribs, they are phenomenal. I don't think they're losing money on them though for what they charge.

Definitely not losing money on them...

I think people were typically expecting $18-$20lb at most, and brisket is easier to handle and deal with on a large scale.

However, at $28/lb, they are doing just fine with a beef rib.

Valentina's breakfast brisket tacos with serranos are my go-to twice a week @ Brodie & Harper's Ferry.

I'm sure Austin has a ****ey's. Give em a shot.

Freedmans is good and has a nice bar

With an excellent Bourbon selection.

Speaking of beef ribs being expensive:


I've only been to Louis Muellers one time. About 3 years ago, I was driving through Taylor about 11:00 and thought...I've never been, so I guess I'll try it out. Being new to this particular BBQ place, I tried to watch the people in front of me order to see how it was done there, and when I got to the front of the line, I thought I was ready to order. I also had it in mind to try several things since I don't find myself in that corner of Texas too often.

I had glanced up at the price board and noticed that (at that point) beef ribs were something like $15/lb, but didnt' think much of it. So I told the guy behind the counter, "I want a couple of slices of brisket, 2 different kinds of sausage, and throw a couple of beef ribs on there....I'd like to try those as well." He glanced behind me, asked if I was eating by myself, and when I gave him the affirmative he said "why don't I show you a beef rib and you can tell me how many you want".

Now I grew up in NE Texas, and the only ribs I'd ever had up until that point had been pork ribs. I grew up on a small ranch/farm, I've helped butcher cattle, I've worked cows, etc. but it never crossed my mind that a beef rib on a smoker would be all that much bigger than a pork rib. So when the pit master walked back to the smoker, opened it up, and cut off the first beef rib of the day you can imagine my face when he held up this Fred Flintstone, dinosaur looking cut of meat. Holding it up, he asked me again, "Now, how many did you want?"

"One will do", was my reply.


I then proceeded to the checkout, not thinking any more of it. When she rang me up at $48 for the tray, I simply swiped the card......too embarrassed to change my mind about any of it at that point. The beef rib had been $24 on it's own.

Good food though! And a fun story and experience.

Oh Freedmans is for sure hipster BBQ. But the chopped beef sandwich/homemade pickles are so good I'll gladly grow out my stash and borrow some tortoise shell glasses if I have to.

La BBQ

1. Franklin
1b. LA BBQ (also a big line)
2. Micklethwait's Craft Meats
3. Stiles Switch

Stiles is aggie owned?

Yes, and if you wear Aggie gear in you'll get a free koozie.