For ordinary mortals, it's hard to beat a 16 qt. Farberware Classic at about $54 bucks on Amazon. The bonded aluminum disc inside the stainless distributes heat evenly on the bottom & will simmer tomato based sauces as well as gumbo & etc. w/o scorching.
Jaime the Migrant Worker '63. Re: Authentic Texas Cuisine. Ya think there was kosher salt on the Chisolm Trail?