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Texas Monthly 2017 Top 50 BBQ Joints

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CDub06
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8:20a, 7/18/17
AG
I expect that, if a place is open, they should be serving good food. So if they're open for dinner, I'm not grading on a curve.

However, I am impressed with restaurants that can handle this. Places like Pit Room or Killen's that have late hours, but are still killing it are super impressive. In those situations, you have more than one pitmaster influencing the meats and/or you're having to hold the meats for longer than you'd like.

Even more impressive are the places that have managed to keep quality over multiple locations. Once you open your second location, it's never going to be as good as when you had one. Too many variables there. That's why I give Rudy's some credit with all of their locations. Once again, I'm not grading on a curve, but they manage to keep their average consistency across multiple locations through multiple meal windows. It's never great bbq, but it's notable for consistency.
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Objective Aggie
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In reply to CDub06 • 8:27a, 7/18/17
AG
CDub06 said:
That's why I give Rudy's some credit with all of their locations. Once again, I'm not grading on a curve, but they manage to keep their average consistency across multiple locations through multiple meal windows. It's never great bbq, but it's notable for consistency.
I hesitate to bring up Rudy's on this thread, but well, you brought it up.
Rudy's is way better than the Dickeys, Spring Creek, and the like. For a chain where you can be served in 3 minutes, it is a good option. It is not great BBQ. But on a good day, you can have a pretty nice meal.

The best quote on the subject I saw was here on Texags. Something like this:
Quote:
Rudys is the definition of average BBQ. If a place is better than Rudys, it should be considered good. If a place is worse than Rudys, then it would be bad BBQ.
Something like that.
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ILikeTacos
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In reply to Objective Aggie • 8:30a, 7/18/17
AG
Objective Aggie said:
CDub06 said:
That's why I give Rudy's some credit with all of their locations. Once again, I'm not grading on a curve, but they manage to keep their average consistency across multiple locations through multiple meal windows. It's never great bbq, but it's notable for consistency.
I hesitate to bring up Rudy's on this thread, but well, you brought it up.
Rudy's is way better than the Dickeys, Spring Creek, and the like. For a chain where you can be served in 3 minutes, it is a good option. It is not great BBQ. But on a good day, you can have a pretty nice meal.

The best quote on the subject I saw was here on Texags. Something like this:
Quote:
Rudys is the definition of average BBQ. If a place is better than Rudys, it should be considered good. If a place is worse than Rudys, then it would be bad BBQ.
Something like that.
I am fairly certain you are quoting the guy above you with that. I believe he said Rudy's is a B- or a C on his scale and anything at or above Rudy's is worth eating again, anything below sucks. Correct me if I am wrong CDub!

BTW I agree with this philosophy as well. Rudy's is the metric I use to judge all BBQ places by.
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RAM700BA
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8:39a, 7/18/17
AG
I know what I'm getting when I go to Rudy's. I like the consistency.
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CDub06
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In reply to Objective Aggie • 8:47a, 7/18/17
AG
Objective Aggie said:

Rudys is the definition of average BBQ. If a place is better than Rudys, it should be considered good. If a place is worse than Rudys, then it would be bad BBQ.


Yes indeed, that is my quote.
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Koldus131
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In reply to CDub06 • 9:28a, 7/18/17
AG
And it's the truth. Rudy's is perfectly average, just not anything you should ever go out of your way for. Also, ALWAYS ask for them to keep the bark on if you order Brisket
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agfan2013
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9:36a, 7/18/17
AG
Yep, agree with y'all about Rudy's. Usually find my way inside the CS place a few times a year. It's not bad, but it's not great, and it's comparable to the times I've had it in Houston and other places. A good metric to judge average BBQ and if it ranks better or worse than.

Anyways back to the top 50: headed back to truth for round 2 on Friday with the gf. Get another sticker for the passport and then swing by bluebell on the way out of town.
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Koldus131
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In reply to agfan2013 • 10:23a, 7/18/17
AG
Now that's a day. Let me know what the Friday line situation is like. I have a trip down to Brenham planned for the 18th of August so knowing a good line estimate would be helpful, since I haven't been to Truth post TM list madness.
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The Milkman
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In reply to Koldus131 • 11:01a, 7/18/17
AG
Koldus131 said:
And it's the truth. Rudy's is perfectly average, just not anything you should ever go out of your way for. Also, ALWAYS ask for them to keep the bark on if you order Brisket
To make it simpler, you should be ordering the turkey at Rudys.
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agcrock2005
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In reply to agfan2013 • 2:03p, 7/18/17
AG
agfan2013 said:


Anyways back to the top 50: headed back to truth for round 2 on Friday with the gf.


What does she look like?
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MathNewman06
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2:04p, 7/18/17
AG
My first corkscrew experience today. I was quite pleased.
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agfan2013
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In reply to agcrock2005 • 6:14p, 7/18/17
AG
11/10 for sure
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Flash02
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9:49p, 7/18/17
FYI LouieMuellerBBQ has been in the top five each and every TM top 50. No one can beat that. Keep going Wayne.
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wadd96
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10:50p, 7/18/17
AG
Have a bunch of out of town Field Sales personnel in town for New Hire training. Took them out to Louie's last week for lunch. 8 total in our party. Ordered 1 beef rib, 1.5# brisket (half and half,) 2 links each regular and jalepeno sausage, 8 bones of spares, and 0.5# turkey... add in a little slaw, potato salad and beans... lunch well eaten!

All the God's, all the Heavens, all the Hells are within you.
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BMX Bandit
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5:35a, 7/19/17
what did the rest of your group eat?
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wadd96
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In reply to BMX Bandit • 6:32a, 7/19/17
AG
You see those sauce cups?
All the God's, all the Heavens, all the Hells are within you.
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Stive
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7:30a, 7/19/17
AG
I'm in Austin today on busines and I'm going to be in the Mopac/290 area during lunch today. Where should I go?
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mslags97
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7:41a, 7/19/17
AG
So many choices, but I'm not sure about that area for BBQ. If you don't have a ton of time, try Terry Blacks near downtown on the other side of the river. It's really good, better than I expected, and there was no wait whatsoever a few months ago when I tried it.
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Koldus131
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In reply to Stive • 7:41a, 7/19/17
AG
I assume waiting in line for an hour isn't an option, so I'd say Terry Black's on Barton Springs Rd. The wait shouldn't be too long at all and it's pretty darn good
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mslags97
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In reply to Koldus131 • 7:42a, 7/19/17
AG
Too funny. Almost same time same responses!
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Koldus131
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In reply to mslags97 • 8:58a, 7/19/17
AG
Great minds think alike I guess
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The Pilot
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10:27a, 7/19/17
AG
If you go to Terry Black's aside from the usual spread of ribs and brisket, try the turkey. I usually don't order turkey but the lady did and it was fantastic.
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RAM700BA
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In reply to Stive • 12:20p, 7/19/17
AG
Stive said:
I'm in Austin today on busines and I'm going to be in the Mopac/290 area during lunch today. Where should I go?


Terry Blacks, Kerlin, Freedman's. Can't miss with those.
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Max Power
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1:10p, 7/19/17
AG
As a naive Texan I grew up not knowing access to quality bbq is limited throughout most of this country. I would probably weep from happiness if a Rudy's opened nearby me now that I'm no longer a resident. In my absence I've been able to get pretty solid at ribs, chicken, and the occasional pork butt. My brisket skills are still being honed, and unfortunately that's what I crave and no quality options are near me. You can travel all over the country, plenty of pockets where you can find quality pork. I've been to KC and I don't really understand why they think chunks of overcooked brisket swimming in sauce is something to be proud of. The Texas Monthly bbq list is truly an embarrassment of riches.

Do not take your access to quality brisket for granted.

It hits me the worst on the weekends when all I can think of is brisket or jalapeno sausage breakfast tacos, and the next best thing I have access to is a Chik-fil-a spicy chicken biscuit.
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NColoradoAG
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In reply to Max Power • 1:51p, 7/19/17
Max Power said:
I've been to KC and I don't really understand why they think chunks of overcooked brisket swimming in sauce is something to be proud of.
Completely agree. Burnt Ends are the most overrated thing in all of BBQ.
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cheeky
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In reply to MathNewman06 • 11:50p, 7/19/17
AG
MathNewman06 said:
My first corkscrew experience today. I was quite pleased.
Finally made it to Corkscrew last week. Outstanding!
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agcrock2005
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In reply to NColoradoAG • 9:01a, 7/20/17
AG
Quote:
Completely agree. Bacon Burnt Ends from Heim are the most overrated thing in all of BBQ.
FIFY
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CDub06
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In reply to agcrock2005 • 9:12a, 7/20/17
AG
I will fight you
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agcrock2005
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In reply to CDub06 • 9:57a, 7/20/17
agfan2013
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11:50a, 7/20/17
agfan2013
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11:55a, 7/20/17
AG
Oops, screwed up the first post above.

Just as a heads up for you people in B/CS, looks like Fargos will be closed until they're in the new location. Went to get lunch for the office today and the old place is closed down but they aren't into the new building yet either. Kind of disappointing as there was no heads up on their marquee sign out front or anything, and in a local news interview a few months back they said they would be moving starting August 1.

Unfortunately had to end up supplementing with C&J's instead
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ChipFTAC01
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1:56p, 7/20/17
AG
It's not top 50 quality of rarified bbq air, but I really enjoy brisket house in Houston. My sister is in town from Colorado and wanted bbq before heading home tomorrow and it's convenient to my office.

Brisket was super moist, jalapeo sausage was on point and their beans are fantastic.
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CDub06
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In reply to agfan2013 • 2:45p, 7/20/17
AG
agfan2013 said:
Oops, screwed up the first post above.

Just as a heads up for you people in B/CS, looks like Fargos will be closed until they're in the new location. Went to get lunch for the office today and the old place is closed down but they aren't into the new building yet either. Kind of disappointing as there was no heads up on their marquee sign out front or anything, and in a local news interview a few months back they said they would be moving starting August 1.

Unfortunately had to end up supplementing with C&J's instead


Just say no to C&J's...

There's always Kreuz or at least Rudy's to hold you over.
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Objective Aggie
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3:33p, 7/20/17
AG
I like Kreuz. Its a great option.
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agfan2013
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In reply to CDub06 • 4:46p, 7/20/17
AG
Oh I know, Kreuz is my second favorite in town behind Fargo's. But I was caught in a time crunch and needed to get back to the office, so luckily for C&Js they are also right there on Texas Avenue just a couple minutes away from both Fargos's old and new locations.
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