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Texas Monthly 2017 Top 50 BBQ Joints

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agcrock2005
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 9:18p, 7/27/17
AG
If you get busy in Dallas and short on time and have to choose one over the other, cattleack WAY better than pecan lodge. I don't have PL in my top 5 in dfw FWIW.

And your trip sounds awesome!
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Aggie1946
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In reply to agcrock2005 • 9:50p, 7/27/17
agcrock2005 said:
If you get busy in Dallas and short on time and have to choose one over the other, cattleack WAY better than pecan lodge. I don't have PL in my top 5 in dfw FWIW.

And your trip sounds awesome!
Right now the plan is

Wednesday - Pecan Lodge. We're coming from Kansas City and will hopefully leave early enough to make it here. Hutchins is another option that looks really good. Open to suggestions here.
Thursday - Cattleack in the morning. Head to the Austin area and maybe check out Mueller or Franklin to try and sneak in at the end.
Friday - head to San Antonio and 2M then back to Austin for La Barbecue if I can get a pre order for 1:30-2ish.
Saturday - Snows at 6ish hopefully have time to head to Truth afterward.
Sunday - Valentina's early and then drive back home.

Let me know what everyone thinks. I'm keeping places like Mueller, Freedmans, Black Box and a couple others as possibilities Thursday and Friday later in the day.
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BurnetAggie99
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 10:39p, 7/27/17
I'd add Louie Muller in Taylor to your list
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Aggie1946
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10:44p, 7/27/17
I was thinking Mueller Thursday after Cattleack but wasn't sure if they would be sold out at 2-3PM. It seems like a lot of people on this thread have said it's overrated so I had been leaning away from going.
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agfan2013
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 10:45p, 7/27/17
AG
Your Saturday is going to be hard to do, but it might work. Even being in line at 6, you won't be the first one in the door so hopefully you get food and leave by 9. Hour drive down to Brenham...not sure what time truth runs out but the line will be long by 10.
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BurnetAggie99
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 10:56p, 7/27/17
It's Top 5 in the State and one of personal favorites. Stick to Moist Brisket, Beef Ribs, and their Texas Hot Gut style Sausage.
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Aggie1946
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10:56p, 7/27/17
It sounded like some others on this thread had been at truth around 1030 and made out alright. I will be cutting it close. Hopefully someone with recent experience at Truth can give some insight into their current line.
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Koldus131
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 10:56p, 7/27/17
AG
Hutchins over Pecan Lodge, but that's just my personal opinion
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Aggie1946
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In reply to BurnetAggie99 • 10:58p, 7/27/17
Awesome, any idea when they normally sell out? Would 2-3 PM be too late ? I have heard they take call aheads. I emailed today but haven't heard back
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Aggie1946
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In reply to Koldus131 • 10:59p, 7/27/17
Hmmm, sounds good. Hutchins looks awesome. I've had PL stuck in my head since the last top 50. I guess it has declined since then.
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BurnetAggie99
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 11:01p, 7/27/17
Just depends I've been able to get BBQ around 2 or 3 then some days it's gone by 1. I'd call and see if they let you place a order ahead
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cc10106
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12:37a, 7/28/17


Went to The Pit Room for lunch and enjoyed it more compared to last time I visited around when they opened, putting it in my top 5 Houston bbq joints. I was going to pass on sides this time, but the mac & cheese was on point, along with their hot mustard sauce which isn't pictured. It will be difficult to pass on the pork sausage and turkey on future visits as well. Since I like to order enough for leftovers, I have figured out that getting a 1/4 lb of a variety works out well for me while also keeping the bill reasonable.
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BMX Bandit
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In reply to cc10106 • 5:58a, 7/28/17
Did you box up the expected leftovers before you took the picture?
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The Milkman
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7:42a, 7/28/17
AG
Headed to Tejas for lunch tomorrow for the first time. Excited to try it.

Also, who here is doing the BBQ Passport? How many stickers do y'all have so far? Tejas will make 9
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agcrock2005
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 7:54a, 7/28/17
AG
Aggie1946 said:
Hmmm, sounds good. Hutchins looks awesome. I've had PL stuck in my head since the last top 50. I guess it has declined since then.
Hutchins is definitely much higher on my list than PL. I've eaten at both and the one in McKinney is my favorite but they're both very good.

Re: Louie Mueller, my in-laws live in Taylor so I've eaten there a million times and they really struggle on the consistency. I've had it and though it was incredible, but unfortunately that's about 25% of the time. The atmosphere is incredible though and if you're near there I think you should stop in and grab something to try.
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Objective Aggie
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In reply to agcrock2005 • 7:57a, 7/28/17
AG
agcrock2005 said:
Aggie1946 said:
Hmmm, sounds good. Hutchins looks awesome. I've had PL stuck in my head since the last top 50. I guess it has declined since then.
Hutchins is definitely much higher on my list than PL. I've eaten at both and the one in McKinney is my favorite but they're both very good.

Re: Louie Mueller, my in-laws live in Taylor so I've eaten there a million times and they really struggle on the consistency. I've had it and though it was incredible, but unfortunately that's about 25% of the time. The atmosphere is incredible though and if you're near there I think you should stop in and grab something to try.

I posted something earlier. This is exactly right. A lot of people will say LM Is overrated, but the reality is they hit it on an off day. Hit it an a good day and it is amazing. Consistency is important for sure (see Franklins), but LM can compete with anyone when they are on.
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wadd96
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In reply to The Milkman • 8:27a, 7/28/17
AG
Go check out their new 1000 gallon pit made my Moberg Smokers...
All the God's, all the Heavens, all the Hells are within you.
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CDub06
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 8:35a, 7/28/17
AG
Aggie1946 said:

Right now the plan is

Wednesday - Pecan Lodge. We're coming from Kansas City and will hopefully leave early enough to make it here. Hutchins is another option that looks really good. Open to suggestions here.
Thursday - Cattleack in the morning. Head to the Austin area and maybe check out Mueller or Franklin to try and sneak in at the end.
Friday - head to San Antonio and 2M then back to Austin for La Barbecue if I can get a pre order for 1:30-2ish.
Saturday - Snows at 6ish hopefully have time to head to Truth afterward.
Sunday - Valentina's early and then drive back home.

Let me know what everyone thinks. I'm keeping places like Mueller, Freedmans, Black Box and a couple others as possibilities Thursday and Friday later in the day.
I think you're going a little too bold there. Two options if you want other stop(s) on Thursday after Cattleack:
1. Stay in the Metroplex
  • Hutchins should absolutely be on your list. It's better than Pecan Lodge IMO. Lockhart Smokehouse is another great option (not the Plano location).


Or 2. Aim a little lower than Franklin & LM.
  • Not Top 50, BUT Guess Family Barbecue in Waco is phenominal. They're serving on Thursdays now and are located at Bare Arms brewing.
  • You have Miller's in Belton on the way home. Great food, great new location.
  • Call ahead to LM to see what meats they have left before exiting 35.
  • Freedman's is excellent and a great place to end the day. Terry Blacks is another place that does a dinner turn.

Swing by Micklethwait on Friday as well to see if they have any meats. You'll be in the neighborhood with la Barbecue anyway. I'm not sure what Micklethwait's lines are looking like with the Top 10 nod.

I'd think that you should have plenty of time to do Snow's and Truth on Saturday. And I guess that's all you need in order to do either nowadays: Time.
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CDub06
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In reply to cc10106 • 8:42a, 7/28/17
AG
I took my parents to Pit Room last night. It's where I typically take people from out of town if they're looking for Houston BBQ at dinnertime. Always solid. I've loved Pit Room since Day 1, but I swear their pork ribs have gotten better with each visit. And to the okra connoisseur above, I'm going to keep banging my drum about Pit Room's sauteed okra - it is amazing (and it was on the menu last night). Missing from your photo is the pulled pork, which is probably my 2nd favorite in the area (I love you Corkscrew) and the chicken - which I think Pit Room has perfected.
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Koldus131
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 8:47a, 7/28/17
AG
Get the all you can eat plate. Best bargain in Texas BBQ
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Aggie1946
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In reply to CDub06 • 8:48a, 7/28/17
Thanks for the detailed reply. Sticking to the metroplex Thursday would definitely be easier. Maybe go to Hutchins that night as it looks like they're open a bit later. I just spoke to La BBQ and they allow pick up for pre orders as late as 5:30 so I'll probably pick up some moist brisket around 5 on Friday. That was my favorite item out of them, Franklin and Micklethewait on my last visit. I also found out Snows offered pre orders but they're to go only. I could pick up at 8:30 to ensure we make Truth, but I kind of enjoy hanging out for a while and eating on site.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to Koldus131 • 8:49a, 7/28/17
Yessir.
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CDub06
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 9:01a, 7/28/17
AG
Aggie1946 said:
I also found out Snows offered per orders but they're to go only. I could pick up at 8:30 to ensure we make Truth, but is kind of enjoy hanging out for a while and eating on sight.
Ok, there's a baller move. Eating Snow's in line while waiting for Truth to open.
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BurnetAggie99
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9:04a, 7/28/17
I eat a Louie Mueller once a week and been there a million times, I've always had great experience.

Could always hit the Hill County coming back from SA. You got Opie's BBQ in Spicewood, Payne's BBQ Shak in Burnet which is Top 50 now twice in the TM ratings and its in my hometown of Burnet. It's to bad Highway 29 BBQ closed in Bertram as it was legit and also Outstanding BBQ.

Payne's BBQ in Burnet the moist brisket & pork ribs are great. A third option is the pork steak. I like a true German style hot gut style sausage and he makes his sausage with 100% beef no pork and it's not a hot gut style sausage. I usually skip the sausage there. Some people love it.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/paynes-bar-b-q-shak-2014/

Opie's has been in the Top 50 before but didn't make the recent list though it should have. They moist brisket, prime rib, sweet & spicy ribs, and sausage are my favorites.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/restaurant/opies-barbecue/


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BurnetAggie99
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9:17a, 7/28/17
Also John Mueller is now in Georgetown,TX Black Box BBQ. As always it's on point Moist Bridket, Beef Ribs, and German Style Texas Hot Gut Sausage.

https://www.blackboxbbq.com/
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wadd96
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In reply to BurnetAggie99 • 9:19a, 7/28/17
AG
Only if you eat the brisket immediately... even John will tell you that if you let it sit, it will dry out fast due to the "hot and fast" cooking method...
All the God's, all the Heavens, all the Hells are within you.
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BurnetAggie99
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In reply to wadd96 • 9:28a, 7/28/17
I always eat the brisket first, then the Beef Rib and sausage. I wish one of the damn Mueller places would bring back the Chipotle sausage. That stuff was awesome.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to BurnetAggie99 • 9:41a, 7/28/17
Thanks for all suggestions. Everything sounds great. Freedmans would be a nice "fancy" dinner that my wife would enjoy.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to BurnetAggie99 • 9:47a, 7/28/17
Black Box is really intriguing. I may not make it there this trip but they're on my list.
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BurnetAggie99
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 9:57a, 7/28/17
Yea John Mueller can put some BBQ out even though he breaks away from Mueller family tradition of cooking slow but he's always cooked his brisket fast ever since he broke out on his own. Just eat the moist brisket first then eat the Beef Ribs and Sausage after.
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Here4Beer
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In reply to The Milkman • 10:17a, 7/28/17
AG
The Milkman said:
Headed to Tejas for lunch tomorrow for the first time. Excited to try it.

Also, who here is doing the BBQ Passport? How many stickers do y'all have so far? Tejas will make 9

Burnt Ends, Moist brisket, and the Half Yard bird are the best I've personally ever had. Ribs and sausage are decent but nothing to write home about. Oh, and please for the love of god get their Carrot Souffl.
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cc10106
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In reply to BMX Bandit • 10:27a, 7/28/17
BMX Bandit said:
Did you box up the expected leftovers before you took the picture?
Nah, but if I had sat inside with the A/C and TV, I might have eaten all of it. And by "leftovers", I mean a snack.

CDub, I don't recall the okra being on the lunch menu yesterday, but I will def get that and the others you mentioned next time.
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Boiling Denim
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12:41p, 7/28/17
Went to Pit Room for the first time today and it was damn good

The cheddar jalapeo sausage was amazing probably some of the best I've had and the pork ribs were great as well. I thought the brisket was the weakest part so return trips will prob sub that out with pulled pork or chicken.

Got the potato salad and beans which were also on point.

Overall highly recommend and since it's only a mile away from home will def be a regular now
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agcrock2005
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In reply to CDub06 • 2:42p, 7/28/17
AG
Quote:
Lockhart Smokehouse is another great option (not the Plano location).
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CDub06
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In reply to agcrock2005 • 3:14p, 7/28/17
AG
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