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Texas Monthly 2017 Top 50 BBQ Joints

444,179 Views | 2661 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by agfan2013
Koldus131
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AG
Maybe restaurants were giving other things away to prove that the person was there if they ran out of stickers to give away, and Yeti was honoring that. Now that the places all have stamps that won't run out, they will only honor stickers or stamps. That's what makes the most sense to me.
agfan2013
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ok, that makes sense. good deal, im working on the rambler jug (5 places that have trained under the Muellers) and already have the hardest one to get which is Franklins, so I wasnt gonna be happy if I'd have to go back to get all stamps instead haha. Hoping to add 2M here soon and then hit the two Austin places within the next couple of months.

At this stage all I think Im going to get is the hat, jug, and t-shirt. I've got Franklins, Louie Muellers, Blue Moon, and Truth right now.

Will hopefully end up at 2M, La BBQ, Stiles Switch, Mickelthwait, Freedmans, Fargos, & hopefully be in Houston at some point to try Corckscrew/killiens/Tejas.
CDub06
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Kind of discouraging for me as I've been to most of them (multiple times in most cases), but don't have the time to hit them again right now. So right now, I'm sitting at a book with all the Houston joints marked off along with Lockhart Smokehouse and Harris BBQ. I'm just in it for the meats.
The Pilot
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I've been to about 1/3 of them prior to the contest. You also have until 2020 to complete the book, or whenever prizes run out.

Also with the stamps will have to make sure I pretty much leave the book in the car. I've been to a few places just because I was nearby and was able to get the sticker and place in the book later.
wadd96
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If I had to guess, and this is a W.A.G., there were probably some instances of places doing initials once they ran out of stickers...
All the God's, all the Heavens, all the Hells are within you.
FTAG 2000
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Another data point for folks.

Friday morning, in line at Franklins. Got here at 7:35. Roughly 20th in line, estimated 11:30-12 for eat time.
agfan2013
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AG 2000' said:

Another data point for folks.

Friday morning, in line at Franklins. Got here at 7:35. Roughly 20th in line, estimated 11:30-12 for eat time.

Damn that seems to be light compared to the past, something going on in Austin this weekend that has everybody else busy? I realize Saturday's are a bit different but when I was there a month ago at 7:45 we were no where close to 20th in line and ate closer to 1:30
Objective Aggie
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AG
Start of school and end of vacations??
lazuras_dc
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AG
Just got in line at cattleack about 30back. Will report soon.
lazuras_dc
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Doors opened at 1025.
FTAG 2000
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agfan2013 said:

AG 2000' said:

Another data point for folks.

Friday morning, in line at Franklins. Got here at 7:35. Roughly 20th in line, estimated 11:30-12 for eat time.

Damn that seems to be light compared to the past, something going on in Austin this weekend that has everybody else busy? I realize Saturday's are a bit different but when I was there a month ago at 7:45 we were no where close to 20th in line and ate closer to 1:30


No idea on other happenings, school starting and vacations over seem like a good bet.

Side note, like the people showing up now, looking at the line, and asking if it's really the line for Franklins. Nope, we are all just standing besides the place for the hell of it, go right on up to the front /here'syoursign
agcrock2005
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AG
Place is badass. I'm jealous.
NColoradoAG
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I'm assuming Fargo's has finished moving and is open? Looking forward to getting over there on 9/15 when I'm in town.

Also counting down the day until 10/27 when I can finally get back to Franklins.
Koldus131
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AG
Yes, they're still adjusting to the new space atmosphere-wise, but I went there yesterday and it was packed. Alan told me they've been doing a ton more business since they moved. Very happy for them!
lazuras_dc
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got food at 10:55, line moved very fast once doors opened. Absolutely delicious.
couldn't really tell difference from memory between snow's and cattelack for brisket.
Beef rib was fantastic, great flavor and texture and fat rendered really well.
Pork rib fantastic - had a sweet flavor to it not overly peppery like i had at Truth.

couple sitting next to me let me have a bite of sausage.. had an interesting flavor but again Im not a big fan of it in general.

overall I think every item was better than truth except sausage.
Koldus131
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AG
Some Yeti sticker drama... thoughts? People will be pissed because bodacious is in multiple challenges. I don't think this will last.

https://instagr.am/p/BX8LChQliqM
NColoradoAG
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Koldus131 said:

Some Yeti sticker drama... thoughts? People will be pissed because bodacious is in multiple challenges. I don't think this will last.

https://instagr.am/p/BX8LChQliqM
Koldus131
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AG
They just said TM called and talked them off of the ledge. It also sounds like some people were being *******s and breaking rules. I will never understand people who are driving around to get stickers and don't even get food. Just buy the damn cooler...
NColoradoAG
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Koldus131 said:

They just said TM called and talked them off of the ledge. It also sounds like some people were being *******s and breaking rules. I will never understand people who are driving around to get stickers and don't even get food. Just buy the damn cooler...
I imagine the people coming in just for stickers are the ones who are mailing their booklet around to all their buddies across Texas.
Guitarsoup
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AG
I wish I could get something for going to Corkscrew 50 times.
agcrock2005
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AG
Koldus131 said:

They just said TM called and talked them off of the ledge.
Guy seems like a whiny little *****. He complained about working 13 hour days and his "complaint is about people who walk to the front of my line while there is a line to be door and they have 5 books and want stickers for people who aren't even with them and they are skipping my line for a sticker,"

My dream job would be working 13 hour days cooking ****ing BBQ! Hell I do it on the weekends and sell my stuff to my neighbors just so I have enough demand to do it again the next weekend! I guarantee you his business has increased exponentially since TM gave him the recognition a few months ago. I wonder if Daniel Vaughn was a little perturbed by this.
agcrock2005
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AG
Brisket looks delicious.
agcrock2005
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AG
How was Franklin's?
Stive
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I'm confused by the Bodacious thing. Ate there last week and they had a sign up that basically said, "We know some of you are trying to hit multiple places in a single day to get stickers so we have an express option for you".

I don't remember what the express option was but they were trying to accommodate the people that were trying to hit the 3 NE Texas spots all in one day. That's weird that they go from trying to help people in one week to shutting them out completely the next.
NColoradoAG
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Koldus131 said:

Some Yeti sticker drama... thoughts? People will be pissed because bodacious is in multiple challenges. I don't think this will last.

https://instagr.am/p/BX8LChQliqM

Stive said:

I'm confused by the Bodacious thing. Ate there last week and they had a sign up that basically said, "We know some of you are trying to hit multiple places in a single day to get stickers so we have an express option for you".

I don't remember what the express option was but they were trying to accommodate the people that were trying to hit the 3 NE Texas spots all in one day. That's weird that they go from trying to help people in one week to shutting them out completely the next.
RAM700BA
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AG
Can anyone comment on the line at 2M on a Saturday? What is the best time to get there?
Koldus131
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Hit up Evie Mae's on the way to Colorado today and everything was outstanding sans the pulled pork. Brisket was amazing.

As for 2M on a Saturday, I can't say for sure but I got there at 10:30 on a Sunday morning and was about 20th in line. Would guess that you need to get there earlier on a Saturday if you want to eat early
gillom
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First and only trip to Blacks in Lockhart today. Brisket and Sausage were incredibly dry. Sides were better but still just average. Worst I've been to since moving to Austin 2 years ago.
RAM700BA
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AG
gillom said:

First and only trip to Blacks in Lockhart today. Brisket and Sausage were incredibly dry. Sides were better but still just average. Worst I've been to since moving to Austin 2 years ago.


I gained my appreciation for elite BBQ living in Austin the past 3-4 years. When I did the Lockhart crawl a few months ago I was thoroughly disappointed. At every place I got a rib, brisket, and sausage. Kreuz was the least appetizing, Black's was just meh, and Smitty's was good. However I would still rank Smitty's below every place I've been in Austin. I think the places in Lockhart are stuck in their ways, and are being passed up by more modern techniques.

Need to give Chisholm Trail and City Market a try.
PFG
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Very true. Once you've done the best of i35...Austin, 2M in SA, and Hays CO in San Marcos - there's no reason to side trip to Lockhart. It's not bad BBQ, it's just lost a ton of ground to the best.

Today, you do Lockhart to say you've been, not for the food.

Luling still has its place, for ribs and hot links. And price. You walk into Luling and order 2 ribs, a hot link, bread, pickles and onion, small beans and a drink. You can pay with a $10 bill and get change.
gillom
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AG
Glad it's not just me...
CDub06
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I've eaten at a few places and still think Black's moist brisket is elite.
agcrock2005
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Quote:

Today, you do Lockhart to say you've been, not for the food.
Agree with this. Lockhart is definitely something to experience if you're into the history of Texas BBQ but quality-wise it is crap compared to the Franklin's, Snows, Micklethwait's, et al that have been slaying it for the last decade or so in Central TX. Every once-in-a-while you might get some top tier stuff from Blacks but it's been less than 50/50 in my experience. If I were going anywhere in Lockhart it would be Smitty's just for the atmosphere.
agfan2013
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Im starting to agree with the above from all the accounts I hear out of that area. I've only been to Black's once, a few years back, and the brisket was phenomenal and right up with some of the best I've had. But between a few friends going through there, and more importantly having customers from work who live out there and go very regularly, it sounds like Lockhart just isnt the place it used to be. They did say when Black's or Smitty's is on, it can be very good, just that they seem to have far more off days than in the past. When is the last time you went CDub06? My guess is it hasnt been too recently.
Objective Aggie
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So which BBQ place has the best atmosphere (not ranked on food)?

For me,
#1 Smittys. It's a walk back in time.
#2 Louie Muellers. the smoke-filled business cards, screen door. Yep
#3 Goode Company (the one on 1-10), This was my favorite place to take a Yankee when I worked in Houston. It was just the quintessential Texas experience with the cowhide chairs and Texas decor. The BBQ is not even close to elite but it has its own character. Their beans and pie are the best anywhere.

Never been to Luling City Market but I imagine it would be up there.
 
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