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Texas Monthly 2017 Top 50 BBQ Joints

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Aggie1946
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4:17p, 9/25/17


Franklin at the Harvey relief benefit. Still the best lean brisket I've ever had. Pulled pork was excellent as well. Bread, pork and a little espresso sauce was delicious. Coleslaw grew on me and was pretty
Good this go round. I also really enjoyed the potato salad. Half a link of sausage was awesome. I'm not sure why everyone hates on his sausage because it's really good IMO. Sorry for the crappy pic everything was piled in the box and I didn't have a way to spread it all out.
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RAM700BA
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 6:34p, 9/25/17
AG
I remember when I went to Franklin's with agfan2013 a few months back and he told me he was going to try the lean brisket. I gave him a funny look and said he was crazy to wait 4 hours for lean brisket. Then they started cutting the lean brisket and I could barely tell the difference between the lean and the fatty. It's honestly some sort of witchcraft.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to RAM700BA • 7:44p, 9/25/17
Yessir. That is exactly how it seemed to me as well. When lean is done perfectly it's something else, but very few can do it perfectly.

I'm pretty sure Franklin said he prefers lean in his book. I can see why considering how well he cooks it.
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Koldus131
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 9:45p, 9/25/17
AG
In my opinion, the lean is what sets Franklin apart at #1. I've been all over the state and to all of the elite places, and Franklin's lean brisket stands apart from any other lean I've had. It's perfection and I might even prefer it to the moist. I have no idea how it somehow never dries out.
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CDub06
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In reply to Koldus131 • 8:15a, 9/26/17
AG
One of Aaron's "secrets" is that he sources some really prime brisket. The higher end stuff that he uses has more fat content than the choice & select stuff. That's especially evident on the lean end of the brisket. That's what gets you those drippy, moist, and perfect bites.
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lazuras_dc
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9:05a, 9/26/17
AG
Did they say when they may be back open ? I'm afraid when they do the lines will be even longer !
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Koldus131
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9:48a, 9/26/17
AG
Great stuff in this article. Also says Franklin will try to reopen sometime around Thanksgiving.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/fire-look-inside-franklin-barbecue/
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Aggie1946
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In reply to CDub06 • 11:48a, 9/26/17
Is he still using creekstone prime?
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CDub06
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 12:59p, 9/26/17
AG
I don't know who he's using (that's why I left that detail blank )

I just know that he and Ronnie Killen are among the most picky with sourcing their meats. And it shows in the product.

I'd imagine all of the guys in the Top 10 are using Prime briskets that most of us don't use in our back yards. That's my excuse anyway.
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agfan2013
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In reply to CDub06 • 1:47p, 9/26/17
AG
I know truth uses 44 farms up in Cameron, and I thought I had read awhile back where Franklin sourced his, but can't recall where it was now.

I do remember how he was one of the first to start using primes and how many places have switched over to it now.

And that lean brisket I had a month or two ago from Franklin's may very well be the best I've ever had. Agree with all of y'all stating he does it better than anyone else and it's just as moist/tender as the fatty side.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to agfan2013 • 1:56p, 9/26/17
agfan2013 said:
I know truth uses 44 farms up in Cameron, and I thought I had read awhile back where Franklin sourced his, but can't recall where it was now.

I do remember how he was one of the first to start using primes and how many places have switched over to it now.

And that lean brisket I had a month or two ago from Franklin's may very well be the best I've ever had. Agree with all of y'all stating he does it better than anyone else and it's just as moist/tender as the fatty side.
In his book he says he uses Creekstone Prime. I also heard him on a recent podcast say he has them at max capacity. Killen was using the same but recently switched to Snake River. I have a buddy who works there and he got me three smaller briskets at 3/lb. I couldn't cook them as well as my normal Costco primes. I tried cooking them exactly the same and they ended up overcooked.
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wadd96
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3:27p, 9/26/17
AG
We cooked a bunch of Creekstone's last go round... and a couple of Excels... TBH, the Excel was a better end product.
All the God's, all the Heavens, all the Hells are within you.
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agcrock2005
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 8:37p, 9/26/17
AG
I've cooked some SRF briskets and because they are so fatty they cook a lot quicker. Easy to overcook for sure. They are badass but not worth $200 IMO.
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NColoradoAG
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9:21p, 9/26/17
Ive cooked Creekstone Farms Prime, SRF, and Costco Prime briskets this summer and the Costcos have all turned out best and cost 60-75% less.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to NColoradoAG • 10:06p, 9/26/17
NColoradoAG said:
Ive cooked Creekstone Farms Prime, SRF, and Costco Prime briskets this summer and the Costcos have all turned out best and cost 60-75% less.
I'm glad its not just me. I love the Costco Primes. Wish they would sell prime beef ribs here.
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BurnetAggie99
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 10:19p, 9/26/17
For the money the Prime Whole Packer Briskets are hard to beat. While I haven't seen Prime Plate Short Ribs there the one I go to always has Choice Plate Short Ribs and they are very reasonable.
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NColoradoAG
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9:17a, 9/27/17
I had never seen Prime beef ribs at the two Costco's nearest me, but came across some about a month ago at one in South Denver.
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NColoradoAG
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4:22p, 10/2/17
Anyone think the line at Snow's will be better or worse this weekend for Bama? Looking back in the thread it seems 7am is the absolute latest you'd want to be there.

Contemplating heading over there since it's a night game.
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Koldus131
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In reply to NColoradoAG • 5:09p, 10/2/17
AG
I went on Saturday and got there at 6:30, was about the 5th or 6th party in line. You should be just fine if you show up at 7.

It may be a little busier this weekend since both A&M and the sips have Home games but it shouldn't be too terrible. It seems like the Texas Monthly hype has died down a bit. Kerry also came out at about 7:15 and started giving away small yeti accessories and hats to people who knew Snow's fun facts, so come prepared!
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Aggie1946
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In reply to NColoradoAG • 5:14p, 10/2/17
NColoradoAG said:
Anyone think the line at Snow's will be better or worse this weekend for Bama? Looking back in the thread it seems 7am is the absolute latest you'd want to be there.

Contemplating heading over there since it's a night game.
I went a couple weeks ago and showed up at 9. There was a line but it wasn't crazy. I would think 7 would be fine.
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Blanco Jimenez
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7:25p, 10/2/17
AG
What kind of line should one expect at 2M on a Saturday? What time should we get there to get in line?
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Aggie1946
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In reply to Blanco Jimenez • 10:27p, 10/2/17
Blanco Jimenez said:
What kind of line should one expect at 2M on a Saturday? What time should we get there to get in line?
My only experience was on a Friday. Got there probably 15 minutes early and were 2nd or 3rd in line. Id bet you'd be good getting there 20-30 early.
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lazuras_dc
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9:36a, 10/3/17
AG
A few Sundays ago I picked up food at 1020 and there was about 20 people in line.
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Bulldog73
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9:43a, 10/3/17
AG
We went to Flores BBQ in Whitney. They've moved inside an old pub (same address), and it was dang good. My wife and I walked out of there for $30 stuffed, with dessert (very good banana pudding) and free beer. I'm not a BBQ snob/expert, but their ribs had a great smoke flavor and great texture. I got the moist brisket while my wife got the lean, and they were both exceptional.

I know for Texas BBQ sauce is often sacrilege, and this stuff didn't need any, but the sauce was great too. As it was so good, I couldn't help but use some. I think their pickles are homemade and solid dill. Their potato salad was mustard base (but needed some salt), and their cole slaw was pretty good too (but not great). I saw a couple reviews saying the beans weren't that good, so I didn't try them.
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CDub06
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9:49a, 10/3/17
AG
Visited the new Fargo's location last weekend (first in line!). Gamechanging to be able to get your own refills. However, the quality of meats was a bit off. Hope it was just a fluke or growing pains or something. There were several firsttimers there and a few Arkansas fans. Hopefully this didn't put a bad taste in their mouth...

Got an order in for Snow's this weekend.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to Bulldog73 • 7:17p, 10/3/17
Really liked this article on Texas Style barbecue and sauce.

Some of my favorites were Cattleack, Terry Blacks, 2M, La and Franklin. I even liked the Mueller sauce on some
Beef rib on a slice of white bread. I'd buy Cattleack's if they start selling it. I wasn't a big fan of Snow's or Truth.
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CyAg
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9:04p, 10/3/17
AG
Interesting article A46 and thanks for posting... I normally don't pay any attention to the sauce since I don't use them but obviously to each their own.
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Bulldog73
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9:16p, 10/3/17
AG
Thanks for posting. Interesting stuff. I would've drank that sauce if my wife would've let me.
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Koldus131
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11:47a, 10/4/17
AG
Ran into CDub06 at Bodacious in Longview today. Talk about an awesome place for 2 Ags to meet!
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Stive
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In reply to Koldus131 • 12:15p, 10/4/17
AG
What'd you guys think of it? I had a mixed experience.
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agcrock2005
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In reply to Koldus131 • 12:47p, 10/4/17
AG
Cool. Saw his twitter post. Sounds like it was legit.
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MookieBlaylock
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7:37p, 10/4/17
AG
Does cdub06 look like I think he does?

Fishing shirt stuffed into some wranglers with a big apron that has his notebook in it around his neck

Smells like flat nosed Carrie with a goatee and a osu Gundy cut



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CDub06
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In reply to Koldus131 • 9:13p, 10/4/17
AG
Yes! It was awesome to meet you. Had no idea we had so many mutual friends.

Bodacious was excellent. The moist brisket held together but was so tender, it made me want to use the worst cliche in the book. It was really, really good IMO. The turkey may have been the best I've ever had. Sausage and ribs were great. Pulled pork was average.

Stanley's for dinner. Good as usual.

Going to Jefferson tomorrow for a 4th trip to Joseph's Riverport.

Kind of an impromptu work trip (decided yesterday). Had to break out of the office. I've neen cooped up for far too long recently.
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CDub06
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In reply to MookieBlaylock • 9:15p, 10/4/17
AG
MookieBlaylock said:
Does cdub06 look like I think he does?

Fishing shirt stuffed into some wranglers with a big apron that has his notebook in it around his neck

Smells like flat nosed Carrie with a goatee and a osu Gundy cut

I'm offended. Who uses a notebook these days? I take notes on my greasy phone.
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CDub06
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11:00a, 10/6/17
AG
I always forget how good Joseph's is. My meal from yesterday. Brisket wasn't as dry as it looks. Tremendous smoke and flavor. Ribs are meaty and juicy and wonderful as well. Holds its A- Grade all around




OH! I think I've found a way to get to Cattlelack in a couple of weeks. Finally.
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