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Texas Monthly 2017 Top 50 BBQ Joints

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lazuras_dc
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9:20a, 4/7/18
AG
I got here to Valentina's 845am and had one person in front of me. There were about 20 ppl dining already. They did serve lunch items and meat by the pound this morning.

Got a real deal Holyfield and a brisket taco and a beef rib. Person I was with got 2 egg cheese and brisket taco.

Real deal was sliced brisket and easily the best taco I had here... maybe ever? Brisket taco was semi shredded and decent.

Beef rib was as good as La BBQ. Cool atmosphere. Would come again !!!



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Cowboy Curtis
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In reply to lazuras_dc • 9:37a, 4/7/18
AG
Nice! Sorry for the misinformation on my previous post. I've never ordered lunch that early!
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Aggie1946
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In reply to lazuras_dc • 9:39a, 4/7/18
Sounds amazing! Beef rib for breakfast! You have my respect sir!
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sanitariex
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9:48a, 4/7/18
AG
Coming to Austin later this month for a wedding. Planning on taking the family to Micklethwait on Saturday morning, and Valentina's on Sunday morning.
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RAM700BA
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In reply to sanitariex • 1:13p, 4/7/18
AG
sanitariex said:
Coming to Austin later this month for a wedding. Planning on taking the family to Micklethwait on Saturday morning, and Valentina's on Sunday morning.


Honestly I'd recommend Terry Black's or Kerlin BBQ over Micklethwait. Unless you just want to try housemade sausage over brisket and ribs. The wait and seating at TB's is like a Rudy's, but the bbq is truly elite. Kerlin is also a food truck, so parking is a bit hairy, but the brisket and ribs are better than Micklethwait. Especially the ribs. Freedman's is also a good option.

Terry Black's:



Kerlin BBQ: (corn isn't in season right now)


Mickelthwait:
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Martin Cash
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2:10p, 4/7/18
AG
But Terry Black's doesn't have an 18 hour line to stand in. It can't be any good!!!!!
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sanitariex
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In reply to RAM700BA • 2:16p, 4/7/18
AG
I was mostly doing Micklethwait based on our cousin's recommendation who lives there. But, we have a lot of people from Ohio so the idea of standing in a line is foreign to them. They'd probably appreciate Terry Blacks a little more thanks for the heads up!
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Aggie1946
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In reply to sanitariex • 2:18p, 4/7/18
Last time I had micklthewait it wasn't very good. Terry Blacks was incredible though.
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Cowboy Curtis
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In reply to sanitariex • 2:19p, 4/7/18
AG
Kerlin's is better than Micklethwait IMO.
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sanitariex
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 2:19p, 4/7/18
AG
Sold!
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CDub06
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3:40p, 4/7/18
AG
I've been to a Terry Blacks once and it was above average. Like a good Rudy's TBH. But lately, I have been seeing some really gorgeous pictures of food from there. I need to get back.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to CDub06 • 5:08p, 4/7/18
CDub06 said:
I've been to a Terry Blacks once and it was above average. Like a good Rudy's TBH. But lately, I have been seeing some really gorgeous pictures of food from there. I need to get back.
I think I went after they improved things. I kept hearing the same stuff. Decent but fast and convenient. Man, I really was impressed. Even when compared to top 10 places I had been in the same day or two.
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jh0400
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6:07p, 4/7/18
AG
My mom and stepdad are in town. We went up earlier and picked up brisket, ribs, sausage, turkey, sausage, and beef rib to have for dinner tonight.
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NColoradoAG
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9:47a, 4/9/18
Count me as a fan of Micklethwait. Last two Friday's I went in the fall I was there about 10 minutes before they opened and didn't wait in line for more than 20 minutes.
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OregonAggie
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9:23a, 4/10/18
AG
I like Micklethwait but i feel like the meat isn't smoky enough, although their brisket is very tender. It's on my short list for lunch spots without a doubt but isn't my favorite.

If you're in Austin on a BBQ tour of sorts, I would definitely stop in.
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mslags97
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 4:20p, 4/13/18
AG
Aggie1946 said:
CDub06 said:
I've been to a Terry Blacks once and it was above average. Like a good Rudy's TBH. But lately, I have been seeing some really gorgeous pictures of food from there. I need to get back.
I think I went after they improved things. I kept hearing the same stuff. Decent but fast and convenient. Man, I really was impressed. Even when compared to top 10 places I had been in the same day or two.


Same experience. I've had it 3 times in the last year, and it has been incredible each time. Way ahead of my last couple of times at the original Black's actually.
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BSD
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4:25p, 4/13/18
AG
Houston BBQ Festival is this weekend. It should be a nice cool day out there. Time to get fat(ter)!!!
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Koldus131
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6:57p, 4/15/18
AG
Houston BBQ Festival Report:

Overall a great day for bbq! Temperature wise the weather was near perfect but it was a little windy.

I went to the following joints that were there:
- Louie Mueller
- Killen's
- Pinkerton's
- Feges
- Tejas Chocolate
- Truth
- Corkscrew
- The Pit Room
- Gatlin's
- El Burro and the Bull
- Roegel's
- Southside Market

Loved the BBQ and had lots of great cool things, but I do wish there was a little more brisket served from some of the above places. About half of them didn't have a brisket or beef rib (Louie M) option.

For me personally and almost everyone I talked to, the clear winner of the day was Truth. They served brisket and sausage, and it was just as good as it is in the restaurant. They consistently had the longest line of anyone at the festival, and it wasn't close. It also wasn't a slow moving line either.

I'm of the opinion that Truth very well might be putting out the best BBQ in the world right now. I do go there regularly, but the past 3 or 4 months have been on another level. As soon as they actually move in to Houston, my days of being able to go there whenever I want are going to be long gone. The food critic hype machine is going to pick them up so fast, I will feel like the ultimate BBQ hipster.

If you haven't been there yet, you need to get to Brenham ASAP and try it out. As a bonus, Leonard Botello (the pitmaster) is an Aggie grad. Great guy.
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Aggie1946
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7:02p, 4/15/18
Going to Truth Friday! Can't wait. That's awesomeness
Leo is an Ag!! Awesome report!
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Koldus131
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 7:05p, 4/15/18
AG
Going to any other places that day? Or just Truth? The line has been getting wilder and wilder as the weather gets better and word gets out. Their line also moves really slow. That's honestly my biggest gripe with them, but it's also because they have no space. The restaurant is literally a shack with two tables inside and then a bunch of outdoor seating.
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agfan2013
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7:29p, 4/15/18
AG
I still think Franklin has better ribs, but Truth isn't far behind, and they both have fantastic brisket. Truth definitely has better sides and desserts. The free beer and water while waiting in line on some days sure is nice too!

Truth probably is my favorite of the top 50 because of how quick the drive is (I live near Caldwell), the time spent waiting (not nearly as long as snows or Franklin), and of course the quality of bbq (tied with Franklin & Snows for my favorite brisket).
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Ag MD 84
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7:45p, 4/15/18
Aggie1946
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In reply to Koldus131 • 7:52p, 4/15/18
I was going to try and do Corkscrew and then head to Truth. What do you think? Probably get there around 2.
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Ag MD 84
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7:52p, 4/15/18
AG
Just ate at Loro in ATX-new Asian Smokehouse concept by Tyson Cole (Uchi) & Aaron Franklin. Kettle corn with brisket burnt ends to start and to go, plus kale/Asian pear salad, smoked salmon, smoked edamame, and more brisket. Highly recommend!
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Koldus131
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In reply to Aggie1946 • 8:16p, 4/15/18
AG
I would try to get food at Corkscrew asap and then hit the road for Truth as soon as you're done. You'll probably be ok since it's a Friday, but from what I hear they're usually sold out at 2:30/3.
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Aggie1946
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In reply to Koldus131 • 8:21p, 4/15/18
Ok, thanks!
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Aggie1946
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In reply to Koldus131 • 8:37p, 4/15/18
I should be at Corkscrew at 10:20 or so and hopefully be one of the first. Truth is 1:10 away so hopefully I'll get there around 1. Was thinking it was a two hour drive.
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agcrock2005
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In reply to Ag MD 84 • 8:37p, 4/15/18
AG
Ag MD 84 said:
Just ate at Loro in ATX-new Asian Smokehouse concept by Tyson Cole (Uchi) & Aaron Franklin. Kettle corn with brisket burnt ends to start and to go, plus kale/Asian pear salad, smoked salmon, smoked edamame, and more brisket. Highly recommend!
Hadn't heard of that. Uchi was bad ass and Franklin's is surely badass so I'm intrigued. Did it live up to the hype that I'm sure there is with all the hipster Austinites?
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TXAG 05
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In reply to Koldus131 • 8:48p, 4/15/18
AG
Koldus131 said:
Houston BBQ Festival Report:

Overall a great day for bbq! Temperature wise the weather was near perfect but it was a little windy.

I went to the following joints that were there:
- Louie Mueller
- Killen's
- Pinkerton's
- Feges
- Tejas Chocolate
- Truth
- Corkscrew
- The Pit Room
- Gatlin's
- El Burro and the Bull
- Roegel's
- Southside Market

Loved the BBQ and had lots of great cool things, but I do wish there was a little more brisket served from some of the above places. About half of them didn't have a brisket or beef rib (Louie M) option.

For me personally and almost everyone I talked to, the clear winner of the day was Truth. They served obrisket and sausage, and it was just as good as it is in the restaurant. They consistently had the longest line of anyone at the festival, and it wasn't close. It also wasn't a slow moving line either.

I'm of the opinion that Truth very well might be putting out the best BBQ in the world right now. I do go there regularly, but the past 3 or 4 months have been on another level. As soon as they actually move in to Houston, my days of being able to go there whenever I want are going to be long gone. The food critic hype machine is going to pick them up so fast, I will feel like the ultimate BBQ hipster.

If you haven't been there yet, you need to get to Brenham ASAP and try it out. As a bonus, Leonard Botello (the pitmaster) is an Aggie grad. Great guy.


Is Truth still coming to Houston? Last I heard they were supposed to open up Fall of 2017. I drive by the by the old J Blacks building almost every day where they supposedly were moving into and I don't think anything has been done to it.
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Ag MD 84
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In reply to agcrock2005 • 9:07p, 4/15/18
AG
They've only been open a couple weeks. Daniel Vaughan went by before they opened. Already has a line, but they manage it well. It's going to be very successful. I will definitely go back. My Wife isn't a big bbq eater, but there are plenty of options-lots of small plates.
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Koldus131
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In reply to TXAG 05 • 9:13p, 4/15/18
AG
Yes, it's been delayed by a few different things. Most notably Harvey and then some permitting stuff with the city of Houston. They told me recently that the current target for opening is early June but I think there's still some things to be worked out with the city. It will be in an A+ location too, like you mentioned. Southwest corner of Washington Ave and Heights Blvd.
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TXAG 05
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In reply to Koldus131 • 9:23p, 4/15/18
AG
Koldus131 said:
Yes, it's been delayed by a few different things. Most notably Harvey and then some permitting stuff with the city of Houston. They told me recently that the current target for opening is early June but I think there's still some things to be worked out with the city. It will be in an A+ location too, like you mentioned. Southwest corner of Washington Ave and Heights Blvd.


Good to hear they are still coming. That building was originally a BBQ place, can't even remember what it was called, hope they have better success than they and J Blacks did.
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Aggie09Derek
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In reply to Koldus131 • 9:28p, 4/15/18
AG
Great news. I live right between that location and Pit Room. Will be nice to have another option right nearby.
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CDub06
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In reply to Koldus131 • 8:58a, 4/16/18
AG
Thanks for the write up. I wasn't able to go this year unfortunately. Shame you couldn't hit them all.

I was really curious about Victorian's Barbecue as that's one I hadn't heard of and I believe was a rather late entry to the festival.
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lazuras_dc
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9:32a, 4/16/18
AG
Is Truth moving or opening a second location? I'd be sad if they are moving as I am in Brenham much more than I am in Houston.
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