I had never been to Texas and I wanted to eat some Texas barbecue so I said to my Honey, “Honey, let’s go to Texas.” She said, “Okay.” That was way too easy.
Living in Maine I didn’t know what good brisket tasted like and reading Daniel Vaughn’s "Phophets of Smoked Meat" just made me want to get there quicker to find out. It was easy to justify; you can’t make good brisket if you don’t know how it is supposed to taste. So we went on a BBQ Pilgrimage.
We had other places on the bucket list so it wasn’t a very direct route to Texas, and in fact, we are still traveling. But I have now been to Texas and I have eaten some of the most awesome barbecue I expect I will ever eat in my life. Actually, every ‘cue meal has been outstanding, but I tried to pick places with great reputations to increase my odds.
I have a gallery going for the folks back home in the snow so I’m linking you to that gallery so I don’t have to reload all the photos and descriptions. Please remember that this was set up for family only.
First stop – Deep Run Roadhouse
This place is at the end of a strip mall outside Richmond, VA where we were staying. I found it using Tripadvisor and it had great reviews for providing outstanding Texas style barbecue. Well, you’ve got to eat so let’s get this thing started. The reviews did it justice. If you eat here don’t miss the jalapeno mac and cheese!
*Edit* I believe this was the best overall meal of all the restaurants.
http://www.deansmiley.com/gallery3/index.php/2014-BBQ-Pilgrimage/Deep-Run-Roadhouse
Next stop – The Joint
This was another Tripadvisor find. We had 3 nights in New Orleans and this place rated highly. We left here very happy. I’m not sure it meets the Krewe du Smoke’s standards but it certainly met mine.
http://www.deansmiley.com/gallery3/index.php/2014-BBQ-Pilgrimage/The-Joint
Into Texas – Killen’s BBQ
Thanks to CaptJack, y’all know about Killens. But did you know they smoke brisket at 225° for 14 hrs. with a post oak and pecan mix?
http://www.deansmiley.com/gallery3/index.php/2014-BBQ-Pilgrimage/Killen-s-BBQ
Next up – Black’s Barbecue
There are choices to be made when in Lockhart. I am not sorry about this one. We chatted with a worker while we ate and he said Black’s is opening a new location in San Marcos in a month (training people now) and another one in Austin in a year. Everything there is done with post oak.
http://www.deansmiley.com/gallery3/index.php/2014-BBQ-Pilgrimage/Black-s-BBQFranklin Barbecue
What can I say?
http://www.deansmiley.com/gallery3/index.php/2014-BBQ-Pilgrimage/Franklin-Barbecue
Louie Mueller Barbecue
This was Plan B. It should have been Plan A.
This was not a competition but from my perspective, this was the best overall meal. The brisket bark just blew me away. I have never tasted any bark this good; I will be trying 9 parts pepper and 1 part salt.
http://www.deansmiley.com/gallery3/index.php/2014-BBQ-Pilgrimage/Louie-Mueller-Barbecue
My only disappointment was that I didn’t get to have barbacoa. We got to San Antonio for one day but it was raining buckets so we headed north. Maybe another time.
Thanks for looking.
Dean