Finally!
Folks I have been trying to catch up on work. Take off 2 weeks...work for 2 weeks trying to catch up for taking off for 2 weeks...
This thread will have several parts - as there are a LOT of pics I want to post. And - I still need to call back and interview some of the pit masters that agreed to give us some time to talk about their story.
This trip was a BBQ pilgrimage of sorts. And a chance to see places I had not seen - some for 25 - 30 years... My old home place, where I went to school...
I timed our departure from the driveway so that I could stop for lunch at the Loveless Cafe - just west of Nashville.
The one thing I can tell you about the Loveless is that it does not matter what you order...it will probably best the best you have eaten. It is really that good. And a great history - Look 'em up!
They have an online store and ship their hams, sausage, bacon and rubs anywhere. The smoke house you see above is a working shack that puts out some really good BBQ!
Next - I hammered it for Little Rock for the night, then drove into Dallas the next day. Timed it so that we had lunch at SMOKE.
I would have to say that Tim Byres the chef/owner has taken the elements of BBQ and used them to create an incredible array of up-scale dining. Really amazing food! (
http://www.smokerestaurant.com )
This is there brisket plate. it comes with some sausage, fingerling potatoes and a thick slice of grilled sour dough bead
A hominy and cheese grits casserole. Crazy good...
Pulled pork plate...
They make their own pickles...and they are awesome! The pickled purple hull peas were really nice - and the "slaw" was very dill.
Kaye ordered this, and I was surprised...cabrito ( young goat) pit roasted, with goat's milk cajeta cheese, green apple salsa and thinly sliced radishes. Incredible...really unique and tasty.
I had to buy Tim's book....it may be the best of them out there - ever! It is not just pretty recipes and chest thumping. THIS book goes into techniques, and how to build stuff!!! GET IT! It will become a favorite of yours I promise.
Time to say goodbye...
Then had to drive over to Grapevine - out near the DFW airport - and get checked....We stayed at the Gaylord Texan for 4 days while we looked around DFW...and gorged on BBQ
I can see why some people check in here to relax - and never go outside the hotel grounds. BTW - all of the below pics are inside the hotel.
Looks like my Aggies finally got their hands on BEVO!
So..I called up Doug ( EFGM) and Chris ( sliding billy) and we decided to go to the Pecan Lodge at the Dallas Farmer's Market. It was chosen as No.2 in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine - for brisket. We arrived 1:45 minutes before they opened...and we were 3rd in line!
The view of the Dallas skyline while we wait to get in....
We are in!
The line continues to grow....
I did not order this - but wish I had. They call it The Hot Mess - it is a salt crusted sweet potato stuffed with barbacoa ( shredded brisket) chipotle cream, green onions, cheese and crumbled bacon...POW!
SO we ordered The Trough...and oh boy!
Chris described the BBQ at the Pecan Lodge as "decadent" - and I could not agree more! However - I could not eat this BBQ all of the time. It was so rich with smoke profile ( mesquite) heavy bark - and fatty juicy meat. Truly a special occasion BBQ joint!
My vote for the best single item has to be the beef ribs...still dreaming about them
The next day - I met Chris in McKinney - north of DFW, at Hutchins BBQ. They also made the Top 50 BBQ joint in Texas. And what a great surprise this place was. Chris told me that it was his favorite - and, ...I was going to be critical. After all - we had just had the No.2 brisket the day before...
Chris and I got the all you can eat - and it is NOT a buffet. They cut what you want - when you want, fresh hot and juicy!
Chris - about to lay waste to a massive amount of BBQ. This boy CAN EAT!!!! Of course - anyone that rises at 12:30 A.M. to run 5 miles every day - can probably put away a lot of groceries and not worry about it. Really - he does that!
So Saturday - I needed to work off some BBQ...I could not find a bull to climb on for a work out..but 'Ole Hoppy gave me a scare...I think I lasted for 4 seconds before he threw me off. He had a wicked low-inside spin move...
Chris and his lovely Mrs. and 2 boys took me with them to the H. Ross Perot Science and Tech. Museum. Fantastic place - really state of the art
Then we went for a "snack" at the Lockhart Smoke House. Named for the BBQ capitol of Texas - but located in Dallas