About 5 years ago, I was reading everything I could about how to cook bbq. I watched a series of programs produced by Texas Public Television about Aaron Franklin and the way he cooked. I became very interested in Texas bbq, especially the old German meat markets in Central Texas - Kruetz, Smitty's, Black's, etc. How I wanted to visit those places!!
A year or two later, a couple of friends I met, here on the forum, surprised me . IR2DUM lives in Houston and has been to those places a few times - knows all about 'em. Albert Rivera lives in Alabama and loves cooking as much as I do. They put together a trip I'll never forget. Albert flies a Cessna. He and I flew to Houston where Don picked us up at the airport. He took us directly to a great bbq joint where they let us tour the back where the pits were going. We went to his house for the night and got up early the next morning to head out on the "crawl". We hit the City Market where we sampled their brisket, ribs, & sausage and took the tour of their pits. They took me to "bbq Mecca" - Lockhart - where we were able to get behind the counters and into the pit areas of the Big 3 there and and sampled THEIR brisket and sausage. The pitmasters were so friendly and showed us everything - truly incredible. We got to Franklin's, in Austin, around 2:00. Of course they were sold out and closed, but they let us in for a tour and took us out back to see their huge smokers. Aaron was not there, but what a thrill to visit his place. We got to Louie Mueller's - another landmark - just before they closed and had a sampling of his bbq. We visited The Salt Lick, in Driftwood. I had watched a show on the Travel Channel that featured that place and knew about the pit they keep going just inside the front door. It was truly awesome to be there. They, too, were very friendly and allowed us access to the cooking areas. I even got to mop some of the meat cooking over the huge pit. They had some of the best brisket of the day.
I think our last stop of the day was the Southside Market, in Elgin. I was in a meat coma by then. Though Don and Albert had some more meat to eat, I settled for some ice cream.
When we finally got back to Don's house, we relived the whole day, remembering and comparing notes on each place.
The next day, Don took us to BBQ Pits by Klose, where they make traditional and custom bbq smokers and pits. It was like being in a fantasy land as we walked around and looked at their incredible creations.
On our way to the airport, Don took us to lunch at Killen's BBQ. We met Ronnie Killen - chef/owner - who took us out back to show us the pits and talk bbq with us. Dang! What a friendly guy!
It was finally time to head home. Don drove us to the airport, where we climbed back into the Cessna. Albert was cleared for take-off and we climbed into the skies. As we flew over Houston, I couldn't believe how big that place is - 4th largest city in the country. It seems like it took us over half an hour to get clear and finally head east, back to Alabama. Albert is the most experienced pilot I have flown with and I felt completely safe and comfortable all the way home. We talked about the "crawl" all the way and relived the whole experience with his wife that evening. I slept like a baby that night.
The next morning, after breakfast, I got in my car and headed back to middle Georgia - about a 6 hour drive. What do you suppose I was thinking about on the way home?
Yes sir, this was a once in a lifetime dream trip for me.
I am forever grateful to Don and Albert for making it a reality.
