Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => Member Gatherings and Road Trips => Topic started by: IR2dum on September 06, 2013, 09:11:40 PM
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I had a rare day to do nothing so I decided to do a bbq roadtrip. Got up early to drive 156 miles to Austin and visit Franklin's BBQ (the best bbq in the USA [or the world as we know it] according to Bon Apetit Magazine). I have heard that you should get there early because there is a long waiting line when they open at 11am. I figured they would be busy on a Friday but I didn't expect this many people. When I arrived the line was about a block and a half long. A girl came out almost immediately and stood close to my part of the line and announced that the wait from this point of the line to the counter was about 2 and 1/2 hours. I noticed a guy across the street renting pink folding chairs for $5 and he was very busy. I bet he made $500 on this crowd today. That's the entrepreneurial spirit. Now I love BBQ and I love all you guys and gals on this forum, but I don't love y'all enough to stand in line for that long in the hot Texas sun just to tell you how good it was. So driving on to Taylor, Texas for some Louie Mueller BBQ. Well, guess what. It didn't taste anything like the world famous bbq that I remembered from 15 years ago when Louie Mueller was still alive. As a matter of fact, I would rate Houston bbq better than this stuff. I have no idea where it went wrong through the years, but the brisket (though very tender and moist) had a distinctly poor taste, the ribs had the same poor taste, and the sausage wasn't the same as it had been during their heyday. Very disappointing. Driving on to Elgin to visit Southside Market where the quality is always top notch and the second best sausage in Texas (or the world as we know it). Never disappointment here. Bought some original rub, some fajita rub, and a cone of BlueBell homemade peach ice cream (yumm, yummmm). Now back to Houston. Although not a very successful trip this time, any trip for bbq is fun in my book. Took a few cell phone pics and will post them later if anybody cares and if I can get them out of the phone. Later, Dudes.
Oh, by the way....Jaxon, Aaron says hi.
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A tough day... sorry. But, sounds like some upside! Would enjoy pics - maybe Dee could help (couldn't resist.) Sometimes the journey is the reward... Sounds good, huh? ;)
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Don, I'm like you. I wouldn't stand in a line that long if they paid me to eat. It's either that good or it's become a tourist trap going on its reputation. Dee
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Did you have the beef ribs at Mueller's? I'd be REALLY disappointed if those are not living up to expectations anymore.
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SB, they were sold out of beef ribs. I understand that the best beef ribs are now being served at Jaxon's house. I can pick you up on the way.
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We really do need a TX gathering (or road trip). I'm in! At least we could get enough folks to do a pre-order from Franklin's and pick it up at 10:30.
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Well I enjoyed reading your post, I could not stand in line for that long either :)
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That sounds like a great day! Fun in the sun and BBQ.
A Road trip would be nice. Get Captain Jack.
We all should have Texas get-together and BBQ at someone's house.
I would love to do this after I have surgery.
Ed
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Be curious how early these people get in line. Yikes
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I like the story, Don...would have loved it more if you had STAYED IN LINE! just kidding
When I retire, I'm gonna come to Texas for the tour. Maybe y'all will be having the 2nd annual gathering by then. Maybe Albert & I can fly out there in early Spring and see where you can take us.
We can dream, can't we?
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They start at 8:00 AM. Sometimes earlier.
It is like sacred ground. A holy place in Texas.
Ed
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The last time I waited that long in a line I was in the Navy and was not offered a choice to get out of line. It certainly didn't involve waiting for anything called "good food"!!
Art
Don,
You made the right choice.
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CaptJack and IR, if you guys make the run to Killen's you only have three weekends left. He's going to shut down at the end of the month until the finish the new BBQ restaurant in October (Broadway near Main). If you guys want to do a weekday run once they're up and running I'd love to meet up with y'all.
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Nice PRON Jack!
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Great pics!
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wow it looks amazing
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In all seriousness, maybe a Stanley's get together would work. Tyler would be a nice in between for the DFW/Houston folks and not too bad for some others.
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CaptJack and IR, if you guys make the run to Killen's you only have three weekends left. He's going to shut down at the end of the month until the finish the new BBQ restaurant in October (Broadway near Main). If you guys want to do a weekday run once they're up and running I'd love to meet up with y'all.
Sounds great. Can't wait. I'm sure CaptCuz is all in, also. I will be back in town the 2nd week of October after the Gathering in Augusta. You should consider attending this Gathering. Only the finest outdoor cooks on this forum (and other forums) will be there and you are one of them. It is the last week of this month (about two weeks away). Dee will give you the lowdown on this event shortly.
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You should have stood in line for 2.5 hours, worth every minute of the wait.
My wife and I were in San Antonio for vacation last week and drove up to Austin on Tuesday (9-3-13) to eat at Franklin's. I contacted Aaron a few weeks prior to make sure he would be there. (Met him at the taping of BBQ Pitmasters). He said come Tuesday and be in line around 9:00. Aaron came out and got us about 9:15. He gave us a tour of the pits and answered a lot of questions. We returned to the line and got to the counter about 12:00. Ordered the Brisket (fat and lean), pork, turkey, ribs, sausage, pintos, and slaw. All I can say is it was the best Brisket I have ever eaten.
Also went to Lockhart on Friday and to Smitty's, Blacks, Kreitz; was disappointed to say the least.
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Now that's a way to spend a day Don!! Good or bad BBQ it beats my day with a bum knee!
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You should consider attending this Gathering. Only the finest outdoor cooks on this forum (and other forums) will be there and you are one of them. It is the last week of this month (about two weeks away). Dee will give you the lowdown on this event shortly.
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And I will be there, too, as the sous chef. Although "vide"