Lockhart BBQ

[SAnativegirl]

OK Guys-On our way to Austin tomorrow from San Antonio, we have time to stop at one place to sample brisket or whatever. We do have to stop in Marion also at an account of husbands but I haven't looked at map to see any back roads there yet. I havent been in years and only remember stopping at new Kreuz Market. Any ideas for a stop or two? Oh ,and I've been reading your reviews for years now and am ready for some Q.

[mkwng]

I certainly understand why each of these places has its advocates and detractors, but a couple of things to keep in mind. This is old-school, handcrafted food. The cut of meat, the pit temperature, the amount of time the 'cue is cooked, or even the pit boss's mood can make or break the beef. There's no point in hoping that on your only stop you're getting perfect 'cue.

That said, in my opinion a meal at Black's, Smitty's, or Kreuz is better than most of the barbecue you have eaten or ever will.

[vwgto]

Agree with mkwng across the board, except remove Black's. Whereas Smitty's has great food and atmosphere, Black's has okay food and kind-of dingy..

[cameronaus]

Black's had the single best slice of brisket i have ever had in my life when we tried all three last year.It all can change from day to day. I say try them all and let us about each one!

[achtungpv]

Black's was absolutely horrible the one and only time I went there. The brisket was a dry piece of charcoal and the sausage also very dry and gritty and was so smoky it was very bitter and tasted of creosote. The cooked sides were severely overcooked and the potatoes in the potato salad undercooked.

[angusb]

I'll also throw in that I will never go to Black's again. I tried twice just to be sure, but the meat was dry and terrible as reported above, and the sides were wilted and/or dried out--nothing was good. I simply can't see giving them another chance with two much better options in town that almost never miss--Kreuz and Smitty's.

[achtungpv]

Just got back from Smitty's. The brisket was a miss...not very tender but the sausage was a winner as was the prime rib. Still can't get over the cheap prices. I guess it pays to have your building paid off and low property taxes.

[SAnativegirl]

Well Guys, We had to stop somewhere on the way to Austin which meant right off the highway. Husband suggested a place in Kyle called Railroad BBQ. It was not bad, we split about 1/3 lb brisket. I know good brisket doesnt need sauce, but theirs was peppery and very good. It satisfied our BBQ fix. But am still looking forward to Lockhart one day!

[ubilam]

Smitty's for me, as I'm not one for the fatty brisket at Kreuz's. Plus Kreuz's is so darn big now. Smitty's has a better atmosphere, if you don't mind the lack of plates, forks, and knives.

[cez77]

It's all about Smitty's.

[cibodivino]

I would recommend that you stop twice - Kreuz for the brisket and Smitty's for the ribs and suasage.

[carfreeinla]

I do it the opposite way- Smittys for brisket and Kreuz' for ribs

[brattpowered]

Definitely Smitty's. Kreuz doesn't offer you sauce (if that makes a difference) and it was out of the fatty brisket the last two times I went. The sauceless lean brisket I had to settle for was pretty boring.

[angusb]

If you're having BBQ in Lockhart, I think there are only two ways to go. I recommend Smitty's and Kreuz Market. Both of them compete for the top spot. I usually prefer the brisket (the FATTY brisket, please) at Kreuz, but I think the prime rib is often better at Smitty's.

I do not recommend Black's, and I can honestly promise that I will never go there again.

Many people apparently enjoy Chisholm Trail, but that must be because they offer a wide variety of sides. I have seen it said that Lockhart locals eat there, and I tried it once on the recommendation of a local barber who was cutting my hair, but it was nothing special, in my opinion, and I see no reason to ever go there again. I say that the people who enjoy it must like it because of the sides because the meat does not even compare to the meat available at Smitty's or Kreuz. CT does (or did) offer salads, cole slaw, peach cobbler, etc., but none of them were better than you might find in a plastic tub at a grocery store deli, and the cobbler was all but inedible.