633642 Thu Jul 02 22:35:42 -0700 2009 39 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 4826513 After checking out the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Manhattan a few weeks ago, me and my buddy ended up pretty unimpressed. After stopping by a few of the booths of rather famous 'cues we figured that these places could not have gotten so well-known if what we experienced was the standard quality (not to mention that several seemed to run out of meat midday on Sunday). Even though we are both native New Yorkers, and have not grown up in a true BBQ culture, the influx of new BBQ restaurants in New York City has given us at least somewhat of a background to judge good 'cue against, and what we got was not what we expected. We both decided that we had to check out those 'cues individually to see if they live up to the reviews we'd heard. Somehow, after more discussions (and quite a few more beers), the trip expanded into a jaunt down south checking out all the good BBQ joints we could find, and also hitting up the Bourbon trail in Kentucky. While this trip will undoubtedly be more enjoyable, it also is more difficult, because while we have both heard very many stories about mouthwatering pits down south neither of us had every thought to compile a list of the places that we would like to try (or every contemplated mapping between them). So now I need to call upon all our you 'cue-loving chowhounds to help me out. I need suggestions of great 'cue joints anywhere from NY to FL to TX that would make a worthy stop for our trip. Now I know that there are many well known and chain 'cues that always get mentioned, but I also want to hear about any small and more out off the way places that have great 'cues. I have a feeling that there are going to be many responses to the (at least I hope), and probable many disagreements, but any advice will be helpful. Thanx! Thu Jul 02 22:35:42 -0700 2009 170907 brodieb666 1 4826990 Many folks make pilgrimages to the 4 meccas. A little googling on your part will turn up many treks, including lots on here. How long do you intend on wandering? Here's a KC trip being planned right now: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/631606 Are you Interested in Pork, Beef, Chicken, Mutton, Ribs, Sides, Other stuff? :) Fri Jul 03 07:24:21 -0700 2009 4826513 10651 bbqboy 2 4827605 bbqboy - Right now we are planning on about two weeks, but that is a very rough estimate. KC is one place that we are not sure we are gonna hit-- it may be too much for this trip, but it will be kept in consideration as a last stop. Yes, we are interested in Pork, Beef, Chicken, Mutton, Ribs, Sides, Other stuff? :) (although I have never had bbq'd mutton, if I see it on the menu I'll have to try it.) Fri Jul 03 11:53:32 -0700 2009 4826990 170907 brodieb666 3 4827640 http://www.moonlite.com/ One of my goals. I've never been. Fri Jul 03 12:15:38 -0700 2009 4827605 10651 bbqboy 3 4830048 If you do end up in Central Texas, you can get good BBQ mutton at Sam's in Austin. Sat Jul 04 17:24:39 -0700 2009 4827605 58743 alanbarnes 1 4827046 Though personally, it's not my favorite style of bbq, central TX (outside Austin), has long been renowned for their bbq prowess (also some really good German foods). See the following link and search "Jaymes" to find info on the Tx bbq trail recs for which you are looking: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/633304 Fri Jul 03 07:44:01 -0700 2009 4826513 216999 CocoaNut 1 4827192 Lexington, NC is a small city in the middle of the state, on I-85 between Greensboro and Charlotte. It is considered by many to be the BBQ capital of the Carolinas, if not the entire south. I don't know the count, but there are at least a dozen outstanding BBQ joints there. In this case, we're talking primarily pulled, chopped or sliced pork, but smoked turkey and beef brisket may also be had. Awesome eats!! Fri Jul 03 08:35:35 -0700 2009 4826513 287602 DigitalVelvet 1 4827268 I have no dog in this fight, but I used to do tours for foreign visitors and we tried to give them the very best cultural experiences while they were in the US. We wanted them to remember us well. I always asked the locals for the traditional landmarks, the "high temples" of BBQ, places that had been in business for a long time, preferably for generations, that people argued over and that were beloved. They had to have great food - nothing on the skids that people agreed had seen better days. For North Carolina, we used Lexington Barbeque #1 which ain't nothing to look at but it's a classic. http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/6363/lexington-barbecue-1 Also Allen and Son. http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/216/allen-son For South Carolina, Sweatman's could be a movie set. They're only open for an extended weekend and cook a few pigs out back which are served cafeteria-style inside a rambling house set in a field. http://www.hollyeats.com/Sweatmans.htm I haven't hit McCabe's but that has always been the other consistent recommendation. Here's a CH post which compares McCabe's and Sweatman's http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/633646 In Austin, The Salt Lick is a must. Get there in time for the spectacular sunsets over the Hill Country. Excellent food and it's become a local classic in only about three decades. http://www.saltlickbbq.com/ Doe's Eat Place, made famous by Bill Clinton and his staff, is a small chain started in Greenville, MS. Clinton and crew ate at the Little Rock outpost. While not a BBQ place, Doe's has the famous southern Tamales of the Delta Tamale Trail and great steaks. Depending on your route from the Carolinas to TX, you might need some alternatives to BBQ. http://www.doeseatplace.com/ http://www.tamaletrail.com/ for other places. IMO through MS and LA, BBQ can be very hit or miss. You can find some great stuff in Arkansas if you know where to look but it's off the beaten track, North of Little Rock, and up toward Memphis. Fri Jul 03 09:04:32 -0700 2009 4826513 32444 MakingSense 2 4827373 Appreciate the nod to central TX BBQ. As I said above, I'm not a screaming fan of Central TX BBQ, but repectfully, I must say that Salt Lick has long been the the stuff overhyped from TV food personalities and mass media advertising. On the TX board, Salt Lick is repeated scoffed. Nods continually go to those noted (see my link above), some of which have been around since the early 1900's. Several of these began as small town markets, using their lesser cuts of meats for bbq and sausage making, selling them as side items. These would be the ones to search out. However, if you're already in the area, there's nothing wrong with throwing Salt Lick into the mix and making your own assessment. One thing I do agree on with my Central TX BBQ enthusiasts: if the meat is smoked properly, sauce is not necessary and just plain shouldn't be used. It would be akin to slathering a Peter Lugar steak with ketchup. Fri Jul 03 09:46:28 -0700 2009 4827268 216999 CocoaNut 3 4827445 I was recently at Salt Lick and I was really unimpressed by the brisket. I'd never write off a place after only one visit but there was really nothing special about it. The sausage in the other hand was very good. I'm a sucker for good sausage and this was some of the best I've ever had. Fri Jul 03 10:16:14 -0700 2009 4827373 10195 KTinNYC 3 4827538 I agree with you. There is better to be had than at the Salt Lick for aficionados. Certainly those who live in that area are not going to rate the place at the top of the heap. If someone is going to spend time in central TX, they would be able to sample a variety and compare. Not sure that the OP will. Even if they are there for a few days, the Salt Lick is an alternative to country store BBQ. I usually put Salt Lick on my list for visitors, business people, etc., and especially international visitors, because if they don't have time, are passing through, and may get only one bite at the apple, it's got a lot going for it, especially the setting. You get a good example of TX brisket, and sides, plus the chance to see the Hill Country. It feels like you are really Deep in the Heart of Texas. Fri Jul 03 11:13:20 -0700 2009 4827373 32444 MakingSense 4 4827564 Got it! and no denying, the Hill Country is absolutely a beautiful part of Texas/US. Fri Jul 03 11:24:41 -0700 2009 4827538 216999 CocoaNut 3 4902606 Austin? Is that really considered part of Texas once you get out side the city limits? <Smirk> How can any one talk about Hill Country and not mention Coopers in Llano? Thu Jul 30 05:31:46 -0700 2009 4827373 253154 Fritter 4 4951601 I did on Jul 5. Sun Aug 16 18:23:28 -0700 2009 4902606 93538 Passadumkeg 2 4827617 Thanks! Between what you and Digital posted, Lexington will definitely be a stopoff- I just wonder how long we'll have to stay to get a true sense of NC style bbq :-) re: The Salt Lick-- Yes, that is definitely on our list, in fact they were one of the vendors at the Big Apple BBQ in NYC that we felt seriously underperformed based upon their reputation. A part of the trip is to let them have another chance to live up to what we had heard. Fri Jul 03 11:59:33 -0700 2009 4827268 170907 brodieb666 3 4827914 I hope you're not coming all the way to central Texas for the Salt Lick. Be sure to try and hit most of Jaymes' list. Salt Lick is very tourist oriented, but the scenery is beautiful. It would be nice if we get some rain to green things up. I'd try and come in the fall when things cool down. It's always mid 90's to 100 here at least until mid September. Fri Jul 03 14:52:44 -0700 2009 4827617 198541 James Cristinian 4 4828396 I wouldn't go to any BBQ area for any one place. Or try to hit places all over in only two weeks. Crazy new Yorkers! Do they know how big the country is West of the Hudson? If I were designing a tour, I'd suggest considering how regional BBQ is and pick an area. Spend an entire two weeks doing it right. 1) Head down I-95 and do the Carolinas and Georgia. That would give you a great sampling of that area and you'd be able to check out some classics as well as CH favorite hole-in-the-walls that aren't as well known. You can also throw in some Low Country specialties for a break from porkporkpork. You can hit Eastern and Western N. Carolina. It's posible to do GA, and even swing into Tennessee and Alabama. 2) Start in Louisville and do the Bourbon Trail and BBQ in that area before moving down to Memphis. There is great BBQ all the way over to Little Rock and then down to Clarksdale. A Bourbon-BBQ-Blues tour. Maybe head through Alabama on the way home. When you get weary of pig, there's great fried chicken, Delta tamales, and catfish. Wouldn't hurt to have a veggie or two. Check out the map and details at the Southern Foodways Alliance site.http://www.southernbbqtrail.com/introduction.shtml 3) It's going to take you at least three days each way to get to and from Texas if you're stopping a lot to eat. That might be a better trip by air and rental car. Then do TX, including some of the Border towns. You can see how BBQ changes from East Texas as you move West, losing the Southern influence and becoming more Southwestern - or pure Republic of Texas. Or you could take two months. Or two years and eat yourself silly. Fri Jul 03 19:59:41 -0700 2009 4827914 32444 MakingSense 5 4828791 If they make it all the way to the border, why not go all the way and head into Mexico. I'd suggest Nuevo Progresso near McAllen, small, safe, and where else can you get dental work done, fill your RX's, shop for curios, buy liquor, eat, and drink, all in the same building. Buck and a quarter ritas, 1.60 with premium tequila that will knock you off your barstool. Sat Jul 04 04:39:10 -0700 2009 4828396 198541 James Cristinian 5 4829519 our trip is never going to be locked down to a schedule, but i'd like to try to get an overview of each region if possible, but if we find something we like, we'll stay. It may derail the rest of the trip, but so what? This trip is just about getting out, exploring, and having fun. Sat Jul 04 12:00:29 -0700 2009 4828396 170907 brodieb666 5 4829539 James- Mexico may be adding a little too much to this trip, but thanks for the advice. Sat Jul 04 12:11:09 -0700 2009 4828396 170907 brodieb666 3 4830647 I would agree that Salt Lick may be overrated and ambiance playing a big factor in its popularity. It's been said over and over that any good BBQ'er can have a bad day. Doing your Q in strange, unfamiliar settings makes it harder to turn out a good product. Just imagine Smitty's, in Lockhart trying to reproduce their setup in NYC! http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/618403#4668862 Note that there is a related Salt Lick 360 on the west side of Austin (Loop 360). It's a sorta fancy, sit-down place with a wine selection.... Sun Jul 05 07:23:52 -0700 2009 4827617 137946 Scargod 2 4902028 What days is Sweatman's open? Also, do they have a contact #? Thanks. Wed Jul 29 19:18:21 -0700 2009 4827268 28696 i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream 3 4903081 Sweatman's as an authentic SC pig-pickin operation, is open only Fri-Sat. Their phone number is out there, it's just not easy to find. Just go! The food is ridiculously good. Thu Jul 30 08:25:19 -0700 2009 4902028 12829 Bob W 4 4904259 If someone has the phone # that would be great b/c I can't seem to find it! I wish I could just drop in and hope they're open-- but I'll be traveling to HH from NY and it's a ways off 95 so I want to make sure there's BBQ at the end of the trek with no surprises (i.e. not closed for summer vacation or anything)! Thanks! Thu Jul 30 13:45:44 -0700 2009 4903081 28696 i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream 5 4904481 Google is a wonderful thing: (843) 563-7574 http://www.gamecockcentral.com/cgi-bin/fanfare/bbq/profile.pl?id=26 Thu Jul 30 14:52:21 -0700 2009 4904259 32444 MakingSense 6 4904885 I searched for it to no avail. I thought someone might have it on hand. That's what this board is for. Thanks. Thu Jul 30 17:23:21 -0700 2009 4904481 28696 i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream 2 4954624 Another shout out for Allen & Son. I may be biased because I'm from around this place, but the bbq sandwich with a side of hush puppies is a piece of heaven. Mon Aug 17 19:28:24 -0700 2009 4827268 1099174 raqy 1 4827432 Here's a great review of Scott's in S.C. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/dining/10United.html?_r=2&hpw I'll be stopping by on my next trip to FLA Fri Jul 03 10:12:44 -0700 2009 4826513 221363 Bumstead 1 4827451 If you're doing the bourbon trail, you should definitely stop in to Decatur, Al. (Just down I-65) and visit Big Bob Gibson's. They go in every major BBQ event and are quite famous. They also invented white BBQ sauce which is something you won't find outside of Madison county Alabama for the most part. DT Fri Jul 03 10:20:32 -0700 2009 4826513 11291 Davwud 2 4829549 After drinking that much bourbon, its gonna take a few BBQ meals to soak it up-- that seems like a nice place for the next day. Thanks! Sat Jul 04 12:15:39 -0700 2009 4827451 170907 brodieb666 3 4829881 I'd also resist the temptation to eat at Woodford Reserve distellery. If you go there. Which you should. Their Q is not up to the standard you're looking for. DT Sat Jul 04 15:28:43 -0700 2009 4829549 11291 Davwud 4 4902614 Woodford Reserve was just so spit and polished that it didn't do much for me. OTOH the Buffalo Trace distellery tour that's just a bit down the road is not to be missed IMO. Thu Jul 30 05:36:21 -0700 2009 4829881 253154 Fritter 5 4902751 We didn't do BT but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks. DT Thu Jul 30 06:37:13 -0700 2009 4902614 11291 Davwud 1 4830432 Central Texas: Cooper's in Lano, a pilgrimage, Smitty's and Kreutz in Lockhart, Sam's in Austin. And just for fun The County Line in Austin. Sun Jul 05 01:11:21 -0700 2009 4826513 93538 Passadumkeg 1 4830696 Welcome to Chowhound, as this is your first post. Perhaps you have been a long-time lurker. I would suggest that you try the new, improved search function on Chowhound or use Google and always include "chowhound". It can be difficult to sleuth out places when you don't know where towns are and you have a general path in mind. Also, the trek you are planning crosses six specific area boards on Chowhound. I know, because Passadumkeg and I did this trip but started in Vegas and we pretty much stuck to the coast after we left Texas (on our way through NYC). Still there are threads galore and also places like this, off Chowhound: http://bbqroadtrip.blogspot.com/ , http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=74584 and, as mentioned, http://www.roadfood.com/. Since Marco (Passadumkeg), and I did our "Two Chowhounds' Road Trip" it has been well documented here (look it up), plus the link to my Google User's Content map that lists all the places we ate at or intended to try and eat at (sometimes numerous options). This should help, especially in Texas and then I have one just for Austin: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106324921966915789140.0004585e078a49e893c72&ll=30.321355,-98.046578&spn=1.389316,2.469177&z=9 Q places are the red balloons with black dots. I researched the boards but rejected many Q places in the South because they were too far inland and out of the way for us. I am going to append this map with other barbecue joints that come up in this thread. My tact was to refer to the map as we traveled and add them onto my Garmin if they suited our plans and timing. This has worked well for me in the past. Find a place to settle in, go on the internet and see what's ahead on the map and put some in the GPS for the next few stops/meals. You can also use the Marco Polo, Luddite method of sniffing a lot and looking for signs. Since you are asking for advice about top places, I doubt you are into that methodology. Good luck! Be sure and give us feedback later... Sun Jul 05 07:56:01 -0700 2009 4826513 137946 Scargod 1 4903194 I would be remiss if I didn't put in a plug for Dinosaur BBQ in (downtown) Syracuse. It received national attention recently on Good Morning America and FN's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." Always a good bet. Having saId that...on your way up I81 on your way to Syracuse, get off in Homer (just north of Cortland) and take Rte 281 north to Bob's BBQ. To me worth the road trip from Syracuse. Thu Jul 30 08:53:23 -0700 2009 4826513 226942 al b. darned 1 4903808 If you're going to Texas, go to Lockhart and compare Smitty's and Kreuz Market and Black's. Definitely brisket, but I love sausage and the ribs as well. Speaking of ribs, for deep South barbecue, Dreamland in Tuscaloosa. It's just ribs and white bread. There are Dreamland outposts in Birmingham and other places, but supposedly the original one in Tuscaloosa is the best. I have only been to one in Birmingham, and even with my love for Texas barbecue, Dreamland was pretty damn good. Salt Lick, I think, is one of those places that if you grew up with it or ate it at college, it is more than just the food, but also the memories attached. Thu Jul 30 11:42:56 -0700 2009 4826513 86106 cocktailhour 1 4905087 If you're even close to St. Louis, MO, go back east across the Mississippi and head for O'Fallon, IL (yes, there's an O'Fallon in MO, too, but it's the one in IL that you want.) The 17th Street Bar & Grill there has what Bon Appetit called the best ribs in the country. http://www.17thstreetbarbecue.com/ I've only eaten there 2-3 times (only because I live in NJ, not IL) and they do some serious meat in that place. The beef ribs there remind one of the rack served to Fred Flintstone, but omg they're good! As to the pork ribs? One of their mottoes: "Life is too short for a half-rack." :) The pulled pork sandwich was truly awesome. Great sides, if you're into that sort of thing. In our zeal to sample as much as we could on our first visit, we actually ordered too much meat and had to take some home (aww) but found it was pretty darned good the next day, too. Of course, Mike Mills is a champion pitmaster (and his "Magic Dust" is a great take-home item.) The O'Fallon location is one of four and not even the Home Base of this great 'cue. Thu Jul 30 18:55:18 -0700 2009 4826513 95137 mcsheridan 2 4905201 17th Street has a few other outposts as well, including one at the World Shooting Sports Complex in Sparta, IL. Once a year we're a captive audience there - it's the only restaurant around. Let's just say nobody complains. Thu Jul 30 19:44:13 -0700 2009 4905087 58743 alanbarnes 1 4951589 When I visited Salt Lick 17 years ago, it was good barbecue, pit smoked. But when I returned this last spring, it tasted like it had been pressure cooked. I wonder if the meat that you pass by when you come in is more for display for the tourists. It definitely has become a tourist trap! Drive forever, then take a number and wait an hour to then stand in another line to be seated after another 30 minutes! If your mother-in-law is visiting and you want your wife to take her out there for the day, that's the only time I can think of that anyone would visit the place! If you really want great BBQ in Austin, go to Ironworks on IH-35 and 1st Street, just a block to the west of the freeway. You can see them cooking the huge beef ribs. They really do make it right. We stop at Ironworks every time we go to Austin. My husband went to UT and Ironworks is a staple for every trip there, we go to Iron Works, look at 6th street next to it, and visit the UT Coop Store for more UT polo shirts! Sun Aug 16 18:18:30 -0700 2009 4826513 1102209 howdoyaknow