Two Brother's or County Line if Have No Car in San Antonio?

[professor chow]

Coming in to San Antonio for a couple of days for a conference down by the Riverwalk and will go out for BBQ with a friend on a Friday night. I've read the threads, I know that the good stuff for BBQ is over an hour away. If I had a car and/or friends with my level of food obsessiveness, I'd make the drive. Won't happen this trip. And I'm from New England, have spent no time in Texas, so I want BBQ as part of the eating experience, even if San Antonio isn't the best spot for it. So my question: we could walk from out hotel to County Line or take a cab to Two Brothers. I assume the latter wold be somewhat expensive for 2 people. My question: is the difference worth it? I'll do it, if so.

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205

[professor chow]

Thanks all. It'll probably be County Line. @Passadum keg: you are entirely right both about the importance of overcoming New England frugality and the desirability of making it out to Lockhart. If the friends with whom I'm dining were willing, I'd be there. I get to be Restaurant Dicatator at these events because I am way more obsessed, but I will lose my position if I abuse my power and, sadly, a car ride of that distance would be interpreted as abuse. Next time. Contemplating a later trip to Austin and hoping to be able to take better advantage of the opportunities. WIll report on County Line afterward if it seems worth it.

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205

[Passadumkeg]

If ever in Albuquerque, let me know, I'll squire around the dictator.

[Jaymes]

I've taken out-of-towners (read "Yankees") to County Line and they loved it. It's not representative of the best of Texas barbecue by a long shot. But it's fun, and probably your best bet when you're entertaining folks that you know wouldn't want to make the trek to Lockhart or Luling or Taylor or Lexington, etc.

Although, I don't think Luling is "over an hour away" from San Antonio. It's a pretty straight shot east on I-10, and depending upon the traffic, you can make it in 45 minutes.

But there's a timing issue with Luling. It wouldn't be a good idea to hop into your car in downtown San Antonio, and get out to Luling by, say, 6:30 or 7, and hope for a nice restaurant dinner. That wouldn't work at all, on many levels.

And you'll have a good time at County Line. Some people say their beef ribs are the best thing, but I don't care for beef ribs, so I just get the baby back ribs. Pretty typical "restaurant style" baby backs, but the bread is wonderful, and so are the desserts. All in all, not a bad evening.

As long as nobody thinks that after going to County Line they've had "real Texas barbeque."

Because they haven't.

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205

[alanbarnes]

Certainly not if they're eating baby back ribs!

If the OP wants a taste of Texas BBQ, beef ribs are one option, the brisket and the sausage are the way to go. It's not Black's, but what do you expect on the River Walk?

[Jaymes]

Right you are, but I personally don't think the brisket is any good at all at County Line. The sausage isn't bad, others like the beef ribs, but speaking just for myself, I've given up completely on their brisket. We do usually get the "family style" all-you-can-eat meat platter, so everybody can have a few bites of everything and decide for themselves.

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205

[weegums]

If you want restaurant-y atmosphere, go with Co. Line. If you want decent bbq that feels more like a cue place, go with Two Bros.

[alanbarnes]

In your shoes I'd go to County Line. AFAIK there's no great 'cue in San Antonio, and taking a cab to move from one level of "decent" to another doesn't make a ton of sense. That said, if you're flying in or out around mealtime, Two Bros. BBQ Market is close to the airport...

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205

Two Bros. BBQ Market
12656 West Ave., Suite B, San Antonio, TX 78216

[Passadumkeg]

Just out of curiosity, are the County Line BBQs in SA and Austin, the same ownership?

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205

[alanbarnes]

Yep. They started with the one out in Westlake, then opened up one on Lake Travis, and now they're everywhere - even Albuquerque.

[Passadumkeg]

Say what? Huh. Too busy eating New Mexican I guess.

[Passadumkeg]

My daughter lives in Austin and our fave is Sam's BBQ on 12th St. You are perhaps lucky you do not have a car. Def not commercial touristy, but low down finger lickin' good. I love this place.
Co Line is fun and upscale, but the Q ain't that good. I feel the same about Salt Lick. Too damn many tourists.
The Dumkeg Nontourist
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=... good tip, it's not even listed on the CH resto lists.

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Salt Lick Restaurant
18300 Fm 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619

[saeyedoc]

Passadumkeg, OP is talking about SA, not Austin.
Haven't been to county line, but unless you're going with a bunch of people, Two Bros wouldn't be much fun, it's usually pretty dead in there, at least the last few times I've gone for lunch.
Drink enough before you go to County Line and you'll probably have fun, if not the best BBQ.

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205

[Passadumkeg]

Duh! I saw County Line and Austin popped into mind. I'm chagrined.
Prof., as a fellow some-time New Englander, I strongly suggest you rent a car and go out to Lockhart. It is worth it for the Holy Trinity of Texas BBQ. You will never get any thing like this in the northeast.
It is my pilgrimage every time we go to Austin.
Shiiit the conference is paid for, don't be a parsonomious New Englander, splurge and do it. You won't be sorry. Dumkeg knows, ya only live once.
http://www.texasbbqtrail.com/lockhart...

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County Line
111 W Crockett St Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78205