90271 Wed Jan 08 17:02:47 -0800 2003 21 5 Texas 0 495885 I plan on visting Austin and the surrounding environs (Lockhart, Luling, Elgin, etc.) and plan on visting as many BBQ joints as possible. Since time constraints will force me to eat at a couple of places a day, I don't want to fill up at just one place. Do places typically have smaller sampler portions or is everything served Texas-size? What would be an appropriate order for two moderately hungry guys who wish to try two or more places in a matter of hours? Also, what are the essential sides to try at a typical BBQ joint in these parts? Any and all ordering tips and standard procedures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Thomas Wed Jan 08 17:02:47 -0800 2003 0 Thomas 1 495886 Get sandwiches, not plates, if you want to cut down the portion size. As for sides, every place has a different lineup, and a very few don't even have any, so you're pretty much on your own. However, you're very likely to find some form of beans and potato salad most places you'll go. However, absolutely no barbecue place is about the sides, even if they're excellent. One other strategy is to order everything by weight, i.e. just get meat by the pound (or quarter, or half pound). Almost everywhere will sell this way, and you can skip all the non-essentials that way. Wed Jan 08 17:30:52 -0800 2003 495885 0 David Pearlman 1 495887 Every place I've been to that's worth a hoot sells their meat by the pound, so you can go in and ask for one link of sausage, two slices of brisket, two ribs and so on. That's what I do and I've never had anyone blink. I think you should try it that way, because a lot of places do some meats great and some not so great. If you get a sandwich, you may be getting the not so great and miss the great. As for sides, true, sides are not what you judge places by BUT sometimes there are some real gems (like Mueller's potato salad or County Line's slaw [okay, boo and hiss all you want] or Green Mesquite's fried okra) so you might want to ask the folks in line with you, who are probably locals, what sides they would recommend. Enjoy and let us know where you ended up. It's sure to cause heated discussion with these guys. Thu Jan 09 08:50:21 -0800 2003 495885 0 amysuehere 2 495888 I absolutely concur with you in regards to the meat. As far as the sides go? I would skip them and eat as much meat as possible. Thu Jan 09 08:57:43 -0800 2003 495887 0 John Scar 1 495891 I'm probably just reiterating what others have said but I can't resist to weigh in: I concur with the fellow hounds about ordering by the pound. I also share the feeling that some barbecue joints have excellent meat but terrible sides (especially those outside of Austin, in my experience). Some places, for instance Ruby's BBQ in Austin, have fantastic sides that should be tried for the hell of it. One note, if you are coming for a cue trip try a lot of places in Austin in addition to the outlying communities. Some people who aren't familiar with the area think that all good cue is in the country, untrue!!! Austin has some fantastic joints that are not to be missed and have been mentioned a lot on this list. One place that doesn't get talked about all that much is the above mentioned Ruby's. Admittedly it's a little city-fied with the hormone-free beef, fancy sides, and all but their chopped beef sandwich (especially with cole slaw on it) is ambrosial. Also don't miss John Mueller's in Austin, there's a debate on whether or not it's better than his papa's, Louis Muller's, in Taylor (a tip- go to John Mueller's for lunch, they sometimes run out of meat by the early evening). Luckily, if there is one thing that locals know it's cue. Ask people for food recs and each place you go and you'll be fine. Thu Jan 09 13:28:37 -0800 2003 495885 0 Skye 2 495892 Ruby's next to Milto's on the Drag? Thu Jan 09 14:04:56 -0800 2003 495891 0 amysuehere 3 495906 Yup, one and the same. Fri Jan 10 17:20:13 -0800 2003 495892 0 Skye 2 495933 what about SAM'S? how does that rate on your in-austin bbq scale these days? thanks. Sun Jan 12 12:34:58 -0800 2003 495891 0 mrnyc 3 496452 Sam's is Sam's. Not great, but good, and open til 4 in the morning. It's much better than Jack in the Box. Sun Mar 02 14:35:59 -0800 2003 495933 0 krissy 1 495893 Everything can be had a la carte at most places. It'll be easy. Get plenty of sliced brisquit, smoked beef ribs, links, potato salad ( with mustard), cole slaw and pecan pie. Thu Jan 09 15:08:05 -0800 2003 495885 0 MidtownCoog 1 495894 Thomas, I have made several trips like you plan to, and I found that most places are more than willing to serve you smaller portions, with reduced price too. Just ask. In fact, tell them what you are doing and you'll likely make some new friends, ones who have done the same thing themselves! "Typical" sides are usually beans and potato salad, but many places get pretty creative and come up with unique concoctions of their own too. If I can offer a suggestion, you might wish to pick up a copy of "Legends of Texas Barbecue, Recipes and Recollections of the Pit Bosses" by Rob Walsh, before you head out. It is in large paperback size and cost about 25 bucks, it is worth it. This not just a cook book, it contains excellent historical information on the history of Texas BBQ. It is filled with historical photos- back to 1900- and tons of information on BBQ joints all over the state. I have rarely enjoyed a "cook book" so much! It has listings of many of the most beloved Texas BBQ joints by city, both big and small. Another poster mentioned there are many great places in Austin proper, and I'd throw Sweet Mesquite in Austin on the list. I can't recall their address, but after eating at Stubb's and Sweet Mesquite, I recommend Sweet Mesquite. If you make your way to Houston, you have to try both Thelma's BBQ, located near downtown, and Williams Smokehouse. Williams is listed in the Legends book, while Thelma's is not. Thelma's was recently featured on a PBS special, and while their tea and sides are so so, the meat is incredibly good, and her sauce is plenty tangy. Good luck. Thelma's Barbecue 1020 Live Oak @ Lamar Houston Texas 77003 713.228.2262 Williams Smokehouse 5903 Wheatley Houston TX 77091 713.680.8409 Chris Dortch webamster@texashiker.com www.texashiker.com We don't rent pigs! Thu Jan 09 15:12:26 -0800 2003 495885 0 Texas Hiker 2 495895 Absolutely agree on Robb Walsh's book. I am native Texan eating Lockhart BBQ since early 60's and his book is awesome. The place you mentioned in Austin is actually "Green" Mesquite, not "Sweet". It's OK, but I'd direct a BBQ hound to Lockhart, Elgin and Luling for the BEST Texas BBQ. You can hit all three in an easy half day. Thu Jan 09 16:22:04 -0800 2003 495894 0 Steve in Austin 3 495896 I'm in total agreement with you about those out lying areas being best for really authentic and earthy BBQ. Yeah, as soon as I posted I realized I had a brainfart and called it "Sweet" instead of "Green". I was more impressed with them than Stubb's, which has really lost the focus on food in favor of music. My father used to make special trips to Stubb's original shack in Lubbock, and took me there as a boy. I recall loving the ribs very much. You will pardon me for saying so, but the sight of a tattooed and multi pierced teenager running the "pitt" at Stubb's assured me that Stubbs is rolling in his grave. Thu Jan 09 16:32:49 -0800 2003 495895 0 Texas Hiker 4 495898 I totally agree with you on Stubbs. The last few times were a disappointment on the bbq and sides. The last time I went was at lunch on a weekend and they wouldn't serve anything "that required cooking". I used to love the chicken fried steak there, but I haven’t had it in a while. What a sad thing to see them going downhill. I think Green Mesquite makes the best chicken, chopped beef sandwiches and fried okra. Everything else is just okay. Thu Jan 09 17:01:40 -0800 2003 495896 0 amysuehere 2 495897 I think you may be referring to the Green Mesquite in Austin and it's OK. At Stubb's, I think most of the other menu items are better than the barbecue. I'd like to add House Park Barbecue and Burt's on MLK (for the turbo t-man) to the in Austin list. A personal piece of advice is to order fatty brisket; it's much more flavorful and moist than lean brisket. Thu Jan 09 16:45:30 -0800 2003 495894 0 Greg Spence 1 495899 Louie Mueller's in Taylor, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Elgin is absolutely great. Everything is sold by the pound, except for sandwiches, of course. Thu Jan 09 19:07:09 -0800 2003 495885 0 Mike M 1 496236 Don't know if you've already gone on your BBQ quest, but just in case (or in case someone else is reading this) must add that I cannot believe no one has yet mentioned Cooper's in Llano -- another legend, and most often mentioned as one of the "Big Three" most famous 'cue joints in the state. Also - as far as sides - some of these places don't even OFFER sides, so don't get too wrapped up in them, although they can be quite tasty. Another very good place, small, but gaining rapidly in reputation (recently voted Favorite BBQ by Fox viewers) is Smoky Mo's up in Cedar Park - actually in the Austin metropolitan area - north up 183. Ditto the suggestion to get "wet" brisket, rather than "dry." Also, as far as desserts go, BBQ in Texas can be traced primarily to two sources: German meat markets (that's why the sausage is so good), and the African American tradition. One person recommended that you get Pecan Pie for dessert. That's wonderful, of course. But historically, the "African American" influenced BBQ joints usually offer Sweet Potato Pie. And it's so good. Another traditional "BBQ dessert" is Peach Cobbler (preferably made with Texas Hill Country peaches)topped with a nice helping of Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream. As Amy said - please be sure to post all about your trip after you return. Fri Feb 07 22:18:01 -0800 2003 495885 0 ChrissieH 1 496266 Anyone know the name of bbq joint just off East 11th, about a block off 35 in Austin? Mon Feb 10 16:13:55 -0800 2003 495885 0 Johnny 5-0 2 496267 I think you're talking about Sam's East of I-35. They supposedly do a really good mutton (I didn't like it, but I was told that's the way it's supposed to taste). I found the bbq to be a bit on the expensive side, otherwise. Mon Feb 10 17:09:57 -0800 2003 496266 0 amysuehere 2 496451 The place is Sam's. It's great because it's open til 3 or 4 in the morning...but overrated. Their sauce is comparable to Hunt's ketchup. Sun Mar 02 14:28:28 -0800 2003 496266 0 krissy 1 496626 I know that the trip is probably over by now. This is an old thread. But for the sake of future generations....THE SALT LICK. If you're willing to travel 30 minutes outside of Austin, then you'll have possibly the best bbq anywhere. One of the few truly interesting sauces, too, with a little asian influence. In the middle of nowhere but has been slammed every time I've ever been there. Check out the link. Link: http://www.saltlickbbq.net/ Mon Mar 17 18:28:00 -0800 2003 495885 0 Nick 2 497454 Falls near the top of the "Most Overhyped Avg. BBG Place" list in Texas. Take the food out of the the old country shack atmosphere and you have VERY mediocre BBQ by central Texas standards... Thu May 29 18:29:22 -0700 2003 496626 0 Howard Coone