BBQ without sauce is an oxymoron. It’s about the sauce. It’s always been about the sauce. Otherwise you are just talking about smoked meat.
Arthur Bryant’s in KC is my #1 But it slipped after he died.
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The sauce is meant to be a complement. People often ask themselves why Texas is far and away the best state for BBQ. It's because of how minimalist the preparation is. Salt, pepper, a good cut of meat (preferably brisket), post oak wood, time and temperature control.
This style comes from Czech and German immigrants who would roll over in their grave if they saw the sugar sludge use in KC or the Vinegar bullshit used in Carolina. These areas started using so much sauce because:
A. They didn't have access to the same quality and quantity of meat. It was often rancid or lower quality and they needed to mask the taste.
B. They don't have the German/ Czech influence and can't smoke meat properly for shit.
So next time you're slurping down those BBQ ribs covered in sauce, remember you're partaking in a tradition that stems from rancid meat and and inferior smokers.
Pecan Lodge in Dallas.
Franklin in Austin.
Salt Lick down in the Hill County.
Every other BBQ, whether KC, Memphis, or Carolina....sucks in comparison.
Cracks me up hearing non-Texans talking BBQ greatness without realizing anything outside of Texas is 2nd division.
Pecan Lodge in Dallas.
Franklin in Austin.
Salt Lick down in the Hill County.
Every other BBQ, whether KC, Memphis, or Carolina....sucks in comparison.
Cracks me up hearing non-Texans talking BBQ greatness without realizing anything outside of Texas is 2nd division.
This the correct answer.
Pecan Lodge in Dallas.
Franklin in Austin.
Salt Lick down in the Hill County.
Every other BBQ, whether KC, Memphis, or Carolina....sucks in comparison.
Cracks me up hearing non-Texans talking BBQ greatness without realizing anything outside of Texas is 2nd division.
Brisket in Texas is king. Beef ribs are not better than pork ribs.
Franklins is second to none. Austin has some other places started by his proteges that worked there for years that are also very good and you don't have to wait in line for hours.Pecan Lodge in Dallas.
Franklin in Austin.
Salt Lick down in the Hill County.
Every other BBQ, whether KC, Memphis, or Carolina....sucks in comparison.
Cracks me up hearing non-Texans talking BBQ greatness without realizing anything outside of Texas is 2nd division.
I'll never forget my first time at Salt Lick. A revelation. Was supposed to go out and drink that night, but ended up back on my couch, too full to do anything.
Franklins is second to none. Austin has some other places started by his proteges that worked there for years that are also very good and you don't have to wait in line for hours.Pecan Lodge in Dallas.
Franklin in Austin.
Salt Lick down in the Hill County.
Every other BBQ, whether KC, Memphis, or Carolina....sucks in comparison.
Cracks me up hearing non-Texans talking BBQ greatness without realizing anything outside of Texas is 2nd division.
I'll never forget my first time at Salt Lick. A revelation. Was supposed to go out and drink that night, but ended up back on my couch, too full to do anything.
They used to have "all you can eat" at Salt Lick for like $10. Same thing...we'd go out there, feast, and barely have juice left for Cain and Abels back in town.
Started going to this bluegrassy festival back in the 2010's where we'd camp across the street from Salt Lick at that old Army Camp (Ben McCollough). Stages were set up across Onion Creek from Salt Lick, and they had a restaurant open right in the middle of the fest. That place ruled. Good times.
I always thought Wolf's in Evansville was outstanding at least during the 70's when I lived there. I know it closed recently because apparently the owners retired but visited there just a couple of years ago. I think there be very good BBQ spots along the Ohio river. Moonlight in Owensboro. Really like Montgomery Inn in Cincy. Whether they are the best or not, very good stuff.
Anyway, glad to be in Texas and I now prefer Beef be it brisket or ribs over pork anyday. Sometimes the price gets in the way though when ordering a Beef rib plate. Smoking them at home is the way to go now. I expect everyone has heard of Franklins in Austin but Interstellar BBQ might have passed it. Only 1 mile from my home. Gotta get in line at 10. If you show up at 11 gonna be a very long line. They open at 11 and close at 4 or when everything is sold which is the usually the case. Sometimes they provide free beers while waiting in line if you like a beer at 10:30.
I love good beef brisket and I love good BBQ pork. Similarly I love basketball and I love disc golf. But they are different things and it would be silly to rank the best basketball arena vs. the best disc golf course.
Texas indeed has the best beef brisket and burnt ends I have ever had, and ditto for Memphis with respect to pork BBQ. But I'm not a snob about it and realize many different kinds of BBQ can be very tasty. No tofu or toasted cauliflower pretending to be BBQ, though. Got to draw the line somewhere.
"You can't make someone listen to reason if they aren't willing to think"-- Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
Damn, I can't believe how built up that region is now. When I lived in Austin, that area was tumbleweeds. Is the Anderson Mill Tavern still there? Was out in the middle of nowhere in the mid-90s.I always thought Wolf's in Evansville was outstanding at least during the 70's when I lived there. I know it closed recently because apparently the owners retired but visited there just a couple of years ago. I think there be very good BBQ spots along the Ohio river. Moonlight in Owensboro. Really like Montgomery Inn in Cincy. Whether they are the best or not, very good stuff.
Anyway, glad to be in Texas and I now prefer Beef be it brisket or ribs over pork anyday. Sometimes the price gets in the way though when ordering a Beef rib plate. Smoking them at home is the way to go now. I expect everyone has heard of Franklins in Austin but Interstellar BBQ might have passed it. Only 1 mile from my home. Gotta get in line at 10. If you show up at 11 gonna be a very long line. They open at 11 and close at 4 or when everything is sold which is the usually the case. Sometimes they provide free beers while waiting in line if you like a beer at 10:30.