Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

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Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby jmcrig » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:30 pm

Thought I'd take next week off and visit the Great State of Texas, and do a Hill Country BBQ Crawl. Already know I'm going to Lockhart, Elgin, Franklins, LA BBQ. Any other suggestion on can't miss places. Thanks in advance.
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby Boots » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:15 pm

Don't know how you would travel, but the logical simple map progression might be: Elgin, Taylor, Austin, Dripping Springs, Lockhart, Luling.

There will likely be a pile on as to who and what is best, but amongst many (and this is not an all inclusive list, so nobody start throwing rocks at me), here are some names to consider: Mueller's, Smitty's, Black's, Kreuz's, City Market, Franklin's, Salt Lick (Dripping Springs).
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby jmcrig » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:28 pm

I plan on doing this over the course of next week. My plan already includes the places you mentioned. Mueller's is now LA BBQ, with John Lewis running it. And I didn't mention Kerrville, TX. Kind of looking for some of the great off the beaten track places. I'll also have to hit Taco Taco in San Antonio along with the Tip Top(I believe) for chicken fried steak, along with Lulu's for breakfast. Just going to be a fun trip, with no real schedule.
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby Boots » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:15 pm

I understood the change at Mueller's is strictly JMueller in Austin where the sister LeAnn took over (hence now LA Barbecue) and parted ways with brother John, in a relatively dramatic public fashion I think, as reported (below). The original Mueller's (the father's old place) is in Taylor, and so far as I know still going strong, known for the brisket and the muy gigante beef rib.

http://austin.eater.com/archives/2012/1 ... -again.php
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby jmcrig » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:20 pm

Did not know that, so Taylor is on the list of stops.
Thanks
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby jmcrig » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:21 pm

Did not know that, so Taylor is on the list of stops.
Thanks
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby Stan41 » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:26 pm

I still recommend Cooper's at Llano.
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby jmcrig » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:06 pm

Then Cooper's is on the list.
Thanks
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby Stan41 » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:29 pm

jmcrig wrote:Then Cooper's is on the list.
Thanks


I don't work at Coopers and never have, but I have eaten there off and on for 50 years. Still my favorite place.
Here is a preview:
http://www.coopersbbq.com/tour.asp" target="_blank
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby rwhinton » Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:35 pm

In Kerrville is Buzzie's, recently named a BBQ Pitmaster.

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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby BluDawg » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:30 pm

I recommend Snows in Lexington. Tootsie makes a Mean Brisket just get there early.
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby eltex » Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:50 am

In Lexinton, hit Snow's for sure. They make an excellent brisket, and the ribs can be very good too. In Taylor, you have both Louie Muellers, and Vencil Mare's. Both are historic, good, and worth a visit. You can hit elgin, but truthfully neither joint is great, but since hot-guts come from here, it might be worth it. You can head south, and hit R&G bbq in McMahan. It's a unique setting, with above avg bbq(call first and ensure they are still open). That puts you near both Luling and Lockhart, and I would hit LCM, Smittys, Kreuz and Blacks on the same day. Swing back through Austin, hit Franklins at 9am, head to Stiles Switch after, and if you want, LA BBQ can be worthy. I personally feel John Mueller's was better and cheaper, but LA is pretty good. Out west Coopers really impressed me last month, after a VERY disappointing visit before that. I'm sure there are more outstanding places in the Hill country, but I'm an east-sider, so my experience is limited.
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby jmcrig » Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:27 am

As it stands, I've got 20 places on my list. All of which you named, and you added a 21st to my list, Vencil Mare's. I've got a friend that's doing an internship at LA BBQ. Thanks
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby eltex » Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:21 pm

Vencil's is great, though it's hard to find. If heading east on 79 from the Austin area, go just pass Louie Muellers, and turn right at the intersection. You don't get on the highway, instead take the little alley-way that feeds under the bridge and down to the railroad tracks. It is called Vencil Mare's Taylor Cafe. Vencil is way too old to man the pit nowadays, but he is usually in the joint, occupying his favorite chair, and chatting up the customers. He can be an awesome conversation, though he might nod off a time or two. On some days, their brisket is better than LM, and other days, LM is on top.

Also, the recent trend in Texas BBQ is to overcharge for all the meat. Gone are the days of getting a 2 meat plate for $10. Now, a beef rib and a slice of brisket will likely cost $25-30, plus any sides or drinks. I love BBQ, but it is getting hard to justify paying more for a BBQ dinner than a very nice steakhouse. Good luck on the trip.
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Re: Suggestions Needed for a Hill Country BBQ Crawl

Postby FR8 Train » Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:18 am

Ate at stiles switch today and it was great...
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