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| [Louie Mueller - Wikipedia] |
What I'm trying to work out is how to fit five BBQ joints into three days. I think I have no choice but to eat three lunches in one day - although I will be in good company if I do. But more of that later.
The first day is easy - off to Louie Mueller's in Taylor. Everything I read points here - hell, even Wikipedia seems to be telling me I should go. Man Up Texas BBQ gave it a near clean sweep. Even the NY Times says to go. Enough already, it's my first stop!
The problems start the next day. The problem is Lockhart. The problem is that it contains possibly the three best barbecue restaurants in Texas. And my itinerary doesn't really allow me two visits. So it looks like I simply have no choice, I shall I have to eat in all three. Now, I won't be the first to do this. Simon Majumdar managed it in Eat My Globe. Michael Park at Epicurious managed it. The guys at Destination Eats managed it. As long as I don't get too tempted by breakfast in the Magnolia Cafe before I set off (hard, but not impossible), I reckon I could manage it too. Follow me on Twitter (@tjewell) on the 22nd July (or read this blog the following day), and let's see how I do. Providing my podgy fingers can still hit the keys ...
So how did this pretty pickle happen? Well, Zagat have a 'handy' infographic to explain the connections between the restaurants - there's intrigue, in-fighting and a dynasty to compare with the Borgias here. As far as I can tell, a family feud in the Schmidt family caused the Kreuz Market to move to a new location, while the old restaurant became Smitty's. Quite where Blacks fits into this I'm not sure - the beer is starting to make the lines in Zagat's infographic move of their own accord. And I'm turning a blind eye to newcomer the Chisolm Trail BBQ (so hip, it has no website) that some are saying eclipses them all. No, no one can eat four lunches. Surely?
The final day in Austin, and it's off on a drive through Hill Country with a stop off at Cooper's BBQ in Llano for lunch. Just one barbecue that day (I don't want to fall asleep behind the wheel), and then I'm moving south to San Antonio - and next week I'll tell you more about that!
If you can’t fit in all the BBQ restaurants in Lockhart in one day, a second best option may be available for you back in Dallas.
ReplyDeleteSome other members of the Schmidt family have opened-up two BBQ paces in Dallas called Lockhart Smokehouse:
http://www.lockhartsmokehouse.com/
I’ve enjoyed multiple delicious meals at their Bishop Arts location, and have even gone back to visit it even after we had to move to San Antonio. I’ve yet to eat at their new location in Plano, but I’ve read it is up-to the same standards as their first location.
(There is even BBQ in San Antonio that is in same league as the places in Lockhart, TX, but that is a comment for an upcoming post.) :-)
Where were you when I was planning this trip? :) Great tips, thank you for all your comments!
ReplyDeleteWell, I was hanging-out on Serious Eats until you added your comments to the Kolache story there. :-)
ReplyDeleteI’ve also been doing stuff on Yelp, for places mostly in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. I’m unfortunately way behind on getting my unfinished reviews posted, but I’ve been at least doing a decent job of uploading my photos for the places I’ve been eating at:
http://jsavidge.yelp.com
I’ve added your blog to my RSS feed reader, so I’ll be looking forward to reading about more of your “feet to eats”. :-p