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Posted (edited)
8 minutes ago, TXSooner518 said:

you spent over $100 on lunch for one person at Louie Mueller?

 

Usually, I don't order a beef rib anywhere unless I'm sharing a tray, which had I not been solo would have worked better in my probably ordering more brisket.  So it evens out, I guess.

Order: 1 beef rib, 1/2 lb fatty brisket, 1/4 lb sausage, potato salad, unsweet tea.

Like $108.  The 1/2 lb of brisket was one thick-cut, sad-looking thing.

 

Signed,

Fat ass

Edited by dcbc
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Posted (edited)
15 minutes ago, TXSooner518 said:

you spent over $100 on lunch for one person at Louie Mueller?

 

Louie Mueller BBQ and Country Tavern are similar: old joints that kept doing things the same and have kept things on pretty well.  And, as an aside, I know they're proud of those rib$$$, and  I know you like that place, but I've never been much of a fan.  But, I'm still kind of glad places like it, Y'all's BBQ, and Pat Gee's are out there in this area and still surviving in the era of level-up BBQ, of which Stanley's and Sunbird are the local torch-bearers with a few pretty decent places up north of I20 nobody really knows about outside of the area.

/edit:  Really like what Sunbird is doing.  I ate Bryan's BBQ at Bodacious before he left.  I went by the trailer when it was in White Oak.  Unfortunately, I had to take it to go and while I remember its being good, BBQ never is as good after 30 minutes in the car in a Styrofoam container.  I need to just make the short drive at this point.  I'm so lazy.

Edited by dcbc
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Posted (edited)
3 minutes ago, dcbc said:

Louie Mueller BBQ and Country Tavern are similar.  And, as an aside, I know they're proud of those rib$$$.  I know you like that place, but I've never been much of a fan.  But, I'm still kind of glad places like it and Pat Gee's are out there.

I do like some Tavern!  And trust me, there was zero judgment in the post, I have probably spent $200 in a day many a time on food at the Texas Fair, and have had many fat ass BBQ trays snarfed down. Respect.

It was more that I do like places like Louie, but I would be immersed in regret, darkness warshing over me darker than a steer's tuckus at midnight, in the post-nut clarity of what I could have done instead with over $100 vs "pretty good" cue. 

Edited by TXSooner518
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Posted (edited)
5 minutes ago, TXSooner518 said:

I do like some Tavern!  And trust me, there was zero judgment in the post, I have probably spent $200 in a day many a time on food at the Texas Fair, and have had many fat ass BBQ trays snarfed down. Respect.

It was more that I do like places like Louie, but I would be immersed in regret, darkness warshing over me darker than a steer's tuckus at midnight, in the post-nut clarity of what I could have done instead with over $100 vs "pretty good" cue. 

Hell, after I left, I took a wrong turn on the way to Wurstfest trying to go the back way and avoid the UT game traffic by taking back roads and ended up in Lockhart.  I was like, I fucking can't.  Because I was a big, fat fuck gearing up for Wurstfest with my college freshman and his roommate.  But, shit, I figured I'd at least get some sausage at Smitty's.  And I paid $33 for a 9.89/10 plate at Stile's Switch a couple of months later.  At some point, nostalgia gives way to value-for-money.  I get that. 

 

But lay off Tootsie.

Edited by dcbc
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Posted
29 minutes ago, TXSooner518 said:

you spent over $100 on lunch for one person at Louie Mueller?

 

That's a salad and a sandwich at Royal Blue. 

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Posted (edited)
38 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Man, I haven’t had country tavern in a jillion years. Just don’t get up that way anymore.

Skip it.  Go to Stanley's and Sunbird.  Sorry, @TXSooner518.  Or go.  I mean, it's a rib joint.  It's a'ight.

 

So, Y'all's BBQ.  It's a little shack near a house off of 31E near Tyler.  A really friendly African-American family owns it.  The sides are made from whatever is fresh in their backyard-garden. Homemade desserts. I think I paid $7 for a brisket-loaded baked potato and some sausage.  I ate it over three days.  So, yeah.  This place fucks.

 

I suck and never have eaten at Pat Gee's.  But Nick Pencis, who has owned Stanley's since 2004, used to be in a funk band called Greyhounds (an Austin band now).  They released an album while they all were living in Tyler in the early 2000s, and one of the songs on the album was about Pat Gee's.  Nick was one of the first few people I met when I moved to Tyler.  I remember Stanley's when they first built the deck (no roof).  I used to get calls to help supply mics and mic stands when they'd try to have live music in the early days.

 

This is my older son.  He ended up working for Stanley's for two years when he was in high school.  His first concert and past his bedtime. 

 

AP1-Gcz-OWHa-t-VEHw7-Fd-WHc-hd-HNADYx8-X

 

 

Edited by dcbc
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Posted
9 hours ago, royiv said:

That was one that stood out to me. I haven’t been out there in a couple of years since it’s pretty far out there for me, but it’s one that I’ve always had as one of the top tier in the Houston area. My wife has been bugging me to go back out there (and to Snow’s - ha!) so we might need to get on that to see what’s up.

 

pick up greenspoint on the way to snow's 

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Posted
2 hours ago, dcbc said:

Louie Mueller BBQ and Country Tavern are similar: old joints that kept doing things the same and have kept things on pretty well.  And, as an aside, I know they're proud of those rib$$$, and  I know you like that place, but I've never been much of a fan.  But, I'm still kind of glad places like it, Y'all's BBQ, and Pat Gee's are out there in this area and still surviving in the era of level-up BBQ, of which Stanley's and Sunbird are the local torch-bearers with a few pretty decent places up north of I20 nobody really knows about outside of the area.

/edit:  Really like what Sunbird is doing.  I ate Bryan's BBQ at Bodacious before he left.  I went by the trailer when it was in White Oak.  Unfortunately, I had to take it to go and while I remember its being good, BBQ never is as good after 30 minutes in the car in a Styrofoam container.  I need to just make the short drive at this point.  I'm so lazy.

… which are? Could always use a daytime activity when up there visiting family. 

Posted
2 hours ago, Party_Taco said:


Honestly, they need the business.

Last few times I've been the parking lot is full and you can see a line inside the glass doors.  Get inside and its a bunch of hipsters getting coffee at 11:30 in the morning.  No line, no waiting for barbecue.

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Posted

The beef rib ordering...

Regardless of venue, I typically will try to get it take out and bring it home for lunch, and then finish it for dinner.  Sometimes, there's enough scrap to make with eggs the next day for breakfast.

Multiple times with work folks, some dumbass will order a beef rib and then other stuff. 
"Dude, that rib is like a small roast.  Who are you sharing it with?"
"Oh I got it?"

Then when we leave they have eaten half of it at most.  "I didn't believe you.  I was hungry."

Posted

Dropping the kids off at camp just west of Marble Falls on Sunday.  Recommendations for some good BBQ on the drive back to Austin?  We usually take 1431 home, and 71 is just a tad out of the way, but we'd consider that if it's the best route for BBQ.

Posted
21 minutes ago, South Austin said:

Dropping the kids off at camp just west of Marble Falls on Sunday.  Recommendations for some good BBQ on the drive back to Austin?  We usually take 1431 home, and 71 is just a tad out of the way, but we'd consider that if it's the best route for BBQ.

Stiles Switch Cedar Park on 1431

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Posted
26 minutes ago, South Austin said:

Dropping the kids off at camp just west of Marble Falls on Sunday.  Recommendations for some good BBQ on the drive back to Austin?  We usually take 1431 home, and 71 is just a tad out of the way, but we'd consider that if it's the best route for BBQ.

Mentioned it earlier this week, but there's a new-ish bbq trailer in Cottonwood Shores at the Fresh AF Park called Mythic BBQ. Covered patio for seating. Brisket, turkey and pork belly burnt ends were outstanding, as was the very spicy chipotle slaw.

Posted
1 hour ago, Iceman said:

The beef rib ordering...

Regardless of venue, I typically will try to get it take out and bring it home for lunch, and then finish it for dinner.  Sometimes, there's enough scrap to make with eggs the next day for breakfast.

Multiple times with work folks, some dumbass will order a beef rib and then other stuff. 
"Dude, that rib is like a small roast.  Who are you sharing it with?"
"Oh I got it?"

Then when we leave they have eaten half of it at most.  "I didn't believe you.  I was hungry."

The beef rib is usually a group deal.  As in, we take a group of folks to eat bbq, we get one rib.  I then carve off chunks and distribute them.  You get 2-3 oz of beef rib, a couple of slices of brisket, a pork rib, a link of sausage, and whatnot.  It's more than enough.  Not just because the beef rib is huge, but it's also really rich.  Even if you're up for eating a pound of pure meat, a pound of that rib meat is a lot.

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Posted (edited)
11 hours ago, Etexhorn13 said:

… which are? Could always use a daytime activity when up there visiting family. 

East TX Rust BBQ in Gilmer appears to be doing it right.  It's a bit of a drive, but not too bad.  I'll probably give it a try at some point.

 

Brisket Love in Lindale is decent.  

 

There's also a new-ish food truck in Tyler called J-Budd's that I've been meaning to try.  It's been a bit sporadic in its open hours to date, but I think it's recently opened Monday--Saturday.  He does a brisket gumbo that looks pretty solid.

Edited by dcbc
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Posted
2 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

The beef rib is usually a group deal.  As in, we take a group of folks to eat bbq, we get one rib.  I then carve off chunks and distribute them.  You get 2-3 oz of beef rib, a couple of slices of brisket, a pork rib, a link of sausage, and whatnot.  It's more than enough.  Not just because the beef rib is huge, but it's also really rich.  Even if you're up for eating a pound of pure meat, a pound of that rib meat is a lot.

Look, it was hot and I was hungry. :) 

 

But the fact of the matter was that despite driving through Taylor regularly for the last 20+ years, I'd never been to LM.   So I definitely was ordering a beef rib and wanted to try the rest of tray so to speak.  I didn't finish it and pick my teeth with the bone though.  About two-thirds of it made its way to Wurstfest with me and ended up going home with my always-hungry, college-aged son, who probably consumed the remaining meat in one, duck-like gulp.

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Posted
On 5/27/2025 at 12:25 PM, Texzilla58 said:

I think in many cases in this list we are seeing Daniel Vaughan’s and team’s boredom with top notch basics of Texas barbecue.  He’s been chomping on craft made prime brisket and great sausage for over a decade.  And it’s now ubiquitous everywhere vs the past where dry brisket dogmatically served without sauce was the only game in town.  So he seems to focus on new school focuses on new ethnic influences, different preps, burgers, fancy sauces and especially sides.  

the top places have long lines to eat their standards and they just don’t invest much time in developing new things.

looks like he also has decided to punish the mini chains like Hurtado, Terry Blacks, and especially Heim which appears to be erased (and should be).  I am surprised smoke n ash with a Michelin rec and ny times top 50 restaurant of any kind ranking hammered to the 50-100 list.  It seems to check a lot of boxes DV likes.  And Slow Bone isn’t that great; I don’t like their high temp technique.  Where is 407? 
 

we are a long way from a shack on the highway selling chopped beef sandwiches, a bag of chips from the rack, and a Grape-ette from the cooler box.  

He talked a ton about how the sides and non brisket meats is what sets the top ten apart from everyone else and each other.

You have to have incredible brisket to even be in the top 50 convo now.

He focuses on the new school stuff because that's what everyone focuses on. What really good top spot now doesn't? Or only focuses on the trinity and serves shitty pintos?

Good brisket isn't enough.

Posted
14 hours ago, dcbc said:

Louie Mueller BBQ and Country Tavern are similar: old joints that kept doing things the same and have kept things on pretty well.  And, as an aside, I know they're proud of those rib$$$, and  I know you like that place, but I've never been much of a fan.  But, I'm still kind of glad places like it, Y'all's BBQ, and Pat Gee's are out there in this area and still surviving in the era of level-up BBQ, of which Stanley's and Sunbird are the local torch-bearers with a few pretty decent places up north of I20 nobody really knows about outside of the area.

/edit:  Really like what Sunbird is doing.  I ate Bryan's BBQ at Bodacious before he left.  I went by the trailer when it was in White Oak.  Unfortunately, I had to take it to go and while I remember its being good, BBQ never is as good after 30 minutes in the car in a Styrofoam container.  I need to just make the short drive at this point.  I'm so lazy.

I'm done forever at LMBBQ. Bad experiences now 4/5 times, and the other one wasn't bad just not near a top 50 joint. They easily worst cutters amongst the top 50 - including the electric knife lady at Snows.

I get why people like it, and recognize people LOVE it. But I'd rather go to any other place in Texas than there. At least I can get the big chop or some cabrito at Coopers in Llano.

 

Posted

For its beef ribs, InterStellar uses chuck short ribs as opposed to plate short ribs.  The plate short ribs are the Dino ribs that come as a three large bone rack.  Chuck short ribs are slightly smaller and usually come it a four bone rack.  When slicing, InterStellar removes one of the four ribs which allows them to serve three equally sized ribs.  It's nice since they are not one and a half pounds each.  They are still big enough to split with others with a tray of other meats.  @dcbc should probably order two, though.

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Posted

It wasn't THAT long ago that some of "us" organized John Mueller (RIP) to come to Houston to cook.

The fucking mayor even showed up that first year.

 

What we served was not top 50, but a shitload better than most of what Houston was offering.  Now we have 10 places that I could go to and have badass cue inside of an hour.

 

I guess there is no getting around the cost.

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Posted

With all the bbq talk, this popped up on my feed… and just had to laugh/shake my head and think “how are some of these place still open?”  Quickly followed by “which surly poster is this”

do miss Prause’s and Zimmerhanzel’s though.

 

 

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Posted
44 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

And that right there was the thesis of my longer post above.  For what most of us look for in a bbq joint -- the trinity of brisket, sausage, and ribs -- there are easily 50-75 places in Texas that serve a plate of those that ranks a 9.5 outta 10 or better.  Again, yeah, any place can have an off day, but they turn out product that would have been "the best thing I ever ate" 25 years ago.  Now, we're spoiled.  I'm serious, you can go to the Black's location by campus and get a plate of BBQ at lunch that you would have been telling your friends about 25 years ago (yes, there are plenty of places that are "better," but again....we're arguing about whether it's a 9.5 or a 10).  Now, it's just another easy lunch spot.

So, yeah, deciding how to rank places has to turn to more esoteric things.  Which is fine.  But it's also a bit silly.  We're down to arguing the ranking of supermodels based on which ones have the best mole and freckle placement.  Who gives a shit?  They're all some variation of a 9.9 or better.  Take home the 10th ranked supermodel, and you're still spending the night with one of the hottest women on the planet.

I'm dead serious, I'm thrilled with a plate of sliced brisket and a link of sausage from Black's on Guadalupe for lunch.  It's top-notch barbecue....and the fact that there are 100 other places like it/that are just as good or better doesn't denigrate Black's, it tells us that we live in glorious times.  What was once rare (great barbecue) is now ubiquitous.  Looking down your nose at those places is like looking down your nose at Gisele Bundchen with a "knees are too pointy, would not bang" comment.  It's just stupid.  I can walk into any one of 10 places in this town and get barbecue in 10-15 minutes that I would have had to drive to or wait in line forever for even 10-15 years ago.  Winning.

Not to mention how it would compare to 25 years ago, but Black's on Guadalupe would be the best BBQ available in 99% of the cities in the United States right now today. The idea that it is "shit" because maybe 100 other places on earth do it better is incredibly stupid. 

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Posted
59 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

And that right there was the thesis of my longer post above.  For what most of us look for in a bbq joint -- the trinity of brisket, sausage, and ribs -- there are easily 50-75 places in Texas that serve a plate of those that ranks a 9.5 outta 10 or better.  Again, yeah, any place can have an off day, but they turn out product that would have been "the best thing I ever ate" 25 years ago.  Now, we're spoiled.  I'm serious, you can go to the Black's location by campus and get a plate of BBQ at lunch that you would have been telling your friends about 25 years ago (yes, there are plenty of places that are "better," but again....we're arguing about whether it's a 9.5 or a 10).  Now, it's just another easy lunch spot.

So, yeah, deciding how to rank places has to turn to more esoteric things.  Which is fine.  But it's also a bit silly.  We're down to arguing the ranking of supermodels based on which ones have the best mole and freckle placement.  Who gives a shit?  They're all some variation of a 9.9 or better.  Take home the 10th ranked supermodel, and you're still spending the night with one of the hottest women on the planet.

I'm dead serious, I'm thrilled with a plate of sliced brisket and a link of sausage from Black's on Guadalupe for lunch.  It's top-notch barbecue....and the fact that there are 100 other places like it/that are just as good or better doesn't denigrate Black's, it tells us that we live in glorious times.  What was once rare (great barbecue) is now ubiquitous.  Looking down your nose at those places is like looking down your nose at Gisele Bundchen with a "knees are too pointy, would not bang" comment.  It's just stupid.  I can walk into any one of 10 places in this town and get barbecue in 10-15 minutes that I would have had to drive to or wait in line forever for even 10-15 years ago.  Winning.

The son of a bitch is California'ing our BBQ reviews! 

Posted (edited)
59 minutes ago, huge said:

It wasn't THAT long ago that some of "us" organized John Mueller (RIP) to come to Houston to cook.

The fucking mayor even showed up that first year.

 

What we served was not top 50, but a shitload better than most of what Houston was offering.  Now we have 10 places that I could go to and have badass cue inside of an hour.

 

I guess there is no getting around the cost.

 

at that time, city market on richmond ave was maybe the best bbq spot in town ?

Edited by tx 3 putt
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, UTexasFight said:

With all the bbq talk, this popped up on my feed… and just had to laugh/shake my head and think “how are some of these place still open?”  Quickly followed by “which surly poster is this”

do miss Prause’s and Zimmerhanzel’s though.

 

 

Could include Bobs Bar B Que or The BBQ man or Vans as well. Sadly, everyone should go asap cause these places wont be around much longer. But I def wouldnt make the trip expecting great cue.  Most of these places serve shoe leather

Edited by GreenspointTexas
Posted
20 hours ago, Sal said:

Hurtado and Micklethwait have never been that good. Glad they dropped. Also good to see Cattleack get dropped from the top 10 - terrible hours and the food doesn’t justify them. I don’t think Dayne’s deserves top 10, maybe not even top 50. 

Cattleack is terrific. Haven't been in a bit but I love it. Not a huge fan of the pork ribs -- they have an odd glaze they put on that I'm not a huge fan of. Also, if you watch the Weisman video above, Cattleack was in the top five for meat and sides. I haven't been to Dayne's since he was serving out of the food truck at Lola's but a good friend of mine who is a BBQ savant said he's serving killer BBQ in the space in Aledo. It's just in Aledo and fuck that place. I loved Dayne's the one time I've had it.

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Posted
5 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Goode Co?  Man, they sucked back when there weren't any elite joints.  Making it at least 20 years is an interesting standard, but it shouldn't supplant decent taste.

When you lead with anything other than the trinity, you know your joint sucks. Their pecan pie is the best thing they make and the only thing id order from there

Posted
2 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

 

at that time, city market on richmond ave was maybe the best bbq spot in town ?

I always thought Luling on Richmond was trash.  

Maybe Roegel had taken over Bakers Ribs?   Killens was just getting started.  I always like Pizzatolas.

Posted
6 hours ago, South Austin said:

Dropping the kids off at camp just west of Marble Falls on Sunday.  Recommendations for some good BBQ on the drive back to Austin?  We usually take 1431 home, and 71 is just a tad out of the way, but we'd consider that if it's the best route for BBQ.

take 71 to Opie’s in spicewood.  always worth a stop plus free butter beans. 

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Posted
57 minutes ago, huge said:

I always thought Luling on Richmond was trash.  

Maybe Roegel had taken over Bakers Ribs?   Killens was just getting started.  I always like Pizzatolas.

 

i don't think either was around. when yall did that event 

Posted

Pinkertons slamming and going hard today. Amazed this line isn’t longer… we are outside with our kids and after we finished eating my wife told me to go grab another round of drinks so we could enjoy this awesome weather. Better than truth IMO.

IMG_7928.jpeg

IMG_5166.jpeg

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Posted (edited)

Got to try J-Bud's in Tyler today. Not elite to the extent most Surly BBQ aficionados would bang. But pretty solid nonetheless. Lots of samples given out too. So I can attest to the fact that the turkey is tasty and the green beans in "brisket gravy" slam. Corn elote was good as well.  They had beef ribs on offering today, but contrary to what you may have read about me above, I opted not to partake.

5561995133bc0ae6e24543944e51595c.jpg

Edited by dcbc
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Posted
On 5/30/2025 at 3:03 PM, futureman said:

take 71 to Opie’s in spicewood.  always worth a stop plus free butter beans. 

It was the best option that wasn’t out of the way. Brisket was just okay, but the jap cheese sausage slapped, and the potato salet and coleslaw were solid.

IMG_0710.jpeg

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Posted (edited)
On 5/30/2025 at 9:37 AM, Jerry Callo said:

We are simply blessed with great barbecue in Texas.

I travel pretty much 26 weeks/ year  or more for work. I've improved tremendously on not being snarky when someone in Sacramento or Louisville suggests barbecue.   

Edited by Iceman
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Posted
24 minutes ago, Iceman said:

I travel pretty much 26 weeks/ year  or more for work. I've improved tremendously on not being snarky when someone in Sacramento or Louisville suggests barbecue.   

Bless their hearts. 

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