Which Lockhart joint to take furriners to?

[Brisketexan 104226]

Our exchange student's family is coming to Austin this weekend.  I suggested a solid Texas day on Sunday -- take them shooting out at Lone Star gun range (near Lockhart), then hit Lockhart for some BBQ, then we'll head on up to Greune to do some Sunday afternoon music, dancing, and beer-drinking at Greune hall (the womenfolk can go shopping if they want).

My query is....which Lockhart joint is best for this particular audience?  I like Smitty's....great old-school atmosphere, good taste....but the last couple of times I went, the brisket was tough, and the sausage was overly greasy.  I like Kreuz's, but it's a bit more "antiseptic" in the new building (yeah, it's still the new building to me, even though I was there the day it opened), and these are europeans....gotta ease them into things.  So, the no/limited sides thing might be an impediment.  That leaves Blacks.  I always thought the environment there was lacking (the cafeteria-line service just looks sad), but there's no denying that the barbecue is great, and the foreigner/female contingent appreciates sides.

Anyone have more recent experiences so as to make the choice easier? 

[phdhorn 6224]

Black's.

I'm going with my hs friend in June, I'm taking him to City Market in Luling.  Best place outside of E. 11th (and better in 1-2 aspects).  Better than any of the Lockhart ones imho.

Edited April 12, 2019 by phdhorn

[Brisketexan 104226]

5 minutes ago, phdhorn said:

Black's.

I'm going with my hs friend in June, I'm taking him to City Market in Luling.  Best place outside of E. 11th (and better in 1-2 aspects).  Better than any of the Lockhart ones imho.

Man, I've has a LOT of folks reporting negatively on City Market in the last year.  I'd love to hear a more current update.

[phdhorn 6224]

Nah, they still good.  It's just that Austin's opened up a mini-shitload of places.  Anyway, Black's is to me the all-around best Lockhart joint.  Was there a few months ago last.

[Brisketexan 104226]

Just now, phdhorn said:

Nah, they still good.  It's just that Austin's opened up a mini-shitload of places.  Anyway, Black's is to me the all-around best Lockhart joint.  Was there a few months ago last.

Yeah, last went there with my family and the folks.  We got some amused looks -- 3 generations popping off rounds at the gun range together.  Then bbq for lunch.  My mother felt so damned Texan she damn near lit a cigarette and started a fight with a state trooper.

[CooterBrown 17851]

After shooting, get some road sodas and drive back to Austin for some actually decent BBQ. It's fucking 20 minutes. Their soft euroasses can make it.

 

[4th&Five 41444]

another vote for black's

[Brisketexan 104226]

3 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

After shooting, get some road sodas and drive back to Austin for some actually decent BBQ. It's fucking 20 minutes. Their soft euroasses can make it.

 

Ummmm....Black's is a good bit more than "decent."  And dude, part of the point here is the experience.  Shooting guns, bbq in a small town, hit an old dance hall for some music and beer.  The Norwegians will flip their shit over that.

[hopkinsnhorns 533]

Sounds like a damned fine Sunday, Brisket.

[thrillhammer 682]

Lockhart is liable to be a cluster this weekend as the Old Settlers Music Fest is going on.

I agree that Blacks is the best tasting bbq, but the experience is lacking.  Out-of-towners would be more impressed with Luling, Kreuz, or Smitty's as far as the pit experience goes visually.

[Brisketexan 104226]

7 minutes ago, thrillhammer said:

Lockhart is liable to be a cluster this weekend as the Old Settlers Music Fest is going on.

I agree that Blacks is the best tasting bbq, but the experience is lacking.  Out-of-towners would be more impressed with Luling, Kreuz, or Smitty's as far as the pit experience goes visually.

Shit -- OSMF -- hadn't thought about that.  We'll have a hell of a line wherever we go, I suspect.  Although it looks like Blacks is one of the food vendors, so maybe anyone who wants Blacks will have already had it....

[TornACL 7666]

Don't try to go to City Market in Luling on Sunday. Closed.

 

[pepper brooks 579]

5 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Shit -- OSMF -- hadn't thought about that.  We'll have a hell of a line wherever we go, I suspect.  Although it looks like Blacks is one of the food vendors, so maybe anyone who wants Blacks will have already had it....

I know CM has had a bit of a bad rap, but it kinda sound like with the fiasco of the music fest, and the need for atmosphere it is going to be your best bet.  In it's heyday, it was so so so very good.  oh....except the whole sunday thing. 

Edited April 12, 2019 by pepper brooks

[thrillhammer 682]

6 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Shit -- OSMF -- hadn't thought about that.  We'll have a hell of a line wherever we go, I suspect.  Although it looks like Blacks is one of the food vendors, so maybe anyone who wants Blacks will have already had it....

Yes, Black's took over for Salt Lick as a vendor.  That's an upgrade imho.

[Brisketexan 104226]

4 minutes ago, TornACL said:

Don't try to go to City Market in Luling on Sunday. Closed.

 

I thought only HEB was closed.

[irishtexan 11435]

If it’s people who know good bbq I think you go to black’s. However, for furriners, there is something kinda magical about putting your order in at Smitty’s with that giant pit and embers burning in the background.

[AUS-97HORN 11644]

blacks is my normal go to.

however, if you really like ribs, go to Kreutz's, they seem to make them better. 

I agree that walking pas the blast furnace at Smittys and the entire cling of smoke on the walls is worth presenting to FurNers

[TornACL 7666]

9 minutes ago, irishtexan said:

If it’s people who know good bbq I think you go to black’s. However, for furriners, there is something kinda magical about putting your order in at Smitty’s with that giant pit and embers burning in the background.

I've been very disappointed with Smitty's over the past couple of years but the giant pit is awesome and if they have prime rib on the menu that day it is fucking glorious. 

[Steel Shank 9383]

Eat at Black's then go by Smitty's and get an ice cream. 

[deadshank 24648]

Golden Chick on the corner of Rosewood and Bidness 183

[Lat22 3974]

1 hour ago, CooterBrown said:

After shooting, get some road sodas and drive back to Austin for some actually decent BBQ. It's fucking 20 minutes. Their soft euroasses can make it.

 

He said he wants to give them a Texas experience. 

[phdhorn 6224]

22 minutes ago, Steel Shank said:

Eat at Black's then go by Smitty's and get an ice cream. 

Listen to this man, he's in pre-med or is it pre-law.

Go to Smitty's, look at the pretty fire... waltz over to Kreutz's, check out the place, then go to Black's to eat.

Kind of the "weenie sampler" of bbq tours!

Edited April 12, 2019 by phdhorn

[jimmyjazz 45428]

I say Smitty's.  The ambience won't make up for the food in your eyes, but they won't know the difference.

[Brisketexan 104226]

13 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

I say Smitty's.  The ambience won't make up for the food in your eyes, but they won't know the difference.

BUT I WILL.

Dammit, I really wish Smitty's was better.  I truly do.  When things first started out, they were top notch.  But the QC seems to be shit, and has been for a while.  And yes, the open fire is just a perfect experience.  Never failed to get a wide-eyed look by a non-local seeing it for the first time.

[Fondren & Main 6626]

I agree with Black's and City Market.

[RollLeft 5039]

Chisolm Trail has nice styrofoam plates, canned sides and overly eggy tasting meringue, so go there .  

[Paco 1908]

I'd say Roy cutting your meat in the pit room at Kruez among those brick pits might be just as good of an experience, and the food is a good compromise.

[TXs 226]

Black's and explain to them all dem dere football pictures

[tx 3 putt 75959]

blacks 

[AustinMT 952]

Black’s, no debate.  And get beef ribs

It’s odd, but neither Smitty’s nor Kreuz are anywhere close to the old Kruez 

[Brisketexan 104226]

Black's and explain to them all dem dere football pictures

The funny thing is, our student’s dad was an exchange student at Wolfforth Frenship 30 years ago - he was their star kicker, even got an offer from Tech. He knows the game.

[Napoleon 8589]

Which country are the furriners from?

[Jack Straw 2953]

13 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

I say Smitty's.  The ambience won't make up for the food in your eyes, but they won't know the difference.

This is my take.  We’re all arguing about which place is better Q, but they’re all going to be awesome to a foreigner with no frame of reference, and the Texas environment or “ambiance,” so to speak, will be far more impressive at Smitty’s and City Market.  You may sacrifice some food-wise, in your eyes at least, but you’ll have dozens more chances to make up for it in the future.  

[South Austin 51976]

14 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

BUT I WILL.

Dammit, I really wish Smitty's was better.  I truly do.  When things first started out, they were top notch.  But the QC seems to be shit, and has been for a while.  And yes, the open fire is just a perfect experience.  Never failed to get a wide-eyed look by a non-local seeing it for the first time.

Same here. I used to love going to that place. Hope it rebounds. It has 100 time more character than Kruez, which just looks like a cafeteria.

[jimmyjazz 45428]

44 minutes ago, South Austin said:

Same here. I used to love going to that place. Hope it rebounds. It has 100 time more character than Kruez, which just looks like a cafeteria.

Yeah, it's the same reason I don't take out of state 'Q-bies to Cooper's in LLano.  Better food than most places -- still nowhere near my favorite -- but the "experience" is not as good.

My choices for a day drive and food are Smitty's and yes, Salt Lick.  Anyone truly seeking great BBQ has no need to leave Austin.

Edited April 13, 2019 by jimmyjazz

[Jerry Callo 8647]

11 hours ago, AustinMT said:

Black’s, no debate.  And get beef ribs

It’s odd, but neither Smitty’s nor Kreuz are anywhere close to the old Kruez 

Agreed.  Smitty's is still the coolest location and probably were I would go (in Lockhart) with out-of-towners.  Out of the three, I prefer Kreuz barbecue over Smitty's or Blacks.

[luke duke 6366]

Take them to Salt Lick. The atmosphere is pretty good and they won't realize that the bbq is subpar.

[Underdog 28391]

Furriners?  JFC.  

Not sure if Rustic is the right word but Smitty’s would be my choice, never cared for the brisket but love their ribs and as mentioned earlier, the prime rib is outstanding also.  Although not a fan, Salt Lick would also be a solid choice just on ambience alone.  

[Brisketexan 104226]

They’re Norwegian. Fed them chicken fajitas and refrieds last night, and they said they were the best tacos they’ve ever had. So, yeah, they’ll be happy with anything. But still, wanna do them right.

[South Austin 51976]

7 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

But still, wanna do them right.

Norwegians you say?

[bluto 4861]

They didn't call you out that fajitas aren't chicken? (I'm team chicken fajitas FTR)

[Brisketexan 104226]

They didn't call you out that fajitas aren't chicken? (I'm team chicken fajitas FTR)

I didn’t even call them fajitas. I called em grilled chicken tacos. And I slapped it all together in about 25 mins after work (HEB premarinated meat FTW). They’d been traveling for 20 hours. I figured they weren’t yet up for a beer and cognac (they brought gifts)-fueled Brisketexan rant yet. I’ll let them acclimate first.

Today, I’ll be cleaning and prepping guns in the living room. That should ease them into things.

[Llano Estacado 1257]

[Underdog 28391]

4 hours ago, South Austin said:

Norwegians you say?

Furriners. 

[4th and 5 4909]

Smittys is turrible. Prefer Blacks but Kreuz is prolly the best experience. 

[RoundRobin 828]

On 4/12/2019 at 1:55 PM, Brisketexan said:

Ummmm....Black's is a good bit more than "decent."  And dude, part of the point here is the experience.  Shooting guns, bbq in a small town, hit an old dance hall for some music and beer.  The Norwegians will flip their shit over that.

As a 1/2 Norwegian, that sounds like an awesome day. 

[South Austin 51976]

4 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

I didn’t even call them fajitas. 

You called them chicken fajitas in your post. You know you did. Consider yourself warned.

[DougO 5238]

They won't know any difference. Take them to the cheapest place, then go back to Black's when you want real barbecue.

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3867]

6 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Today, I’ll be cleaning and prepping guns in the living room. That should ease them into things.

Doesn't Norway have a required military stint for all males and females and issue a rifle(HK417?) to keep at home for all those that have served?

Edited April 13, 2019 by ShaggyBevo RIP

[Brisketexan 104226]

Doesn't Norway have a required military stint for all males and females and issue a rifle(HK417?) to keep at home for all those that have served?

Doesn’t seem like it. Dad is my age, he DID inherit a rifle when his dad died - had been issued to his grandpa in 1935. He ended up turning it in, because he had no use for it. He was most fascinated when I had 6 guns out on the table, cleaning, oiling, checking the action, etc. He doesn’t have any experience with firearms, and he would have been subject to service, I would think.

We’re hitting up Pieous tonight, while the girls are at prom (just offloaded a houseful of Norwegian girls along with my daughter onto the prom scene. That was a trip).