Research Road Trip - Honest!

[MeatMonster]

Hi folks I will be finishing my career in Oil and Gas this year and embarking on a journey in more ways than one. After years of home smoking for friends and family, for charitable causes and events I am going to make the leap and get my own smokehouse off the ground by year end in Scotland.

I am already well progressed in terms of the preparations, working hard to fill the gaps between what I can do and what you need to do, to run a successful business. Over the years I have been lucky enough to travel in the states, that’s where my love of BBQ comes from, but I really want to smell the smoke, look at the flames, sip the bourbon and drink the beer of real honest to goodness BBQ.

I figure if I immerse myself in the culture and the cooking more than ever before, it can't but help me on my quest to run my own smokehouse.

To that end I am planning a two week budget BBQ and Beer pilgrimage through the southern states starting in Texas and heading NE-ish, culminating up in Columbus Ohio where my final stop will be beer related - a visit to the newly built BrewDog brewery, to claim my free tour, free pint and see up close my name on the wall, as one of the guys who contributed a (very modest!) amount to building this fantastic craft beer brewery (I'm from Ellon, Scottish home of BrewDog)

If you had 2 weeks, a limited budget, a love of BBQ, beer & bourbon, where starting in Texas and making your way up to Ohio - where would you go?

Really interested to hear your suggestions, tips, etc. I can put a pin in the map for the starting point.... I want my first Q on the trip to be at Aaron's place in Austin. I can put a pin at the finishing point BrewDog in Columbus.

Beyond that, where to?! I'm thinking about doing a Vlog \ Blog on the trip, maybe I just start at Aarons' and ask the patrons there where next in roughly the right direction?

I'm easy to spot, I'll be wearing a kilt, and I'll have a backpack full of scotch whiskey to help smooth my passage!

[BigCountryQ]

I would urge you to continue on to Grand Rapids, MI. As we have been deemed Beer City USA. We have some of the best craft beers being made right in downtown GR and surrounding areas!

[customtrim]

While in Columbus Ohio you can try this to go with your beer

https://www.smokedonhigh.com/dine-in/#coming-soon

[Steve R.]

Are you driving from Austin to Columbus? If so, you will be passing through Memphis, TN, where there is a lot of outstanding BBQ to be had. Also, you will be going through Kentucky, where some tours of distilleries along the Bourbon Trail would seem to be of interest to you.

[Pirate Scott]

MeatMonster I highly recommend the Jack Daniels Distillery tour if you can make it to Lynchburg Tennessee. My wife and I went in 1993, it was fantastic. Hope it is just as good now.

[vandy]

I agree, if you want BBQ related you have to come up through Memphis then head east to Lynchburg to check out Jack Daniels. My mother-in-law is a tee totaler but she did the Jack Daniels tour and loved it.

[Spinaker]

Do not miss La Barbecue in Austin. Talk to Brendon Lamb, he is the pitmaster there. He is a great dude and he will be happy to show you around the pits. La Barbecue put out the best BBQ I had in Austin. (Yes, better than what I had from Franklin's) Black's in Lockhart is also worth the stop. Classic, old school BBQ. Lockhart also has Kreuz's Meat market (don't miss the Jalapeño Sausage) and Smitty's Meat Market. All three are classic central Texas BBQ. (my Favorite)

I would say the Kansas City is also a great destination. Joes Kansas City and Q39 are exceptional places. Joes is way old school and is located in an old gas station. While Q39 is a new "Chef Driven" approach to BBQ.

I am by no means a southern BBQ tour guide. But these are a few off the places I have been, and would say are musts.

[Troutman]

What he said but don’t skip Franklin’s

[6th Borough BBQ]

No kidding. I had La Barbecue when I was there but have not had Franklin BBQ. I was pretty sure that I've had better. It was an event as opposed to their normal deal so that may be a factor. In any case, I cannot wait to get back to Austin to try some more!

[Spinaker]

Same with Franklin's for me. I was in Austin for a bachelor party so we catered it to a house we rented. Like you said, I am sure it effected quality. Still exceptional though. 6th Borough BBQ

[RonB]

Just in case you are not aware, the line is long and starts early at Franklin BBQ. When we went, I got there at 9 AM and it still took us an hour to get food once they opened. And someone came around to get an idea what people wanted. She came back a bit later and told a person in line not too far behind me that they could not guarantee they would get what they wanted.

As a side note, you might consider getting a t-shirt or hat from each place you visit to hang on the walls when you open your place. Save the receipts -they may be tax deductible if you use them them decorate your venture.

[Troutman]

Excellent idea RonB

[Solseeker]

New to the site but saw this so thought I would get a post in. I am also biased. Eastern North Carolina should be on your list. Whole hog Carolina barbecue, nothing else to be said. There are definitely specific pits that people would have on their list but I am sure their are more experienced folks that can point to them. I am just saying you have to experience that style

[Spinaker]

I agree 100%. This is a corner stone of BBQ. A must see, and one on my list for sure!

[6th Borough BBQ]

Oh yea no doubt. It is till one of my two go-two styles. Texas and Carolina BBQ, you cannot go wrong. If you are going to use sauce, make yourself some vinegar based sauce.

[Danjohnston949]

MeatMonster, You Might Want to Search This Site Carefully as Others Have Made Similar Passages and Posted on AmazingRibs.Com and the "Pit Club"‼️ Recently a Gent from Saudi Arabia Who Is Starting a BBQ
Place There❗️ I Can't Recall His Name but I'll Try to Find a Link and Post It Here‼️ You May Want to Visit With Paul, PaulstheRibList, about His New Business Start Up in Lake Charles LA❗️ I wouldn't Spend a Lot
of Time In ND Or MN Looking for "Good BBQ", unless it's Fish Related❗️ The One Exception I Can Think Ofis the "Pitch Fork BBQ" at Medora ND, Tourest Town, Western ND Badlands❓ Unique, Good and Perhaps good
for Special Occasions in Your Establishment‼️
From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[PaulstheRibList]

Thanks Dan!

[customtrim]

It may not be actually BBQ but while in Texas I would try some Texas style chili then on my way North I would stop in Cincinnati for a great chili dog just to compare the difference in styles

[DWCowles]

Good luck! Have fun on your journey.

[Troutman]

The only thing I would caution against is gaining too much weight!!! Like sampling beer and wine, learn to spit ....

[Henrik]

What a great post! I can't contribute on places to visit in the US, but do keep us posted on your progress, would love to see that smokehouse come together! Best of luck in your new endeavor!

[CandySueQ]

If you're driving I-30 out of Texas, Baker's Ribs just outside of Dallas in Mesquite (bakersribs.com), I love their potato salad. Naaman's Championship BBQ on the Arkansas side of Texarkana (naamansbbq.com), tell Darby that Candy Sue sent you! Then McClard's in Hot Springs (mcclards.com), that's Arkansas' most historic BBQ spot. If you can find where Fire Dancer BBQ trailer is in Benton/Bryant area (check Facebook), it's worth a stop. Eric is an incredible BBQ cook! Then, over to Memphis to Melissa Cookson's place (memphisbbqco.com).

[PaulstheRibList]

I can't wait to eat Melissa Cookson's food!

[FireMan]

I can’t help you at all. I am far up north USA. (How far are you). Well, if’n I get any further I’d be up there with our cremator in the Dakotas or our BBQ bretheren & bretherettes of Canada. Wish you a safe & proesperous trip.

[Skip]

I have not been thru the south in the USA but I have been to City BBQ in Columbus Ohio several times. As long as you are going to Columbus I suggest you stop there for their take on BBQ. They do have a few locations but are an Ohio company NOT a chain. I think they do a pretty good job for being in the Northern part of the Country. Have fun on your journey!!

[Steve R.]

City BBQ is indeed pretty good. But with 45 stores in 6 states, I would say that qualifies as a chain. I believe they are all company owned, so there is that.

[Skip]

I didn't realize they had that many locations.