Our son moved to Austin several months ago, so we went went to visit him last week. My wife does a lot of prep work before we visit a new area and she asked me if there were any restaurants I'd like to visit in Austin, (Heh heh heh heh). Of course she said she was not going to stand in line for three or four hours to eat at any restaurant, so I said no problem, just give me a chair, a book, and an adult beverage and I'd do the waitin'. 
MY wife, son, and his gf could come when I had some idea when we'd be getting in. I arrived at Franklin about 9 AM and was about 50 or 60 people back, but I did not know how many people would join people in front of me. There was a lady going up and down the line selling beer and drinks as well as a coffee stand on the back of the lot. Another lady came through asking what people thought they would get so she could estimate who would be able to get what they wanted and who might not. A man came through and told the people right in front of me that it would probably be 1 -1:30 PM before they got in. A while later the lady doing the estimates came by and shaved an hour off the first estimate, so I called my wife and suggested they come around noon, (notice that I did not tell my wife to come at noon. 
). We did get in around 12:30, but the line was still all the way from the counter to the door.
Now for the food - we ordered some of everything with an emphasis on brisket, (fat and lean), and ribs, but also got pulled pork, sausage, and turkey. Everyone agreed that everything was great, but each had their own favorites. Mine were both the brisket and the ribs. Both the fatty and the lean brisket were very moist and tender, with very nice flavor. I was afraid the pepper would over power the brisket, but it did not. The ribs were very tender, (more tender than competition ribs), and juicy; the pulled pork was very tender and moist; the sausage was flavorful and had a nice bite; and the turkey was well cooked too - perhaps a tiny bit dry, but only if I was being very critical. The sides were good too, but I was there for the meat. And the light has shown down and I can see where I need to go with my smoking. 
I think my cooking is good, but this stuff was great.
I'd like to go back, but there are so many good bbq places in the area, I probably will visit a different place next time. We also ate a lot of very good Tex-Mex, and went to one fancy steak place, but I can cook a better steak at home for 1/4 the cost.
A few photos:
This was out back on a side street. The stacks look huge to me, and notice where the thermometer is - next to the exhaust.
This was just about the end of the line just before my family arrived at noon. Someone came and told people to not block parking places.
Most of the line. My blue chair is is just to the right and above the trash cans in front.
Most of the rest of the line. This shot is out of order...
This is our tray minus some of the sides.
Some of the smokers. I think there were two more of theses as well as several other cookers of different types.
I was giving up hope of seeing Aaron, but I turned the last corner, and there he was tending a large grill. He was happy to pose for a photo with me.
MY wife, son, and his gf could come when I had some idea when we'd be getting in. I arrived at Franklin about 9 AM and was about 50 or 60 people back, but I did not know how many people would join people in front of me. There was a lady going up and down the line selling beer and drinks as well as a coffee stand on the back of the lot. Another lady came through asking what people thought they would get so she could estimate who would be able to get what they wanted and who might not. A man came through and told the people right in front of me that it would probably be 1 -1:30 PM before they got in. A while later the lady doing the estimates came by and shaved an hour off the first estimate, so I called my wife and suggested they come around noon, (notice that I did not tell my wife to come at noon. ). We did get in around 12:30, but the line was still all the way from the counter to the door.Now for the food - we ordered some of everything with an emphasis on brisket, (fat and lean), and ribs, but also got pulled pork, sausage, and turkey. Everyone agreed that everything was great, but each had their own favorites. Mine were both the brisket and the ribs. Both the fatty and the lean brisket were very moist and tender, with very nice flavor. I was afraid the pepper would over power the brisket, but it did not. The ribs were very tender, (more tender than competition ribs), and juicy; the pulled pork was very tender and moist; the sausage was flavorful and had a nice bite; and the turkey was well cooked too - perhaps a tiny bit dry, but only if I was being very critical. The sides were good too, but I was there for the meat.
And the light has shown down and I can see where I need to go with my smoking. I think my cooking is good, but this stuff was great.I'd like to go back, but there are so many good bbq places in the area, I probably will visit a different place next time. We also ate a lot of very good Tex-Mex, and went to one fancy steak place, but I can cook a better steak at home for 1/4 the cost.
A few photos:
This was out back on a side street. The stacks look huge to me, and notice where the thermometer is - next to the exhaust.
This was just about the end of the line just before my family arrived at noon. Someone came and told people to not block parking places.
Most of the line. My blue chair is is just to the right and above the trash cans in front.
Most of the rest of the line. This shot is out of order...
This is our tray minus some of the sides.
Some of the smokers. I think there were two more of theses as well as several other cookers of different types.
I was giving up hope of seeing Aaron, but I turned the last corner, and there he was tending a large grill. He was happy to pose for a photo with me.
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