Recently my two sisters and I flew to Texas to visit my parents who hibernate in Port Aransas for the winter. I wasn't going to go but said if we make a stop in Austin for some BBQ, I'm in. We landed in San Antonio and drove to Terry Black's (another place on my list, plus it was still open, which many other BBQ joints had already closed.). It was very good. I really, really, really enjoyed the smoke flavor that the ribs had. The brisket wasn't as juicy as Franklin's but the flavor and tenderness were all there. Have to admit that we did not get the beef short ribs. Oops. Wanted to but at the time we we not as hungry. Seriously, one rib was the length of my arm and as round as a softball. Definitely will next time. We wanted to check out the local night scene and music but we were all too tired. I was my first time in Austin. The next day we got up early to headed to Franklin BBQ.
We arrived at 6am and were 7th place in line. The temperature was about 53 degrees F that morning. Once the wind picked up a little it was a bit chilly but not too bad. Being from Minnesota, I should have had my shorts on! We talked a lot to the people in front of us who were from California. Farther back in line was a family from Australia! Around 9am there were probably around 90-100 people waiting in line. Tip: bring a chair if you can! They didn't have any for us to sit on. I had read before that they used to. Also, they have a food truck in the parking lot that opens around 9am. They serve coffee and breakfast tacos. I didn't eat anything that morning until Franklin's opened. Man were we hungry! They also open the doors around 9am so you can go in and buy merchandise and use the restrooms. There are a couple of portable toilets in the back of the parking lot as well.
11am! Finally we make are way in! As you come up to the counter to order your food, they hand out cut up edges of brisket! Mmmmm so good! Now I'm really hungry!! You order by the pound. We got 1 1/2 pounds of brisket, 2 pounds of ribs (which is about a whole rack), 1/2 pound of pulled pork and a couple of regular sausage links. For sides we opted for the pinto beans and coleslaw. All that with a couple of beers of course ended up being $174.00 with tip! Yikes! But hey, how often are you going to have the best BBQ of your life! Being there were only three of us, we did not get the turkey. Next time I will.
And for the review! Brisket was tender and juicy! They will ask you if you want lean or fat cuts. Most of you know what this means but in case you don't, lean is called the flat side of the brisket where there isn't a middle layer of fat. The fat cut does and is called the point. The point is a little more tender and juicy then the flat. Either way you can't go wrong! We did half and half. The pulled pork was amazingly juicy and tender! It had such a great flavor, especially when you bit down on an edge piece with all the rub on it. The sausage was great! Personally, I like the sausage from Terry Blacks a bit more. But not that much. The ribs... Oh my goodness! Not quite the same amount of smoke flavor but the rub and sauce used to keep it moist and flavorful was amazing! If I absolutely had to pick a favorite... I can't. Each meat had it's own amazing quality to it that kept it apart from the others. The one photo is a smoker trailer he had outside in the parking lot. I have a great video of them cutting and serving our meat. I couldn't figure out a way to upload load it though.
All I can say is that if your a BBQ fanatic like me, you got to go to Austin and check Franklin BBQ and others. You'll be glad you did!
We arrived at 6am and were 7th place in line. The temperature was about 53 degrees F that morning. Once the wind picked up a little it was a bit chilly but not too bad. Being from Minnesota, I should have had my shorts on! We talked a lot to the people in front of us who were from California. Farther back in line was a family from Australia! Around 9am there were probably around 90-100 people waiting in line. Tip: bring a chair if you can! They didn't have any for us to sit on. I had read before that they used to. Also, they have a food truck in the parking lot that opens around 9am. They serve coffee and breakfast tacos. I didn't eat anything that morning until Franklin's opened. Man were we hungry! They also open the doors around 9am so you can go in and buy merchandise and use the restrooms. There are a couple of portable toilets in the back of the parking lot as well.
11am! Finally we make are way in! As you come up to the counter to order your food, they hand out cut up edges of brisket! Mmmmm so good! Now I'm really hungry!! You order by the pound. We got 1 1/2 pounds of brisket, 2 pounds of ribs (which is about a whole rack), 1/2 pound of pulled pork and a couple of regular sausage links. For sides we opted for the pinto beans and coleslaw. All that with a couple of beers of course ended up being $174.00 with tip! Yikes! But hey, how often are you going to have the best BBQ of your life! Being there were only three of us, we did not get the turkey. Next time I will.
And for the review! Brisket was tender and juicy! They will ask you if you want lean or fat cuts. Most of you know what this means but in case you don't, lean is called the flat side of the brisket where there isn't a middle layer of fat. The fat cut does and is called the point. The point is a little more tender and juicy then the flat. Either way you can't go wrong! We did half and half. The pulled pork was amazingly juicy and tender! It had such a great flavor, especially when you bit down on an edge piece with all the rub on it. The sausage was great! Personally, I like the sausage from Terry Blacks a bit more. But not that much. The ribs... Oh my goodness! Not quite the same amount of smoke flavor but the rub and sauce used to keep it moist and flavorful was amazing! If I absolutely had to pick a favorite... I can't. Each meat had it's own amazing quality to it that kept it apart from the others. The one photo is a smoker trailer he had outside in the parking lot. I have a great video of them cutting and serving our meat. I couldn't figure out a way to upload load it though.
All I can say is that if your a BBQ fanatic like me, you got to go to Austin and check Franklin BBQ and others. You'll be glad you did!
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