COMING IN APRIL…….

[Panhead John]

It’ll have been a year and a half in April since our last Texas MeatUp, bout time to have another hoe down! All Pit Members and their spouses or friends are welcome as usual and we’d love to have ya attend if you can. April is usually good weather here and perfect for chowing down on some of the best BBQ you’ll find anywhere! Here’s what I was thinking and would like your input or suggestions if you have any.

WHEN: Any weekend in April is fine with me, EXCEPT for the first weekend. Monday April 8 is going to be the next total solar eclipse and central Texas will be a prime viewing area, most hotels are booked already and traffic will be bad I’d imagine. Here’s the remaining choices, this will be a Thursday thru Sunday event. APRIL: 11-14, 18-21 and 25-28. If you’d like to go and there’s a weekend that DOES NOT work for you, please let me know and we’ll try and schedule it to accommodate the most number of people.

WHERE: In the Texas Hill Country of course, somewhere between San Antonio and Austin. I was leaning towards staying closer to, but not in, Austin. As we all know, there’s several top rated BBQ Joints in and around Austin. I’d prefer to stay just outside of town to avoid the crowds and traffic. I’m fine with a location closer to San Antonio also. The good thing about this area is, we won’t have to drive far to eat some of the best BBQ you’ll find anywhere!

ACCOMMODATIONS: At our last MeatUp in Lafayette we stayed at a Homewood Suites by Hilton. They had good size rooms and all rooms had a small kitchenette with a full size fridge/ freezer. They also had great indoor and outdoor seating areas where we gathered each day. We got a discounted group rate of $119. per night, which was a good deal compared to their normal rates. I have no idea what the rates will be until we choose a date and location, but we always choose a place that is affordable for most everyone. I’d like to find another Homewood Suites for this one too, if possible.

Anyway, if you’re new to The Pit, these Meatups are always a great time! You’ll get to experience fantastic food all weekend, as well as a chance to meet some of your fellow Pit Members and get to know each other. The best part of these for me is I’ve met some of the finest people there is, and the camaraderie between everyone is unmatched. Come on down if ya can!

EDIT: HERE’S A LINK TO THE ATTENDANCE ROSTER:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/member-gatherings/meat-ups-and-member-gatherings-aa/1537012-2024-san-marcos-texas-spring-meat-up-roster

[Mosca]

Oh boy! We'll see about this one. I’ll check flights etc..

I second the endorsement. NC Meetup 2023 was one of the high points of the year for me.

[RonB]

We did have a great time. Even the wait for the tow truck was fun, and then CaptainMike saved the day by bringing lunch.

[CaptainMike]

That 2 hours in the parking lot was definitely a highlight of the trip!

[Mosca]

It actually was great.

[Texas Larry]

There’s 2 Homewood Suites in San Marcos, and one in south Austin/airport area. (A few more deeper into Austin.)

[Panhead John]

Thanks Texas Larry ! San Marcos is definitely a possibility, in fact that’s the first place I googled for locations.

[CaptainMike]

I would enjoy a little getaway to The Great State of Texas! Got some catching up with old friends to do. Any weekend works for me.

[Panhead John]

Alright Mike! Soo glad you’re gonna make it!

[Oak Smoke]

Yes Huskee old. Old friends. Sitting around sipping Geritol and gin with a lime twist. We’ll be a fun bunch.

[Panhead John]

Yep, and we’ll be comparing the best brands of adult diapers too……

[Purc]

Sounds good to me. I have never been to either area, so I'm interested in another road trip. The Cajun MeatUp was great fun. It's great to meet Pit Members in person!

[Panhead John]

Good deal Bill, glad to hear that!

[Oak Smoke]

Barring anything unforeseen I’m in! I look forward to meeting so many of you.

[CaptainMike]

Looking forward to shaking your hand!

[Oak Smoke]

CaptainMike I assure you the feeling is mutual! We’ll solve the worlds problems.

[Panhead John]

Oak Smoke There’s no world problems left to solve. We did all that at the Lafayette MeatUp. 🥸

[hoovarmin]

This is interesting...

[Panhead John]

If you’re able to make it Dave that would be awesome!

[hoovarmin]

I'd love to if I can!

[LA Pork Butt]

I think I can make this one work! Get me the date, and I’ll get laser focused.

[Panhead John]

Alright Sunny! I’d like to have the dates nailed down in the next week, if not sooner. We’ll see what weekend works best for everyone, but so far it looks to be open.

[J-Melt]

I’ll have to talk to my wife about this one! I’ve been wanting to go down to the Austin area to see my family and this may be the excuse to do so! If I go I would probably only meet y’all for a meal or two though! I would stay with my Mom in Cedar Park.

[Panhead John]

Come on down! 1 or 2 meals with the group is fine. We’ve had day trippers before at the Meatups, no problemo.

[J-Melt]

My wife said yes! I think she’s not too happy that she and the kids can’t come because of kids school and finances, but I have not seen my parents in almost 2 years, so I really need to make this trip as my dad has super advanced dementia.

[Panhead John]

For anyone thinking about, or that will be attending, here is a great primer for you on the best BBQ spots in and around Austin. It’s almost an embarrassment of riches….courtesy of Texas Monthly.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/best-bbq-in-austin/

[hoovarmin]

Kemuri Tatsu-Ya Sounds like a winner

[Panhead John]

I was eyeballing that one too!

[Troutman]

Make it the last weekend the 27th, it's my birthday. You all can buy me presents and treat me to dinner.

Seriously though, I missed too many and really want to try and make this one. I suggest San Marcos for two reasons. The south side of Austin is only 35 minutes to the north and Lockhart is only about 25 minutes to the east. The proclaimed BBQ Capital of Texas, Lockhart boasts Black's, Terry Black's, Kreuz, Smitty's. and new to the scene (and some say the best of all) The Barbs BBQ.

Austin south side, well too many to mention.

[Panhead John]

Yeah, you better make this one dude! 🤓 That’ll be great if you can. I was thinking the same thing about San Marcos, it’s pretty centrally located for us and……it’s just a great little town too!

[CaptainMike]

I think that's fair, Steve. The first Meatup in Texas was during my birthday and y'all treated me pretty well. I still have my top shelf designer PJ's paper plates.

[BKYDBBQ]

Sounds like a great road-trip...anyone from the Mid-Atlantic want to carpool to Texas...

It's only a 23 hr drive from my house to Austin...

[58limited]

Panhead John Uhmm...we live in Texas, not a 23 hour drive for us.

[Panhead John]

I wuz wantin’ to make shur ya’ll is goin’.

[mcook2201]

This sounds great. Will have to see our availability. Been very busy with work and haven't had much time for anything else. Though I would be in a different spot by now (retirement 😬) but that ain't worked out quite yet! Definitely following.

[Jim White]

Yer killing’ me here! We already have two trips to the west coast in April, so I’m going to miss out again. There’s always next year…

[Panhead John]

Dang Jimbo, we wish you could make it too! I’ll make sure everyone raises a beer, or 6, in your honor!

[realdocBBQ]

I'd like to do this... I'm going to keep it on the front burner. I don't know... the non-profit I work with has our big fundraiser in April, we always try to work around Easter, prom, weather and start of spring sporting season. So.... we'll see.

I might be able to pull it off, but I won't know when we're going to do our fundraiser (Walk A Mile In Her Shoes) for another couple of weeks. I think our meeting this month is the 22nd, so we may not decide until then.

[Panhead John]

We’ll leave the light on fer ya if you can make it!

[mrteddyprincess]

Panhead John you guys go ahead and get a date and let me look at the logistics. April is an important exam prep time, but it's possible I could find a way to take a few days off...

B

[Panhead John]

Hopefully you can Brian! You make it, and breakfast at McDonald’s is on me!