It’s Finally Here, The 2024 Texas Hill Country MeatUp!

[Panhead John]

Got the important stuff packed……forgot to mention I’m bringing a date.

[58limited]

You're bringing George Clooney?

[Finster]

He's dreamy.
Congrats you stud 👍

[Jim White]

Both that dress and the white shirt are really going to show barbecue sauce stains.

[RonB]

Well, I am very disappointed that I couldn't make it this time. Have a great time, and I'll start a gofundme if bail money is needed.

[Texas Larry]

+1 — Me too. Dadgummit!🫤

[rlozinak]

Have fun!

[58limited]

I just arrived, I'm in room 211

I passed by Hays Co. BBQ and Catering as I was coming down the I-35 access road. They made the Texas Monthly Top 50 list. I might swing by on my way back from lunch and get a small meat sampler.

[58limited]

I just met Sid P and Mosca , they are on their way to Burnt Bean BBQ in Seguin. I have a prior commitment to meet a friend for lunch at noon so I had to pass.

[Panhead John]

Hey David, you’re right next door to me you lucky bastard! I’m in 209.

[58limited]

Keep it down, I'm trying to sleep!

[Richard Chrz]

Have a great time everyone!

[58limited]

I met a friend at North Street Curry Shop for lunch and beers. I ordered the Curry Trio plate: you get to pick three entrees and sample each. I got curry chicken, butter chicken, and chicken tikka masala. All were very good. I generally prefer the tikka masala but their butter chicken is outstanding! They have a good craft beer selection (and wine list) to complement the meal. I had a pint of Czechvar Pilsner. https://www.northsmtx.com/

We sat outside under the pecan tree to the left.



I ate all of the the chicken curry (and some of the other two) before remembering to take a picture. From the left: chicken curry (was like a stew with tomatoes), butter chicken - the star of the show today, and chicken tikka masala. Served with coconut rice and paratha (crispy flat bread).




Sorry, no pics for the write up below (I ate in the car)

Before I arrived at the curry shop I swung into San Marcos BBQ on Hunter Rd and bought a 1/4 lb sampler plate to go. I tasted it in the car: The brisket (fatty end) was good solid brisket, the ribs were good but not knock-your-socks-off good. The turkey was juicy but had a spam-like flavor. The Hatch Chile Gouda sausage was very good; nice and cheesy with a green chile flavor that I wish was more pronounced. Cost was about $22.00 https://www.sanmarcosbbq.com/

Edit: I made a mistake in the price of San Marcos' BBQ. it wasn't $16.00, I really need to put my glasses on before posting.

After eating at the curry shop I stopped at Hays Co. BBQ & Catering just north of the hotel on the I-35S access road. Same deal: 1/4 lb sampler to go. Brisket was better than San Marcos and so were the ribs. The turkey was moist and tender, better flavor than San Marcos. I don't care for the cheddar and jalapeno sausage though - there is a weird flavor I wasn't expecting, maybe a bit of vinegar? Cost was $28.00. http://www.hayscobbq.com/

Both are good solid Central Texas BBQ restaurants.

[JCBBQ]

Huh. I always thought chicken tikka masala WAS butter chicken. 🤷♂️

[Dewesq55]

JCBBQ butter chicken is chicken makhni

[MsTwiggy]

Fun fact! The best thing I ate the last time I was in Austin was Indian food. Not that the BBQ was bad - the Chicken Saag blew my mind!! 🔥🔥🐿️

[klflowers]

I hate that i can't be there. I had this special setup that would have guarantee victory in the pillow fight. Panhead John cheated last time. Him and Uncle Bob. Here I am modeling it

[klflowers]

Jim White I'll help you eat lol

[hoovarmin]

klflowers I won the pillow fight contest in Lafayette and can tell you that the secret is to fill your pillow case with cast iron pans. You're welcome.

[klflowers]

hoovarmin I'll remember that tip

[Mosca]

Burnt Bean. Sid and I met up with Uncle Bob, Lee, Don (TxF) and Julia, and Josh (Jmelt) joined us shortly after.

There was a short line. It was about twice this: just as much inside as outside. Maybe 20 minutes total.











Sid and I split a two meat plate with two sides, we just doubled up on Cheetos mac & cheese, with brisket and cheddar poblano sausage.



The brisket was incredible; here is where I get to parse degrees of excellence, it was better than San Marcos. And the sausage was eyes-roll-back-into-your-head delicious!

Lookthat cheese:




Ambiance is nice, the place was freezing inside though.




I forgot to get a group shot. There is time for more of those, though.

I’ll let J-Melt post his shots, and Uncle Bob sent me one to post up of his meal, a pork steak that looked damn good.

[Jim White]

I'll bet you were fantasizing about making an omelet with some of that sausage!

[Troutman]

Place is outstanding. But wait Tom, there’s still more !! 😉

[MsTwiggy]

Sausage FTW!! 🔥🔥🐿️

[Mosca]

Uncle Bob‘s pork steak with mac & cheese and Shiner rice:

[JCBBQ]

I don’t think I could keep up w you guys! Two meals like this a day?? I’m full just looking at the pics 😂😂

[gcdmd]

Uncle Bob

How was the pork steak. On one of my visits there a local guy told me it was the best thing on the menu. Unfortunately, I wasn't there on the day they had it (Thursdays).

[Uncle Bob]

gcdmd it was very good and a very generous portion. It was smoked rather than direct heat Central Texas style, so it was fall apart tender but with good chew. While it didn't have a noticable pork flavor, it did have a delicious bbq flavor.

[Panhead John]

On the way in, Trout Face and I met in Schulenberg for a great lunch of chicken fried steak, real mashed taters and cream gravy with a side of fried okra…..pretty darn good!

[JCBBQ]

Yum

[DaveD]

PJ, when did you emblazon the tailgate of your pickup?? Nice nuance there

[gcdmd]

If you have time, the painted church tour in Schulenberg is terrific. It ends up at Oakridge for lunch.

[J-Melt]

I second what everyone else said about Burnt Bean! It was the best BBQ restaurant I’ve ever had! I had a plate with brisket, beef sausage, green beans and potato salad.

Thank you Uncle Bob Mosca and TxF for graciously waiting for me as I got to the restaurant way later since I was coming from the other side of Austin!

[Donw]

That is a fine looking plate of food. Glad you enjoyed it.

[klflowers]

That's what I said.

[gcdmd]

I've eaten at Burnt Bean twice, and I agree that it is outstanding-best Brisket I ever had.

[Mosca]

Home made jalapeno cheddar summer sausage from 58limited...

[J-Melt]

It was really good! Thank you 58limited!

[Clawbear57]

Looks fantastic 58limited

[MsTwiggy]

Wow!! That has my name on it!! 🔥🔥🐿️

[texastweeter]

See yall at dinner. Got to the house in Gruene just a few ago.

[CandySueQ]

Sorry I’m not there! Have a great time!

[DavidNorcross]

Have fun, friends!