The list tracks remarkably closely to Tex and the Berserkers’ BBQ tour, where they were critical of Smitty’s (the most striking omission, unless one thinks that the Salt Lick is a serious BBQ place) and gave high praise to Franklin, Snow’s, and Louie Mueller (3 of the top 4 in the TX monthly list).
The top 4 are Franklin (No. 1), and then Louie Mueller, Snow’s, and Pecan Lodge (in no order).
I haven’t been to enough on the list to form a definitive opinion, but it is comprehensive, well-thought-out, and reflects good BBQ taste. Louie Mueller is the best BBQ I’ve had in my life, and if they’re right that Franklin is better, I need to make my way up to Austin and brave that line sooner rather than later.
This is an unlikely request/drift. Is there a decent bbq spot at DFW airport? I just flew through with a couple hour lay-over, and do so a couple of times a year. I was hankering for some 'cue, but didn’t see any, though there are multiple terminals.
While our visits and “tour” wasn’t comprehensive (multiple visits, dozens of locations, etc…) I think that you could see the greatness in the places we attended (that were at the top) and the weakness in the joints at the bottom.
People are freaking out that Smitty’s was left off the list…um, hello, have you been there recently? Or gone to any other BBQ restaurant? Our meal was terrible and verified by not only this list but by multiple other people in TX who eat and write about this for a living.
Went to Zimmerhanzel’s BBQ in SMITHVILLE last month. Definitely worth the stop on the way from Austin to Houston. You can always tell when a dumpy looking place is going to be good by the number of cars in the parking lot.
Its amazing to me how regional BBQ is. Growing up in VA and being so close to NC, I just cant seem to develop a taste for texas BBQ. I try BBQ every time I am down there, and haven’t yet found one I would even rank with what I can get in Eastern NC and frankly now in virginia at Q bbq.
Not saying Texas is bad, I am sure all the texas folks don’t like eastern NC style…just found it interesting the substantial taste differences, and how your palate becomes accustomed to things.
It was great when we went last month. Worth the 25-30 minute drive to Taylor, TX to Louie Mueller to get a beef rib. Yeah, it’s more food than you need but it’s completely worth it.
