Steve W. wrote: >On Mon, 03 Feb 2003 03:00:56 GMT, "Scott Franz" >Someone wrote: > > >>I searched the archives of this forum for past recommandations but most >>everything I found was a few years old. So, here's the question: what are >>the best Q joints for the areas (or even anything close) that we'll be in? > >Here's one of the best resources to get you started. > >http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2001-11-09/food_set10.html > >IIRC, this was part of two-part story - you may want to search the >http:www.auschron.com site for more info. > >-sw > > >>I don't mind driving an hour or two out of our way either. Just want to >>sample some of this good food I've heard so much about. >> >>Thanks for all your help, >> >>Scott >> > > Excellent reference. I never head out on a Q-trek to Central Texas without consulting or taking along. Here's a link to a similar article regarding Houston: http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2000-08-24/feature.html/1/index.html Check out the side bar on 'Greater Houston's Greatest Pits.' This is an excerpt from the "Legends of Texas BBQ" book. The reviewer seems to have a preference for the East Texas (Southern Black/Urban Black) falling off the bone type of bbq, often finished up wrapped in tin foil, which is not my preference. I think the best reason to go to Drexler's is the basketball memorabilia and juke box with zydeco and R and B. My pref is for the Central Texas meat market smoked meat with sauce on the side approach. My best recs in the Houston area: Dozier's in Fulshear for pecan smoked brisket and ribs; Williams Smokehouse on Wheatley (take Ella Blvd. north off of Loop 610 N; it turns into Wheatley) for oak smoked ribs (brisket is also good, just not as spectacular as the ribs). As far as more recent finds: Thelma's - 1020 Live Oak at Lamar, a few blocks east of Minute Maid Park; enter thru the red screen door on Lamar. I like the ribs, others favor the brisket, which I found a bit underdone. Featured recently on 'Sandwiches You Will Like' on PBS, the place is swamped regularly now. Avoid weekends; on weekdays, go early or you may encounter a very long wait. Burns BBQ - 8307 De Priest - neighborhood joint with a good rep. I haven't been yet, but it's been there for years. I hear good things about the hickory smoked brisket. I'm not sure what seating accomodations are available - maybe only outdoor picnic tables. Take W. Little York west off of I-45 N a couple of blocks to De Priest, turn north about 6 or 7 blocks. I'm going to try to get up there this weekend. Porky's Smokehouse - ca. 6300 block of Richmond, the so called 'Richmond Strip' - a party neighborhood. Forget it. Appears to be the prototype for a chain operation (Serranos is the owner, I hear). Just opened; I had very mediocre Q on my first visit, but they do offer AYCE specials, smoked bone in pork chops and, on weekend evenings, smoked prime rib and leg of lamb. Appears to me to be in a league with Luther's (another long standing chain) and well below the quality of the best in Houston. Take the Atkins approach - skip all the sides except pickles, onions and peppers (definitely skip the potato salad and ubiquitous white bread). Just eat meat - you may actually end up losing weight!!
Barbecue