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"If you want authentic Texas BBQ, you should go to _____________."

Flying down there tomorrow to meet and spend Christmas with the Texan half of my fiance's family. We'll be there until New Year's Eve. Where do I need to go?

I have lived in San Antonio for a rather long time. And I really like barbecue. The place that wins that award in the local paper would be The Smokehouse. Since it is on the other side of town, I have never eaten there. In the area, as mentioned above, there is always Lockhart, Tx. My favorite there would be Chisholm Trail Barbecue. The best I have ever had(personal opinion, of course) is Cooper's, in Llano, Tx. Since it is on one of my often traveled paths, I stop there often. Another really good place is Hard 8, in Stephenville, Tx.

Texas has a lot of barbecue places. Of course, in Texas, barbecue usually includes brisket, and does not always mean pork. Personally, I like just about all kinds of barbecue. If you travel to Bloke's part of the planet, the definition of barbecue is somewhat different.

... Texas!!

tclements wrote:... Texas!!

Good answer!

bloke wrote:yeah...sauce...

Tomorrow morning I'm going to put a "rub" (salt and pepper ) on my scrambled eggs.

Hey, now. Just because you guys eat vinegar on your meat don't begrudge us our sweet ketchup!

Todd S. Malicoate wrote:

bloke wrote:yeah...sauce...
Tomorrow morning I'm going to put a "rub" (salt and pepper ) on my scrambled eggs.

Hey, now. Just because you guys eat vinegar on your meat don't begrudge us our sweet ketchup!

Hey, now. I don't. I like barbecue in all the styles I have ever tried. Being a native Texan, I will admit a certain bias, however.

I'm not a Texan, but this is the best meat I've ever eaten, including Memphus!
http://www.saltlickbbq.com/pages/Awards.html" target="_blank

the elephant wrote:The Smokehouse

Like I said....

the elephant wrote:

TubaRay wrote:

the elephant wrote:The Smokehouse

Like I said....

Ah, but I have actually been there...

I concede to your greatness.

the elephant wrote:HAHAHA!!! you mean my extreme good fortune to have a mama who knows where to take her son for some really good 'cue?

That, too.

Doc wrote:

knuxie wrote:Note that no one (from San Antonio) mentioned Rudy's.

20 or 25 years ago, I might have swore by them, especially the one in Leon Springs. Now, it's too much like a chain and the food has suffered as a result. And just what is that nasty black stuff on the outside of the brisket?

Ken

I've eaten many times at Rudy's in Leon Springs- still pretty good.

That black stuff on the outside of brisket (especially onthe fatty ends) is particularly
heavenly. Of course, if it is actually burnt, that's a different kind of black.

I did not mention Rudy's simply because I was addressing the very best. It is still quite good, in my opinion.
Most of the places Doc mentions are on my list of not yet tried.

I like Rudy's at the original location, but I found a great little place named "Two-Brothers" that is really good. I'm a bit of a foreigner here, but so far my favorite brisket has been Lee Hipp's own creation.

So, in the week that I was in San Antonio, we went to two BBQ places. First, at the recommendation of my fiance's local relatives, we went to Rudy's (though not the original in Leon Springs). Not impressed, at all. The brisket was dry and kind of tough, the ribs (baby backs), were fatty and had the consistency of rubber. Frankly, I've had better BBQ in NYC. Very disappointing.

Next, we took a day trip to Austin. The original intent was to go to the Salt Lick, but it was (unfortunately) a bit too far out of the way. Instead, we opted to stay in town and go to Stubb's. Stubb's fully restored my faith in Texas BBQ. Outstanding, easily one of the best meals I've ever eaten. That is what I was looking for when I came to Texas.

Now for the controversial part: BBQ brisket is very, very good. And yes, Texas BBQ done right (with a good dry rub) does not need sauce (though the sauce at Stubb's was still very tasty). However, I still think pork is the better BBQ meat. I had both brisket and spare ribs at Stubb's, and while the brisket was awesome, the ribs were better. Firm enough not to fall off the bone, but tender enough to pull away clean when you take a bite. Juicy, smokey perfection.

If you want good BBQ I wouldn't know! If you want good authentic fried chicken and breakfast tacos go to Bill Miller B-B-Q!

horsielion wrote:If you want good BBQ I wouldn't know! If you want good authentic fried chicken and breakfast tacos go to Bill Miller B-B-Q!

Authentic fried chicken at Bill Miller's? OK. But why one would go there for authentic tacos beats me. San Antonio is teeming with places with (actual) authentic tacos. This is just about the Mecca of breakfast tacos. Bill Miller's is one of my favorite places to eat, but I wouldn't say they have the best, or most authentic, anything.

TubaRay wrote:

horsielion wrote:If you want good BBQ I wouldn't know! If you want good authentic fried chicken and breakfast tacos go to Bill Miller B-B-Q!

Authentic fried chicken at Bill Miller's? OK. But why one would go there for authentic tacos beats me. San Antonio is teeming with places with (actual) authentic tacos. This is just about the Mecca of breakfast tacos. Bill Miller's is one of my favorite places to eat, but I wouldn't say they have the best, or most authentic, anything.

Ray try a Bill Miller's Carne Guisada Taco someday! You'll be amazed. My heritage is from San Antonio and I must say after trying some Bill Miller's Breakfast tacos in 2008 I never went back to the places I grew up on. They taste so good! It is probably because I love Carne Guisada and Bean and Cheese tacos and that is what I normally get. Every now and then I'll get a potato and egg or a sausage and egg.

As for the fried chicken, after being in the military and trying fried chicken from many places and cultures, I must say Bill Miller's has the best. As they should since that is the reason why the company started with. They added BBQ later. I am proud to say my hometown is San Antonio and that I love Bill Miller's!