Texas BBQ

[Sam Lin 3564]

You mean a Patricio top50. Where do I subscribe?

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

You mean a Patricio top50. Where do I subscribe?

Hahaha. I would like to contribute, but there are plenty of folks on here that have eaten at more joints and also smoke their own meats. But you can be assured, I would have an opinion haha.

[Sam Lin 3564]

Can I unsubscribe from a few members?

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Can I unsubscribe from a few members?

Hahaha absolutely.

[tx 3 putt 77647]

Top 35 or do, but it’s all by regions 

dfw

hou

sa / Austin metro plex

South Texas 

west of 36

east of 35 

 

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Top 35 or do, but it’s all by regions 
dfw
hou
sa / Austin metro plex
South Texas 
west of 36
east of 35 
 

Was thinking similarly. Top 5 from 7 regions.

[tx 3 putt 77647]

We rank - the holy trinity and non holy trinity items 

[Sam Lin 3564]

No, we rank the tortillas and the side onions.

[Party_Taco 3793]

I like this idea a good deal and look forward to the results.

[tx 3 putt 77647]

2 hours ago, Sam Lin said:

No, we rank the tortillas and the side onions.

I suggest we don’t rank the iced tea

[HenryJames 66227]

9 hours ago, Patricio Swayze said:

and also smoke their own meats.

More flexible than I am.

[elfenix 34364]

8 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

I suggest we don’t rank the iced tea

otherwise bill miller would be the best bbq place in the state and that's just a boring outcome

[jimmyjazz 46351]

Some places would likely be nominated in multiple regions, which seemed wrong at first but actually makes sense.  If (for instance) Truth is top 5 in Houston and top 5 in "east of 35" (or whatever), then so be it.

[Bill Brasky 1468]

On 2/14/2023 at 4:10 PM, DallasSooner said:

Headed to Bartlett, TX from Dallas on Saturday.  Any recommendations around there for BBQ?  Taylor is 17 miles south but we will be hauling a livestock trailer and not sure they are gonna want to go down there and back after loading.  Anything else special in the area?  We very well might end up at LM, but just looking at othe options.  I know Miller in Belton and Guess/Helberg in Waco are on the way back.   Thoughts?

if you read this in time stop in Pustka Family BBQ in Temple, also heard some people say the G Wagon in Little River Academy is good 

[Bill Brasky 1468]

On 2/16/2023 at 11:40 AM, BurntOrange&White said:

I'm not sure. Just what I was told.

they were parked in one place too long to be considered a food truck by the county health dept 

[utee94 15876]

I love the idea of a surly top 35-50.  

We all agree on so many things, this should go swimmingly!

 

Seriously though, in for the rankings.

[tx 3 putt 77647]

5 hours ago, elfenix said:

otherwise bill miller would be the best bbq place in the state and that's just a boring outcome

[tx 3 putt 77647]

Brisket 

ribs 

sausage 

non trinity bbq item (including tacos) 

sides

dessert (thoughts ?) 

 

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Brisket 
ribs 
sausage 
non trinity bbq item (including tacos) 
sides
dessert (thoughts ?) 
 

Best total experience?

Out of the dozens and dozens of places I have eaten at in the past decade plus, I couldn’t tell you what the ribs, sides or desserts taste like at 90%of them.

We need huckleberry’s excel skills.

[jimmyjazz 46351]

6 minutes ago, Patricio Swayze said:

Best total experience?

Or just "ambience".  

I mean, Smitty's isn't winning any tasting awards any time soon, but it's still an awesome building.  Same way a trip to the Salt Lick is great, except for the food.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Or just "ambience".  
I mean, Smitty's isn't winning any tasting awards any time soon, but it's still an awesome building.  Same way a trip to the Salt Lick is great, except for the food.

I was thinking ambience would be part of it. Over all being quality of meal, how the staff treats you, etc etc. but maybe too nebulous?

[jimmyjazz 46351]

2 minutes ago, Patricio Swayze said:

I was thinking ambience would be part of it. Over all being quality of meal, how the staff treats you, etc etc. but maybe too nebulous?

Either way.  Food quality should dominate, regardless.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Either way.  Food quality should dominate, regardless.

Absolutely. And by that, I mean the trinity.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

So how are we dividing the state? I am sure that will be the first disagreement.

I was thinking something like this but a little more consolidation so that there are 7 regions. Top 5 from each region perhaps? All write ins.

[utee94 15876]

Obligatory

 

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Obligatory
 

I almost posted his map.

[GreenspointTexas 9708]

First time ive had a non-trinity order at a bbq joint in over a decade. Had the Gut Pak at Viteks last night… it was wayyyy better than I thought it would be. Along the lines of the “worlds greatest frito pie” type stuff.

 

would smash again

[Hook1997 5410]

If you are in Corpus Recio’s Smokehouse has a location in Vernon’s now close to downtown. Corpus bbq from my experience is not very good but they have by far the best brisket in town from what I’ve tried so far.  The Mexican food is really good too. 

[tx 3 putt 77647]

 I order brisket, maybe a 1/3 of the time. Sausage, almost never 

[jimmyjazz 46351]

3 hours ago, Patricio Swayze said:

So how are we dividing the state? I am sure that will be the first disagreement.

I'm only familiar with central Texas BBQ.  In that context, I would think Lockhart should be in the same region with Austin.  But, that could just be the historical memory of having to drive to Lockhart to get good 'Q.  

So I'll shut up about that.  Even though I didn't.  Where's my beer?

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

I'm only familiar with central Texas BBQ.  In that context, I would think Lockhart should be in the same region with Austin.  But, that could just be the historical memory of having to drive to Lockhart to get good 'Q.  
So I'll shut up about that.  Even though I didn't.  Where's my beer?

I consider liking and Lockhart to be part of central texas bbq. For me, San Antonio is the start of south texas. In order to consolidate, I think The Valley and the coastal bend should be included in south Texas.

[Hornbeliever 718]

Sides way more important than non-Trinity choice.  I'd say weighted value should be 

35% brisket

25% ribs

20% sausage

15% sides

3% dessert

2% non-trinity, I have high estrogen category so I order turkey at BBQ restaurant category

 

 

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

I consider liking and Lockhart to be part of central texas bbq. For me, San Antonio is the start of south texas. In order to consolidate, I think The Valley and the coastal bend should be included in south Texas.

God fucking damnit apple. Your autocorrect is ASS. Luling, fucking LULING you San Francisco dorks.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

Sides way more important than non-Trinity choice.  I'd say weighted value should be 
45% brisket
15% ribs
20% sausage
15% sides
3% dessert
2% non-trinity, I have high estrogen category so I order turkey at BBQ restaurant category
 
 

[billfromlaketravis 11560]

@Patricio Swayze is Texas Q in Kingwood worth a shit? It was just featured on Texas Country Reporter. 

Yes, they said the pitmaster was female at least 45 times. 

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

[mention=98]Patricio Swayze[/mention] is Texas Q in Kingwood worth a shit? It was just featured on Texas Country Reporter. 
Yes, they said the pitmaster was female at least 45 times. 

Never heard of ‘em. Hell, I think I have been to kingwood like twice in my life and I was born and raised in Houston. I went to their site and their logo is a pig. That always makes me skeptical I’m texas. But maybe??

[jimmyjazz 46351]

I'm not a sausage guy (hey-o), but I'd have to say based on what other people value:

30% brisket

25% sausage

15% pork ribs

10% beef ribs

10% sides

10% experience

[tx 3 putt 77647]

1 hour ago, Patricio Swayze said:

I consider liking and Lockhart to be part of central texas bbq. For me, San Antonio is the start of south texas. In order to consolidate, I think The Valley and the coastal bend should be included in south Texas.

 

correct 

some places are pretty time and effort into sides and sometimes, dessert. It should be weighted 

[elfenix 34364]

41 minutes ago, Patricio Swayze said:

Never heard of ‘em. Hell, I think I have been to kingwood like twice in my life and I was born and raised in Houston. I went to their site and their logo is a pig. That always makes me skeptical I’m texas. But maybe??

east texas bbq was heavily influenced by freedmen.  so it's pork heavy in comparison and used to be identifiable by the fatty sausages that were common. centex bbq seems to have pushed it out. 

Edited February 19, 2023 by elfenix

[RMac5 1551]

1 hour ago, tx 3 putt said:

 I order brisket, maybe a 1/3 of the time. Sausage, almost never 

I order brisket and sausage every time. Be interesting to see the breakdown of proteins, I would think turkey is pretty damn high.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

east texas bbq was heavily influenced by freedmen.  so it's pork heavy in comparison and used to be identifiable by the fatty sausages that were common. centex bbq seems to have pushed it out. 

I have never been a big fan of east texas bbq.

[conVINCEd 21474]

2 minutes ago, RMac5 said:

I order brisket and sausage every time. Be interesting to see the breakdown of proteins, I would think turkey is pretty damn high.

I’m brisket and ribs every time.  I don’t order sausage unless the place has a reputation for having outstanding sausage.

[Patricio Swayze 17058]

I order brisket and sausage every time. Be interesting to see the breakdown of proteins, I would think turkey is pretty damn high.

Certain places I will venture outside my MO, but this 95% of the time. Next time I go to Brisket and Rice I will definitely be getting the brisket fried rice. But Brisket and Sausage is my forever go to and always my baseline when trying a new spot. Just like the jalapeño cheeseburger is my baseline for any burger joint.

[tx 3 putt 77647]

9 minutes ago, Patricio Swayze said:

I have never been a big fan of east texas bbq.

It sucks 

[billfromlaketravis 11560]

I'd say it's like 90% brisket, and 10% beef sausage in Texas. I could give a shit about experience. 

There are some outliers like Luling City Market which is a sausage place. 

Most places would be better off just not serving pork. 

[dcbc 14556]

3 hours ago, Patricio Swayze said:

I have never been a big fan of east texas bbq.

I've lived in east Texas for over 20 years and haven't really come across it outside of the occasional pork rib.

[deft 6896]

So how are we dividing the state? I am sure that will be the first disagreement.

I was thinking something like this but a little more consolidation so that there are 7 regions. Top 5 from each region perhaps? All write ins.

I can’t tell if Mexia is central or east Texas. If there’s a subcategory for chopped sandwich, I nominate chipped sandwich from wrights bbq.

[utee94 15876]

+whatever on not really caring about sausage. To me it's just a filler.  I'll order it if the place specialize in some form of sausage, but it's never at the top of my list.

Brisket and pork spare ribs.

Also, chicken was an absolute staple at CenTex BBQ places until maybe 25 years ago, now it's harder to find.  But I do love some BBQ chicken from time to time.

[Party_Taco 3793]

Maybe I’m picky, but most places can’t do ribs that come close to what I can do at home, so it’s brisket+sausage for me 80% of the time.

Ambience is not a category that seems of particular import in this evaluation, especially as what most would consider “nice” in the traditional restaurant sense generally means the Q is ass.

[GreenspointTexas 9708]

Had Helberg for lunch today for first time. Top 5 best bbq joints ive ever been to. Holy fuck. Everything was stellar. Barbacoa special was a showstopper. Insanely good