Texas BBQ

[Jerry Callo 8704]

20 minutes ago, slorch said:

It’s worth the stop and not usually too crazy of a wait. Open on Sunday 11-3-ish.
 

 

This.  I won't drive through Lubbock without stopping at Evie Mae's.

[pch 1259]

7 hours ago, Texzilla58 said:

 

It’s fairly simple. Learn how to cook fucking choice or select grade briskets the way OG pit guys did it and still do it. Railhead and David’s sell very good sliced brisket for less than $20 a pound. Last time I was at Railhead the brisket was $17.50 lb. Chopped $13.50. Same as their great salami. And they have killer fries and ice cold beer.

This is the way. Get back to roots smoking scraps and problem cuts expertly and give up all this crafts farm prime meat.

Geren and Pilcher have held the line on price by doing just this and their beer sales are consistently strong as well.  Those prices are current as of yesterday and as much as I love Panthercity, Hurtado's, Goldee's, etc., I arrived at 11:30 just as a whole brisket was being sliced and enjoyed paying for 1/2 lb of brisket and 1/2 lb of ribs for under $20. It takes someone with skills I don't have to tell the difference between prime and choice brisket, but the 1 2 lb of brisket I had was as good as those sold at the craft stores for twice the price. 

[IDIOTsavant 8492]

Evie Mae’s was a damn nice detour. Brisket was excellent, and I’m looking forward to eating a piece of sheet cake when I get to my destination. Don’t want to eat that much sugar and be stuck in the middle of nowhere without a convenient restroom.

[NoName 16353]

went to Helberg on Sat AM - the drive through experience is great. had their barbacoa special, which was really damn good. jalapeno link and a half lb of pork steak - all of which were excellent.

BUT those dudes shorted me on a lb of brisket, which i did not realize until i was back home 3 hours away.

sucks, but is what it is. just going to consider it a $30 tip to some good folks who  need it a this point

but seriously, the drive through process was very, very easy. pull up - order - pull up to the trailers - dude asks if you need bbq sauce, bread, etc - brings out your order and you drive off. they have outdoor seating too (picnic tables)

[Storm the Field 5295]

On 10/28/2022 at 9:36 AM, Storm the Field said:

Pit Room opening up a much larger 2nd location out in Memorial City, next door to Fishing Tackle Unlimited.

https://houston.eater.com/2022/10/26/23424738/houstons-pit-room-opens-new-resturant-expansion-katy-barbecue-bbq-memorial-city

Pit Room's 2nd location out in Memorial City is almost ready. They just posted yesterday that they're hiring staff for an expected March opening.

[DallasSooner 279]

Buy choice and chop that stuff.  Heck I can't afford sliced anymore anyway.  Toast the bun and throw some chopped beef on there for me. 

[deadshank 24653]

3 hours ago, Storm the Field said:

Pit Room's 2nd location out in Memorial City is almost ready. They just posted yesterday that they're hiring staff for an expected March opening.

Oh, dear Lord.  Right next door to Fishing Tackle Unlimited.

[Texzilla58 4738]

Admittedly, I am not experienced in running a restaurant, but I don't really understand the 3X cost model.  Let's say brisket used to cost $3/lb, and that price has spiked to $5/lb.  It would seem that the selling price would only need to go up $2/lb to cover that cost increase.  However, the argument is that total cost went from (say) $9 to $11 per pound, so the selling price has to go from $27 to $33 per pound.
The only explanation I can come up with is that ALL costs rose a similar amount, not just the cost of the meat.  That makes sense in a time of high inflation, but blaming the price increase only on the cost of the meat is wrong.
I am the definition of the "armchair beef economist" referenced in the article, so there you go.

The problem is most of these operators don’t have a clue about running a restaurant business. Most of their issues is that they don’t understand cost accounting and most importantly, lack cost awareness. They see TV shows that talk about the 3x model, without regard for the market. Meanwhile a lot of these folks couldn’t tell you their daily nut or the avg revenue per cover or the true cost of a hamburger bun.

The restaurant math has flipped crazysince Covid as food costs, fuel, labor, rents, packaging have gone nuts. They are wrapped up in ingredient inflation with farm specific custom meat, switching from Great value hamburger buns to custom brioche buns, and using craft sodas. Most of these guys have no clue what their real costs are, nor have the retail expertise to pivot their business. Its like flying an airplane, and they can barely drive a car.

At the end of all this the operators that made money with a popular trailer that go lease an expensive storefront and hire a dozen folks at $15 hour avg and can’t cook anything but prime brisket will vanish in a cyclone of debt and missed payrolls. And the OG guys using their old timey pits and choice meats and cheap rent will just be trucking along.

[CatManDo 205]

Not sure if this fit’s exactly in this thread, but the Flatonia KCs knocked it out of the park with their BBQ chicken fundraiser plates this evening.  A very solid meal for $14.

[Party_Taco 3734]

I got the brisket bowl the other day and thought it was excellent.  Ribs, not so much.  

Flavor on the ribs was “different” but I found them overcooked. That bowl was fire though and I need to go back for a 1/2 pound of that goodness!

[956 Worldwide 34715]

Y’all need to scroll in on this and read the competitions and prizes. Truly, we have strayed from the Divine Light as a people.

“John Wharton will give $1.50 silk necktie to the fastest fat man on foot, over 200 pounds.” 

[NoName 16353]

Oh shit fellas, it's game time 

 

[Deej 76806]

Rest in peace, LeRoy and Lewis.

[Party_Taco 3734]

Rest in peace, LeRoy and Lewis.

Will obviously give it a shot, but scale sure does kill a lot of great trailers…

[Deej 76806]

Edit...wrong thread

Edited February 26 by Deej

[NoName 16353]

3 minutes ago, Party_Taco said:

Will obviously give it a shot, but scale sure does kill a lot of great trailers…

I mean how many trailers in the top 50 are doing two meal services per day and open these hours? 

The place I'm least concerned about drop off with the growth from trailer to B&M right now is L&L

[tx 3 putt 76980]

24 minutes ago, Deej said:

Rest in peace, LeRoy and Lewis.

that’s going to be a huge note. they need to focus on the booze and music 

[Party_Taco 3734]

I mean how many trailers in the top 50 are doing two meal services per day and open these hours? 
The place I'm least concerned about drop off with the growth from trailer to B&M right now is L&L

I hope for ALL our sakes that’s the case…

[Frank Drebin 5643]

If you are going to have brick and mortar, you better have a good bar that sells a lot of booze.  And probably need to make money off of rubs and sauces online or at retailers.  Pinkertons does both and he does well.

[RMac5 1551]

Will Guess BBQ in Waco make it? I ate there two weeks ago and the brisket was as good as any top ten. Ate there today and brisket was dry as could be.  Both times the place was empty just before noon. See where they are open on days they used to be closed and have added dinner service, seems like the kiss of death. Another brick and mortar that seems to be struggling. 

[dcbc 14487]

On 2/26/2024 at 8:50 AM, Frank Drebin said:

If you are going to have brick and mortar, you better have a good bar that sells a lot of booze.  And probably need to make money off of rubs and sauces online or at retailers.  Pinkertons does both and he does well.

As does Stanley's.  They're serving a lot of food between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. and that bar always seems to be a lively place.

[deft 6851]

I’d kill for a cadillac motherclucker. I would drive from San Antonio to Tyler but I’d kill for one.

[deadshank 24653]

7 hours ago, deft said:

I’d kill for a cadillac motherclucker. I would drive from San Antonio to Tyler but I’d kill for one.

What is a cadillac motherfucker?  An off-menu item somewhere?

[NoName 16353]

9 hours ago, deft said:

I’d kill for a cadillac motherclucker. I would drive from San Antonio to Tyler but I’d kill for one.

 

1 hour ago, deadshank said:

What is a cadillac motherfucker?  An off-menu item somewhere?

it's quite simply the best sandwich in Texas BBQ, non brisket division. From Stanley's in Tyler.

let me hand it off to BBQSnob himself:

Quote

The Mother Clucker isn’t offered as a Super Deluxe because the smoked chicken-thigh sandwich already comes on a jalapeño-cheese roll. Former Stanley’s employee (and current pitmaster at Franklin Barbecue) Jordan Jackson constructed the sandwich, but he didn’t name it. “Nick walked in the kitchen and said, ‘I want to make a chicken sandwich that’s made with chicken thighs and call it the Mother Clucker,’ ” Jackson said. “I did the rest of it.” He dusted a boneless, skinless chicken thigh with Pitmaster’s Spike, a rub created by another former Stanley’s pitmaster, Jonathan Shaw, and smoked it. Jackson whipped up a blend of mayo and the spicy barbecue sauce (a version of it is now sold as Clucker Sauce on grocery-store shelves) and added cheese and a fried egg.

I tried the sandwich shortly after it went on the menu. Jackson remembers Valentine’s Day 2014 because that’s when I called the Mother Clucker the best barbecue sandwich in Texas. Jackson remembers arguing with Pencis that he needed to charge more for the sandwich before then, but that day Pencis told him it was finally time to raise the price. It’s currently $10, but $2.50 more gets you a Cadillac Clucker with guacamole and candied bacon. It’s about the only time in my life I’d suggest skipping the guac.

and
 

Quote

Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ, Tyler – Mother Clucker
Components: jalapeño cheese sourdough, smoked chicken thigh, fried egg, cheddar cheese, spicy barbecue mayo, candied bacon, and guacamole (on request).

This sandwich just sounds ridiculous, but it’s nothing short of ridiculously good. The smoked chicken thigh will make you rethink using a chicken breast on a sandwich ever again. It’s perfectly moist, tender, and smoky. If the BBQ mayo doesn’t enrich it enough, the yolk will once it’s broken. Just because it has egg and bacon, don’t relegate it just to breakfast. Texas’s best barbecue sandwich should be enjoyed all day long.

these are not my pictures

 

the fact that nobody has fully ripped this off or done their own spin on it is a travesty.

 

 

[dcbc 14487]

1 hour ago, NoName said:

 

it's quite simply the best sandwich in Texas BBQ, non brisket division. From Stanley's in Tyler.

let me hand it off to BBQSnob himself:

and
 

these are not my pictures

 

the fact that nobody has fully ripped this off or done their own spin on it is a travesty.

 

 

It's so monumentally good.  When my son used to work there, he told me that the calorie count on the bun alone is ridiculous.

Edited February 28 by dcbc

[Trey3216 15346]

On 2/26/2024 at 8:57 PM, RMac5 said:

Will Guess BBQ in Waco make it? I ate there two weeks ago and the brisket was as good as any top ten. Ate there today and brisket was dry as could be.  Both times the place was empty just before noon. See where they are open on days they used to be closed and have added dinner service, seems like the kiss of death. Another brick and mortar that seems to be struggling. 

They've had dinner service for a few years now.  But they've been less consistent as of late.  

[Trey3216 15346]

5 minutes ago, dcbc said:

It's so monumentally good.  When my son used to work there, he told me that the calorie count on the bun alone is in stupid territory.  

Yep. Jalapeno/Cheddar bun is probably pushing 450-550 calories.  

[deft 6851]

It was supposed to say I wouldn’t drive from sa to tyler. Still wouldn’t but I’m just more soberer right now. Would still consider murder for that chicken Sammy tho.

[dcbc 14487]

4 hours ago, deft said:

It was supposed to say I wouldn’t drive from sa to tyler. Still wouldn’t but I’m just more soberer right now. Would still consider murder for that chicken Sammy tho.

Who could blame you?  That's a long-ass drive.  But there are plenty of people out there who could be traded for a Clucker.

[luke duke 6413]

Not sure if this fit’s exactly in this thread, but the Flatonia KCs knocked it out of the park with their BBQ chicken fundraiser plates this evening.  A very solid meal for $14.

I wouldn’t have expected the KCs to serve an aborted fetus.

[DallasSooner 279]

Yeah; that's rough looking box of food.  Might have been delicious, but yikes. 

[deadshank 24653]

3 hours ago, DallasSooner said:

Yeah; that's rough looking box of food.  Might have been delicious, but yikes. 

Presentation in stryrofoam always increases a restaurant’s Michelin rating.  

[DougO 5250]

Yesterday out toward the lake in the Morgan's Point/Belton area, in a pinch, I needed some food, and about the only thing around was Backyard Barbecue, or BBQ or whatever they call it. I hadn't been there in about 20 years, being unimpressed in prior visits. It was known more for chicken fried steak and other sources of grease and carbohydrates. But I was starving and way late for my usual eating time. I got a brisket and rib plate to go and it was actually quite good! Brisket was moist and smoky with just the right amount of fat, perfect pull, legit barbecue. The rib was large and had a perfect bite, no-frills smoked porky goodness. Sides were good, but I was shocked by how decent the barbecue goods were, and the price was lower than the usual trend. I've definitely been missing out. It may be my new local go-to barbecue destination when both quality and price and the lack of bbq tourist douche element are all factored in.

 

Edited March 3 by DougO

[Braff Zacklin 13608]

1 hour ago, DougO said:

Yesterday out toward the lake in the Morgan's Point/Belton area, in a pinch, I needed some food, and about the only thing around was Backyard Barbecue, or BBQ or whatever they call it. I hadn't been there in about 20 years, being unimpressed in prior visits. It was known more for chicken fried steak and other sources of grease and carbohydrates. But I was starving and way late for my usual eating time. I got a brisket and rib plate to go and it was actually quite good! Brisket was moist and smoky with just the right amount of fat, perfect pull, legit barbecue. The rib was large and had a perfect bite, no-frills smoked porky goodness. Sides were good, but I was shocked by how decent the barbecue goods were, and the price was lower than the usual trend. I've definitely been missing out. It may be my new local go-to barbecue destination when both quality and price and the lack of bbq tourist douche element are all factored in.

 

They must've accidentally hired a pitmaster who gives a damn.

[DougO 5250]

16 hours ago, Braff Zacklin said:

They must've accidentally hired a pitmaster who gives a damn.

When I first got there and parked near the pits I saw the pit guy walking and talking with what was probably a trainee about details of the job. I liked what little I heard, like the guy actually knew what he was talking about. Definitely encouraging. I'll check back again to test for consistency and be more prepared to get some pics. 

[pch 1259]

Gotta give it up for John Hamm yesterday.

[Deej 76806]

[ztejas 43464]

Don's in Austin gets a B+ from me today (maybe even a soft A-).

I usually go to the Oak Hill location as I work nearby but they have a location at Oltorf and 35 as well. 

$13.59 brisket plate - two sides and a drink. 

I've had pretty damn good BBQ from here and I have had painfully average BBQ from here.

Brisket was on point today - also they have fried okra as you can see. 

Really nice folks, they do great Mexican breakfast (tacos, guisada, barbacoa, migas) and do a good cheeseburger, too.

Edited March 4 by ztejas

[4th&Five 41558]

not sure i've ever seen ketchup on okra...

[ztejas 43464]

9 minutes ago, 4th&Five said:

not sure i've ever seen ketchup on okra...

Really? Okra and tomatoes get along very well together. 

[Deej 76806]

52 minutes ago, 4th&Five said:

not sure i've ever seen ketchup on okra...

I wasn't sure what was under that two bottles of ketchup. 

[Brisketexan 105152]

2 hours ago, 4th&Five said:

not sure i've ever seen ketchup on okra...

Not saying I wouldn't try it....but I too have never seen it.

Now....fried okra dipped in cream gravy?  Hells yes.

 

[Etexhorn13 3051]

Growing up in East Texas I would dip my fried okra in bbq sauce. Bodacious and Riverport sauces both make for excellent fried okra condiments.

[TXSooner518 2438]

Okies love them some ketchup on fried okra. 

 

[SizzleChest 8284]

1 hour ago, TXSooner518 said:

Okies love them some ketchup on fried okra. 

 

The ketchup helps them ignore the massive dental bleeding.

[irishtexan 11521]

my sister always drowned her fried okra in ketchup when we went to luby's. because she was 8 years old at the time.

[Kyrie Eleison 9312]

On 3/4/2024 at 12:45 PM, ztejas said:

Really? Okra and tomatoes get along very well together. 

[ztejas 43464]

On 3/4/2024 at 3:05 PM, Etexhorn13 said:

Growing up in East Texas I would dip my fried okra in bbq sauce. Bodacious and Riverport sauces both make for excellent fried okra condiments.

I do that too.

And the Surly hate for the world's most popular condiment never fails to amuse me. 

Edited March 7 by ztejas

[Storm the Field 5295]

Wife and I gonna be passing through Luling tomorrow at lunchtime tomorrow. I know City Market is no longer considered a top tier BBQ spot, but I still enjoy popping in at least once a year. Brisket is extremely hit or miss, but their ribs are still worth the trip, and it's nice to be able to get more than enough BBQ for 2 people for less than $30 in this day and age.  And you best believe I'm grabbing a couple bottles of sauce to go. 

[tx 3 putt 76980]

3 hours ago, Storm the Field said:

Wife and I gonna be passing through Luling tomorrow at lunchtime tomorrow. I know City Market is no longer considered a top tier BBQ spot, but I still enjoy popping in at least once a year. Brisket is extremely hit or miss, but their ribs are still worth the trip, and it's nice to be able to get more than enough BBQ for 2 people for less than $30 in this day and age.  And you best believe I'm grabbing a couple bottles of sauce to go. 

 

ask for the moist and burnt ends. their sausage is still very good