Tejas BBQ run

[NMRoadRunner]

Well for reasons beyond my control I now have a lot of time on my hands after working nearly non-stop for the last two years for a ******* of a company, but that's another story.

Anyway Gonna go for a ride to clear my head and about the only direction I can head this time of year is down to Tejas. Gonna ride down to where I grew up and visit some old friends then work my way to the San Antonio/Lockhart area and eat some good BBQ, real Mex Tex and sample some good Tejas beers. I will be the San Antonio area late next week if you would like to join me. Timing right now is up in the air and will probably will remain that way as I want to stay flexible, with when and where I go. I do know I am leaving next Monday and will head to Ft Stockton to see a high school buddy, then down to Eagle Pass the next day to visit a few more there. Will head towards the best BBQ in the land on Wednesday or Thursday and let the wind blow me around for a few days. I'll then head up to the Dallas area to see my grandkids then head back to reality some time the following week. There you have it, west Tejas here I come.

 

[FJRBluesman]

...??? Anyone with you? How's it going on this ride?

Franklin BBQ in Austin is supposed to be the bomb! Line forms at 7am on weekends for 11am opening. Brisket sells out many times in early afternoon. Good luck, ride safe.

Franklin BBQ

 

[jmdaniel]

Franklin's isn't worth the wait. Might be, if it was the only place in town. It's not.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Other recommendations?

 

[jmdaniel]

Too many to list. Depends on what his plans are.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

I leave on Monday. I know all about Franklins and while it's good It's not worth the wait time and frustration of there being no Brisket once they take your order. My favorites in that area are The Salt Lick in Dripping Springs, Smitty's Market and Blacks BBQ in Lockhart. I will stay in Lockhart on my way through, While I like Austin, there is too much traffic and too many weirdo's there now. I liken it to our own Santa Fe here in Newer Mexico. Anyway I'll probably be in Lockhart on Friday Oct 21, maybe see you there.

 

[jmdaniel]

You'll be in good hands in Lockhart. Regarding the weirdo count, I think it's actually been reduced in the last 5-7 years, in terms of headcount, and it's definitely been reduced in terms of %, as the 100+ people moving to town every day have been the typical non-weirdos. And as the cost of housing/living has grown, the weirdos have been priced out.

I live north of the city, so Lockhart would be a stretch on a school day, but if you aren't BBQ'd out in Lockhart, I can meet up with you on your way to Dallas. I've been meaning to try Big Cat BBQ in Cedar Park, and it would be nice to see another of the best color ever FJRs.

 

[hppants]

Kind of wish I could make this one. I've been itching for a real ride for so long (actually only a few months), and the Hill Country sounds like fun. As soon as I read "Salt Lick in Dripping Springs", my mouth watered like Pavlov's dog. Man, that place has some good Q.

At the risk of writing what you already know, it's mid-October. Please (PLEASE) watch out for the forest rats. They are more stupid this time of year (if that is even possible). I've seen more deer in Hill Country Texas than anywhere else in the world. More numbers mind you, not size. But a 75 pound forest rat is more than I want to contend with. If it were me, I'd be off those roads no later than 6 pm, and back on no earlier than 9 am.

If you'd post a few pictures of your food ****, I'd be much obliged.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

One can not get too much BBQ. I'm a real BBQ snob and cook competition Q on the KCBS circuit as well as professionally from time to time. When we ride down for the MotoGP in April we call it the "no sides tour", we eat nothing but BBQ with no side dishes to get in the way. My typical order is a heavy half pound of Brisket, two ribs, two ring sausages and two Shiner Bocks. If we need a break we go to Kruitez for a really nice hand cut pork chop!

 

[hppants]

Damn - I'm not worthy!!!

 

[jmdaniel]

One can not get too much BBQ. I'm a real BBQ snob and cook competition Q on the KCBS circuit as well as professionally from time to time. When we ride down for the MotoGP in April we call it the "no sides tour", we eat nothing but BBQ with no side dishes to get in the way. My typical order is a heavy half pound of Brisket, two ribs, two ring sausages and two Shiner Bocks. If we need a break we go to Kruitez for a really nice hand cut pork chop!

Well, you know your stuff, then. I'm kinda surprised you like Salt Lick in Driftwood, I've never thought much of that place, and only go to the one in Round Rock if I'm at a baseball game. I mean, it's in the parking lot, so worth the trip. Ha!

 

[NMRoadRunner]

The food is OK, what I like is the cookers they use, the warming pit at the entrance is awesome! It's what heaven looks like I'm sure! They gave me a little tour and presentation when we were there last. The setting in the hill country is nice and you can bring in beer! I've only been there twice to be honest with you, it's not often I'm near Fredericksburg.

 

[jmdaniel]

If you like their warming pit, you should swing by Cooper's in Llano. I like taking newbies there and watching their eyes glaze over...

 

[ceddec]

I'll throw in Snows BBQ in Lexington. Only open Saturday mornings. Get there around 10 am.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Coopers must be good, There are always about 100 bikers waiting in line when I've gone through Llano.

Well sometimes things don't go as planned, this trip is one of those. As I was dining with my friend Monday evening in Ft Stockton at a good TexMex spot, he only ordered soup as he said his stomach has been bothering him and he was also complaining of back and chest pain. He said it had started last Friday. Long story short, I took him to the Eroom and he then got a helicopter ride to Odessa. Heart Attack, I drove his wifes car up as she was away on work travel and stayed with him through surgery and then caught a ride back to Ft Stockton with a Sherriff who had dropped off a knifing victim. Ended up running his riding mower for two days to keep his landscaping contract with the historical society going so he could collect a check this month. He will be released today hopefully and start the healing process. What a fricking mess he is now. Scared the hell out of me when it was going down. Anyway, I'm going to just head home today instead of trying to get back on schedule with my BBQ run and after seeing him laying there gasping for air, writhing in pain. I'm not to sure about filling my arteries with Brisket fat at every stop on my way. Damn, all my friends are getting sick, I got nobody left to play with anymore. You all be safe, and try to stay healthy and ride longer.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Oh, I did sneak in a ride through Big Bend Nat'l Park on Wed. and a visit to the famed town of Terlingua, where I found some locals sipping ice cold Pacifica Clara on the porch of the Terlingua Trading Company and joined them for some interesting conversation about just what do you do here in Terlingua for employment and entertainment. That was a fun.

 

[jmdaniel]

I'll throw in Snows BBQ in Lexington. Only open Saturday mornings. Get there around 10 am.

10am is going to be a little late. One thing you can do, if you know you are going, is pre order at the beginning of the week. They set aside around 30% for pre order, and when that is gone, it's gone. Kinda nice, knowing you won't be shut out.

 

[jmdaniel]

Oh, I did sneak in a ride through Big Bend Nat'l Park on Wed. and a visit to the famed town of Terlingua, where I found some locals sipping ice cold Pacifica Clara on the porch of the Terlingua Trading Company and joined them for some interesting conversation about just what do you do here in Terlingua for employment and entertainment. That was a fun.

Love me some BB! Terlingua is a place to go to when you don't want anyone to find you...