I tried Freedmen's BBQ in West Campus (Austin) tonight. It was very good. It's kind of cut from the same cloth as Lambert's. In other words, it's got that gourmet BBQ vibe going on, which can be pretty good if done right (and they do it right here). I had the Holy Trinity plate - Brisket, Pork Ribs and Sausage. The brisket had a nice crispy bark and was tender and fatty underneath. The Pork Ribs had a tasty black pepper rub and were cooked perfectly. The sausage was not bad either, but was not on the same level as the Brisket and Ribs in my opinion. I also had their German potato salad which is a little different. It is served warm, in a mason jar and has a peppery kick to it. I enjoyed it but will likely try a different side next time - maybe their mac and cheese. If you are in the area, I highly recommend you give it a shot. It's not as good as Franklin obviously but it is still very good. I will definitely be going back.
Killen's in Pearland. Unfortunately, it's not open yet. Should open in the upcoming weeks. Best beef ribs. Ever.
I think I actually like beef ribs more. They're just not economical for most bbq joints to make. Places that offer beef ribs usually know how to make them... the same can't be said for pork ribs. lol.
Made it to Louie Mueller this last week. Very good. Got brisket and chipotle sausage. I still think Franklins is better, but the lack of a line at Mueller's is a huge advantage.
I can't help you in Houston, but County Line in Austin has the best beef ribs on the planet. Their brisket and sausage aren't great, but the beef ribs are amazing.
Uh, not even close. County line has the worst beef ribs in Austin. LA BBQ and John Muellers are places to go for beef ribs.
Beef ribs are one of those things that are either amazingly good (like brisket on a bone), or practically inedible (all fat and gristle). It's very difficult to find quality ribs, you'll never see them at a grocery store and most butcher shops will keep the best ones aside for themselves and friends. Makes it hard for a bbq joint to have a consistently enough supply to make them a regular offering. If anyone's ever around Kerrville there's a general store, The Old Ingram Grocery, in Hunt/Ingram that carries the best ribs I've found. I make 1 or 2 trips there a year to stock up and have been cooking those instead of a brisket at bbqs, people love 'em.
Has anyone been the the Kruetz bunch's new place, Schmidt Family BBQ, in Bee Cave? Need to try it next time I'm heading into Austin. It doesn't "look" like a bbq joint though, it is Bee Cave after all.
It was bad when I first went but the second time I went it was much better. It's got the same Lockhart flavor.
For anyone in the DFW area, Lockhart Smokehouse has opened a second location. This one is on 15th in Plano. I did a review of the original location somewhere in this thread. I'll probably be giving the 2nd location a try in the next few weeks. Lockhart Smokehouse is owned by Kreuz family members, and they have Kreuz sausage if you're into that stuff. Also a note for Dallasites : A new BBQ joint should be opening this summer on N. Central Expressway called Ten 50. That's also the address (1050 N. Central Expressway). It's being created by the owner of Chili's and he apparently has mentioned Snow's and Franklin as his inspiration. Snow's and Franklin inspire me, too, but I can't do what they do. lol.
I tried it back around November. It was not even close to the level of Kreuz or Smitty's in Lockhart. I actually considered it bad BBQ.
County Line? The only redeeming quality about them is their location. Otherwise, they're crap...levels below even Rudy's and Smokey Mo's. Heck, I'd even prefer Pok-E-Jo's.
That's honestly what I kinda expected, but I was hoping someone had tried it recently, new restaurant and all.
Heard about this place called Curly's Carolina Texas, in Round Rock. Since I work in RR and Rudy's is about the best I've found in around here we went and tried it out today for lunch. Everything I had was excellent. I'm not much of a sauce guy but they had 3, a vinegar sauce, a mustard sauce and a red sauce. I preferred the red but the meat really didn't need it. Im normally not one for sides either but it was the best fried okra i've ever had. It may not be on the same level as Franklins, or LaBBQ but it was hands down the best I've had in Round Rock. Made a little TasteMade episode of the trip: https://www.tastemade.com/v/yNtLgW4ZQ8S0EGt4PtZzfg
