I make that drive several times a year. Best BBQ I have found so far is Leeper Creek BBQ near Decatur on 287. Legit. Great burgers at Coyote Bluff Cafe in Amarillo.
Haven't been a big fan of the place in a while, haven't been in 2 or 3 years, but last week while we were camping in the area, since it was convenient to grab and take via the backroads to the Blanco ranch for afternoon shadetree grub, swimming and hiking, we hit Opie's in Spicewood. We show up at 11AM on Thursday before last, which is when they open for service (I think this may be the key step). I sit in the truck and give my brother and the other 2 yahoo visitors my credit card to go pick things out and say "**** this card up with bbq for 8 people". And they did. Beef ribs, pork ribs 2 ways (1 rack each of wet and dry), turkey breast and pork loin. It was honestly some of the best bbq I've had at a restaurant in a long time. Thought I would file this report. I'm proud of my local buddies, for that one day at least.
I went to a bbq joint in the DFW area and the price for (prime) brisket was up to $28/lb. I was like... what in the hell? Screw that. I'd rather go spend money on a ribeye when it starts getting that high. Or just get some ribs and stuff them in an Instant Pot. Which is what I'm going to end up doing.
Hallelujah! New Zion in Huntsville is back, now called Holy Smoke. https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/hu...6q9LlNdjRbO_6PUICXivhvBJUcgdzlu2UV_KdjBs-d_dY
Great news. The original was always one of the ones I wanted to try but never went to before it closed down. Also good to see they tried to keep it the same and at least some of the original people still involved.
A new BBQ place opened in Ruidoso NM in the building vacated by Dickies BBQ. I didn’t think you could get worse than Dickies but they managed to do it. First time I’ve ever thrown away Brisket. Not even sauce could save it and make it edible.
I wish I'd seen this when you first posted. Black's BBQ in Lockhart, if you ever find yourself in the area. My wife and I sometimes make the 4.5 hour round trip just for the food (although we tend to sidle our way another 20 miles northward into Austin). Brisket and jalapeno cheese sausage. The latter, especially. Yummy AF. Trust me on this.
I have no idea what the tab was, and didn't really want to know (1 of the several reasons why I didn't go in), special occasions and all. Guess I'll find out when the cc bill shows up. My brother and I destroyed the leftovers back at the campsite late that night, my 2 buddies from Taos were still talking about how good it was the next morning and my brother says "Yeah, you're not gonna find any leftovers in the cooler." Taos buddy says "It's just down the road, we can go back." I say "YOU can."
Asked my buddies in Taos, sad to report this is what I got: "Not around here. Not since Leroy done his woman dirty and she closed the place." eta, lol: "Tell him there's a Rudy's in Albuquerque, that's his best bet."
Mad Jacks in Cloudcroft is about 45 mins from me and i'd venture to say probably the best in the state of NM and pretty close to on par with central tx bbq. I venture out there once a month or so when the craving hits and I don't mind standing in line. https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/mad-jacks-mountaintop-barbecue/
For all my Filipino friends that are in the DFW area or passing through (or anyone else), I've never tried it, but this place has been creating a buzz on YouTube and Texas Monthly : The Best and Only Filipino Lechon Spot in Texas
