OK. I Need some help from the BBQ experts in the LR..

[Bud Fox]

The fam is going on our annual road trip across America. This year’s route has us spending a few days in Texas, exploring the best BBQ in the state. Kids want to try Franklin’s in Austin, so we will do that and get the t-shirt. However, I have been wanting to explore others I have heard good things about, like Salt Lick, Kreuz’s Market, Smitty’s, Black’s, etc.. We are spending a few days in Austin, Waco & Dallas before heading off on the rest of our trip.

What say you stellar Locker Room folk?? Tips and suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!! We leave Sunday for 30+ days on the road!

 

[noleit]

All the ones you mentioned are great. Also worth going to and not far from Franklin's is Micklethwait's. One last Austin restaurant would be Stubbs BBQ. The long drive outside of Austin to the Salt Lick is definitely worth it. Get to Franklin's crazy early as the line forms early am.

 

[fsunole025]

Hard Eight or Pecan Lodge in Dallas. I prefer the food at Hard Eight but the location (downtown) and setup of Pecan Lodge.

 

[goldmom]

Bud, my favorite is Salt Lick in Driftwood, just on the edge of Austin. The atmosphere is pure Texas.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

The fam is going on our annual road trip across America. This year’s route has us spending a few days in Texas, exploring the best BBQ in the state. Kids want to try Franklin’s in Austin, so we will do that and get the t-shirt. However, I have been wanting to explore others I have heard good things about, like Salt Lick, Kreuz’s Market, Smitty’s, Black’s, etc.. We are spending a few days in Austin, Waco & Dallas before heading off on the rest of our trip.

What say you stellar Locker Room folk?? Tips and suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!! We leave Sunday for 30+ days on the road!

A couple of things.

Franklin’s is ridiculously busy, do not be fooled into thinking “Surely people will not get up at 8 and wait in line 4 hours for brisket” but they will...and more. If you really want to do Franklins (or La BBQ which is arguably better and with just as long of a line) then know you must be prepared to sacrifice half a day to do it. Is it worth it? I did Franklin’s before he became ridiculously famous and when it was just a more normal hour or two wait and didn’t think it was worth the two hours I spent.

Is it better now or was I just there on a bad day? Maybe. But to me it hasn’t been worth going back. Especially when you can literally just walk into Kreuz Market with no wait and get better or at least approximately the same. Without exaggeration, you can drive down to Kreuz Market, walk in, eat your food and drive back to Austin in less time than the fools in Austin waiting in line at La BBQ or Franklin’s.

But yes I HIGHLY recommend Kreuz Market. It’s my favorite Texas BBQ place period, it’s historic (oldest continually operated), and it would probably be in my top 10 BBQ places I’ve been to in North America (it depends on if you count Jewish pastrami as BBQ because then I’d have Langers, Lesters, Fameaux Viande Fumee and maybe Katz ahead of Kreuz and I’d probably have Kreuz just outside the Top 11. And yes despite the overly racist Texans celebration of their “BBQ” the origins of Texas BBQ is Jewish delis not John Waynesque cowboys). The Texas brisket is by far the best I’ve had and their sausage is the best smoked hard version I’ve had as well, BUT the best is their smoked prime rib or ribeye if they have it.

Here’s some of my photos from Kreuz with their sausage and brisket.

Saltlick for me is hard to really recommend because I don’t think I’ll go back again as it’s nowhere near as good as Kreuz and if for some reason I didn’t want to eat at Kreuz again, I’d want to try something else that’s new. But for a first timer I can see the appeal. It’s a nice enough drive out to the middle of nowhere and unlike La BBQ and Franklin the wait is usually only an hour or two. Plus there’s wineries, breweries and even a cidery (which is good even though the building is sketchy) nearby. But honestly I liked my own bbq beef ribs better than theirs.

Here’s my pics of Saltlick with their brisket, sausage (which is terrible at least compared to Kreuz, do NOT get), beer ribs and bison rib.

And what my beef ribs look like (baked for four hours at 225 then finished over direct flame).

Btw, Blue Owl Brewing in Austin is amazing IF you like sour beers (and I do, that’s my favorite varietals). It’s the best brewery I’ve found for specialised sour beers in the country.

 

[F4Gary]

Hard Eight or Pecan Lodge in Dallas. I prefer the food at Hard Eight but the location (downtown) and setup of Pecan Lodge.

I was going to post this almost verbatim.
Sorry Tribe, but Franklin's was famous long before you went there.
There is plenty of good BBQ in Texas, especially around the Austin area. Kreuz is very good but ask around once you are in Austin and you will hear of some more.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

The fam is going on our annual road trip across America. This year’s route has us spending a few days in Texas, exploring the best BBQ in the state. Kids want to try Franklin’s in Austin, so we will do that and get the t-shirt. However, I have been wanting to explore others I have heard good things about, like Salt Lick, Kreuz’s Market, Smitty’s, Black’s, etc.. We are spending a few days in Austin, Waco & Dallas before heading off on the rest of our trip.

What say you stellar Locker Room folk?? Tips and suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!! We leave Sunday for 30+ days on the road!

Where else are you going after this?

 

[primetime13]

Smittys in Lockhart Texas

 

[Bud Fox]

Where else are you going after this?

After we spend a week or so in Texas, we are going north through Oklahoma, then through Denver to Jackson, WY, then to SD to see Crazy Horse & Rushmore then to Wisconsin Dells, Owensboro, KY, Cincinnati, Niagra Falls, then seeing family in Toronto. On the way back to FL, we are considering coming back through Portland, ME then NH. Last year we did 11,000 miles in 38 days. This year, we will be close to that.

I am tired just typing this, and we leave early Sunday morning.

 

[Bud Fox]

Hard Eight or Pecan Lodge in Dallas. I prefer the food at Hard Eight but the location (downtown) and setup of Pecan Lodge.

My wife saw Pecan Lodge on Food Network, that place looks incredible. Have you eaten there?

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

After we spend a week or so in Texas, we are going north through Oklahoma, then through Denver to Jackson, WY, then to SD to see Crazy Horse & Rushmore then to Wisconsin Dells, Owensboro, KY, Cincinnati, Niagra Falls, then seeing family in Toronto. On the way back to FL, we are considering coming back through Portland, ME then NH. Last year we did 11,000 miles in 38 days. This year, we will be close to that.

I am tired just typing this, and we leave early Sunday morning.

Well an obvious suggestion if you’re going through Owensboro is the Moonlite Inn for both the chopped and sliced mutton (they taste quite different as they come from different parts of the lamb). That’s in my top five BBQ places in the country maybe even top 2 and is better than any of the places in Texas imo.

So to get from Denver are you going through OKC and Amarillo, going through Santa Fe and Albuquerque or going through Lubbock and Amarillo? If you go through Amarillo, two obvious must do stops is Palo Duro Canyon and the Big Texan Steak Ranch. The Big Texan may very well be the most tacky touristy thing on the planet eclipsing IDrive, Daytona Beach and every Caribbean port you’ve been to, BUT it’s quite good steak. And if you go to OKC, Cattlemen’s which is not connected to the same named chain in Texas and elsewhere but a standalone original is the best steak place I’ve been to, better than even Bern’s, St Elmo’s, Dickie Brennan’s etc...yet it’s quite cheap.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

La BBQ is on par with Franklin’s and a quarter of the wait. If you have the time I’d do both.

If you’re into beer you can’t beat Jester King. The absolute best brewery experience I’ve had. Beautiful hill country location. Fantastic beers. Pretty good pizza on site as well.

 

[canoli]

A couple of things.

Franklin’s is ridiculously busy, do not be fooled into thinking “Surely people will not get up at 8 and wait in line 4 hours for brisket” but they will...and more. If you really want to do Franklins (or La BBQ which is arguably better and with just as long of a line) then know you must be prepared to sacrifice half a day to do it. Is it worth it? I did Franklin’s before he became ridiculously famous and when it was just a more normal hour or two wait and didn’t think it was worth the two hours I spent.

Is it better now or was I just there on a bad day? Maybe. But to me it hasn’t been worth going back. Especially when you can literally just walk into Kreuz Market with no wait and get better or at least approximately the same. Without exaggeration, you can drive down to Kreuz Market, walk in, eat your food and drive back to Austin in less time than the fools in Austin waiting in line at La BBQ or Franklin’s.

But yes I HIGHLY recommend Kreuz Market. It’s my favorite Texas BBQ place period, it’s historic (oldest continually operated), and it would probably be in my top 10 BBQ places I’ve been to in North America (it depends on if you count Jewish pastrami as BBQ because then I’d have Langers, Lesters, Fameaux Viande Fumee and maybe Katz ahead of Kreuz and I’d probably have Kreuz just outside the Top 11. And yes despite the overly racist Texans celebration of their “BBQ” the origins of Texas BBQ is Jewish delis not John Waynesque cowboys). The Texas brisket is by far the best I’ve had and their sausage is the best smoked hard version I’ve had as well, BUT the best is their smoked prime rib or ribeye if they have it.

Here’s some of my photos from Kreuz with their sausage and brisket.

Saltlick for me is hard to really recommend because I don’t think I’ll go back again as it’s nowhere near as good as Kreuz and if for some reason I didn’t want to eat at Kreuz again, I’d want to try something else that’s new. But for a first timer I can see the appeal. It’s a nice enough drive out to the middle of nowhere and unlike La BBQ and Franklin the wait is usually only an hour or two. Plus there’s wineries, breweries and even a cidery (which is good even though the building is sketchy) nearby. But honestly I liked my own bbq beef ribs better than theirs.

Here’s my pics of Saltlick with their brisket, sausage (which is terrible at least compared to Kreuz, do NOT get), beer ribs and bison rib.

And what my beef ribs look like (baked for four hours at 225 then finished over direct flame).

Btw, Blue Owl Brewing in Austin is amazing IF you like sour beers (and I do, that’s my favorite varietals). It’s the best brewery I’ve found for specialised sour beers in the country.

As an 18-year Austin resident and lifelong BBQ aficionado, I can confirm that Tribe is right about the Central Texas joints. My personal order:

Kreuz
Luling City Market
Franklin
Louie Mueller's
Micklethwait
Stiles Switch
Smitty's
Cooper's
...
Salt Lick is much lower on my list.

 

[Nole Lou]

After we spend a week or so in Texas, we are going north through Oklahoma, then through Denver to Jackson, WY, then to SD to see Crazy Horse & Rushmore then to Wisconsin Dells, Owensboro, KY, Cincinnati, Niagra Falls, then seeing family in Toronto. On the way back to FL, we are considering coming back through Portland, ME then NH. Last year we did 11,000 miles in 38 days. This year, we will be close to that.

I am tired just typing this, and we leave early Sunday morning.

Let me know if you need food advice headed to Niagara Falls, LOL.

 

[goldmom]

Kreuz is way up there and has earned their reputation. Before Austin was Cali-cool and was just weird, which are two different things.

Salt Lick is a different kind of place, and I'm a fan because of the total experience and atmosphere. Thus my remarks about it being a pure Texas experience.

As far as great BBQ, heck, on most days 4Rivers just down the street from me on Baymeadows here in Jax does a killer job with their brisket. So, the whole Franklins/Austin/Cool thing makes me do a roll eyes.

Bud, it sounds like a super trip. I've got the Badlands - Dakota thing on my bucket list along with several other spots you've mentioned. Have a wonderful time!

 

[Bud Fox]

La BBQ is on par with Franklin’s and a quarter of the wait. If you have the time I’d do both.

If you’re into beer you can’t beat Jester King. The absolute best brewery experience I’ve had. Beautiful hill country location. Fantastic beers. Pretty good pizza on site as well.

Where is Jester King? Is it outside of town? That sounds like a spot we have to get to, your description has my mouth watering, for real.

 

[Bud Fox]

Well an obvious suggestion if you’re going through Owensboro is the Moonlite Inn for both the chopped and sliced mutton (they taste quite different as they come from different parts of the lamb). That’s in my top five BBQ places in the country maybe even top 2 and is better than any of the places in Texas imo.

So to get from Denver are you going through OKC and Amarillo, going through Santa Fe and Albuquerque or going through Lubbock and Amarillo? If you go through Amarillo, two obvious must do stops is Palo Duro Canyon and the Big Texan Steak Ranch. The Big Texan may very well be the most tacky touristy thing on the planet eclipsing IDrive, Daytona Beach and every Caribbean port you’ve been to, BUT it’s quite good steak. And if you go to OKC, Cattlemen’s which is not connected to the same named chain in Texas and elsewhere but a standalone original is the best steak place I’ve been to, better than even Bern’s, St Elmo’s, Dickie Brennan’s etc...yet it’s quite cheap.

I have never tried mutton, but we are going to be in Owensboro for 3 days, we are doing a water/amusement park called Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. Every year we hit 2 roller coaster/amusement parks, and that is one. What would you compare mutton to? I have heard of it, and seen live BBQ comps where it is made/served, but never tried it. We know Owensboro has a great reputation for it’s BBQ, that’s why we are staying there.

 

[Bud Fox]

Kreuz is way up there and has earned their reputation. Before Austin was Cali-cool and was just weird, which are two different things.

Salt Lick is a different kind of place, and I'm a fan because of the total experience and atmosphere. Thus my remarks about it being a pure Texas experience.

As far as great BBQ, heck, on most days 4Rivers just down the street from me on Baymeadows here in Jax does a killer job with their brisket. So, the whole Franklins/Austin/Cool thing makes me do a roll eyes.

Bud, it sounds like a super trip. I've got the Badlands - Dakota thing on my bucket list along with several other spots you've mentioned. Have a wonderful time!

I wanted to get to Salt Lick because I wanted to see that pit in person. My kids are willing and bothering me about doing the Franklin’s thing. Getting up at 5 AM just to say they did it. They are doing a journal on our trip, so I would guess that is why they are interested. I love that they want to experience new things, and every time someone asks me why I don’t take m6 kids to Europe, etc.., I remind them what a fantastic country we have here’s in America. They can do Europe on their own if they want. I love the road trips, because we get real quality family time, and we all love it. Every single year since they were born, we have done at LEAST a 25 day road trip. I highly recommend it. I really appreciate everyone’s input, please keep the suggestions coming!

 

[West Duval Nole]

Haven't been to Texas much but I did eat at Hard Eight when I was traveling on business years ago and it was good. My colleague who has lived in Kansas City all his life thought it was good also.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Where is Jester King? Is it outside of town? That sounds like a spot we have to get to, your description has my mouth watering, for real.

Yeah, probably 20ish min from downtown.

 

[lando_lakes]

The fam is going on our annual road trip across America. This year’s route has us spending a few days in Texas, exploring the best BBQ in the state. Kids want to try Franklin’s in Austin, so we will do that and get the t-shirt. However, I have been wanting to explore others I have heard good things about, like Salt Lick, Kreuz’s Market, Smitty’s, Black’s, etc.. We are spending a few days in Austin, Waco & Dallas before heading off on the rest of our trip.

What say you stellar Locker Room folk?? Tips and suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!! We leave Sunday for 30+ days on the road!

Most of the people above have nailed it. Salt lick outside of the atmosphere is total crap bbq. They have switched a majority of their cooking to electric smokers.

You could try to do Snows in Lexington, its only open on Saturdays and you have to be there early. They close at noon and normal run out of food before that. Its been ranked #1 in the state more than once.

I

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

I have never tried mutton, but we are going to be in Owensboro for 3 days, we are doing a water/amusement park called Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. Every year we hit 2 roller coaster/amusement parks, and that is one. What would you compare mutton to? I have heard of it, and seen live BBQ comps where it is made/served, but never tried it. We know Owensboro has a great reputation for it’s BBQ, that’s why we are staying there.

Mutton is like beef with more flavor. Some say “gamey” to describe it which to me implies an acrid chemical taste from poor butchering ie leaving lymph nodes and glands behind, I just say it has a more intense flavor with a little more “grassiness”/herbiness, a little more minerality and a little more “blue cheese” flavor but a lot more savouriness/umami. Think about beef cuts, filet is bland and boring, ribeye is starting to get more flavor and flap steak is the most “meaty and flavourful” cut of the steak. Most red meats are on a similar spectrum.

Here’s my “chart” of red meats from very bland red meats that need extra fat to help out to very intense meat that may need spices and sauces to tone down the flavor if the meat.

Ostrich < Emu < Veal < corn fed Beef < corn fed Bison < Camel < grass fed Beef < grass fed Bison < Elk < Lamb (ie sheep under 2 years) < Llama < Alpaca < domesticated/farmed red deer Venison < Moose < Red Kangaroo < Mutton (2-4 yo sheep) < Goat < Antelope < white tail deer Venison

 

[Bud Fox]

Yeah, probably 20ish min from downtown.

That’s one stop. Good looking out Ronnie.

 

[Fijimn]

The fam is going on our annual road trip across America. This year’s route has us spending a few days in Texas, exploring the best BBQ in the state. Kids want to try Franklin’s in Austin, so we will do that and get the t-shirt. However, I have been wanting to explore others I have heard good things about, like Salt Lick, Kreuz’s Market, Smitty’s, Black’s, etc.. We are spending a few days in Austin, Waco & Dallas before heading off on the rest of our trip.

What say you stellar Locker Room folk?? Tips and suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!! We leave Sunday for 30+ days on the road!

Bring umbrellas, chairs and plenty of water, it'll probably be blazing hot in Austin. I haven't heard if he's gotten running at full capacity since the fire last year. I would presume so, but for a while he only able to cook about 75% of what he did before the fire. Your kids might get a kick out of meeting Tootsie Tomantenz the 85 year old woman pit master. I'd get there by 6:30 or 7 in the morning, but who doesn't enjoy brisket for breakfast. Louie Muller's in Taylor is great. If you are heading to Dallas from Waco, stop at the Czech Stop in West, Texas for excellent kolaches.

I had read that the swimming hole in Austin had closed. You might want to take the kids to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. It's probably the best water park in the US. You can try The Gristmill for really gook chicken fried steak and check out the famous Gruene (pronounced Green) Hall. Also, the Spoetzle Brewery (Shiner Bock) in Shiner, Texas is open for tours on the weekend.

If you head northwest from Austin, Fredericksburg is pretty cool to check out.

 

[Bud Fox]

Let me know if you need food advice headed to Niagara Falls, LOL.

When we know our exact route, I’ll hit this up!

 

[Bud Fox]

Well an obvious suggestion if you’re going through Owensboro is the Moonlite Inn for both the chopped and sliced mutton (they taste quite different as they come from different parts of the lamb). That’s in my top five BBQ places in the country maybe even top 2 and is better than any of the places in Texas imo.

So to get from Denver are you going through OKC and Amarillo, going through Santa Fe and Albuquerque or going through Lubbock and Amarillo? If you go through Amarillo, two obvious must do stops is Palo Duro Canyon and the Big Texan Steak Ranch. The Big Texan may very well be the most tacky touristy thing on the planet eclipsing IDrive, Daytona Beach and every Caribbean port you’ve been to, BUT it’s quite good steak. And if you go to OKC, Cattlemen’s which is not connected to the same named chain in Texas and elsewhere but a standalone original is the best steak place I’ve been to, better than even Bern’s, St Elmo’s, Dickie Brennan’s etc...yet it’s quite cheap.

We are actually going through Pawhuska, OK. The wife wanted to go see the Pioneer Woman spot, and they do tours of the ranch, etc there. So we are going to go through OK to Denver, then on to Jackson Hole, and South Dakota. I am actually really excited to see the Crazy Horse project, as I have a huge surprise for my kids and wife. One of my old clients has been the largest benefactor of the project for over 25years (Seriously, he is obsessed - He has a huge motor Coach with the project painted all over it. Amazing). He has us set up to do a full behind the scenes VIP look at the entire project. Should be fun.

Another thing for the LR. We are doing Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Badlands, etc. we are only going to be about 25 miles from Sturgis. Is it worth the time to take a run through there, or is it just crap?

 

[Fijimn]

We are actually going through Pawhuska, OK. The wife wanted to go see the Pioneer Woman spot, and they do tours of the ranch, etc there. So we are going to go through OK to Denver, then on to Jackson Hole, and South Dakota. I am actually really excited to see the Crazy Horse project, as I have a huge surprise for my kids and wife. One of my old clients has been the largest benefactor of the project for over 25years (Seriously, he is obsessed - He has a huge motor Coach with the project painted all over it. Amazing). He has us set up to do a full behind the scenes VIP look at the entire project. Should be fun.

Another thing for the LR. We are doing Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Badlands, etc. we are only going to be about 25 miles from Sturgis. Is it worth the time to take a run through there, or is it just crap?

We did that last year. Rushmore was amazing and I loved the park. Crazy Horse was no where near completion. Seeing the roaming buffalo as you drive through the black hills was incredible. There are several caverns there that are set up for walking tours, but the tours fill up really fast. We stayed the night in Deadwood and saw the tomb of Wild Bill Hickok. The town's main street is set up with saloons and is pretty cool. We went through Sturgis - it can be bypassed. We had a great time at a bear reserve outside Rapid City. It's one of those drive through ones. But there must have been 30 bears that walk right past your car. There is also a Woolly Mammoth cite near there. We missed the badlands.

 

[dmm5157]

My wife saw Pecan Lodge on Food Network, that place looks incredible. Have you eaten there?

The BBQ you are going to get in Central Texas is better than anything you are going to get up in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. We ate at Pecan Lodge back when FSU played Okie State and I was really disappointed in the BBQ. We got an order of everything they had, tried a bit of everything. Food was over-smokey, ribs were ok but not worth the 45 minute wait.

I'd skip that if you are already doing BBQ in Austin/Lockhart areas.


Kreuz is my favorite of the spots in central Texas for pure meat. Sides are not why you go there at all.

I haven't been to Jester King, but foodie and beer buddy of mine back in SA goes there once a month so they must be doing something right.

 

[OrlandNole]

Bring umbrellas, chairs and plenty of water, it'll probably be blazing hot in Austin. I haven't heard if he's gotten running at full capacity since the fire last year. I would presume so, but for a while he only able to cook about 75% of what he did before the fire. Your kids might get a kick out of meeting Tootsie Tomantenz the 85 year old woman pit master. I'd get there by 6:30 or 7 in the morning, but who doesn't enjoy brisket for breakfast. Louie Muller's in Taylor is great. If you are heading to Dallas from Waco, stop at the Czech Stop in West, Texas for excellent kolaches.

I had read that the swimming hole in Austin had closed. You might want to take the kids to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. It's probably the best water park in the US. You can try The Gristmill for really gook chicken fried steak and check out the famous Gruene (pronounced Green) Hall. Also, the Spoetzle Brewery (Shiner Bock) in Shiner, Texas is open for tours on the weekend.

If you head northwest from Austin, Fredericksburg is pretty cool to check out.

Fiji - Can you give me some recos for the Houston area (BBQ and otherwise)?

 

[F4Gary]

Bud, I wouldn't waste your time at Crazy Horse. It's not worth the $11 per person. Here is a pic from the visitor center. It's as close as you get.
Has the standard Indian gift shop and "museum" that you see all over the west.

My Rushmore has a pretty nice laser show at night.

 

[lando_lakes]

Fiji - Can you give me some recos for the Houston area (BBQ and otherwise)?

As far as BBQ goes inside the city your two best options are The Pit room and Pinkertons. Both very good, would give slight edge to pinkertons. Outside the city you have Killen's south of the city in Pearland and Corkscrew up in spring. I go back and forth on which I like better, corkscrew line seems to move a lot faster.

For non bbq obviously heavy Mexican food, hit up original Ninfas on Navigation or any of the el tiempos. Breakfast tacos recommend Laredo taqueria or brothers tacos on the east side of downtown.

If you want Asian there are a ton of great places in Chinatown on the west side of the city.

For a kind of different stop you could check out conservatory, its an inside beer garden that is under some buildings. Has 4-5 different restaurants you can order from with a large tap wall and wine now I believe.

 

[F4Gary]

Whoops, you posted while I was typing. If you are getting the VIP treatment, then by all means, it will be worth it. The drive to get there is really nice and scenic. I've heard a lot of people like Custer State Park near there too.

 

[Fijimn]

Fiji - Can you give me some recos for the Houston area (BBQ and otherwise)?

Sure - we just had firm event at Xochi last night and that place is always fantastic--if you like Mexican food (from Oaxaca). It's in the Marriott Marqui. Right now the hot bbq places inside the loop are Roegels http://www.roegelsbarbecue.com/ and The Pit Room http://www.thepitroombbq.com/

I believe the current hot place to eat in Houston is in the Heights and Heights Mercantile. There is a Local Foods (great sandwich place), Melange Creperie and some other stuff. If you want to watch some soccer and have german food Kings Bier Garten over in Oak Forest is great. Also, I have also been partial to Cedar Creek (heights area) for a burger and beer. Down the street from there is Hub Cap Burger for a really good.

Mexican - Original Ninfas on Navigation is probably still the leader in tex-mex food.

We have about another week of crawfish here. Try to caj-asian style at Crawfish & Noodles. Also in the Asia realm, the bahn mi and pho at Le Gravle on Washington is very good and inexpensive. The best Pho in town is at Pho Trailer. And, apparently, the dumplings at Wanna Bao in Midtown are fantastic (i'm low carb these days so haven't had a chance).

If you have time, the food and tour at St. Arnolds is a good time.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

We are actually going through Pawhuska, OK. The wife wanted to go see the Pioneer Woman spot, and they do tours of the ranch, etc there. So we are going to go through OK to Denver, then on to Jackson Hole, and South Dakota. I am actually really excited to see the Crazy Horse project, as I have a huge surprise for my kids and wife. One of my old clients has been the largest benefactor of the project for over 25years (Seriously, he is obsessed - He has a huge motor Coach with the project painted all over it. Amazing). He has us set up to do a full behind the scenes VIP look at the entire project. Should be fun.

Another thing for the LR. We are doing Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Badlands, etc. we are only going to be about 25 miles from Sturgis. Is it worth the time to take a run through there, or is it just crap?

Ah! I haven’t been to that part of Oklahoma so I can’t help you there.

On the Lockhart/Austin front, have you been down to San Antonio? Lockhart is basically midway between Austin and San Antonio and I really enjoyed both the Alamo, the drinks along the River Walk and puffy tacos. In fact the puffy tacos in San Antonio are the only TexMex I’ve found that I can honestly say I REALLY enjoy especially compared to Mew Mexican and Az-Mex. I’ve eaten at most of the “highly rec’d“ Tex-Mex places in Houston, Dallas and Austin and the very best one was worse than the worst puffy taco in San Antonio. If anything, I’d focus on steak and/or chicken fried steak in Dallas as I’ve yet to find a truly worthwhile Tex-Mex place in Dallas.

And btw, I’m not against Mexican fusion places and only love authentic Mexican places as I absolutely love New Mexican and Az-Mex to the point I’d put New Mexican up there with Louisiana Cajun and Creole as the very best “American” cuisine period and the Az-Mex blending of TexMex with Navajo and Apache food traditions is pretty close. Plus CalMex especially around San Diego is a worthy cuisine as well. So that’s why I haven’t given up trying to find a great TexMex place (and I have in San Antonio if you consider the puffy taco places as true TexMex). And there are some good authentic Mexican places in Texas well especially Oaxacan as someone else referenced with Xochi which is more of a Chefy high end Oaxacan. I really liked Mi Lindo which is more my style, a low rent family style Oaxacan place in Dallas.

 

[cfbfan23]

If you’re into beer you can’t beat Jester King.

This. They've got some amazing beers (top-notch sours, too, if you're into that)

Bring some beers to Salt Lick and enjoy the scenery....then eat elsewhere. Kreuz Market for me.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

Sure - we just had firm event at Xochi last night and that place is always fantastic--if you like Mexican food (from Oaxaca). It's in the Marriott Marqui. Right now the hot bbq places inside the loop are Roegels http://www.roegelsbarbecue.com/ and The Pit Room http://www.thepitroombbq.com/

I believe the current hot place to eat in Houston is in the Heights and Heights Mercantile. There is a Local Foods (great sandwich place), Melange Creperie and some other stuff. If you want to watch some soccer and have german food Kings Bier Garten over in Oak Forest is great. Also, I have also been partial to Cedar Creek (heights area) for a burger and beer. Down the street from there is Hub Cap Burger for a really good.

Mexican - Original Ninfas on Navigation is probably still the leader in tex-mex food.

We have about another week of crawfish here. Try to caj-asian style at Crawfish & Noodles. Also in the Asia realm, the bahn mi and pho at Le Gravle on Washington is very good and inexpensive. The best Pho in town is at Pho Trailer. And, apparently, the dumplings at Wanna Bao in Midtown are fantastic (i'm low carb these days so haven't had a chance).

If you have time, the food and tour at St. Arnolds is a good time.

I’ve heard lots of really good things about the Vietnamese/Cajun fusion places in Houston but haven’t made it to one yet. Obviously next time I’m in Houston I’ll need to make that a priority.

 

[Nole Lou]

When we know our exact route, I’ll hit this up!

Sure, I'll drop a few tips in case you end up with a meal in Buffalo, and I don't catch you. I would highly advise stopping to eat in Buffalo or it's suburbs or Niagara Falls, NY rather than waiting to cross to Niagara Falls Canada if you're looking for a lunch or casual type meal. I'm sure there are solid fine dining options, but the casual type meal (sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, wings, etc ) is frequently way, way worse over the border like what you'd expect in a second rate theme park.

I'm assuming you'll be traveling through Buffalo. Based on your trip so far, I would imagine Anchor Bar might be on your itinerary as the birthplace of wings. The wings are very good there, but almost everything else on the menu is pretty mediocre to bad, at least compared to any other random restaurant in town. If you have one person who wants wings, and everyone else wants something else, everyone else is probably going to leave underwhelmed.

Duffs is the second most famous place for wings. Wings are great there too, as with the Anchor Bar, but the truth is, great wings are everywhere, and other than a touristy type stop to take someone, I never make the effort to get to either of them. If you want wings almost any bar or pizza place is going to have grade A wings if not A+, as long as you stay away from any national/regional chain (local chains can be ok). If I had one meal in Buffalo, I'd hit a place for pizza and wings and as long as you don't go to a chain, it's about 80% likely it will be great. And they're everywhere, so you literally don't have go out of the way.

Western New York's other famous food is beef on weck, which is great, but conversely to pizza and wings, it isn't usually very good most places. It's on every menu because it's a Buffalo staple, but to be done right takes a restaurant to be pretty much dedicated to it. I wouldn't bother with it if you aren't willing to specifically go to Steve's Pig and Ox Roast, Swiston's Beef and Keg in Tonawanda (might actually be on your way to the Falls depending on how you go), or maybe a Charlie the Butcher location. Swiston's is my favorite, but be aware, they are a dark bar (no matter what time of day), and have two items...beef on weck and chili. And free popcorn. Great sandwich in a divey atmosphere. But most people who try a beef on weck from some random place (or the Anchor Bar) because they've heard of it are severely underwhelmed.

Two Buffalo fast food chains which should be everywhere all the way up to the border are Ted's Charbroiled Hot Dogs and Mighty Taco. Of course I think both are awesome, but I'm not promising you'll be wowed. But if you're just grabbing a quick lunch they're everywhere and you could say you had a taste of Western New York instead of a McDonalds.

 

[dmm5157]

This. They've got some amazing beers (top-notch sours, too, if you're into that)

Bring some beers to Salt Lick and enjoy the scenery....then eat elsewhere. Kreuz Market for me.

for view, I'm a fan of the the Oasis on Lake Travis. Food and drinks are just ok, but the view is excellent. It can get packed for sunsets, though.

It looks much better now than it did when I was there last in 2009, when the area was suffering from historic drought.

 

[Fijimn]

I’ve heard lots of really good things about the Vietnamese/Cajun fusion places in Houston but haven’t made it to one yet. Obviously next time I’m in Houston I’ll need to make that a priority.

If you watch David Chang's Ugly Delicious episode in Houston and New Orleans - he does a pretty good comparison. It's an interesting episode. Chang makes a pretty good argument that--flavor-wise--it is the right way to cook crawfish. But people, especially in New Orleans, are married to their traditions and that is essentially what the episode is about. Comparing the openness of Houston and the more closed off (traditionalists) in New Orleans.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

If you watch David Chang's Ugly Delicious episode in Houston and New Orleans - he does a pretty good comparison. It's an interesting episode. Chang makes a pretty good argument that--flavor-wise--it is the right way to cook crawfish. But people, especially in New Orleans, are married to their traditions.

I’ll check out the episode today while I’m filling out some paperwork.