It was Pride Celebration over the weekend. Not militant - should have join d in. It’s a lot of fun.OK. So we are done with the first leg of our journey (Texas). We had a fantastic time, with some great food & people, with just one shitty restaurant experience.
We went to Houston first, on our way to San Antonio. In Houston, we ate breakfast at a great spot called The Breakfast Klub. Definitely a winner, we loved it. The chicken & waffle breakfast was great, and the atmosphere and service was awesome, would definitely recommend.
Then, in San Antonio, we ate lunch at a great new place called Dough Pizzeria Napoletana. Everything scratch made, and it really was incredible. I thought of Tribe in there, they had a pizza made with Water Buffalo mozzarella. I admit, I didn’t have the balls to try it, but my son did, and he said it was good. Scratch Gorgonzola, margharita pizzas and very good service, again, would recommend. The Riverwalk has seen better days. The entire area was run down, dirty and smelled like hot garbage. Disappointed, to say the least.
Next day, we began our drive to Austin. Along the way, we stopped at Smitty’s Market in Lockhart, TX. Place was old as dirt, people were nice but the pit and vibe was dark and dingy for me. Found out the history of the BBQ in Lockhart, very interesting. Basically, the dad died, left the building to the daughter & the actual business to the son. Everything was fine, until the sister wanted to triple the rent. The brother said no thanks, and he opened what is now Kreuz Market, which was far and away our favorite. Wow. The brisket was incredible, and I was blown away by the ribs. This place was really unbelievable, and I am sure I had an out of body experience eating the point of the brisket they served. Great place, would 100% recommend.
Then, we went to Black’s BBQ in Lockhart. It was underwhelming to say the least. They had a cheesy looking Buffet, and the atmosphere was dreary. No thanks. We walked in, then out.
Continuing our drive to Austin, we detoured to Driftwood, TX to check out The Salt Lick. After Goldie’s recommendation, we had to investigate. I agree 100% that this spot has a great Texas vibe. They are unique, in that they sit on over 60 acres. They have a vineyard now, and they make their own wine. I am not a wine drinker, but my wife tried a few of their offerings. The reds were completely undrinkable (she predicted that) because the best grapes can’t handle the Texas heat. However, she liked a Sangria they had, and a Pinot Grigio she liked. We bought a bottle of each, and Bud had a good evening.
We loved the atmosphere at Salt Lick, and their pit was incredible, but the BBQ was just OK. I would humbly (OK, not humbly) say that my BBQ is better. The pit master was a cool guy, let my kids mop the meat. Beautiful setting, but I don’t think I would go back.
Then, we finished our drive to Austin. We were tired & full, so we arrived at The Fairmont. Very nice pool area, and the hotel was new. We took a nap, then went to dinner at Bob’s Steakhouse. Pretty good, but I have had better. We would go back again, service was good. We had to get up early Tuesday morning, so we called it a day.
Tuesday morning. 5:30 AM, we arrived at Franklin’s BBQ. We were first in line! By 5:40, there were 20 people there, and by 7 AM, forget about getting anything. Franklin’s BBQ is a very cool experience. I highly recommend it to anyone. The vibe is laid back and chill, and the people on line were funny & in great spirits. My wife and I actually met & took a pic with Aaron Franklin himself! Just by chance, the boss & I went to get coffee at their kiosk (very good review by the wife, I don’t drink coffee), and Aaron was unloading his pickup. I saw him struggling, and helped him carry some fans inside. Very cool seeing the inside of the smokehouse. He was very nice, and even a bit nerdy, with cutoff dress pants. Back in the line, we were totally in the shade (some poor bastards were cooking in the sun, temp was 99 degrees at 10 AM). We ordered 3 pounds of brisket (2 Point, 1 Flat) 2 pounds of ribs & some sausage. Let me just say I was stupefied. Not kidding. I expected great brisket (and it really was the best I’ve ever had) but the ribs stunned me. I can not believe he gets the flavor & tenderness just using salt & pepper on ribs, but he does. Absolutely fantastic, and definitely worth the wait.
After lunch at Franlin’s, we went and walked around downtown Austin. Meh. Not a lot to see, and the entire area downtown was Very gay pride, super feminist and anti anything else. I believe in live and let live, but in this area, they appear militant against anyone outside their group, with everyone defensive and standoffish. Very interesting energy. Reminds me of the Village in NYC in the mid to late 1980s.
Jester King was fantastic!! Good call RRR!
For dinner we ate at a place called Polvos. Wife found it. The food was actually very good, but the service sucked, and the AC was busted. On a 102% afternoon. They should have told us before we sat down, but whatever. The experience at Polvos was disappointing, but the margaritas and food were good. Would not recommend or go back again.
Next morning, we drove to Waco, TX. Because we got there early, we went directly to the Magnolia Market. The place is really well planned out, with their silo’s, bakery, food trucks, and entire area well thought out. It struck me just how much attention & revenue the Gaines Family has brought to Waco. Amazing place, well done. Cupcakes were very good, so were the cookies.
Dinner was Ninfas. Awesome food. Just amazing, and the service was great. Could not recommend highly enough. If I lived in Waco, I would buy the place. Real talk.
Breakfast next morning was at the Gaines’ Magnolia Table restaurant. Very well done. We really enjoyed our breakfast, large portions. The biscuits were great, and the strawberry butter was very good. Service was over the top great, similar to a well run Chik-fil-a. Very happy to have gone there. Wife said coffee was not good though. Wifey was sour.
Then I got dragged running around the junk shops (wife called it antiquing, but it was junk). We visited the first fixer upper, Clint Harp’s place. They own it still, but don’t live there. They have it on Airbnb. The shop next door was very nice, with quality wood items. We bought a nice custom cutting board.
Went to the Dr Pepper museum. Interesting stuff there, but OMG, it was hotter than Satan’s ballsack. Real talk.
Dinner was Italian, a place called Portofinos. My dinner was good. Wifey and kids, not so much. Wife was sour about Texas wine corkage state law. The law in Texas is, if the establishment serves spirits, you CANNOT bring your own wine. Wifey=unhappy camper.
On our way right now to Pawhuska, OK. We stopped at a BBQ spot wifey saw on Food Paradise, called Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch in Davis, OK. HOLY SHIT. If you EVER get a chance to try this place, you need to do it. We ordered brisket & ribs. They were OK. I got to talking with the owner (those of you that know me know how this conversation went). Anyway, he says to me, “I’m gonna knock your socks off”. Proceeds to bring out a tray full of their two specialty items. One is a jalapeño sausage my wife loved. But the showstopper was something I had never seen before. He brought out some rubbed up, slow smoked prime rib. Best thing I have eaten. Maybe in my life. It is possible. We are almost to Pawhuska.
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, they were outstanding, I’ll update again in a few days!!
Peace!
Bud
OK. I Need some help from the BBQ experts in the LR..
- Thread starter Bud Fox
- Start date
I’m a Western Carolina style (ie pulled pork shoulder with a vinegar based sauce that has a LITTLE ketchup in it then placed on a bun with RED slaw not white Cole slaw) fan as I have relatives and actually own some property in Shelby (technically a smaller town called Falston) NC. But I won’t turn my nose up at the Eastern Style (vinegar and red pepper flakes only). In fact my wife likes the Eastern style better.
OK. So we are done with the first leg of our journey (Texas). We had a fantastic time, with some great food & people, with just one shitty restaurant experience.
We went to Houston first, on our way to San Antonio. In Houston, we ate breakfast at a great spot called The Breakfast Klub. Definitely a winner, we loved it. The chicken & waffle breakfast was great, and the atmosphere and service was awesome, would definitely recommend.
Then, in San Antonio, we ate lunch at a great new place called Dough Pizzeria Napoletana. Everything scratch made, and it really was incredible. I thought of Tribe in there, they had a pizza made with Water Buffalo mozzarella. I admit, I didn’t have the balls to try it, but my son did, and he said it was good. Scratch Gorgonzola, margharita pizzas and very good service, again, would recommend. The Riverwalk has seen better days. The entire area was run down, dirty and smelled like hot garbage. Disappointed, to say the least.
Next day, we began our drive to Austin. Along the way, we stopped at Smitty’s Market in Lockhart, TX. Place was old as dirt, people were nice but the pit and vibe was dark and dingy for me. Found out the history of the BBQ in Lockhart, very interesting. Basically, the dad died, left the building to the daughter & the actual business to the son. Everything was fine, until the sister wanted to triple the rent. The brother said no thanks, and he opened what is now Kreuz Market, which was far and away our favorite. Wow. The brisket was incredible, and I was blown away by the ribs. This place was really unbelievable, and I am sure I had an out of body experience eating the point of the brisket they served. Great place, would 100% recommend.
Then, we went to Black’s BBQ in Lockhart. It was underwhelming to say the least. They had a cheesy looking Buffet, and the atmosphere was dreary. No thanks. We walked in, then out.
Continuing our drive to Austin, we detoured to Driftwood, TX to check out The Salt Lick. After Goldie’s recommendation, we had to investigate. I agree 100% that this spot has a great Texas vibe. They are unique, in that they sit on over 60 acres. They have a vineyard now, and they make their own wine. I am not a wine drinker, but my wife tried a few of their offerings. The reds were completely undrinkable (she predicted that) because the best grapes can’t handle the Texas heat. However, she liked a Sangria they had, and a Pinot Grigio she liked. We bought a bottle of each, and Bud had a good evening.
We loved the atmosphere at Salt Lick, and their pit was incredible, but the BBQ was just OK. I would humbly (OK, not humbly) say that my BBQ is better. The pit master was a cool guy, let my kids mop the meat. Beautiful setting, but I don’t think I would go back.
Then, we finished our drive to Austin. We were tired & full, so we arrived at The Fairmont. Very nice pool area, and the hotel was new. We took a nap, then went to dinner at Bob’s Steakhouse. Pretty good, but I have had better. We would go back again, service was good. We had to get up early Tuesday morning, so we called it a day.
Tuesday morning. 5:30 AM, we arrived at Franklin’s BBQ. We were first in line! By 5:40, there were 20 people there, and by 7 AM, forget about getting anything. Franklin’s BBQ is a very cool experience. I highly recommend it to anyone. The vibe is laid back and chill, and the people on line were funny & in great spirits. My wife and I actually met & took a pic with Aaron Franklin himself! Just by chance, the boss & I went to get coffee at their kiosk (very good review by the wife, I don’t drink coffee), and Aaron was unloading his pickup. I saw him struggling, and helped him carry some fans inside. Very cool seeing the inside of the smokehouse. He was very nice, and even a bit nerdy, with cutoff dress pants. Back in the line, we were totally in the shade (some poor bastards were cooking in the sun, temp was 99 degrees at 10 AM). We ordered 3 pounds of brisket (2 Point, 1 Flat) 2 pounds of ribs & some sausage. Let me just say I was stupefied. Not kidding. I expected great brisket (and it really was the best I’ve ever had) but the ribs stunned me. I can not believe he gets the flavor & tenderness just using salt & pepper on ribs, but he does. Absolutely fantastic, and definitely worth the wait.
After lunch at Franlin’s, we went and walked around downtown Austin. Meh. Not a lot to see, and the entire area downtown was Very gay pride, super feminist and anti anything else. I believe in live and let live, but in this area, they appear militant against anyone outside their group, with everyone defensive and standoffish. Very interesting energy. Reminds me of the Village in NYC in the mid to late 1980s.
Jester King was fantastic!! Good call RRR!
For dinner we ate at a place called Polvos. Wife found it. The food was actually very good, but the service sucked, and the AC was busted. On a 102% afternoon. They should have told us before we sat down, but whatever. The experience at Polvos was disappointing, but the margaritas and food were good. Would not recommend or go back again.
Next morning, we drove to Waco, TX. Because we got there early, we went directly to the Magnolia Market. The place is really well planned out, with their silo’s, bakery, food trucks, and entire area well thought out. It struck me just how much attention & revenue the Gaines Family has brought to Waco. Amazing place, well done. Cupcakes were very good, so were the cookies.
Dinner was Ninfas. Awesome food. Just amazing, and the service was great. Could not recommend highly enough. If I lived in Waco, I would buy the place. Real talk.
Breakfast next morning was at the Gaines’ Magnolia Table restaurant. Very well done. We really enjoyed our breakfast, large portions. The biscuits were great, and the strawberry butter was very good. Service was over the top great, similar to a well run Chik-fil-a. Very happy to have gone there. Wife said coffee was not good though. Wifey was sour
Then I got dragged running around the junk shops (wife called it antiquing, but it was junk). We visited the first fixer upper, Clint Harp’s place. They own it still, but don’t live there. They have it on Airbnb. The shop next door was very nice, with quality wood items. We bought a nice custom cutting board.
Went to the Dr Pepper museum. Interesting stuff there, but OMG, it was hotter than Satan’s ballsack. Real talk.
Dinner was Italian, a place called Portofinos. My dinner was good. Wifey and kids, not so much. Wife was sour about Texas wine corkage state law. The law in Texas is, if the establishment serves spirits, you CANNOT bring your own wine. Wifey=unhappy camper.
On our way right now to Pawhuska, OK. We stopped at a BBQ spot wifey saw on Food Paradise, called Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch in Davis, OK. HOLY SHIT. If you EVER get a chance to try this place, you need to do it. We ordered brisket & ribs. They were OK. I got to talking with the owner (those of you that know me know how this conversation went). Anyway, he says to me, “I’m gonna knock your socks off”. Proceeds to bring out a tray full of their two specialty items. One is a jalapeño sausage my wife loved. But the showstopper was something I had never seen before. He brought out some rubbed up, slow smoked prime rib. Best thing I have eaten. Maybe in my life. It is possible. We are almost to Pawhuska.
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, they were outstanding, I’ll update again in a few days!!
Peace!
Bud
The absolute best Texas BBQ I’ve had, was the prime rib and ribeye at Kreuz. But as far as I know, they dont always carry those items unlike the brisket and ribs.
Just know the Jester King does farmhouse ales a little different than traditional craft beer.
It wasn’t the Homosexuals, it was actually the surprisingly exclusionary attitudes of the people in downtown Austin. I grew up in actual NYC ( The Five Boroughs, not some posh suburbs) in the 70’s and 80’s. No one believes in live and let live more than I do. It has gotten crazy though, when being HETEROSEXUAL is demonized. We enjoyed Austin, overall.
In Toronto go to Scaddabush downtown by the CN tower. Really good Italian. At Niagara On the Lake, there is an outlet mall next to the Bass Pro. Inside the food area are several food trucks but also a place called Rocky Mountain fudge. About 15 wineries around there as well between there and the other side of St Catherine’s. In Niagara ON, ton of chains but there are a few smaller places to enjoy. Downtown at night like a carnival atmosphere. On the Niagara NY side, there is a really good pizza place next to the ice cream shop on the Main Street that runs into the park where the Maid of the Mist is.
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