PDA

View Full Version : Central Texas BBQ Tour


cazzy
01-26-2014, 01:44 AM
While we intended to visit more places yesterday, we kept it to two. That was more than enough BBQ, so we did something else for dinner (more on that later)

Our first stop was John Mueller Meat Co. (http://www.johnmuellermeatco.com/home/) We got there at 10:30am and were the first in line.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5931_zps3fd987f8.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5931_zps3fd987f8.jpg.html)

Point Brisket (7 out of 10), flat brisket (5 out of 10), pork ribs (8 out of 10), beef chuck rib (8.5 out of 10), Sausage (5 out of 10), and Cheesy Squash (8 out of 10)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5934_zps7ce4c3a5.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5934_zps7ce4c3a5.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5936_zps2ab987e6.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5936_zps2ab987e6.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5937_zpsa6282278.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5937_zpsa6282278.jpg.html)

So I was snapping this pic of the wood and John zipped past and photobombed the shot. John stops and looks at me and asks "Do I come in your backyard and take pictures?" I respond and say "nope". He then asked "You know I have a reputation to be a d#@* right?" I said "That's what I heard but I don't want to believe it sir!" He emphatically responded "well you better f&^*ing believe it." He paused for a second, then said "i'm just messing with you, go right ahead". :laugh:

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5938_zpscdaee6dd.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5938_zpscdaee6dd.jpg.html)

John was back there, but he wasn't too approachable, so we didn't really talk much after that. I thanked him for a great meal and he said he appreciated us coming out.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5940_zps9fd7a671.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5940_zps9fd7a671.jpg.html)

I thanked the staff and snapped a pic of some beef ribs John just dropped off.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5941_zps92af02f9.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5941_zps92af02f9.jpg.html)

All in all, it was a great visit and I'll definitely return to John's backyard. I think it's probably better to come after noon or 1pm as it will be more popping with folk music and hipsters.


Our next stop was to La Barbecue (http://labarbecue.com/). We arrived at around 11:05am and there was about a 25 minute wait. John Lewis is the pitmaster here and for those of you that don't know, he was Franklin BBQ's Pit Boss at the trailer and B&M before they parted ways in 2012. Folk music was going and the free Lone Star was flowing into all the hipsters.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5946_zps1c73807e.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5946_zps1c73807e.jpg.html)

I get up to the window and John Lewis is cutting, which I love! There is nothing better than a pitmaster serving his own product, as I believe they take more pride in what they serve you. "Can I have please 3 slices of point, and 1 slice of flat?" John says "Oh, you know how to order" (that was his point but probably not verbatim to deserve a quote) and smirked at me. I admitted that I was a BBQ nut and I asked him about some of his activity on the brethren. He acknowledged that he used to post when he was competing and a couple times after he stopped. I ordered the rest of my grub, paid up, then went to find a table.

Point Brisket (9 out of 10), Flat brisket (10 out of 10), Beef Short Rib (10 out of 10), Sausage (8 out of 10), Pork Ribs (5 out of 10), Turkey (8 out of 10) and baked beans (8 out of 10)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5949_zps478cb29e.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5949_zps478cb29e.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5950_zps1b2ecae5.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5950_zps1b2ecae5.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5951_zps9736ca84.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5951_zps9736ca84.jpg.html)

Best freaking flat i've had in my life!

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5952_zpsfbcf8a41.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5952_zpsfbcf8a41.jpg.html)

After we were done, I saw John was at one of the pits, so I walked over to give him some feedback. I told him that the point and beef rib were exactly what I expected, but I was most impressed with how much he nailed his flat. He smiled and thanked me. We got to talking about his rub and he asked me "would you like some rub to take home?" I said "HELL YEAH, I would LOVE some rub!!" He came back and hooked me up with a generous portion of rub. He then showed me some briskets ( I was so in awe, I didn't take a pic even though I had my camera in my damn hand) in his pit for tomorrow, and we chatted BBQ for about 30 freaking minutes. What an amazing experience and I learned a ton of information after a wonderful meal. Definitely lived up to his reputation as being an awesome dude! :thumb:

Some sausage he pulled off as we were talking.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5956_zps30810ba7.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5956_zps30810ba7.jpg.html)

Right before I left, he was relaxed and I saw a perfect photo opportunity, so of course I asked to snap a pic of him.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5959_zpsb321b37c.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5959_zpsb321b37c.jpg.html)

I would recommend La Barbecue without hesitation! They have a customer for life! :cool:


Before dinner, we took my 3 year old son to see the Texas State Capitol. He thought it was so cool.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_5984_zpsb30ffe73.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_5984_zpsb30ffe73.jpg.html)

During my visit to La Barbecue, I was pretty damn bummed that John's business partner wasn't there.. LeAnn Mueller not only runs a great BBQ joint, but she is a pretty kick ass professional photographer (see her work here (http://www.leannmueller.com/#/PORTFOLIO/NEW%20WORK/1/thumbs)) too.

9 hours after lunch, we decided we wanted pizza and went to this spot called Bufalina (http://www.bufalinapizza.com/) I found on Yelp.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/20140125_210132_zpsc6f292da.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/20140125_210132_zpsc6f292da.jpg.html)

Place was packed, had an hour & a half wait, so we just ordered two pies to go. As I'm waiting, the bartender started chatting with me. I mentioned that I was from San Antonio and was in town for a BBQ tour. After telling him I went to John Mueller Meat Co. and La Barbecue, he cracked a cheesy smile. He pointed outside at a lady and said "That's La Barbecue right there". I asked, "is that LeAnn Mueller?" He said "yep, you have to go outside and talk to her". What are the damn odds of that happening? LOL I talked to her a lil bit, then told her how wonderful the experience was at La Barbecue! She was very nice and thankful that I approached her.

I must say, this is probably one of the best birthday weekends i've had in a long damn time! More to come later today after we hit up Franklin BBQ. :biggrin1:

peeps
01-26-2014, 07:35 AM
Sounds like a fun trip! thanks for sharing!!!!

Bbq Bubba
01-26-2014, 07:54 AM
#outstanding

MilitantSquatter
01-26-2014, 09:27 AM
great recap...

sounds like the trip met and in some ways exceeded expectations....

cazzy
01-26-2014, 09:39 AM
9:35am and yes, it is this ridiculous!

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/20140126_093429_zps76475029.jpg

I am first in line! :-D

Westexbbq
01-26-2014, 10:25 AM
Great trip, real nice pics and write-up, thanks.

sliding_billy
01-26-2014, 10:54 AM
Awesome post!

cazzy
01-26-2014, 08:43 PM
This really became a mini tour, but darn it was incredibly fulfilling and a flipping awesome weekend! Also, this might be the best damn birthday i've ever had..but more on that later.

Our next stop brought us to the highly revered and coveted, Franklin BBQ (http://franklinbarbecue.com/).

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/FranklinBBQ-2_zpsf7dae7d4.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/FranklinBBQ-2_zpsf7dae7d4.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6056_zps286cf529.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6056_zps286cf529.jpg.html)

I told the wifey last night, "I really think I want to be first in line tomorrow". She encouraged me to go for it, so she dropped me off at 6:50am. When I showed up, I was confused as nobody was there, but there were 4 chairs with signs on them that read "John's Sunday Morning Front of the Line Chair". After talking to one of the pit bosses, this joker apparently drops off chairs at 3 or 4 am, and shows up before they open. I moved his chairs back, told myself "it's my birthday, I do what I want", then took over the #1 spot. Please note that most people were pretty pissed, and this entitled fella didn't show up until 10:00am...with a party of 13! :tsk:

I kept myself busy shooting so the time flew by!

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6028_zps32893d8b.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6028_zps32893d8b.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6032_zps098697d8.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6032_zps098697d8.jpg.html)

Them hipsters are cray about their bbq!

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6054_zps90a05881.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6054_zps90a05881.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6057_zpsa3a2e672.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6057_zpsa3a2e672.jpg.html)

Around 9am, photographer by the name of Brian Finke (http://brianfinke.com/) arrived with his assistant to do a shoot for National Geographic. At about 10:30am, the General Manager (partial owner) Benji steps out and asks me how I was doing and where I was visiting from. We chatted and I told him it was my first visit, and this was a birthday present to myself. lol I pointed to Brian and asked him if he was waiting for Aaron to show up. He said, "no, Aaron has a newborn at home, so Stacy made Aaron take the day off." I honestly was really bummed and told him about a Twitter convo Aaron and I had a lil over a week ago.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/ScreenShot2014-01-26at50501PM_zpsbc184fd4.png (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/ScreenShot2014-01-26at50501PM_zpsbc184fd4.png.html)

We laughed about Aaron's man brain and I asked later if they allow people to see the pits. He said, sure, I'll take you back right now. Since they're closed tomorrow, there was no meat besides sausage on.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6059_zps6f205e8c.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6059_zps6f205e8c.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6060_zps45166365.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6060_zps45166365.jpg.html)

I forgot his name, but after he tended to the fire, he asked me if I wanted to see the sausage on the pit. You know what I said! :biggrin1:

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6061_zps57ad51c5.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6061_zps57ad51c5.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6065_zpsa4ce1ed9.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6065_zpsa4ce1ed9.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6068_zps87487bfa.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6068_zps87487bfa.jpg.html)

Benji told me that they cook 65 briskets every day. That would have been a site! This was a huge freaking pit!

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6069_zps77f93b6a.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6069_zps77f93b6a.jpg.html)

So I thanked Benji multiple times for the quick tour and went back to get in line. I told my wife a lil later "I just want to warn you, I'm going to order a lot of damn meat. I want lots of leftovers!" She smiled and pretty much already knew what was coming as I had a huge grin on my face. So they let us in and I begin to place my order. I asked for a 2 lb end cut of the point (note sliced) and wanted it wrapped in butcher paper. I proceeded to order 1.5 more lbs of point, 1/2 lb of flat, 1 lb of ribs, 1 lb of pulled pork, 1 lb of turkey, 2 sausage links, a Tipsy Texsan, and a pint of beans. I get to the register and the girl asked me for my drink order. After giving it to me, she asked "can we get you anything else today?" I said no and started reaching for my wallet when she said "Your meal is on us today, Happy Birthday!" OMG, my mouth dropped and I started fumbling all my words when I asked are you serious. Benji is right behind her and they both were smiling and incredibly delighted to see my reaction. After trying to recompose myself, I shook both their hands and thanked Benji and her a million times. Benji told me "you're welcome, it's Aaron's fault, he should have been here" and started laughing. 100% without a doubt unexpected, and my wife will attest that it was the first time she's seen me at loss for words in 12 years.

Point brisket (9 out of 10), Flat brisket (10.5 out of 10), Pork Ribs (10 out of 10), Sausage (9 out of 10), Turkey (9 out of 10), Pork (8 out of 10).

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6074_zpsef220cbe.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6074_zpsef220cbe.jpg.html)

Tipsy Texsan - Great sandwich, but not recommended with a feast like this as the bread understandably got soggy.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6072_zps8bfc84ce.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6072_zps8bfc84ce.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6076_zpsa43cea4e.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6076_zpsa43cea4e.jpg.html)

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6073_zps82f382cb.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6073_zps82f382cb.jpg.html)

This was a super easy wait, almost like tailgating. I would do it again, but still would limit to once every few months. For the record, we probably left with about 6 pounds of food so I know what we're having for dinner this week! :mrgreen:

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w576/foodbycazzy/DSC_6025_zps0da3c70e.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/foodbycazzy/media/DSC_6025_zps0da3c70e.jpg.html)

R2Egg2Q
01-26-2014, 09:00 PM
Looks like a fabulous birthday weekend Carl! Great shots, thanks for sharing and happy b-day!!

bigsapper
01-26-2014, 09:15 PM
Awesome! Thanks for the report and pics.

And happy birthday!

thunter
01-27-2014, 10:31 AM
Thanks for the pics brother! I was there at Franklin BBQ on Saturday, was 10th in line and the food was AMAZING!! I stuck with all Texas BBQ... Beef Ribs, Brisket, and Sausage. The beef rib was melting in my hands! :grin:

frognot
01-27-2014, 12:34 PM
Excellent story & pics & belated happy birthday!

Porcine Perfection
01-27-2014, 12:48 PM
Aaron wasn't there because he saw that you were a Vikings fan. :boxing:

Glad you had a good birthday meal.

AaronPo
02-09-2014, 12:58 PM
Wow, what an amazing trip you had. Very jealous of your adventure! I travel 5-6 times a year for work and I go on food ventures like this as well!

CORNDAWG
02-09-2014, 05:59 PM
Wow. Sounds like you had a great birthday trip. With that kind of customer service and great food, no wonder their lines start forming before they are even open.

Vision
02-09-2014, 07:43 PM
Amazing trip, story, and thread. Thanks :thumb:

Diver
02-13-2014, 02:57 PM
Ironically enough, when I looked closely at the Franklins pics, I saw myself sitting on the ground near the back of the line. I enjoyed it as well but your pictures are much much better. Thanks for sharing.

cazzy
02-13-2014, 03:16 PM
Ironically enough, when I looked closely at the Franklins pics, I saw myself sitting on the ground near the back of the line. I enjoyed it as well but your pictures are much much better. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, what are the odds of that?

scott1459
02-13-2014, 05:07 PM
great story and pics(especially b/w).:-D

Jayson
02-13-2014, 05:51 PM
Great post! Thanks for the ratings!!

Jsn

erbeman
02-14-2014, 08:19 AM
Man I was getting so excited for you reading through that and looking at your pics. I am an ex professional photographer myself and can really appreciate the photos in this thread. When I was reading what you ordered, I was thinking OMG, his bill is going to be $200 easy, so I'm kinda on the edge of my seat waiting for your wife to flip out, then you hit me with it was free! It was like the perfect ending to a feel good story. This is probably my favorite thread that I've ever read in a BBQ forum. Thank you for sharing. Great long exposure shot of the capitol BTW! How long was the exposure on that dude? Dang now I'm really missing having my camera gear!

cazzy
02-14-2014, 01:50 PM
Man I was getting so excited for you reading through that and looking at your pics. I am an ex professional photographer myself and can really appreciate the photos in this thread. When I was reading what you ordered, I was thinking OMG, his bill is going to be $200 easy, so I'm kinda on the edge of my seat waiting for your wife to flip out, then you hit me with it was free! It was like the perfect ending to a feel good story. This is probably my favorite thread that I've ever read in a BBQ forum. Thank you for sharing. Great long exposure shot of the capitol BTW! How long was the exposure on that dude? Dang now I'm really missing having my camera gear!

Thanks! I'm glad that you enjoyed the read! It's hard to describe how amazing my weekend was in words, but I guess I didn't do that bad of a job. It truly was a weekend i'll remember for the rest of my life!

Appreciate your comments on my photos!! Here is the funny thing about the Capitol shot. I passed the vantage point in the pic, set up my shot and did a few long exposure shots with a tripod. When I was walking back, I saw the shot that I captured on page one. It just worked in my head because of the leading lines and balance composition elements that were just screaming at me. The wifey was ready to go, so I didn't set up my tripod and just handheld. When I got back and checked the long exposures in post...they were boring and flat!

It was captured with the following settings: 14mm f/2.8 ISO 1250 1/25 sec

Go get some gear! No reason not to shoot!

erbeman
02-14-2014, 02:25 PM
Thanks! I'm glad that you enjoyed the read! It's hard to describe how amazing my weekend was in words, but I guess I didn't do that bad of a job. It truly was a weekend i'll remember for the rest of my life!

Appreciate your comments on my photos!! Here is the funny thing about the Capitol shot. I passed the vantage point in the pic, set up my shot and did a few long exposure shots with a tripod. When I was walking back, I saw the shot that I captured on page one. It just worked in my head because of the leading lines and balance composition elements that were just screaming at me. The wifey was ready to go, so I didn't set up my tripod and just handheld. When I got back and checked the long exposures in post...they were boring and flat!

It was captured with the following settings: 14mm f/2.8 ISO 1250 1/25 sec

Go get some gear! No reason not to shoot!

That was 2.8 at 1/25 hand held!! Man that thing is tack sharp all the way through. I'm even more impressed now.

About 2.5 years ago I passed the Certified Professional Photographers exam and passed my image submission. I started shooting weddings and senior pictures on the side, but my wife had been battling cancer for about 6 months and hadn't been able to work. Within a few months it was obvious we were going bankrupt if I didn't do something drastic. So I sold my dirtbike and my other toys to get us by. Then I found a job here in Dallas almost doubling my salary from Lubbock, but unfortunately I had to sell my $12k worth of camera gear to pay to move us here with deposits, and all of that stuff. She ended up beating cancer after us being here for 6 months. Unfortunately due to all the side effects of cancer and chemo, she hasn't been able to work yet. So, I'm just keeping the lights on and everyone fed till she can start working again. Until then photography is just something I used to do unfortunately. But I'll live vicariously through your lens if you don't mind :)

cazzy
02-14-2014, 02:39 PM
That was 2.8 at 1/25 hand held!! Man that thing is tack sharp all the way through. I'm even more impressed now.

About 2.5 years ago I passed the Certified Professional Photographers exam and passed my image submission. I started shooting weddings and senior pictures on the side, but my wife had been battling cancer for about 6 months and hadn't been able to work. Within a few months it was obvious we were going bankrupt if I didn't do something drastic. So I sold my dirtbike and my other toys to get us by. Then I found a job here in Dallas almost doubling my salary from Lubbock, but unfortunately I had to sell my $12k worth of camera gear to pay to move us here with deposits, and all of that stuff. She ended up beating cancer after us being here for 6 months. Unfortunately due to all the side effects of cancer and chemo, she hasn't been able to work yet. So, I'm just keeping the lights on and everyone fed till she can start working again. Until then photography is just something I used to do unfortunately. But I'll live vicariously through your lens if you don't mind :)

Wow man...what a journey! In the end, your wife won her battle and that's all that matters! :grin: In time, you will regain the material possessions, but it shows the type of man you are to sacrifice those items for the betterment of your family! :clap:

Damn straight you can live through my lens brother!