I guess everyone has their preferences.
Of those that you've listed below (and a few others), my ranking would be:
Kreuz (the fatty brisket is awesome -- if you must, go to the park and crack out your sauce)
Louie Mueller (if i recall, i really liked the pork ribs -- last time i went, they were sold out of food)
Rudy's (particularly the original location that you've listed)
Salt Lick (i like it a lot, but admit that atmosphere plays a role in this rank)
Black's (only went b/c Kreuz was closed...it was good, but didn't wow)
Ironworks (maybe the best bet in Austin city limits?)
Cooper's (didn't really impress that much -- maybe i didn't enjoy the
cabrito or the motorcycle rally crowd -- can't recall)
Haven't been but want to try...
Smitty's
City Market
Don't believe the hype...
County Line (what's the big deal?)
Originally Posted by deubster
Absolute Best - Smitty's Market, Lockhart, TX
A Close Second - City Market, Luling, TX
Three Way Tie for Third - Kreuz's Market, Lockhart, TX; Black's Market, Lockhart, TX; Louie Mueller BBQ, Taylor, TX
Honorable Mention Rudy's Country Store, Leon Springs, TX; Cooper's BBQ, Llano, TX; Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood, TX
Of course, the measuring stick here is the pure smoky goodness of a slab of beef brisket. Unadulterated with "sauce" (if it needs sauce, it ain't cooked right). Sure, most all make a sausage, Coopers cooks lots of chickens, Kreuz's cooks a shoulder clod and a prime rib, a few of them will cook various and sundry pig parts, some even cue a goat or venison or even fish. But I'll forgive them for these silly distractions if they can make a good brisket.
I'm a steak lover and think I grill 'em to near perfection, but the single best piece of meat I've ever eaten was a 1/2" slab of fatty brisket from Smitty's - rich, moist, smoky, tender, pure heaven.