If only wishing made it so. Not only would we have all the planning legwork done, but it wouldn't be so damn hot either.

The list of events and venues looks excellent, Pa Kettle. I can't wait to register!

So, in the town I live in now, they have a Hog Wild BBQ. Hey, with a name like that, has to be good, right? Eh, ok. Typical fare you'd get at any ribplace or chain, although the 'sides' were more in line w/ BBQ.

However, when headed to the grocery store in the opposite direction one day, to what should my wondering eyes appear in the parking lot across the street near the Goodwill store, but a small trailer saying BBQ - with a smoker next to it! Those ribs were good :)

Cheers.

...more "pants meat" ? :D

+1! I was also glad to be sitting there when TexasYankee arrived and the first samplings were handed out. :)

Was able to successfully get fed this past Saturday at Franklin BBQ. We arrived at 1 PM, were eating by 1:30 PM, and then the dreaded Sold Out sign went up at 1:45 PM.

I did speak to Aaron Franklin, however, and he assured me that he will have better capacity by the time we roll in next April. Fingers crossed on that one.

Franklin BBQ highly recommended
 

I had the opportunity to sample the wonderfulness of Franklin BBQ, and cannot recommend the brisket enough. And was convinced to try their specialty sauce, enhanced with coffee beans, even though I despise coffee. omg. What a wonderful smokey flavor this sauce has! ^
Being an out-of-towner, I tried to get a sample of all their wares, and had to have a lie down shortly after gorging. :o
As a final note, I very much regret not picking up one of their dessert pies. Had a taste of a banana-something, that looked like key lime, with the graham cracker crust. And was kicking myself later, for not marching up to the counter to scoop up a pie of my own.
Based on my previous experience at the last big do, Pa Kettle knows his town, and where to find the good food. This food stop is going to set a high standard for the other venues to try to match. :-: :-:

Bourbon banana pudding pie. I would never dine here without adding one to my meal in lieu of the sides, which I find to be alarmingly unexceptional compared to the BBQ, the espresso BBQ sauce, and the pies. ;)

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Who cares about the sides? It just leaves more stomach room for the meat. I'm not driving all the way from Dallas for cole slaw.

LOL. And, in this case, that is a good thing. ;)

Seriously though...the difference between the quality of the BBQ and the utter complacency of the sides is very noticeable at Franklin BBQ and I just find that surprising.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Breaking News, filed in the, "That's f'ing delicious" department:

We have secured space at Perry's Steak House in downtown Austin for the fine dining event on Thursday, April 19. We've selected a menu that will do a great job of showcasing the great food, and it will be in a unique environment. The building that houses the restaurant used to be a bank, so we've reserved private dining space in the vault. For those of you who are claustrophobic (and if you fly with any frequency, I don't see how that's possible ;)), this is a large room with a big door, so no worries there. :)

Here's the menu:

Appetizer Course: Appetizer Trio (Polish sausage, cherry pepper calamari, and fried asparagus)
Salad Course: Choice of Wedge or Caesar Salad
Main Course: Choice of 8oz Prime Filet Mignon, Perry's Famous Porkchop, Grilled Scottish Salmon, or Chicken Oscar
Mains will be served with a choice of two side dishes, served family style.
Dessert Course: Dessert Trio (Praline Cheesecake, Orange Chocolate Truffle, and Creme Brulee)

Wine, beer, and spirits are available from the bar on a cash basis; you'll be responsible for your individual bill.

The cost for this event is $90, which includes tax and gratuity. It does not include parking which can be had for $8 at the curbside valet.

This is going to be a great experience to kick off the 2012 Do. There are 16 open spots for this event that can be reserved first come, first served once registration opens. If we have a larger turnout, we may be able to select a larger room, but there are no guarantees. The AUSMegaDo.Com events list has been updated with the details. For those who would like to explore the restaurant more, click here. :)

Just ate at Perry's last week, AWESOME food, its with-in walking distance from the OMNI Hotel that I stay at. Great choice.

Can't wait for this one =D

Speaking of Franklin BBQ (posted today on seriouseats.com)

A Sandwich a Day: Tipsy Texan at Franklin BBQ in Austin

"I arrived at Franklin BBQ in Austin at 9:30 a.m. It opens at 11 a.m. It's regularly sold-out of barbecue by 1 p.m., sometimes earlier. I was a woman on a mission, along with about 50 other people who quickly filled the porch behind me.

I'll quickly dispense with the questions you're asking yourself. Yes, Franklin BBQ is worth a ninety-minute wait—though I suggest you get there early enough to snag a place in the shade. And yes, the Tipsy Texan sandwich ($6.50) is worth ordering, even though it's difficult to save room for anything other than Franklin's ribs and brisket."

read the rest at http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/08/t...-tx-texas.html

I thought I had responded that I and a +1 are very interested in this do, but I'm not subscribed to the thread, so I guess I didn't. Anyway, sounds great.