Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker

Wow. No new entries since July of last year. :eek:

After sampling six different BBQ joints in Central Texas last week, we still had enough gas in the tank to make our usual BBQ Thursday jaunt at lunch today. This time we ate at Stiles Switch in DNA. (For those who aren't locals, DNA = Deadly North Austin.)

I arrived at 12:15 PM and there were about 10 people in front of me. The line cleared quickly and I was seating myself across from Mackieman before 12:30 PM. YMMV on how fast you get served and seated. This place seats about as many as Texas Rib Kings and has a similar feel to it.

I ordered brisket (fatty/moist side with plenty of bark), pork ribs, a link of two kinds of sausage (Thorndale & Switch Original), and a side of corn casserole.

The brisket was very tasty; moist, peppery (but not overly so) with a nice layer of smoke. The pork ribs were meaty, tender, and came off the bone easily (but not as easily as the ones at Franklin BBQ).

The Switch Original sausage was a drier sausage than Thorndale, spicier and made with pork and beef. The Thorndale was a pure beef sausage, from what I could tell. Less spicy, but very tasty. I liked it the best, but Mackieman preferred the Switch Original.

They offer one sauce which reminds me of some places in Kansas City. It is tomato-based and thin with a hint of vinegar and very slightly sweet. It did not take away from the meat, but neither would I have missed it if it wasn't there.

The corn casserole was something I've never seen at a BBQ joint, but it was okay. I'd order it as a side again, but it didn't wow me. Both paranoiatx and Mackieman commented that there was not much excitement surrounding their mac and cheese sides either.

I had heard that their banana pudding was very good, so I went back and was given a half pint for free since it was the last serving. I picked up some extra spoons to share and Mackieman and I agree that it was a very good homemade banana pudding (they serve it right out of the Pyrex dish).

So, I put this place up there with Black's in Lockhart as far as the brisket goes. The ribs are better than what we get at Texas Rib Kings and that's sayin' something, IMHO. And, the sausage passes the test as well.

Always nice to find another acceptable BBQ joint right here in River City to spend a BBQ Thursday lunch.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

Originally Posted by GadgetFreak (Post 18466425)

...Have you tried Ironworks in Austin?

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker (Post 18466199)

Wow. No new entries since July of last year. :eek:

Originally Posted by CMK10 (Post 18466571)

I made a few entries in the Best BBQ Anywhere in the South thread but most of those were not worthy of best in the US! :D

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker

Yes. Everytime I can't get fed at Franklin BBQ, I end up at the Ironworks. I'm 10 out of 20 (50%) in being able to eat at Franklin, so I end up there more often than I'd like. ;) It isn't bad, but Stiles Switch is better, IMHO.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]

Originally Posted by GadgetFreak (Post 18466620)

Hope I can get to Austin and try it...

Originally Posted by lancebanyon (Post 18508118)

Has anybody else tried Jack Stack's in KC? We ate there recently and I thought it was pretty good. Would have liked to try Arthur Bryant's but that will have to wait until later in the summer.

Originally Posted by MartinHKDC (Post 18508232)

Their Burnt Ends are great.

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker (Post 18508477)

I went by Arthur Bryants on one of the KC BBQ Do's, but I don't remember eating there. I was just too full of BBQ at the time, so that may have played a role in my lack of memory.

Originally Posted by lancebanyon (Post 18508495)

How is that possible when you went to six places in one week and didn't get full! :)