Consolidated "BBQ" thread
Apr 26, 2012 | 1:43 pm
#526
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High praise. When we lived in Austin we would go in pilgrimages to Blacks. Thanks for the update. Have you tried Ironworks in Austin?
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Wow. No new entries since July of last year. 
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]
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]
Apr 26, 2012 | 1:49 pm
#527
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
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Posts: 31,593
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]
It isn't bad, but Stiles Switch is better, IMHO.Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Apr 26, 2012 | 2:04 pm
#528
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Apr 26, 2012 | 2:09 pm
#529
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LOLBest regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Apr 26, 2012 | 2:10 pm
#530
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Hope I can get to Austin and try it. I lived there in the 80s. Blacks was in Lockhart then but closer in it was Ironworks, County Line and Salt Lick.
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]
It isn't bad, but Stiles Switch is better, IMHO.Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Apr 26, 2012 | 2:15 pm
#531
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Franklin BBQ is the very best I've found in Austin proper, but I have yet to go by Johnny Mueller's trailer/food truck location at 1502 South First Street. Last Thursday, I stood in line at Franklin for 2 1/2 hours for just a chopped beef sandwich and a bourbon banana pudding pie. If I usually had that kind of discretionary time, I might not eat BBQ anywhere else. It is that good.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Apr 26, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Apr 27, 2012 | 7:22 pm
#533
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
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Posts: 2,900
I live in Texas, so I can't comment much on styles of BBQ that aren't [Central] Texas style. My vote goes to Franklin in Austin. Been there once. Not too long after they moved into the permanent building. It was already very popular, but this is before one of the big national food magazines named it the best BBQ in the USA.
The BBQ was awesome. Went there on a weekend after doing yet another BBQ crawl of central Texas. It was better than any place we had been to. Better than the places in Lockhart. Better than City Market in Luling. It was better than Snow's.
The BBQ was awesome. Went there on a weekend after doing yet another BBQ crawl of central Texas. It was better than any place we had been to. Better than the places in Lockhart. Better than City Market in Luling. It was better than Snow's.
Apr 28, 2012 | 3:16 pm
#534
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 61
Austin, TX
If you ever find yourself near Austin, TX try Snow's in Lexington TX... but get there early they sell out before noon!
http://www.snowsbbq.com/
And I Agree.... Franklin's is the BEST!! Again get there early, their pulled pork sandwich is the best I have ever had!
http://franklinbarbecue.com/
http://www.snowsbbq.com/
And I Agree.... Franklin's is the BEST!! Again get there early, their pulled pork sandwich is the best I have ever had!
http://franklinbarbecue.com/
May 3, 2012 | 12:28 pm
#536
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I prefer Arthur Bryant but the only thing complaining about Jack Stack is my waistline
Eaten there plenty of times and never disappointed. Their Burnt Ends are great.
Eaten there plenty of times and never disappointed. Their Burnt Ends are great.
May 3, 2012 | 1:02 pm
#537
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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.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
May 3, 2012 | 1:06 pm
#539
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
Actually, that reminds me of a road trip through West Texas and New Mexico when I had Mexican food 10 days in a row. Best trip of my life.
May 3, 2012 | 1:18 pm
#540
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But, during the KC Do, we did about 6 places in one day. I was literally worn out by the time we got to Arthur Bryant's, so I skipped eating there (I think) and ate at Gate's BBQ (the last stop) instead.We went to four places in one day during Austin Mega Do 1 down in Lockhart. That's about my maximum per day consummage when it comes to BBQ.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]