Barbecue, Texas Style

Texas is pretty serious about its barbecue, even more serious than Kansas City, if you ask me. We live about 30 miles away from Lockhart, Texas which has been officially named by the state legislature as the "Barbecue Capital of Texas." There are four BBQ joints in Lockhart but three are particularly well known and as of last Saturday, we have tried all three.

We started with Black's Barbecue which was delicious. There was a buffet of interesting side dishes to go with the meat order and you could fill your plate. Luis chose chili as his side and the chili was composed entirely of meat. Despite the excessive meatiness, it was civilized and we could be forgiven for thinking the other two places would be similar. Not so.

When my parents were in town in November, we took them to Smitty's where the barbecue is center stage and sides are for sissies. So, apparently, are plates and forks. They feed you like a bunch of hungry animals, as my dad put it. You order the barbecue by the pound in the actual smoke room and pay with eyes watering from the billowing smoke. They stack the meat up on butcher paper which is folded over so you can carry it into the dining room. If you want something besides meat, you wait in another line in the dining room and order it sheepishly. You can ask for BBQ sauce but it will be provided grudgingly and in tiny containers.





























Last Saturday, we completed the tour by going to Kreuz Market, thought by many to be the best and most authentic. We went with Stephanie and Rik and their two daughters, Amanda and Chloe.

There's a sign in the place that states "No Sauce, No Forks." It also states "No Credit Cards, No Salads" but that part is crossed out. I'm a big fan of sauce but the brisket was still pretty good without it. It didn't have much in the way of sides but it did have ice cream.