BBQ Issue 14 | Page 37

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line and took our order, helping with our choices. We were quickly at counter ordering wet and dry brisket, ribs, sausage and sides. It was sublime! No, better than that. People will tell you they have the best brisket here and as we travelled towards Austin we really couldn’t believe Franklins could top the ones we tried. But it did!

Our last day Pete and I headed to Valentina’s, a Tex Mex BBQ place in a food truck on eth outskirts of Austin for one last hurrah! We had heard that this si where Aaron Franklin goes for Brisket! It was so good!

In 10 days, we tasted amazing BBQ at 11 spots – some big, many famous, some small family run places and attended the SCA World Championships for 2 days. Fabulous trip!

Kreuz – Lockhart

Blacks – Lockhart

Smitty’s – Lockhart

City Market – Luling

Paynes BBQ Shack

Angelos – Fort Worth

Off the Bone – Fort Worth

Smokeys BBQ – Fort Worth

Loro Asian BBQ – Austin

Franklins – Austin

Valentina’s Tex Mex – Austin

Plus a few chicken fried steaks and random taco’s ;)

One last tip, there is a chain of service stations called Buckey’s on the Interstates. Reputed to have the cleanest rest rooms in Texas and selling everything from cold craft beer through brisket sandwiches, BBQ’s, lodge pans and clothing it became our lifeline on the road – one of the few places we were able to source much needed fresh fruit and vegetables.

Andy