Postcards Winter 2023 CA | Page 26

ON THE TRAIL
Beef Sausages at Kreuz Market
The foundation of meat market barbecue is sausage , stuffed with the trimmings from the briskets and pork ribs , and smoked until the natural casings are almost ready to pop . In Lockhart , you ’ ll find the signature looped shape of the ring sausage at Kreuz , Black ’ s , Smitty ’ s and Chisholm Trail Barbecue . Grab a link at Kreuz , and bite right through the bend for a mouthful of smoky beef , fat and black pepper flavour . This might be the oldest barbecue place in town , but the oldest barbecue building , and former home of Kreuz Market ( thanks to a family spat ), is down the street at Smitty ’ s Market .

BBQ IN LOCKHART , TEXAS

When it comes to succulent smoked meat , nowhere does it quite like Lockhart , the BBQ capital of Texas , says Daniel Vaughn

B ig cities like Austin , Houston , and Fort Worth hog most of the barbecue buzz in Texas these days , but Lockhart is undeniably the state ’ s historical barbecue centre . Just a forty-five minute drive south of Austin stands the official Barbecue Capital of Texas , where Kreuz Market , open for over a century , and a few other legendary joints perfectly exemplify Central Texas barbecue . The style

was born in the 19th-century meat markets where leftover raw cuts were smoked and served as barbecue . Those legends have recently been joined by some exciting newcomers , bringing a fresh energy to this undisputed smoked meat capital . Here , we tuck into some of the region ’ s specialties , from Terry Black ’ s juicy , bark-coated beef to the unimaginably delicious prime rib at Smitty ’ s Market .
Beef Short Rib at Black ’ s Barbecue
A tender beef short rib on the bone is the carnivorous trophy of Texas barbecue . Everyone wants a photo with these ‘ dino rib ’ behemoths , which sometimes come in at two pounds each . Black ’ s was one of the first to put them on the menu full time a couple of decades ago , and their popularity certainly hasn ’ t waned . Beef short ribs are best for sharing , which is easy enough when they ’ re as pull-apart tender as they are here .
illustrations : Lis watkins
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