So I Guess It Is Time

Hello faithful readers (feeling my Stephen King today).  I have been writing this blog for a while now and by now you all know how much I love Austin Texas.  I have made so many trips there and been to one BBQ place many times but never have reviewed it.  I thought it didn't need it but it is finally time.  So let's go.

Franklin's BBQ.  If you haven't heard of this place, you must either not be a BBQ fan or living under a rock.  This place is epic.  There are two great things about this place.  The food and the wait.  The food is beyond good.  I usually say things like well this was god but the sides were just ok.  Not here.  It is really all great.  Brisket is what I strive to match with my own twist.  The pulled pork was the best I have ever had.  Sorry Carolina.  The sausage is amazing.  And the sides?  Amazing.  Try the Tipsy Texan.  It is huge and awesome.  A friend was with me and she said that the Tipsy was not only the best bbq sandwich she had ever had but the best sandwich she had ever had.  So needless to say, the BBQ can not be beaten.  

Now the line....the line is long.  Very long. If you get there much later than 10:30 in the morning, you probably won't eat.  They serve the BBQ until it is gone.  Was in line at 9am and got close to the front (thank you Ellen).  But even though the wait is long, they open at 11, the wait is worth it and fun.  I have met people from all over the world.  Everyone comes to Franklin's to experience the greatness. So come on, how fun is that?  Meet great people, eat great food, and most likely you will get to meet the man himself, Aaron Franklin.  So get out to Franklin's and enjoy the best BBQ and atmosphere you will ever have.

Thanks for listening and keep on smokin'!

Finally!!!

Finally means two things in this little blog.  First, it means I finally got to eat some BBQ again.  I had a friendly little reminder from a person in a lab coat that maybe I should slow down on eating (not making) BBQ. So I did for a while so I FINALLY had some BBQ last week.  FINALLY Frisco Texas has some good BBQ. 

Shannon and I went to 3 Stacks Smoke and Tap House in Frisco last Friday.  I have to say that it was very good.  The ribs were awesome.  Dry rub but nice and sweet with a bit of a kick.  The beef sausage was ok but the jalapeño cheddar was incredible.  The beef sausage was just a bit dry but that can be expected.  The brisket was cooked perfectly with a nice smoke ring but I thought it could use more flavor.  It did need sauce so if you are a sauce fan, rock on. And speaking of sauces. They have two. Regular and spicy. Both are good but spicy could be spicier.  The pulled pork was good but needed sauce too but that is ok for pulled pork. The creamed corn was awesome as was the cucumber salad.  The potato salad, something a BBQ place should pride itself on, tasted like it came from a grocery store. 

Overall, this place is a great addition to a very weak BBQ presence North of Dallas.  3 Stacks, thanks for stepping up to the plate.  Shannon and I will definitely be back!!

Time to Testify!!!

Last weekend was a big weekend for a little girl in my life.  Well, she is 24 so not so little but always little to Dad.  It was her bday and she was moving to a new apartment (which is an awesome apartment and when she gets done decorating, it will look amazing.  She is really good at that stuff that Dad just doesn't care that much about.  :)  ).  A birthday and moving weekend so what better way to celebrate some big days than with BBQ, right?  I decided to take her and Shannon to a world famous BBQ place, Mt. Zion Baptist Church BBQ in Huntsville Texas.  Nicknamed Church BBQ. I have eaten there several times and it has won several awards as best BBQ in the state and the country.  We tried all they had to offer.  They got a new smoker recently and we were the first ones there so maybe that explains the so so fare.  The food is usually top notch but today it left a little to be desired.  The ambience is always cool because you are in the followship hall of a church.  The food was in no means bad but just not, "Wow!! This is great.  GIve me more."  The sauce was great and you get plenty of it when they smother the meat in it.  So if you want some Texas BBQ history, give Church BBQ a try.  Here are a couple of pics for ya....

Let me know some other famous Texas BBQ places to try and always.....

KEEP ON SMOKIN!!!!!!!

Happy BBQ oh, I Mean Bday!

What better occasion for a BBQ than a Bday? Right?  Well we headed to Austin last weekend for a birthday party for a good friend.  We brought the BBQ house!  First, being in Austin and BBQ'n for the first time is a little intimidating.  I mean, come on, Austin and the Hill Country is where Texas BBQ if not born, it was certainly perfected there.  I expected a tough a crowd and prepared my best.  I will say I think it went great!  Aside from me needing to take trailer parking lessons, the weekend was awesome.  The Hill Country definitely represented with sunny blue skies and perfect weather.  The BBQ was great.  I broke out two new recipes with a new sauce  (we are cutting back to two sauces and I think you will like them both!) and a beef sausage recipe.  Great reviews on both.  Very happy! I have of course put some pics below.  A wonderful photographer took them (thank you Deborah!) and I hope you enjoy them.

So happy birthday Robert! I hope you enjoyed the grub as I definitely enjoyed making it!!  Tell me what other events call for a good BBQ.  I was told a wedding this weekend.  What do you think?

Thanks for listening and KEEP ON SMOKIN!!!!

Houston BBQ

Today I was and still am in Houston.  If you have been reading this blog for long at all, you know when I travel I look for BBQ places.  Today I decided to try Pappa's BBQ, yes the same people behind Pappadeaux's and Pappasito's.  I tried them a long time ago and I have to say I wasn't too impressed.  I wanted to give them another chance and I am glad I did.  I tried the lunch special.  A half-chicken, sausage, salad and beans (Only 8 bucks too!!).  I also added a bit of brisket as I always try that anywhere I go.  Everything was very good.  One of the best sausages I have had in a long time.  The chicken was simple but moist and flavorful.  Brisket was ok.  A little bland but very tender.  So you are probably thinking "Dude!  How much do you eat?!"  Well, I just tried it and had leftovers for dinner tonight.  I am trying to eat better and writing a blog about BBQ makes that tough but I am doing my best! 

So there ya go.  If you are in Houston or in Dallas, give Pappa's BBQ a try.  it is definitely worth it.  Check out this link so you can see where your closest one is and check out the menu.  Here is a picture for ya too!!

So I hope you give them a try and always....  KEEP ON SMOKIN'!!!!

The Q Card!!

Trinity BBQ is moving on up, just like the Jeffersons!  I have recently become an affiliate for the Q Card.  The Q Card is a great program where you can buy a Q Card and then get excellent discounts on BBQ all over the state of Texas.  Go check out TheQCard.com.  Here you can not only get great discounts but find excellent BBQ restaurants, equipment and caterers like me.  Please check out my page on the Q card website at http://theqcard.com/affiliates/trinity-bbq-allen-tx/  

If you want to buy a Q Card, let me know and I can help with that too.  If you get a Q Card, I am offering a 10% discount to any Q Card holder.  So give me a shout.  Check out theQcard.com and KEEP ON SMOKIN'!!!!

BBQ Time is All Year

Sitting here at the Gulfport Airport looking out the window at a dreary rainy day.  You would imagine I am thinking about having a nice hot soup or something like that.  You could not be more wrong.  Seems like a perfect day for BBQ to me!  So many people think that BBQ is only good for Spring time or Early Fall or tailgating but I think BBQ time is anytime.  Great food and great times should be had all year long.  No need to specify the month of May to be the best time for BBQ.  Ya want to know the best time for BBQ?  I will tell you right now.  ANYTIME!!!!  

So even if you have snow on the ground or are on a sunny beach in Florida (you know who you are and I wish I was with you!), dig a hole in that beach sand and drop down some coals or brush off that snow and use that fire to warm up.  Get your tail to cooking!  Anytime is a great time for smoking and BBQ so get to it!  I know I am.

Let me know what you are making this weekend.  Would love to hear.

KEEP ON SMOKIN!!!!!