Apr 13, 2010
Bossy’s Favorite Things
Regional food. In this case it was a pulled pork Texas BBQ sandwich, and truthfully it was eh. Bossy has no use for soft white rolls, or soft white anything, and Bossy believes good barbeque contains crunchy bits and the sauce is cooked in, not slathered on top when complete.
Anyone have suggestions about good Barbeque that might meet Bossy’s standards while she’s still in Texas? Bossy is looking at Houston today and Austin a couple of days from now. Oh and Marfa. Anybody know of Marfa Texas?
Best bet is to take your own bread since it’s going to be hard finding anything except soft white bread down here. (Really good barbeque doesn’t really need sauce or bread anyway, so I usually avoid them both.) And recommending a barbeque joint is only going to provoke an arguement so I shall refrain.
But the trip to Marfa? Pretty spectacular-can’t wait to see your photos.
–>My college best friend is from Philly and when we were in school (in Va.) I told her I was craving BBQ.
She was all, BBQ WHAT??!?!
I said Bar-BE-QUE…as in pulled pork slapped on a bun like a sloppy joe with hot sauce and cole slaw on top.
Geesh….
For Austin, go to Rudy’s BBQ (there are several locations), or the ever-famous Salt Lick!
I second Damsel’s recommendation of Rudy’s! That place is awesome!!!
http://rudys.com/
The last time I was in Houston visiting friends, we ate here twice http://www.goodecompany.com/
LOVED it! I think there are several locations.
Yes to Rudy’s, it’s the best! http://rudys.com/ FYI, the white bread pillow is the law with Southern BBQ. Maybe Bossy can take a nap on hers?
Marfa, funky art colony with it’s own NPR station! I hear there’s a lunch truck there called the Land Shark that makes amazing gourmet food. Should be fun!
Of course, MARFA! I even have a Marfa tshirt that my sister bought me while visiting there. Ask about the Marfa lights.
Miss you. xo
Houstonian here – Goode Co or Luling City. Shoot we could have met up at Goode Co! Across the street is Goode Co Seafood and they have the most amazing campechana. (ceviche w. shrimp and avocados).Mmmm. Speaking of local grub, does Bossy do Tex-Mex??
Marfa! Did not know it is on your itinerary. Drove there last summer and dude, it’s a haul – but you knew that. Worth it just to have your picture taken outside Prada Marfa.
As everybody has mentioned, the soft white bread is the law. Feel free to go with the meat-only option! My favorite in Austin is Ruby’s, near campus.
I married a Texan so I had to learn about good BBQ fast. Luling City is AMAZING and between Houston and Austin somewhere (I never do the driving). When you’re in Austin hit Torchy’s for the best tacos and queso ever. I mean ever. You will never be able to eat anyone elses queso again. It’s very sad.
You are going to have to wait til you come to Kansas City for some good BBQ!
I have it from a reputable source that Goode Co. is great, and Hickory Hollow in the Heights is his favorite, in Houston.
Bossy when you get here to San Diego for our meetup, maybe we should get take out from Phil’s BBQ? Best BBQ around http://www.philsbbq.net/. I will pass this along to Jenn (hostess, planner).
Hey Bossy. I know where you can get the absolute best pulled pork bbq in the entire world. Santa Barbara, California. My husband makes the absolute best, just ask anybody. Nothing compares. So, if you want to stop by for some, give me a heads up and he’ll fire up the q.
Bossy – at the risk of TMI – in light of your apparent road trip diet – have you stocked up on Maalox and Correctal?
Wouldn’t want to fall victim to that well-known truck driver malady that is only relieved with Prep-H!!
I second or third Goode Co. And you want beef brisket, not pulled pork (which is yummy but not usually what people mean when they say Texas BBQ) And you can get your sammich on jalapeno bread if you’d like!
In Austin, I’d recommend The Salt Lick. It beats Rudy’s hands down. The County Line is also amazing. Ruby’s (right by UT campus) is pretty good. For Mexican food I’d recommend Vivo (near the UT campus–and the margaritas are the best) or Polvo’s (on South First) or Maudie’s (there are a bunch of locations). For drinks go to Trudy’s (their food is only so-so).
Yes, Rudy’s brisket while you’re in Austin! Or Salt Lick. You won’t find much for “sauce-cooked-in” here, BBQ is smoky-spicy rubbed…and sauce is optional. White bread is not.
I’m from the north too and it took me a while to get used to it. What you’re looking for is more Memphis or Kansas style, I think. Happy trails, Bossy, and welcome to TEJAS!
Mmmmmmmm, pickles.
technically Round Rock, which is Austin adjacent, but if you’re looking for Texas BBQ you must visit the Salt Lick! The sausage and pork ribs are must haves (I’ll be down there next month and already plotting my meal!)!
http://www.saltlickbbq.com/
It’s unanimous….Rudy’s BBQ. In Texas, it’s all about soft white bread. Texan’s know how to BBQ meat and don’t have to fake it with a ton of sauce. But, they do have an assortment of BBQ sauce you can add to your liking.
)
Texans do beef, not pork. And go see David Beebe at Padre’s in Marfa, a Houston transplant and one of the most interesting men in the world.
Yes, you must go to Luling City Market in Luling, TX between Houston and San Antonio or Austin (it’s really off I-10 but not a bad detour). The best BBQ anywhere and I am a native Texas with high standards. You must pay in cash and there are no plates or forks. Only butcher paper and knives. The sauce is outstanding (a mustard and vinegar sauce). Every year when we are back in Houston, we make a special trip out there.
Oh, and in Houston, Goode company is good (as others have pointed out) and Good Co. Seafood is DA BOMB!!! Oh how many times have I sat at that counter sipping a G&T and munching on fried green tomatoes waiting on my order….and then there is the Texas Pecan Pie. It is on Kirby just off the 59 freeway. Houston is a great eating town. Wish we still lived there.
Former Houstonian here. I’ve been away too long to recommend any place but I’m with you, Joie — I miss that great eating-out town too.
I never, ever, ever eat white bread EXCEPT with BBQ when I must have at least one slice, and pile on the pickles please. Just how I learned it had to be done. (I’d prefer slices of plain white bread rather than that bun you show.) I always amaze myself when I eat that way.
I’m concerned for your constitution too. Are you having kefir for breakfast?
Oh Bossy, it might be 20-30 min. out of your direct route from Houston to Austin, but I would urge you to try Louie Mueller Bbq. Get there early or it’s gone. A defining experience in my life. Dare I say it: even better than Salt Lick.
http://www.louiemuellerbarbecue.com
206 West 2nd Street
Taylor, TX 76574
(512) 352-6206
i’m sad that you were led to crap bbq in dallas…it’s a damn shame. we mostly bbq cows ’round here, but it IS possible to get good pork.
you’re really going to marfa? that cracks me up!
p.s. i’m all too tempted to meet you in austin. i love me some austin
Blah blah blah everybody already said everything amazing about Texas BBQ!!! Except I kinda never cared for Rudy’s. :O …THE SALT LICK = BEST EVER (Oh my god I wish I had some now, plus if you go to the original you will see the Texas Hill Country at it’s best) and Stubbs (Austin) isn’t bad if you want a chance to see some music too. Marfa = Prada Store front. If I don’t see it in your blog I won’t believe you went.
The Thunderbird hotel probably has awesome cocktails as it’s a sister hotel to the San Jose (Austin). If you get hot stop in Austin’s Barton Springs and then go to Chuy’s for a Mexican Martini (trust me on this one). The New York Times just wrote an article about Breakfast tacos (YES!) but FAILED to mention the Austin institution of Maria’s taco shack. GO. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/dining/10united.html?sudsredirect=true
Bossy cannot even IMAGINE how bummed I am that I don’t get to meet you. Seriously very sad!! Hug Austin for me!! (And keep an eye out for Leslie!)
Must go to SALT LICK! You’ll have to have someone escort you there cause its near impossible to find on your own and its BYOB but so worth the drive!
I LOVE the Salt Like – the food is fantastic and its beautiful. Bring your own beer.
http://www.saltlickbbq.com/
Marfa? That’s what my 5 y.o. daughter calls our dog Martha, but that doesn’t help you at all, does it?
If you’re in Marfa you MUST stop and see some of Donald Judd’s work. NY artist got sick of the city and bought an entire empty military base for his work. It’s amazing, modern stuff that probably bewilders most of the locals. Add the NY crowd to the local farm crowd to the alien hunters (the Marfa lights) and you have the coolest, oddest group I think I’ve ever been around. And we had some of the best food *ever* at Cochineal. Enjoy!