Smitty’s BBQ in Lockhart, TX

I feel like we’ve just entered the BBQ big leagues. Several week ago Sara and I decided to hit the top five BBQ joints in Texas. They’re all within an hour or so of Austin, so it’s a great challenge.

Today we caravaned with with two other couples from our church to head down to Lockhart, TX. Since all of us had kids, we had to ride in three separate cars. Lockhart is actually home to two of the top five BBQ joints. Smitty’s Market was the original and either the brother or sister of the owner branched out and started Kreuz Market right down the road. It’s amazing such a small town has room for two BBQ giants.

So I’ll give you my general impressions. If you want the detailed review, check out Sara’s blog at Dixie Gypsy for the lowdown.

We walked in the back of the resturant where you pick out your meet. It was a dark and smoky brick room (the brick was all black from years of smoke. As soon as I came around the corner I was met by intense heat. Why, there was a fire on the floor about four feet from where I was standing. No, this isn’t the place to let your two-year old run around… there is FIRE ON THE FLOOR! The two fires were heating the two pits filled with meat.

Sara ordered a 1/4 pound of lean brisket and I got 1/4 pound of fat brisket. I also got a hot ring and a pork chop. I’d heard the pork chops were good. As bad as I wanted one, I resisted the prime rib. It seems that the serious BBQ joints here in Texas serve prime rib (which happens to be my favorite cut of meat). In case you don’t know (I didn’t), a hot ring is a link of sausage. The ends are tied together forming a ring. The hot rings are pulled off the pit and the cold rings are not… so they’re cold.

We paid for our food (amazingly it was less that $20 and walked into the air conditioned eating area. I made one of two possible mistakes. After sitting down I asked a worker who walked by where I can get a fork. “We don’t have forks.,” was his response. They did have plastic knifes, but no forks. You eat with your hands. Can you imagine eating brisket or prime rib with your bare hands? The meat was so tender you didn’t have to worry about cutting it with your lone knife. I didn’t make the second mistake as I already knew about it. Don’t has for BBQ sauce. They don’t have that either. I guess it’s like the way I grew up. My Dad always told me that a good steak doesn’t need any steak sauce. I guess the same is true of good Texas BBQ. It was kind of wierd not having the sauce to dip the meat in. However, I’m not complaining. It was incredible BBQ and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. Not having BBQ sause makes it easier to eat with your hands I guess.

So, I certainly recommend BBQ. Yes, it was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever eaten. We’ll see how it fares with the others.