Visited Sunday 12/31, 11:30 am
What I ordered: brisket, blue cheese slaw, jalapeno mac n' cheese, whiskey s'mores bread pudding
My take: my brisket was okay but a little dry and only a hint of bark (my companion's was better with nice flavorful bark, though we ordered the same) / the jalapeno mac n' cheese was creamy and very spicy, kind of overwhelms everything else / the blue cheese slaw is in competition for my favorite coleslaw at a BBQ place / the whiskey and s'mores bread pudding is to die for! It is bursting with layered flavors yet has an airy texture and so easily melts in your mouth. Wins best dessert at a BBQ place, hands-down
The place: in fun Bishops district filled with art and boutique stores. Inside the place is a nice atmosphere filled with Kreuz family artifacts. They have a bar with craft beers on draft and in bottle
Pro Tip: don't miss the condiments bar (in front of the bar) with a variety of pickled things and BBQ sauce
Visited Saturday 12/30, 3:00 pm.
What I ordered: brisket tacos, turkey, swamp fries
My take: the tacos are generously sized and they don't skimp on any of the fillings, including the meat - they taste great / the turkey tastes flavorful and has good texture / the swamp fries are ridiculous (in a good way!), loaded with shredded brisket and cheese, jalapenos and chopped onions and sprinkled with real bacon bits, yet the fries retain their crunch
The place: unassuming building but you can't miss its prominent location or the wood rack along the brick exterior, inside it's filled with a combo of fun Texana and Louisiana artifacts
Pro Tip: a small order of swamp fries can easily be shared, and the only way to get them is "all the way"
Visited Friday 12/29, 8:30 pm.
What I ordered: brisket, frito pie
My take: brisket is good with a rich smoky and slightly sweet bark / frito pie was hearty filled with shredded brisket and beans, the sauce was a bit too sweet
The place: at night you can't miss the neon glow of green and red signage. Get your barbecue downstairs and after head upstairs to the spacious outdoor area with a full bar menu and craft brews on tap
Pro Tips: a great dinner BBQ place as they serve food until 10 pm, and the bar has a large collection of whiskey and serves whiskey flights
Visited Thursday 12/28, 2:30 pm / Revisited Thursday 1/25, 1:00 pm
What I ordered: (12/28) brisket, jalapeno sausage, lemon poppy slaw, pickles
(1/25) brisket, czech sausage, jalapeno cheese grits, potato salad
My take: the brisket is inconsistent, first visit it was moist with rendered fat marbled throughout, smoky and with a flavorful bark - second visit the fat was not well rendered and it was on the dry side / jalapeno sausage is flavorful with a spicy zing / czech sausage is flavorful / lemon poppy slaw is the best coleslaw side winner / jalapeno cheese grits were tasty / potato salad was bland, nothing to write home about / pickles are great, with a nice snap
The place: cute yellow trailer with hand painted sign and foliage, and the BBQ magic happening in adjacent screened-in smoke room. Plenty of outdoor bench seating. Friendly staff who go out of their way to make your experience enjoyable.
Pro Tip: the "to go" set up includes actual containers and a paper bag!
Visited Sunday 12/17, 2:00 pm.
What I ordered: bacon burnt ends, turkey sandwich, green chile mac & cheese
My take: the bacon burnt ends is a savory and sweet indulgence of BBQ meets pork belly / turkey sandwich was good, the jalapeno cheddar bun is a nice add / green chile mac & cheese is cheesy and with a nice zing (but not too spicy)
The place: Housed in a black and red brick building, enter through the side, there's a good amount of indoor seating and the bar features local craft beers
Pro Tips: Grab a seat at the bar and skip the line; you can order your BBQ at the bar! BBQ goes great with beer!
Visited Sunday 12/17, 11:30 am.
What I ordered: brisket, jalapeno cheese sausage, mashed potatoes, potato salad
My take: the brisket is moist with well rendered fat / the jalapeno cheese sausage is tasty with just the right amount of heat / the mashed potatoes are cheesy with bits of brisket, very satisfying side / the potato salad is good (but the mashed potatoes are the winner!)
The place: Prominent signage out in front of a barn red building. Order your meat and sides are self-serve cafeteria style. Spacious interior with rustic decor and industrial lighting fixtures, has seating able to accommodate large groups, intimate booths for two and everything in between.
Pro Tips: They have drive thru ordering, and if you're hungry they have a good deal for all-you-can-eat buffet
Visited Saturday 12/16, 3:30 pm.
What I ordered: brisket burnt ends, The "Pitmaster" sandwich
My take: I never knew I loved burnt ends this much! A hearty portion of delectable, tangy bark clingy to melt-in-your-mouth meat / The Pitmaster is an excellent sandwich holding a perfect trinity of BBQ meats
The place: Has a cool, lively vibe and is located in the heart of the fun Deep Ellum district, with Braindead Brewing and Deep Ellum Brewing nearby (both great breweries!).
Pro Tip: Did I mention "burnt ends"?!
Visited Saturday 12/16, 11:00 am.
What I ordered: beef ribs, brisket mac & cheese
My take: the beef ribs are moist, tender and with a delicious tangy bark / the brisket mac & cheese is my favorite, with chunks of brisket and melted pepperjack cheese giving it a hint of heat
The place: It is an unassuming building at the forefront of a strip mall, with a cute trailer and smoker round back
Pro Tip: Help yourself to a free cold one (beer) in the ice large ice chest; beer goes great with BBQ
Visited Friday 12/15, 8:00 pm.
What I ordered: brisket taco, jalapeno cheese sausage, buttered potatoes, mac & cheese, banana pudding, sopapilla cheesecake
My take: the brisket in my taco was smoky with well rendered fat and perfect burnt ends / the jalapeno cheese sausage is some of the best so far / the buttered potatoes are a surprisingly great side (scalloped potatoes meets mashed potatoes) / mac & cheese is good / sopapilla cheesecake is worth the caloric splurge with a wonderful crispy cinnamon top over creamy cheesecake / banana pudding is good with homemade vanilla wafer cookies
The place: fun place on a Friday night with some beers of draft and live music, plenty of indoor seating in the restaurant side or the bar side's enclosed porch (we lucked out with a less busy night due to the local high school's game)
Pro Tip: this is the place to save room for house-made desserts
Date Visited: 12/13/17, 2:00 pm
What I ordered: brisket slice, The Tipsy Texan sandwich
My take: the brisket has a delectable, peppery and tangy bark that easily fell off my (plastic) fork it was so tender / The Tipsy Texan is the best barbecue sandwich I've ever enjoyed, with chopped beef, sausage, coleslaw, pickles and onions, perched precariously high on a sandwich bun (definitely not for the faint of appetites...)
The place: small but iconic shop, you can't miss it with the ubiquitous wrap-around line, there's limited seating inside and outside on the small side porch patio. I've been to Franklin's a half dozen times and often am greeted by the pitmaster himself, who sometimes offers tasty samples for those that waited at the front of the busy line
Pro Tips: expect a several hours long wait early Saturday mornings, or take your chances and slide in around 1:30 or 2 pm on a weekday (at the very least they will likely have the Tipsy Texan even if the brisket/ribs/turkey runs out), if they have the turkey don't pass up adding it to your plate...it's smoked and basted with its own juices
Date Visited: 12/09/17, 1:30 pm
What I ordered: brisket and pork ribs, mac & cheese
My take: the brisket has an excellent smoky flavor and charred flavorful bark; the meat fell off the fork with ease on several pieces / the smoky, just-the-right-salty pork ribs are some of the best I've enjoyed / the mac & cheese has a nice cheese crust over creamy, cheesy pasta
The place: a large square building, inside is ample seating. Upon entering we were immediately welcomed by the gregarious pitmaster and the staff is friendly and provides great service
Pro Tip: You can't go wrong here with any of the meats
Visited: Saturday 12/09, 11:00 am
What I ordered: moon nachos w/onions & jalapenos, cowboy cornbread
My take: the chopped beef in the moon nachos is delicious / the cornbread with brisket, chilies, onion and cheese and skillet baked is a creative and tasty side
The place: a tiny building with themed decor inside and several styles of Blue Moon ball caps for sale. There is additional covered seating adjacent to the building outside
Pro Tip: try the cornbread
