Coopers Llano is not on my top 50 list. The last two times I have been there the meat was dried out. I can eat just about any BBQ. It is hard to have BAD BBQ, but myself and all the guys I was with agreed and complained to the managment about the quality.
The best BBQ in Texas is to be had at chili/bbq cookoffs, social events in small towns, and just south of MLK in Austin, TX on fall saturdays.
My father in law lives in the Killeen area and swears by Maurice's. I will say that although I don't consider smoked chicken to be that important when it comes to BBQ. They have some of the best smoked chicken I have put in my mouth. My father in law loves the brisket with the 'hot sauce.'
I've been to Coopers a couple of times and was extremely underwhelmed. Meat was dry as hell. Cool setup they have though.
If I had to pick just one I'd go with Mueller's. But they all have **** that I like, except Salt Lick
Stringer's BBQ in Lufkin... Don't know if it's the best but they have fried rolls and that is good enough for me.
Longhorn Al, I too thought I was alone. I have been to Cooper's several times and I have NEVER enjoyed it. Always very dry.
Clem Mikeska's? Terrible IMHO. It is something a bit different, but I am definately not a fan. If you like the set up that Cooper's has then you should try out a place called Hard 8 in Stephenville. I don't think that Hard 8's has been mentioned in this thread, but they do some very nice things with meat.
...As opposed to "fresh" urine? In no particular order: Louie Mueller's - Taylor Black's - Lockhart Southside Market - Elgin Cooper's (wish y'all had gotten it as good as I've enjoyed in the past). - Llano John Mueller's (supposedly he reopened in Bastrop, but that hasn't been verified) -An interesting phenomenon is that both Luther's and Willy Ray's in Boremont had cat food pressed into shapes that resembled brisket. -Was in CowTown & it was late; the wife was hungry, so we ate @ whatever that 'cue joint is down there by the RR tracks... el barfo grande. -Bongo's on 24th to the W of campus (across from International Cycle) had 'bout the greasiest meat. I think they parboiled it or something (which in & of itself should be a hangin' offense). -Going W of Cooper's in Llano is a place up a hill on the R that has banners abounding on their smoked turkey... blech.
were u referring to Angelo's in FW? Angelo's is pretty good stuff. Definitely no Black's (Lockhart), but not too shabby.
Joint - Favorite items - city Joe Allen's - Steak / Bread - Abilene Harold's - Sauce / Salt Water Jalapeno Cornbread - Abilene The Shed (RIP) - Brisket - Wingate Schoepf's - Brisket / Goat (on occasion) - Belton Fat Boys - Brisket - Temple Myer's - Beef Sausage - Elgin Salt Lick - BYOB/AYCE after tubing - Driftwood
I can't really comment on the "best" bbq in Texas because I haven't eaten at most of the places that have been mentioned. However, I like: Southside Market in Elgin the best. Sam's would probably be next. Otherwise, I eat at: Ben's Long Branch House Park BBQ Oh, and the three places in Lockhart -- Kreuz's, Smitty's, and Black's -- are good but it has been several years since I've been down to any of them. I never was a big fan of Ironworks. Also, it seems highly overpriced. Like I say, I'm not talking about what is best, just where I tend to eat bbq. Most of which were close to the Capitol where I worked for many years. I liked Mueller's on Manor Rd. as well.
I haven't eaten at any of the places mentioned that I know of, I am terrible with names. What is the name of that little hole in the wall joint south of MLK, White building I think and it practically has no parking and what parking they do have rivals that of trying to drive up pikes peak again, if I remember correctly. I do like that bbq, nice and greasy.
I need to add Cartwright's in Cedar Valley (on 290 West of Austin, about 1/10 of the way to Drippin'). The bldg. changed ownership to Cartwright's & last weekend I had occasion to stop in @ 8:30p - they close @ 9. Asked for the 2 meat (they DO have beefers) & got pork ribs & snausage... figured they were out - didn't say anything 'cause me & Tex (sig photo @ 21 months now) were hungry. It was just me & her... empty. 5 min. before closing, one of the guys in back (hadn't spotted him) comes up front & hands me 10 (about 3lbs) of beefers in paper & sack... said there was some in the rack in back & the counter guy didn't know it. Brought tears to my eyes... Had 'em the next 3 nights.
