Last updated July 31st, 2010

I'm from Texas, born & raised.   Live here all of my life, except for this one year I lived in Oklahoma City (I didn't like it and had to come back home).   I really don't fit into what people think of as Texan though.   I don't have much of an accent.   I don't own a cowboy hat or boots.   I don't drive a pick-up.   I've never roped a steer.

But, I do loves me some BBQ...   And I'm not going to get into a discussion about who has the best BBQ or what state does it best, it's all different and it's all good in it's own way.   I grew up in East Texas near Tyler, I lived in the DFW area for quite a few years, and I moved to Austin in September of 2007.    So now that I have moved to the central Texas area, I've had an opportunity to visit some of the most legendary BBQ joints around.   I'm not a connoisseur and don't have a talented enough palate to pick out the subtleties of one vs. another...  I just know what's good and what ain't!!

Here's where I've been and what I though:

Pat's BBQ (aka Pat G's BBQ) I might as well start out with a lie.   I've never actually been there, my dad used to go fetch it for us when I was a kid.   A little shack east of Tyler south of Hwy 31 near CR-21 & CR-26.    This is damned good stuff and worth trying to find.   It was the measuring stick my dad used when he was cooking his own BBQ, I think he could have given old Pat a run for the money.
Country Tavern Also east of Tyler on Hwy 31.   Legendary ribs.   The place is a mad house on Friday & Saturday nights, expect up to an hour wait.   Go on other nights, way less crowded.
Rudy's First trip to Rudy's was in Tyler, and I've been to a few different ones in Austin.   I've also made the trek down to Leon Springs to eat at the original.   Darned good BBQ no matter where you get it.   It's kind of my benchmark.   a) Is it better than Rudy's?  b) It it enough better to drive X miles for it?   The answer to A is "sometimes", the answer to B is "rarely".
The Salt Lick A Texas legend, right?    And it was good but not the best, although I seriously liked the sausage.   Glad I went, not worth the drive for me though.
The Salt Lick - Round Rock
 OK, so the original isn't worth driving to in my opinion... this one is a lot closer to my new house and I have a feeling I'll be dropping by there on a regular basis.
Black's BBQ Mighty fine stuff for sure, although the sausage was really greasy.
City Market The one in Luling, not the knock off in Houston.    This is the real deal y'all, this shit is good!   I think what City Market brings to the table is that everything is good... not just good ribs or good brisket, it's all good.   It passes the "Rudy's Test".
Snow's BBQ A ways east of Austin in Lexington, TX.   Only open on Saturday until they run out of meat, which is usually in the very early afternoon so you better plan on taking it to go or having BBQ for breakfast!    This stuff is also righteous and gives City Market a HARD run for the money.   I can see why they were voted #1 in 2008 by Texas Monthly, it's that good.   It also passes the "Rudy's Test".
Clark's Outpost Way out in Tioga, TX (NE of Denton).   Used to make trips up there with The Z Club of Texas, one of Mad Mike's favorites and it's certainly good stuff...   Always awesome to pull up and see about 30 Datsun/Nissan Z cars out front.
The County Line Haven't been there yet
Kreuz Market This started out as a very ambitious trip, I was going to get a little at Kreuz's and a little at Smitty's, didn't make it to Smitty's this time since I was stuffed after Kreuz's.   So, on the BBQ...   It's pretty good, I see what the hub-bub is about.   Not as good as City Market or Snow's, but good.   The ribs I got were off the small end so they were a little dry & chewy but had a really good flavor.   The brisket seemed just a little bit dry but it also tasted very good.   And last, the sausage was good too.
Smitty's Market Haven't been there yet
Taylor Cafe Hmmm, it might have been good but the sauce ruined it for me, it was kind of like bad spaghetti sauce, I might go back sometime and try it without sauce some time.    Beef & Pork Sausage was good though, I could tell that much.
Louie Meuller's Atmosphere certainly warrants a 9, although it was really hot.   Wish I could say the same about the BBQ, maybe a 6 out of 10 and that might be generous.   Too much black pepper for my taste, and I prefer the tomato based sauce over vinegar.   Overall I thought the flavor was pretty mild, nothing bold or exciting about it.   Peach cobbler was really good though!!    My trip-mates pretty much agree.

*Update 7/31/2010*
Figuring that anyone can have a bad day, and a) being too late to make it to Snow's, b) not wanting to drive to Luling, I decided to give Louie Meuller's another try.   Pretty much the same, so I'll give them some points for consistency.
Cooper's Wow, that was disappointing..   I either caught them on an off day or I just don't get it.   Pork ribs were kind of dry and tough, brisket was over done, sausage was bland.   The pork loin kicked ass though.   Other than what would have been an awesome trip home down 1431 (got stuck behind a bunch of slow-poke sissies) this was a waste of half a day!
Mann's Smokehouse FINALLY!!!   I was beginning to think fate was telling me that I wasn't ever supposed to eat at Mann's.   Trip 1, parking lot full.   Trip 2, closed for a private event.   Trip 3, closed for vacation.   Trip 4, PAYDIRT!!   And it was worth it too, darned good BBQ...  definitely passed the Rudy's test.
Richard's Back Porch I/We stumbled upon this place in Elgin looking for the highly reviewed Crosstown BBQ.    It's where Crosstown was reported to be, don't know if it was a name change, new owner, or what since we didn't ask.   We got there a little late in the day on a Thursday but we found the BBQ to still be pretty fresh and quite tasty.   We only had Brisket & Hot Sausage (they had just run out of pork ribs) and it was pretty darned good.   I haven't been (at the time) to Meyers or Southside Market but I think they'd be hard pressed to offer better BBQ than Richard's.
Meyer's BBQ Fairly bland I thought, I'd rather go to Richard's Back Porch.