My folks and I are road-tripping from Houston to Santa Fe and want to stop at one or two of the best BBQ joints in TX (we are OPEN to making detours for this purpose!). Cooper's in Llano had been suggested to me, but then I was told it is easily beaten by Black's in Lockhart and Luling City Market. Your votes please!

My favorite is the Swinging Door in Richmond, just outside of Houston.

The Salt Lick outside Austin!!!! Oh yum. Now our son ships their ribs to us for Father's Day.

Several months ago I experienced one of the best darn tasty BBQ meals in Huntsville, Texas. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about those ribs from the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Barbecue. It's located right next to the church; I believe it was started years ago as a fundraising project thru the church and food became so popular it grew into a business. It's located about 1/4 mile off of I-45; I THINK the exit was the Huntsville exit for FM-1374. I do remember there's a Super-8 Motel and a Dairy Queen by exit. Hours are limited. Open only on Wednesday thru Saturdays from 11:00 am until 6 pm (or when the food runs out). You walk past the smoker by the entrance.

If it wasn't such a boring 3-hr drive down I-45 from where I live in Dallas, I'd make the trek to Huntsville for those ribs!

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Also, here's an article written about the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church barbeque > http://www.robbwalsh.com/03writings/artsmoke.shtml
The address is 2601 Montgomery St, Huntsville. Mmmmmm, it was tasty, tasty, tasty.

THE SALT LICK-Driftwood Texas (outside Austin). Sandra Bullock loves to eat there. HINZE'S BBQ -Wharton, Texas.

Harold's BBQ in Abilene. This is true SOUL FOOD BBQ, complete with hot water cornbread and turnip greens! It just doesn't get any better than this!

Your post on Chowhound will probably be the most productive--extensive threads on BBQ there. Suggest a copy of Rob Walsh's "Legends of Texas BBQ". Picked up a copy at Lowe's of all places. Some places are atmospheric, some have better food. Have been to Cooper's, Black's, and the Saltlick in the last 6 weeks. Of these, Saltlick had the best atmosphere and most unremarkable food. Black's had the best sausage, almost like dry sausage warmed up, but brisket too fatty. Cooper's had multiple pits and the most awesome fire stoked for their chops. Went by Luling to the market but it was closed Sunday. I think BBQ places each have their high points. None is the best at everything, and sometimes you just want a different style--like Eastern versus Lexington style pork BBQ in NC (now that's a whole 'nother topic)

Hey we're talking Texas here. Forget those pretenders!!

The City Market in Luling . .

Rich

Blacks and Kruse in Lockhart are supposed to be the best.

The Salt Lick is great too. They catered my wedding!

There was an article in the Austin Chronical or Texas Monthly on this subject...Let me see if I can find a link.

I just did a search on texasmonthly.com (You can register - it's free) and the top 3 'cue (BBQ) places are:
Kreuz Market in Lockhart
Coopers in Llano
Louie Mueller's in Taylor

They reviewed their Top 50 but those were the "Big 3". Sad to report that the Salt Lick didn't make the top 50. Booo, Hissssssss.

Not sure you can access it, but try this link:
http://www.texasmonthly.com/archive/bbq/index.php

Thanks for all of these great suggestions. I read the Austin Chron and Texas Monthly articles already, but had gotten countering opinions from others... I'm from Houston, and am not at ALL familiar with Central Texan bbq joints. Locals (via Chowhound) are telling me that Cooper's, Kreuz's have gone downhill recently, and to stick to places like Black's or Luling. And for all those who suggested Houston and Austin, we are from Houston and spend lots of time in Austin, so we want to try something new, as in Lockhart or Llano...It turns out we are going to avoid I-10 since we've been down it so many times, so will probably not go to Luling after all. Maybe we'll try Laird's? And we will definitely be going to Harold's in Abilene--I was advised that they use oak instead of Mesquite which is the way we like it (that's how it's done at Fuschak's in San Marcos).

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What a coincidence --- watching "Sunday Morning" on CBS and Bill Geist had a story about the BBQ joint in Huntsville. You can read about "Holy Smoke" at
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in565492.shtml

CORRECTION: I'd been told they started the business after a fundraiser; owner explained that she was cooking for her husband (he was making repairs to the church) and folks smelled the BBQ and pulled off the road wanting to buy it.

Dallas Texas-- Sonny Bryan's--

http://www.sonnybryansbbq.com/

You'll LOVE Harold's! I have no idea what kind of wood they use, but it is the best 'cue I've ever eaten. The restaurant itself is not fancy at all (most of the business is take-out) but there are a few tables. Get there early to get a seat.
Long story, but I had the pleasure of working with many of the Abilene Police Department this past summer, and they all adored Harold's BBQ. Evidently, Harold is quite a singer, too.

The best ribs...Country Tavern in Longview Texas.
Texas Monthly had an article on the best places in Texas for BBQ. That was several months back.

I dunno, don't socks seem to defeet (ha) the whole purpose of sandals? Or is it just me?

Definitely try Harold's in Abilene, Tx. I believe they are open only at lunch-their part of town is not lovely, but many businessmen and college students go there for lunch. It is wonderful-and their hot water cornbread is to die for!! If you like hot peppers their DAMNM HOT (that is the name!) bbq sauce is fabulous. Harold might sing you a gospel song-he is a character.

Ah, was wondering where my response to the sandals and socks question went. Sorry.