southern bbq roadtrip suggestions please
 

Hi everyone-
My sister and I (in our mid 20's)are from NY and we take a trip every year during our feb. break (we're both teachers). We've been going to Europe for a few years but decided it was time to see more of our own country!
While watching the food network one day we got the idea for a southern bbq tour. we love barbeque! obviously we want to see important sites as well. slightly out of the ordinary things are always good as well as the "must see" historical, artistic, landmark kind of things as well.
As I said, the trip wont be until february, so we are just getting started with research and planning, but I thought you could help me figure out our route. We have 9 days, we will be renting a car obviously, and sharing the driving, but i would think about 4 hours a day would be enough driving for us. Our idea right now (which can absolutely be changed and added to)is to fly into San Antonio, stay there for a day, drive to Austin and then to Houston for another day. I would like to end up in Savannah and Charleston at the end of the trip, the rest is pretty much up in the air. We have both been to New Orleans, but we really liked it and it seems like a logical stop in the middle. Also Atlanta seems to be on the way. Any ideas for a few more places to stop and see basically between Houston and Savannah? Hotels to spend the night, restaurants to eat at, sights to see?
Thanks so much in advance,
Joanna

The Georgia Pig. Mmmm... It looks like a total dump, but can't beat the food.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=82

I suggest you look up books by JOhnT. Edge, particularly Southern Belly for a culinary tour of the South. He is the ED of Southern Folkways.. Starting in Houston may be 'way down but whatever.

Kelliebellie, is the Ga. pig still there? It seems I was raving about it here a year or so ago and someone told me it was gone. Then we drove up I-95 and was sort of looking for the signs before the turnoff and didn't see them (it was early in the morning so we weren't going to eat.

I once took pictures of it, and built a set for the play "Foxfire" to look just like it. Great bar-b-q.

Ahhh! You mean it is gone?!? I've only been there once (well actually it was so good we went twice) on a road trip many many years ago. It is one of those places you assume will always be there.

Maybe all the meat smoke grime on the windows finally combusted?

In Houston, Goode's BBQ is the best in town.

We did a road trip about 10 years ago and stopped at the Ga. Pig. It was like going to a place out of a novel...right down to the dog on the porch and hammock in the yard. And definitely not done by Disney!!! We still tell stories about it--half the people are amazed we actually ate the food, the other half want to know how to get there. I would think the grime would hold it together...maybe they tried to clean it up and it collapsed!!Truly a memorable roadside stop...and great bbbq! Hope it's still there...and not cleaned up!

I did a search here for the Georgia Pig and found a couple of raves -- mainly from me -- but I did not find anyone saying it is gone. Surely I wouldn't have made that up -- unless it was in some horrible nightmare I had. Anyone know if it is still there?

One problem with your Southern BBQ Tour ... you would need to start it in North Carolina, as that's where the best is! :)

Elsie does have the correct itinerary!!

No, actually, the problem with your BBQ itinerary is that you leave Texas! No, really, have a fun trip and eat something good for all of us BBQ lovers.

As a long time lover of BarBQ and one who has eaten some of the best across North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Kansas City, I may get killed for this -- but this past May/June during our month in New York we hit Blue Smoke, Daisy Mae's, Virgils, and Dinosaur. I have to be honest. You really don't have to leave New York to get WONDERFUL bbq!

If you drive from Austin or San Antonio to Houston, two places you might want to try.

The City Market in Luling, ( just south of Austin, east of San Antonio )and Kreuz ( pronounced Krites )Market in Lockhart ( just south of Austin )

Both are old line Family operated BBQ joints.

thanks so much for all the suggestions so far everyone!
any ideas about where to stop between houston and savannah???

A Southern BBQ tour wouldn't be complete without a stop in Memphis, Tn.

Texans,please don't take offense, but I'm a devotee of pig BBQ so when in TX, I chase the perfect bowl of green chili or thick, juicy steak.

Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ is funky, fabulous and a family operation. The more famous and formal Rendevous is also wonderful and we like the ribs at Blues City Cafe on Beale St, that includes a night of music-joint hoping.
Willinghams, too, is a mouth watering stop. Keep in mind that the slaw and beans are almost as important as the meat.
It's too bad that your trip won't be in May so that you could experience the incredible Memphis in May World Championship BBQ contest held at Tom Lee Park on the MS river. It's a one of a kind event for competitors, pork lovers and just fun folks. The BBQ pits have to be seen to be believed and the hog calling competition is a good belly laugh. It truly takes BBQ to another level.

A stop at Graceland and the National Civil Rights Museum (at the Lorraine Motel where King was assasinated) can complete your Memphis experience.

Memphis is a must on a southern BBQ tour.

Here's a second for Memphis. Also another stop in Texas wouldn't be bad such as Ft Worth but it wouldn't coincide with your route.
From New Orleans I would suggest heading north to Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston. On this route you could also throw in Natchez & Vicksburg.

In my book San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Savannah, & Charleston are must sees.

I live in Tenn. so I will also say Tenn.
BBQ is my favorite. You have to have slaw on your BBQ sandwich. I love going
to Memphis for BBQ, but I will have to say our local BBQ place, Prater's(near McMinnville, TN)is great. If you really want a taste of the South and a small town, come visit us.

Speedy's in Lexington, NC is the BBQ heartline.

After Lexington, head down to Wilbur's in Goldsboro for some Eastern-style BBQ.

Maybe I'll ask why start in Texas--and Savannah and Charleston aren't exactly BBQ meccas, although wonderful towns. Nine days isn't really enough for this distance--there are some pretty big distances there. But I repeat. Get Southern Belly by John T. Edge.
And with all due respect, Neopatrick, I've seen the reviews of those. They are 'way too "slick". And you can see out the windows.

Great barbecue can be had all over the place in the Southland (and many places up North, too, for that matter), and while it might be good sport to argue about it, the fact is that it's really easy to find and a delight to eat. My best (objective) suggestion is to never mind all the reviews and the claims to fame, but simply find some likely-looking locals and approach them with something friendly like "hey, Bubba, where y'all reckon the best barbecue pork pig around here is?" and follow their advice. Or if you don't care for the Bubba stereotype, say something similar but try "Hey, Cooter" instead. Or if the person is not Caucasian, use some degree of political correctness, as your own good judgment dictates. .... In any case, the real enjoyment of the barbecue odyssey you propose is the discovery, on your own, of many of these widely scattered and amusingly diverse establishments all along the way. .... Do keep in mind, though, that white bread is the proper accompaniment, and sweet tea if you can stand it.

My husband recently went to San Antonio and had to go into Austin for good BBQ. He liked the Ironworks but loved The Salt Lick (in Driftwood just outside of Austin) so much, he went back a second time, and even brought home a set of their bottled sauces. We always search for great BBQ whenever we are on the road in the south.
So far, our favorite BBQ that we've had is in Buckhead in Atlanta called Fat Matt's.

Mobile, AL is on the direct route and has many local specialty seafood/cajun restaurants. The Grand Hotel is a Civil War vintage famous destination. Gulf Shores, AL immediately East has the Floribama, a redneck landmark. The Florida panhandle has a great fishing village, Appalachicola with several local flavor destinations. Destin and Fort Walton Beach are great Gulf Coast stops.

Oh thank goodness someone mentioned the Salt Lick. You must go to the Salt Lick for bbq if you are near Austin (go to the original in Driftwood, not the one in Austin). Have family style - all you can eat brisket, sausage, ribs, cole slaw, potato salad and beans. BYOB for alcohol (yes, just bring in your cooler of beer). And polish it off with cobbler. Yum.

http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

Don't forget about Dreamland if you come through Tuscaloosa, Alabama, perchance. And if you're driving north to Memphis from New Orleans you need to stop in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for some of Miss Leatha's barbecue. It's the real thing. Anyone in town can tell you how to find it.

This is making me hungry! I too ate at the GA Pig one time on a road trip and it was fantastic BBQ! I looked for it several years later and didn't see signs...hope I just missed it and that it isn't gone!

I too am a big fan of Dreamland in Tuscaloosa!

I am a vegetarian but after living in Austin for four years even I know that the Salt Lick is the best. (I always passed on invites to head out there because the only thing that doesn't have meat in it is the wonder bread.) Glad to see others agree!

eatin' good in the neighborhood! This one really put a smile on my face, Joanna. Great memories of my road-trips with the blues'n'BBQ boys. I was reminded of my Texas BBQ trip when I visited Mo's in Pismo Beach - check out his BBQ tour! http://www.mosbbq.com/about.htm

When I did my last circuit Billy Blues was still in San Antonio - now it's a happenin' burger joint (Sam's Burger Joint) with music - but I think there's still one in Houston. In Austin, we always eat at the Ironworks - tho' the locals probably know a better place. We dug the brisket at Keno's in New Braunfels - and it's on the way to Austin. Good news is you can eat 3-4 meals a day!

You're headed to the wrong part of the country for BBQ -- should have come throught the Carolinas! (well another trip, perhaps!) There are always competitions here pitting Eastern Carolina style vs Western Carolina style. It's all fantastic to me :-)

In Houston, we like Pappas BBQ, Goode Co., and Otto's. Highly recommend getting brisket in Texas, links are good too!

I just wanted to thank everyone so much for all the great information.
and give a little explanation for our itinerary. honestly, i dont remember how i decided to start with san antonio, but now that i have read all about it i really want to go. and i have always wanted to go to savannah. and thats really all the explaining i can do. the bbq part got added later because we love to eat bbq, but we are also hoping to see the south.
so now, here is the basic itinerary. we know theres alot of driving in a small amount of time, but we'll get to see alot.
san antonio
to austin to houston
to new orleans
to mobile to tuscaloosa
to atlanta
to savannah
to charleston
keep the suggestions coming! i'm writing them all down and appreciate them all.
sorry north carolina and tennessee, we'll visit you another time :0)

If you can afford it, stay on the River Walk in San Antonio. If not, be sure to get yourself down there and enjoy the vibe. Wonderful place.

In Savannah, try Johnny Harris
In Mariette, Ga. a suburb just north of Atlanta, try Swallow in the Hollow.

Both are excellent

If you get hungry between driving from Dreamland in Tuscaloosa to Mobile, AL on I-65, stop in the PEACH PARK on I-65 Exit 205 for a BBQ sandwich - very generous portions - end the meal with a seving of peach cobbler or frozen vanilla yogurt topped with their fresh chopped fruit bar - to die for!

Check out the Brick Pit on the west side of Mobile.

If you can work it in, the big names in North Carolina barbecue, all not too far off I-85, include:

Lexington Barbecue (in Lexington)
Stamey's (in Greensboro)
Bullocks (in Durham)

and then if you take I-40 to I-95 you can hit Bill Ellis in Wilson.

In Columbia, SC, hit Maurice's for mustard-based SC-style sauce.

Not barbecue, but classic good road food to be had in Atlanta at the Varsity and at the Beacon Drive-In in
Spartanburg, SC.

Check out RoadFood.com

Joanna,
There is a Dreamland in Montgomery, also. You could cut a few hours off your trip by going from Mobile to Atlanta via Montgomery, unless you have another reason for going to Tuscaloosa. Jim & Nicks BarBQ is also in Montgomery. On I-85, south of Atlanta, Newnan, Ga has Sprayberry's which has been family owned for over 75 yrs. Sounds like an awesome trip! Enjoy.

In Houston, Goode BBQ (or Seafood, or Mexican Food) are great. Jim Goode is the real deal, has been featured by Emeril several times as one of the best BBQ joints in America. Near Rice University and The Galleria area. Worth the trip. Honky-tonk next door, stand in line for food then eat on picnic tables. Try the turkey or "dirty" rice for a change of pace.

Read all the posts, great advice. BBQ is certainly different depending on the region you're in. Many of these suggestions are fantastic, so enjoy!
My personal favorite, though not on your route this trip is a place called Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert, Arizona. It is real good, and I lived in Texas for over 10 years, so I've had some great BBQ. They smoke their meat over pecan wood, and their sauce is like no other I've ever tried.
If you get to the Phoenix area, head towards Gilbert. I think they have a website, too.

DancingBear left out Wilber's and Scott's in Goldsboro--maybe the most famous in NC.