It's a fact that Austin is the music capital of the Lone Star State, but Texans like me believe the city also rules the entire music world. It's the place where you can hear the latest musicians jam, and you can two-step until you collapse. After wearing a hole in the floor, you'll need a little sustenance. What better than Texas 'cue to fuel your boot scootin'?
Travel photographer--and unofficial barbecue expert--Gary Clark and I volunteered our palates and eardrums in a search for the juiciest, sauciest, and leanest barbecue in town, along with the hippest and coolest places to get down and groove.
Taking our task seriously, we consulted some 'cue connoisseurs who are accustomed to getting smoke in their eyes. The men and women of the Austin Fire Department graciously agreed to get stuffed with Gary and me. "Most firefighters are meat-and-potato eaters. Why would you ruin a good dinner with vegetables?" says Lt. Palmer Buck. "Barbecue is its own food group in Texas."
We visited some popular haunts and uncovered some new choice spots. Here's the beef.
Chowing Down
The resounding favorite barbecue joint in Austin, according to the firefighters, is John Mueller's BBQ. "It's the real deal,"
says fireman Marcus Reed. Because neither Gary nor I had ever heard of it, we were skeptical. But we had faith in our new
friends.
John was knee-high when he started learning the cookout ropes. Now he owns a smoky, rustic dive on Manor Road that stays open until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 6 p.m. on Saturday--or until he runs out of meat, which happens occasionally.
Both the spicy sausage and tender pork were hits--as were the ribs and chopped beef. John is such a barbecue genius that we dare say eating here will change your life.
After a life-altering feast at John Mueller's, we shuffled over to The County Line. More sit-down restaurant than no-frills dive, it's a great place to treat the entire family, as most dishes are served family style. Not only did we devour lots of beef ribs and tender brisket, we also saved room for bread. Yep, that's right. The secret-recipe white bread is perfect for sopping up extra sauce.
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