February 1st, 2010
The Music and the BBQ of Austin, Texas
I have had more than a few experiences of the BBQ to be found in Austin. The first time I visited the city it was on a whim, I knew no one and really had no idea as to what my week would entail. It is a city that is well known the world over, for the live music that happens in various venues, and many times just happens right there on the street corners. That first trip was incredible. I was lucky enough to have found one of the best Austin hotels, and with the information the front desk guy gave me, I found some of the best live music I had ever experienced, but I did not find the best BBQ.
I am in love with real BBQ, and I found a great place in Amarillo during my many road trips back and forth between Phoenix and Chicago, I was not really sure of where to go in Austin. My second trip to Austin, was all about that. About the BBQ. I had met a touring musician who lived in Austin and visited him last summer. Visiting a musician in Austin, well I knew that my live music needs for the week would be met, so I asked him to find me the best of the best, in the world of BBQ. He’s a Texan and he was ready to take on the quest.
Our first stop was a place called Artz’s, where not only do they serve up slow roasted ribs, coleslaw and black beans, but a good dose of live Bluegrass music every night of the week. The next night, we headed over to Cooper’s Old Time Pit, where you order your meals off the menu, by the pound. The next day was a Wednesday and we headed to a place called Driftwood, just about 30 minutes outside of Austin. We headed to Salt Lick, one of the most famous BBQ joints in Texas. We BYOB-ed it, bringing with us a six pack of Shinerbock, and had some of the most delicious slow roasted brisket –topping it off with a homemade piece of cobbler.
A Texas wedding happened the next night, atop a hill in what seemed to be the outskirts of town. My friend played music, while the grandfather of the bride tended the ribs he’s been slow cooking since last Tuesday. I had been to the most famous BBQ joints in Texas that week, but nothing could beat the food cooked on the hill that night, nor the music that was playing, nor the vibe created by a simple night of Texas true love