Kreuz BBQ in Lockhart TX

If you have read some recent post from yours truly, I had BBQ with Bushie at Salt Lick BBQ which was great. Today I drove down 183 to Kreuz ad the advice of some other posters. It was a 30 mile drive from Austin. In my opinion Lockhart is probably at the top towns in BBQ and the ribs were great but not that much different from Salt Lick. Don't get me wrong, they were good but how do you differentiate? Good is good and they were great, but I did not have the coompany of a good friend like Bushie.

Great meals of any kind are defined by taste, ambiance, cleanliness, and who you are with.

I had a great meal with the Bushie and I rate overall experience with food at Salt Lick.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Hey Paul,
Maybe you guys were talking so much you forgot to eat?????
I must admit drawing a hundred mile circle around Austin would give you A LOT of choices for excellent BBQ Here it is 98 miles from home to the Moonlite, and except for a couple of good local places in Owensboro and over in the Frankfort-Lexington area. There is no other competition ! I still put Louis Mueller's at the top or near it !!

Al: the only thing I know is the "Q" around Austin is king. You cannot drive anywhere without seeing BBQ places. I had two people in a row who did not know each other take me to the same place. BBQ is in the mind of the beholder.

If it smells good, eat it. I did that. Salt Lick is Good

The smoke houses around Austin are plentiful and the hard choice is deciding which one you want to do.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Mr. Sundancer, I'm glad you got to eat at Kreuz!! I just wish you would have called me; I could have recommended things there and along the way.

At Kreuz, I always get a little beef shoulder and a link of sausage, plus the crackers, onion, pickles, tomato (to slice), avocado, and longhorn cheese (sorry hermitt), with an ice-cold Big Red.

I know that a few of those things aren't on your diet, but we could have "modified".

Since you were there, you could have also sampled a couple of other things, but at least you saw the area.

Bushie, I'm a little disappointed that you didn't personally escort Sundancer to Lockhart. And what did you all discuss on the trip to Salt Lick. I surely would have expected you to extoll the virtues of Kreuz and Smittys, where ribs are one of the last things you would order. I just wish Sundancer would have tried the brisket and shoulder.

Well there's still Louie Mueller up in Taylor. One of the BIG 3.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

Mr. Sundancer, I'm glad you got to eat at Kreuz!! I just wish you would have called me; I could have recommended things there and along the way.

At Kreuz, I always get a little beef shoulder and a link of sausage, plus the crackers, onion, pickles, tomato (to slice), avocado, and longhorn cheese (sorry hermitt), with an ice-cold Big Red.

I know that a few of those things aren't on your diet, but we could have "modified".

Since you were there, you could have also sampled a couple of other things, but at least you saw the area.

'Sokay, Bushie. If I lived as close as you (or had discovered them years ago) I might bemaking room for some of those extras, too .

Bushie: The trip came up on the spur of the moment. It was a nice trip and what makes this area so packed with smoke houses?

Incidentally, I made a trip over to the great museum in Austin. I did the Texas IMax thing your advised. It was worth it and the museum was super. I liked the first and second story the best. After the IMax, I felt I had visited all of Texas.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Sundancer, I'm glad you are enjoying your visit. I had no wish to impugn your taste in barbecue with my recent posts regarding the Salt Lick. Without question, there's a lot more to a great meal than can be reduced to some objective measurement of "flavor." I enjoy the free flow of opinions at this sites; thanks for sharing yours.

When I head out to barbecue, and other road food, too, I'm attracted to, you know the type, the real earthy, workingman's, ethnic sort of place. I'm sure I'm guilty of unconsciously awarding bonus points to the City Market in Luling, with it's smoke stained walls and grouchy pit boss, or Sam's Barbecue on the East side in Austin, with it's autographed pictures of local R&B talent all over the walls. Details like that enhance my dining experience, and matter almost as much as the quality of the food itself.

That isn't everybody's aesthetic, of course, and some are attracted to comfortable barbecue restaurants with ample parking, beautiful surroundings, silverware, and table service. There's no question that's a popular combination; the Salt Lick is a very successful place, even if IMHO the barbecue is only average.

The SL is a great destination to introduce folks to some of the ambience of this area, and, as I mentioned, I've enjoyed dining there myself.

The ribs at Kreuz market are not a favorite of mine; I'll second the above posts that mention the shoulder and brisket. And add a mention of the giant pork chop.

Regards,

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

If it smells good, eat it. I did that. Salt Lick is Good

Sundancer -sometimes you just kill me!

A truer roadfood motto was never uttered!

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

Incidentally, I made a trip over to the great museum in Austin. I did the Texas IMax thing your advised. It was worth it and the museum was super. I liked the first and second story the best. After the IMax, I felt I had visited all of Texas.

Cool.

quote:

Originally posted by signman

And what did you all discuss on the trip to Salt Lick?

The usual. Girls, mostly.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

quote:

Originally posted by signman

And what did you all discuss on the trip to Salt Lick?

The usual. Girls, mostly.

Actually Bushie sort of improved on the subject matter. Us older folks mostly talked of conservative issues. That is the truth.

Bushie took me to the LBJ Ranch in Johnson City TX. That ain't a conservative place.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Gator,
Based on your description of what appeals to you in the way of Atmosphere in a BBQ Joint, You must be in Literal Hog Heaven at Louis Muellers ! If you look on the right side Wall about 7 foot up you'll find my old business card, tacked up with about a gazillion others. But there is no way you can read it from more than a few feet away. Smoke will make that impossible. The smoked up skylights, the old gym appearance and the smell of thousands of days of smoking beef and pork for hour after hour, make the great taste of the meat almost secondary to the place that surrounds you.

sorry Gator if I did not hit the bell on picking the best BBQ in the area, but I was just doing the best I could do at the time. I am sure that if I had been with you or Bushie, I could have done better.

This poor old boy from East TN lost in Austin area just found the best he could and IMHO it was better than I had before. Perhaps the next time I will improve.

Regardless, what I found was great and I enjoyed it.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

TO ALL.--
Sometime in late January we will be visiting Bushie in the Austin area for a day or so. We want to see if we can touch on "several" of these locations in that BBQ-Soaked area. Check the map at this web-site and see you you might like to join in.....
AL

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2001-11-09/food_set10.html

Hey Mayor and Bushie, you have no idea how much I would like to be a party to the BBQ fest. I could OD on no carbs. Actually the slaw at the Saltlick was OK cause they definately did not add sugar.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

With a combined 3676 posts between the three of us, we can corner the Central Texas BBQ vote ...I see a great political future for this coalition. Hang on, folks will jump on the bandwagon faster than the current 9 candidates for Dem. Nomination can say, "I voted yes on the funds for Iraq !!"
(Joke folks, don't start on me now !!)

Dearfolk,
I like Iraq... Iraq of ribs, that is. And I can eat might'near a whole one. Mercy.
Cue-riouser And Cue-riouser (About What Makes Austin Area BBQ So Special: I've Never Been Out Thoseaways, Podnuh; Y'all Makin' This Georgia Boy HONGRY!), The Waiting-For-The-Jerk-Salmon-At-The-Grill's-Christmas-Party Ort.

Al,

What dates in late January are you contemplating. I am planning a trip to the Super Bowl Feb. 1 so it would be great to arrive a little early and fill my tummy with brisket.

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

If it smells good, eat it. I did that. Salt Lick is Good.

You ate all of Salt Lick? I've heard of appetites, but. . . . Me 'at's off to the Duke!

quote:

Originally posted by Ort. Carlton.

Cue-riouser And Cue-riouser (About What Makes Austin Area BBQ So Special...)

It's 'cause we got soul, man, pure souuuuuuullllllll...

In the words of a Great American Poet (Waylon Jennings);

"Ya just can't live in Texas, 'less ya got a lotta soul."

It looks like an evening and a day midweek before the SuperBowl. We will be in L A by the weekend...But plan to Spend an evening and the next day (Tues. and Wed.) before heading West. Bushie is the organizer of the dining spots. Janet has agreed to two BBQ dinners in a row. Breakfast and lunch will be related to whatever activity we have going that day! That's a first for her! Knowing Bushie's politics are a little left of mine, I don't see how we could do the LBJ Ranch...but ya never know !!

Al: Bushie showed me a place in Johnson City that he indicated had great chicken fried steak. I believe it has been reviewed by roadfood.

LBJ's politics were totally opposite of mine but the drive through of his ranch was really neat. You cannot get close to the residence as it is across the river. I can see why he liked his place.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I have in mind some things/places in and around Austin. My guess is that Mr. Mayor's planned route west will take him through Johnson City and Fredericksburg, anyway, so we'll stay closer to home. I'm thinking a Mexican breakfast, a chicken-fried steak dinner one of the two nights (at a place close to Austin), and two BBQ meals thrown in. Haven't considered the between meal snacks, yet.

On your way out of town, Mr. Mayor, we'll need to get you a dozen Round Rock donuts to take with you.

Al, About a month ago I posted a picture of one food writer's favorite meal at Kreuz Market to the Web site review of that venerable establishment. That photo inspired my trip to Lockhart and Austin next year. So, do take a gander at it before you head South next month.

My Lexington friend, whose daughter is studying in Austin, left Sunday night for a visit with her. He was planning a return visit to Salt Lick as he loves that place. Because of him, Bushie and Sundancer I've added Salt Lick to my Texas barbeque itenerary, which already includes Kreuz Market, Black's and Louis Mueller's.

I sent him off with my 2002 copy of Roadfood.

quote:

Originally posted by signman

Well there's still Louie Mueller up in Taylor. One of the BIG 3.

signman,

Do you mind confirming the identity of the "Big 3" Texas barbeque temples. Besides, Louis Muller's, I'm thinking Kreuz Market is one. Is Cooper's in Llano the third? Did this designation grow out of a Texas Monthly article?

Any light you can shed on the hierarchy of Texas barbeque will be much appreciated.

Jim,

The Big 3 were designated so in a 1997 Texas Monthly issue dedicated to BBQ.

Your guesses are correct. However, there was another special BBQ issue of TM just a few months ago, and Coopers of Llano was not as highly thought of. Kreuz (in their new location) and Muellers were still tops. I don't recall their new 3rd choice. I do know that it is one that I haven't been to. I'll dig out my copy of the article and give you the answer tomorrow, but I'm betting that Bushie will beat me to the punch.

signman, Smitty's was featured on the cover, and I believe they have moved into one of the top spots. Jim, Smitty's is also in Lockhart (in the old Kreuz building; born of a feud between brother and sister).

Jim, as long as you're down here, you might as well add City Market in Luling to your list. Most of the "hard-core" BBQ types will admit to that being about as good as it gets.

For an old Austinite this thread has been one of the most enjoyable since I found Roadfood a couple of years ago. I've been to all of the Cen-Tex BBQ places mentioned at least once each; most many times more than that. Right now my stomach is growling and my salivary glands are working overtime; oh well. Enjoy, y'all!

OK, I have the May 2003 Texas Monthly open to page 113 which lists the "Best of the Best" (in no particular order)....

Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Q .............Mason
Kreuz Market .....................Lockhart
Louie Mueller Barbeque ...........Taylor
City Market ......................Luling
Smitty's Market (Old Kreuz) ......Lockhart

I haven't been to Coopers in Mason, or in Llano either, but the others are just to die for. It's really pretty hard to say any one is better than the other. So who's the best --- The one you're in!