Sitting in line at Franklin bbq

[nj357]

jealous

Damm, just bought Franklin's book. Waiting for it to arrive so I can use my East Texas backyard smoker the right way. Enjoy your trip to Franklin's and Lockhart!!

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Franklin's = By far the best brisket I've ever had.
With that being said, you should check out Stiles Switch on N.Lamar in Austin if you get a chance, they do a good job.

 

[SeaSalted]

Got here at 8 and there was already 50 people or so in line. Came by and told us it was around 12:30 eat time. Got 2 lbs of lean brisket, 1/4 lbs of fatty brisket 2 ribs and 2 sausage links. I have high expectations. Will post pictures as I get the food. Doing a little bbq trip. Probably going to Lockhart tomorrow.

You must be following us Kapdian. We sat in line at Franklin for 4 1/2 hours and it proved to be worth the wait. After hitting 7 joints, including Smitty's and Blacks and Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Franklin came in at first place, even considering the wait. We would do it again for sure.

 

[SeaSalted]

The people next to me ate at salt lick last night. They said it was ok, but disappointed in the brisket.

We did the Salt Lick last Saturday, waited for 1 1/2 hours. That place was crazy as they seat 800 at a time. They told me that they have served 5000 in a day. Texas Big! The Brisket was okay.

 

[Kaptain Kadian]

We went to Black's bbq last. It was world's better than smittys. Got my 1st be afraid rib. It was good. Brisket was way more tender. Ribs were still tough. We got some of the ends of the ribs and they where over done. My wife couldn't take any more bbq, so we headed to the Rangers game.

 

[Free Mr. Tony]

Pics of the game? One of my favorite things in the world is going to baseball parks that I've never been to. Something about seeing the fresh cut grass for the first time...

Pittsburgh is probably my current fave from the last few years.

 

[Kaptain Kadian]

Sitting in left field

 

[Bigr314]

Pics of the game? One of my favorite things in the world is going to baseball parks that I've never been to. Something about seeing the fresh cut grass for the first time...

Pittsburgh is probably my current fave from the last few years.

I agree. I have been to many parks,PNC is still my favorite. I might be a little biased.

 

[Clay-b-que]

Glad you got to Blacks! Kent Blacks in San Marcos is even better but not many have been there. Everyone in my family thought the same thing about blacks over smittys (and Kreuz for that matter which was 3rd in our book). Great trip! Hope you had a great time!!

 

[gtr]

I agree that the food at Salt Lick isn't exactly spectacular, but I'll say I'm a little surprised that nobody has mentioned the scenery there. That place seats tons of people, approximately half of which are TX women. After extensive and thorough research I can assure you they are in fact quite delicous.

 

[tbrtt1]

Salt Lick is a cool place but the Q is average. I probed the folks there and looked at their books. They cook their ribs ver hot because their theory is that they are not fatty enough for low and slow. I do not agree. Their ribs were tough and just not that good.

 

[Springram]

I agree that the food at Salt Lick isn't exactly spectacular, but I'll say I'm a little surprised that nobody has mentioned the scenery there. That place seats tons of people, approximately half of which are TX women. After extensive and thorough research I can assure you they are in fact quite delicous.

That last sentence need a little splain'n, sir. :shocked:

 

[Big George's BBQ]

Great trip I would love to try Franklins Thanks

 

[gtr]

That last sentence need a little splain'n, sir. :shocked:

No can do - this is a family-friendly forum. :twisted:

I'll just say I very much enjoyed the few years I lived in Austin as I entered adulthood & TX will always have a special place in my heart. :tape:

 

[Rockinar]

I'm not throwing shade on Franklin's, I've just always thought the place was so popular because Austin has become a Mecca for hipsters and young well to do people; giving this place a huge online following that older bbq places dont have. It also helps that Franklin breaks the mold for pit masters (old guy, doesn't talk much, and won't give away his secrets) that we knew growing up.

As you all know, right place, right time, right approach will turn a good product into a legendary business.

Yes, it was all luck and the BBQ is terrible.

 

[Quesera]

A year or so ago we cheated, pre-ordered, and skipped the line. I drove up from San Antonio to pick it up and drive home so we could try it out. It was very good. I enjoyed his book and have watched his videos as I try to perfect my brisket.

 

[blazinfire]

Ok, Don't get me wrong here. I bet you anything that Franklin's produces some great brisket! As from what I gather probably the best at least in the States if not the world.

Why wait in a line like that? I couldn't even handle being the first person in line and waste my entire morning/afternoon/day waiting in line talking to random strangers.. I guess I'm not a people person but I would rather go some where else or eat at home.

Sure, the food is phenomenal, but I could easily find something better to do with my time than wait in line for a brisket. Don't think even Franklin's is that important to me to kill 4-6 hrs in line.

Not trying to be negative, but I'm just wondering why anybody would do this? Is the brisket that rewarding for the time spent in line? Because from all the posts and things I read about Franklin everything else they cook seems pretty sub-par.

I dunno, for me it would not be worth my time waiting for it.

 

[Springram]

Ok, Don't get me wrong here. I bet you anything that Franklin's produces some great brisket! As from what I gather probably the best at least in the States if not the world.

Why wait in a line like that? I couldn't even handle being the first person in line and waste my entire morning/afternoon/day waiting in line talking to random strangers.. I guess I'm not a people person but I would rather go some where else or eat at home.

Sure, the food is phenomenal, but I could easily find something better to do with my time than wait in line for a brisket. Don't think even Franklin's is that important to me to kill 4-6 hrs in line.

Not trying to be negative, but I'm just wondering why anybody would do this? Is the brisket that rewarding for the time spent in line? Because from all the posts and things I read about Franklin everything else they cook seems pretty sub-par.

I dunno, for me it would not be worth my time waiting for it.

That makes the line shorter for the rest of us! :razz: I have not gone to Franklin's yet for the reason you just stated. It's on my "bucket list", however. I will at least wait until the hot summer heat is gone.

 

[blazinfire]

That makes the line shorter for the rest of us! :razz: I have not gone to Franklin's yet for the reason you just stated. It's on my "bucket list", however. I will at least wait until the hot summer heat is gone.

On my BBQ bucket list, I have ONE thing. Well right now anyways. To cook a whole pig haha

My question is what's so great about the "experience"? I mean I've seen it multiple times "You don't go to Franklins for just the brisket but for the experience too".

Like the OP did, I would be interested in the pit tours, but really what do you gain from the pit tours other than seeing the pits? Any good information on the pits them selves?

To me it just seems like Franklin is just the hollywood celebrity equivalent of BBQ. Just would like to understand a little bit about what makes taking the journey to Franklins such a great experience.

Of course this is coming from a guy that stays home 90% of his time. I don't do public/social things. Not my cup of tea. So maybe the experience isn't for me!

Like I said in the previous post, I'm not bashing anyone for going to franklins. It's great there's someone out there that can produce something so good that keeps people coming. It's also awesome that the people who go there, gets great food service and enjoy themselves!

The way I see it, if it makes you happy just do it! Even if its to wait in line for the best brisket around!

 

[Bigr314]

My son is now actively looking for a job in Texas. He is a chemical engineer with a minor in petroleum engineering. I hope he finds one soon so I can move him down and check out Franklin's. That would be awesome. His girlfriend,who is also a recent graduating chem engineer,just got a job in Midland Tx.