Luling!

Luling City Market

   I stroll through the door of Luling City Market and my first impression is that this may be the heart of a city. Friendly locals are eating their BBQ, smiling, laughing, and chugging down their sodas. The dining room is dark and cool, and has an overall enjoyable atmosphere, and we are quickly drawn to the back of the building, where the magic is made. It's considerably less cool there, and we order our meal, and take it back to a wooden booth. My comrade goes to the counter and orders our drinks, pickles, and potato salad, and then we dig in.

  The brisket was quite good, however, it was not grand. Still better than Smitty's, just not better than Kreuz's. It was not moist, actually, it was a bit dry, but they made it work well.
    The pork ribs were better than Kreuz's, but not better than Smitty's, they were clearly well made & seasoned, but they were nothing special.
  However, the sausage was simply grand. They had found the perfect balance of juice in it and texture, it tasted amazing!
  The potato salad was just fine.
 The overall opinion of Luling City Market Barbecue was that it was a nice, family friendly eatery with delicious food. 4.25 stars to you, L.C.M.

    TO RECAP:

Best Pork Ribs: Smitty's Market Barbecue, Lockhart, Texas
Best Brisket: Kreuz's Market, Lockhart, Texas
Best Sausage: Luling City Market, Luling, Texas
Best Potato Salad (Even though I only tried two places): Smitty's Market Barbecue, Lockhart, Texas

Second step, still Lockhart!

    Kreuz's Market, Lockhart, Texas

   A large, almost barn-style building stares down at us. The wafting smell of burning post oak and barbecue alerts my senses, "Jesus Christ, why aren't we inside already?!" My team and I stroll through the front doors, and the hot 'n humid Texas air gives way to an unpleasantly lukewarm atmosphere which reminds us, "This is where real barbecue is made- deal with it." We wait in line, amiably chatting and smiling at the infant in front of us, and gradually we cross through the door which brings us into a slightly warmer room, where cheerful people slice our barbecue, and then, we YET AGAIN cross through a door which leads into a cool, comfortable room. We set down our meat at a wooden booth, and cross over to the counter where sides and drinks are sold. I settle upon pickles, mac and cheese, and German potatoes for one of my companions and I. Returning to our table, I dig into the shoulder clod.  Quite good, indeed, it was expertly cooked, and kind of rich. Very much recommended!
  

 Next I tried the sausage. I did not care for it, and neither did one of my critics. It had a taste much like Smitty's sausage, however, it was leaner, and less juicy. The other one of my critics thought it was quite good, so, yet again, I would suggest you find out what type of sausage you like, and base your opinion off of that.
   The ribs were not nearly as fine as Smitty's, I believe. If you prefer less seasoned meat, go here, for although it was perfectly cooked, I did not sense much of a distinction in the way it tasted- it tasted, quite simply, like meat. Which is fine for some, and you may be thinking, "Well, that's what it is, ain't it? It's MEAT." But, if you're like a lot of people, it turns out you want something BEHIND the meat, to back it up. These ribs were not "backed up".
    And finally, the brisket. A considerable bit better than Smitty's, the brisket was tender and, like all other meat from this fine eatery, perfectly cooked. The taste was subtle, and masterful, someone who made this was clearly an expert on good barbecue.
  The overall rating of Kreuz's was 4.0 stars. I highly recommend you drop by and grab some bbq! Clean establishments and very finely made food make for an extremely pleasant restaurant. GO! NOW! I command thee!

First stop, Lockhart!

Smitty's Market Barbecue, Lockhart, Texas

 

   












    As first I walked into the dark, smoky back entrance, I was in love. The door was propped open, beckoning you to come feast upon Smitty's excellent eats, and just beyond there, a fire, stocked with post oak, heated the barbecue pit. Friendly workers sliced our brisket, pork ribs, and handed us our sausage links, and we left the dark room into a clean, bright new area. We seated ourselves at one of their long tables, and went up to the counter which sold ice cold drinks, ice cream, pickles, potato salad, and many more of the traditional accompaniments to barbecue. My traveling companion pulled out his pocket knife, and cut our sausage, and I pulled myself out a rib. I took a bite, and in that second, I tasted some of the best BBQ I had ever had. Could anything compare to truly great barbecue? It was perfect, smoky, almost sweet, tender, you could practically taste the background fireworks and cool, sweating glass of sweet tea in your hand on the Fourth of July. 
  The brisket was good, but not quite exceptional. It was tender, and also smoky, and had all the exponents of good brisket, but it had not broken open my love for barbecue in full; it was good, no more. 
  The sausage however, was a varying story. I, myself, thought it was too rich, and I do not care for juicy sausage. My companion simply loved it, and ate quite a bit. Really, I think, the choice is all dependent on what type of sausage you like. 
 I only bought one side, potato salad, and truth be told, it was delicious. I fully recommend it.
   The overall opinion of this barbecue review is that Smitty's Market is definitely worth the stop. 3.75 stars! Charming, delicious, you can tell of work in the kitchens for a very long time. Take the time and go!

Info for Smitty's Market-
 208 S Commerce St, Lockhart, TX 78644

http://www.smittysmarket.com/