Why is Franklin BBQ in austin so good?

[noboundaries]

Ate at Dickey's once when one opened just a few miles from home.  That was enough.  One just opened in the last year close to my office, and even though I'm pretty burnt out on the lunch choices around the office, I just can't bring myself to go to Dickey's. 

 

[oldmisterbill]

 Gee Looks like half of Oklahoma is here.I got here too late to try Slicks , but my wife & inlaws remember it well. The rumor is that if no one used the register no onecould steal & no one would get the Blame. I believe in that theory.

  As for me I have only smoked some roast beef, but do more turkey ,chicken and pork. Haven't done a brisket yet.

 

[ostrichsak]

I tell people that Dickey's is the 'Mcdonalds of BBQ' which isn't necessarily a bad thing IMO.  Sometimes you want quick & cheap BBQ and that's a good option.  We just ate there the other day in fact when we were in a hurry and it sure was better than other quick options nearby.  That being said, I'm not sure who put Dickey's, Famous Dave's and Franklin in the same breath.  ROFL  Not even in the same contest.

 

[jted]

As all of you know than you franchise a restaurant you  lose control of some of The quality. You don't necessarly do that when opening new locations since you can closely monitor all aspects of food  preparation and service.   You lose that when you  franchise.  You have new owners hiring there own people. BBQ is not like McDonald's where most any kid can flip burgers.      Jted

 

[daricksta]

 
Ate at famous Dave's one time in Springfield, Mo, and it will be the last time.  Sent the food back and still had to pay for it.  Don't know what caused it, but it was the worst tasting brisket I ever tried eat.  Dickey's here isn't a whole lot better.  A new place opened a month or so ago and I intend to try them my next trip to town

Very interesting about Famous Dave's. All I know is that I saw the guy on a TV BBQ competition and he was the first one to be eliminated. I think Chris Lilly won.

 

[mds51]

Just got back from a weekend in Fort Worth and we ate at one of the Spring Creek restaurants in Grapevine. The brisket was excellent and did not need the sauce that they provide. Even though it is a chain the taste and texture were excellent. I am from Oklahoma City and we are lacking on quality barbeque in the city. The best I have had is in Davis Oklahoma at Smoking Joe`s. it is worth the drive from the city and the brisket and ribs are excellent. No two hour waiting but they are always busy and closed on Sunday. I would love to see them one in OKC.

Just my humble opinion!!
mds51

 

[brazosbrian]

Spring Creek in N. Dallas was just 'OK' the last time I went there (while visiting TX from Alaska) ...and back when I used to live there, I liked Colter's BBQ better (but maybe my taste wasn't refined yet?  That was back in the late 80s).  I've not been impressed with BBQ in Dallas lately ...maybe I just need to know where to go?  Can't remember the name of the chain (!) that we ate at last time, but it was awful ...cold, bland, bury it in sauce so you could choke it down.  Oh well... still would like to know where the good BBQ is in the Dallas area so that when we visit family down there, we can at least be fed right!

Brian

 

[jcbigler]

I am from Oklahoma City and we are lacking on quality barbeque in the city. The best I have had is in Davis Oklahoma at Smoking Joe`s. it is worth the drive from the city and the brisket and ribs are excellent. No two hour waiting but they are always busy and closed on Sunday. I would love to see them one in OKC.

I find that interesting. I don't recall eating at any specific barbeque places in OKC, but I would have though that it would be a large enough market to have a good couple of places in addition tot he normal chain type places. 

If you get up to Stillwater, Cherokee Strip Barbeque on Perkins Road is excellent. 

My favorite in  Tulsa is Albert G's.

I think there is a definite demarcation line between those that cook exclusively with wood and those that use gas/electric with chips and pellets. All of the barbeque place in Tulsa that I know of use pellet cookers. And It shows. 

 

[jcbigler]

 
..still would like to know where the good BBQ is in the Dallas area so that when we visit family down there, we can at least be fed right!

I need to know where some good barbeque places in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are also. I usually get to Dallas about once or twice a year for business and used to stop at Jones Family Barbeque in Denison, on my way out of town as I head back to Oklahoma on HWY 75. But last time I was there a couple months ago, they had closed down. 

I will be in Fort Worth the third week of August for a 4 day long training class and need to find a good barbeque place at which to spend my per diem

 

[mds51]

I will have to try Albert G`s the next time I am in Tulsa. There are several that are good to Ok in the city but not great like Smoking Joe`s! Like Some of the ones that are referred to on the forum this place has it all together.
mds51

 

[sopchoppy]

Dickey's is out of Dallas when he first started it was pretty good, but when he started Franchising the Quality went way down, One opened here in Tyler a couple of years ago, I eaten there 2 times mediocre, Too many kids and no consistency  

Gary

Dickey's opened here about 4 years ago. Dickey's closed here 3+ years ago. Never talked to anyone that went more than once. BBQ served from a buffet line is just wrong. They had a prime location that is now home to the best Mexican food around.

 

[jcbigler]

There's a couple of Dickey's here in Tulsa. I've eaten there a couple of times. It's lack-luster at best. There is also Billie Sim's Barbeque, but it's worse than Dickey's. 

We also have the home grown Rib Crib chain, which is much better and almost rises to the level of a quality local barbeque joint. It's more like eating at a Chili's though. 

 

[mickhlr]

 
I need to know where some good barbeque places in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are also. I usually get to Dallas about once or twice a year for business and used to stop at Jones Family Barbeque in Denison, on my way out of town as I head back to Oklahoma on HWY 75. But last time I was there a couple months ago, they had closed down.

I will be in Fort Worth the third week of August for a 4 day long training class and need to find a good barbeque place at which to spend my per diem

 
Spring Creek in N. Dallas was just 'OK' the last time I went there (while visiting TX from Alaska) ...and back when I used to live there, I liked Colter's BBQ better (but maybe my taste wasn't refined yet?  That was back in the late 80s).  I've not been impressed with BBQ in Dallas lately ...maybe I just need to know where to go?  Can't remember the name of the chain (!) that we ate at last time, but it was awful ...cold, bland, bury it in sauce so you could choke it down.  Oh well... still would like to know where the good BBQ is in the Dallas area so that when we visit family down there, we can at least be fed right!

Brian

JCBigler and BrazosBrian...if you're looking for true central-Texas style barbecue, where beef is king, and it's all about the meat, in the Dallas area, I've got a few places that meet that criteria.

1. Pecan Lodge - I have not eaten there, but I know a lot of barbecue people that say their brisket is even better than Franklin's.  So, they are on my list to eat at as well.

2. Lockhart Smokehouse - True Kreuz Market style barbecue, and part of the Schmidt family from Lockhart...the barbecue capital of Texas.  There's also one in Plano

3. Slow Bone - I've eaten their brisket at a barbecue fest in Tyler, and they also hit the mark.

4. Bet the House Barbecue - Is actually in Denton, but is another good one.

5. Hutchins Barbecue - Is in McKinney and also produces that great central Texas style brisket.

I mention the joints in Denton, Plano, and McKinney, since they are all essentially part of Dallas nowadays.

These places should get you going though...ENJOY!!

 

[mds51]

If you have time on your way back to wherever you are going in Oklahoma try to go to Smokin Joe`s in Davis. It is just plain an simple properly smoked ribs and brisket. We were there when it was busy but got our food in less than 30 minutes. We had to sit outside but that was at the old location. They have moved to a bigger place and I think better seating arrangements. The brisket was the best I have had in Oklahoma and the sauce and sides were very good but you do not need the sauce. Old style service and properly seasoned and smoked meat that is tender and delicious. A couple of hours from OKC but worth the drive and then you can see Turner Falls and the Arbuckles!!
mds51

 

[jcbigler]

1. Pecan Lodge - I have not eaten there, but I know a lot of barbecue people that say their brisket is even better than Franklin's.  So, they are on my list to eat at as well.

2. Lockhart Smokehouse - True Kreuz Market style barbecue, and part of the Schmidt family from Lockhart...the barbecue capital of Texas.  There's also one in Plano

I'm going to hit both of these places during my trip in August, Probably Lockhart's in Plano on my way down on Monday the 17th, and Pecan Lodge on Friday evening the 21st on my way back home.

 

[cecil]

 
The line is like 2 hours for some brisket. I looked at the way Aaron Franklin makes his Brisket on youtube and it is very simple. Salt and pepper and smoke until it is tender. Yet people are lining out the door for this simple made brisket.

Is it the grade of brisket he is using? Does he use Wagyu or Prime, Choice or select?

Here is an article that I received in email today about Franklin BBQ

http://grillingwithrich.com/frankli...il&utm_term=0_f83d61166b-363e75cf10-327962305

 

[dwhite1031]

We have a Dickey's here in Midland.  They've been here maybe 4 years now. They say "the restaurant chain smokes its meat on-site over hickory wood-burning pits", but I'm not sure about that because there is no visible smoker on the premises.  I've never seen a smoker outside the building or smelled a smoker being used there.  We tried them a couple of times, once as walk ins and once at the drive thru and never again.  I was a bit leary of a place that was named "Best Airport Food Vender".  Never seen a smoker on the tarmac at any airport where there is a Dickey's either.....

  Waste of time and money.

Downtown Midland has a place that was once famous for good barbeque, that place is Johnny's Barbeque.  Until Johnny Hackney passed away a few years back and the family sold the place, it was really good barbeque. Now, it's "so-so".  We also have KD's barbeque and the Hog Pit.  In my opinion, if I want food that tastes like they use Liquid Smoke, then I'll go to KD's, nuthin' special about it.

Now the Hog Pit Pub and Grub on the other hand serves up great West Texas style smoked grub.  But they're only open for lunch and the kitchen closes at 2 and the bar closes at 4.  They had to do that back before the oil boom out here and it looks like since the oil prices have dropped they're having to again.

 

[brazosbrian]

 
JCBigler and BrazosBrian...if you're looking for true central-Texas style barbecue, where beef is king, and it's all about the meat, in the Dallas area, I've got a few places that meet that criteria.

1. Pecan Lodge - I have not eaten there, but I know a lot of barbecue people that say their brisket is even better than Franklin's.  So, they are on my list to eat at as well.

2. Lockhart Smokehouse - True Kreuz Market style barbecue, and part of the Schmidt family from Lockhart...the barbecue capital of Texas.  There's also one in Plano

3. Slow Bone - I've eaten their brisket at a barbecue fest in Tyler, and they also hit the mark.

4. Bet the House Barbecue - Is actually in Denton, but is another good one.

5. Hutchins Barbecue - Is in McKinney and also produces that great central Texas style brisket.

I mention the joints in Denton, Plano, and McKinney, since they are all essentially part of Dallas nowadays.

These places should get you going though...ENJOY!!

MickHLR... thanks!!!!!!  Looks like I need a few trips to Dallas!!

Brian

 

[sacsmitty]

 
MickHLR... thanks!!!!!!  Looks like I need a few trips to Dallas!!

Brian

In the area of CA I live in we have Dickey's and Lucielles.  Not that impressed by Dickey's.  Lucielles is pretty good.  That was until I tried Franklin's in Austin. :)

I'm quite fond of a family owned BBQ in Hermitage TN called Papa Turney's.  Mike Turney (aka. Papa Turney) is a great guy.  They do a MEAN BBQ!

 

[mickhlr]

 
I'm going to hit both of these places during my trip in August, Probably Lockhart's in Plano on my way down on Monday the 17th, and Pecan Lodge on Friday evening the 21st on my way back home.

I forgot you're going to be in Ft Worth.  On the days in between here's a couple in Ft Worth that you might want to try.  The original Cousins Barbecue on McCart Ave has pretty dang good brisket.  But, the last time I was there if you didn't specify you wanted it from the point, they'd give you slices from the flat...and I like a little fat rendered in mine, so I always ask for it from the point.  I really like their German-style sausage as well.  (NOTE:  I don't do chain barbecue joints, like Dickey's.  And Cousins has put in 5-6 joints in Ft Worth now...so essentially it is almost a chain, and I think 2 of them are in DFW airport.  But, they do know brisket.)

Then, there's Longoria's.  The best thing there is their 100% brisket sausage.  It is really great, and their trademark meat.  They also have a brisket beef jerky that everyone should try.

Another thing I should say...some of these places are not known for the "sides"...and some are.  Personally, I never rate a barbecue joint on their sides...as I could care less.  It's all about the meat.