Kevin's BBQ Joints

I was finally able to visit Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse in Elgin, Texas about a month ago and equally lucky to meet Gregg Meyer there for a private tour and a great meal. You really get the sense of what a tremendous operation they have going on when you visit, but more importantly you see the great pride they take in putting out consistent quality BBQ. We collaborated on a very well received contest a while back and the two of us have been itching to get another one going.

For the Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse / Kevin’s BBQ Joints giveaway there will be THREE different winners who each get their own unique prize. Here are the prize packages:

The first person drawn will receive the BBQ Cookout (which feeds 10-12 people)
1 smoked brisket (4-6 lbs.)
3 lbs. beef sausage
16 oz. bottle Meyer’s Original BBQ Sauce
6 oz. bottle Meyer’s Bean Seasoning
7 oz. bottle Meyer’s BBQ Rub.

The second person drawn will receive the 5 Lbs. of Meyer’s Famous Sausage:
Choices: Original, Garlic, Hot, Beef, Sage, Tejano, Original summer sausage and Jalapeno summer sausage.

Third person drawn will receive a rack of their top secret St. Louis pork ribs:

As a BONUS Gregg is throwing in some bottles of their Meyer’s Smokehouse Seasoning with each winner’s loot.

There are (3) easy ways to enter. All you have to do is ONE of the following:

(1) Tweet about the contest including @kevinsbbqjoints so I can track it (or simply retweet I just entered the Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse Giveaway @kevinsbbqjoints), (2) Post a comment about your favorite type of BBQ meat in the comment section below this blog post, or (3) Post a comment about your favorite type of BBQ meat on the facebook page for Kevin’s BBQ Joints here on the post announcing this contest. To up your odds, you can do this every day (one entry per day though). Contest ends at midnight Pacific time on Monday December 5th and winners will be drawn later that week. NOTE: If you share the contest on facebook please comment on my facebook page to let me know you shared. Lastly, the only criteria would be the prizes (since they are perishable food) would only be able to be shipped in the continental United States.

To purchase any of Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse’s famous sausage, brisket, ribs, sauces, and more follow this LINK
Follow them on twitter here
See their facebook page here

I want to give a HUGE thank you to Gregg and Gary Meyer as well as the rest of the Meyer family for both this incredible giveaway and the support they’ve given me and my site.

My first stop on my trip to Lockhart, Texas was Smitty’s Market. The trip to Lockhart is pretty much a rite of passage for all BBQ junkies and it really does make sense to make Smitty’s your first stop.

I arrived around 11 AM and the moment I entered I knew I was walking through a piece of history (BBQ history actually). Upon entering you walk down a hallway that is exactly how you imagine it would look: dark, eerily quiet, smoke caked walls.

You place your order at a counter (with a large butter block and pits behind it) in the back of the restaurant. Even though the choices were numerous, I went for brisket (of course), pork ribs, and sausage (you only order the meat here). Even though I’ve seen it at other locations, I’m a huge fan of watching the meats pulled from a huge pit, sliced to order, and then weighed out.

You have to enter their dining hall to order your drinks, sides, and extras (cheese, jalapeno, onion, etc.). I simply went with jalapeno and a Shiner Bock (and of course I grabbed a few slices of white bread).

(more…)

Here’s a video I shot at Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Texas while making my mind up as to what meats to order:

Here’s a still shot I took before shooting:

Have you been to Kreuz Market before? What are your thoughts?

The Bouldin Creek Coffee House is just down the street from where I work at JMueller BBQ. Really like this signage. I love their coffee, but wasn’t excited when I realized that real bacon or sausage (only healthy non-meat versions) was not on their breakfast menu (but since the place was packed with hungry eaters, I assume this might be only a ‘me thing’).

Big thanks again to Wilfred from Oshawa Ogre’s Views, News & BBQ’s for the scoop on a new BBQ Joint that is opening shortly in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania called Maer’s BBQ off the Square.

There’s not a lot to go on so far, but they do have a facebook page with the following info: “Maers off the Square is a 70 seat capacity restaurant focusing on fresh, in-house smoked barbeque dishes. We are located in the newly rejuvenated downtown Wilkes-Barre Square area. The menu is inspired by our signature in-house smoked barbeque recipes and offer options to a wide variety of palates. All of our sauces, from four varieties of barbeque to our chicken wing sauces will be homemade, signature recipes.”

Let me know if you get a chance to stop in and what you think. I’ll update once I have photos and reviews.

You can find it here:

View Larger Map

I can’t reiterate how much I love Jane and Michael Stern’s Roadfood.com. Their focus is not just BBQ as they cover “the most memorable local eateries along the highways and back roads of America”, but BBQ is a big part of those journeys. Here are five great BBQ joint pics from Roadfood.com, but please check out their site as I promise you the stories and pics will make you very hungry.

Marion Pit Bar-B-Q – Marion, KY

Interstate Bar-B-Q – Memphis, TN

Black’s Barbecue – Lockhart, TX

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant – Franklin, TN

L C’s Bar-B-Q – Kansas City, MO

I had a chance to visit Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q in Round Rock, Texas last weekend. Here are some initial photos. Review and additional pics to follow.

Here’s a shot I took of the massive and meticulously stacked wood pile behind Smitty’s Market in Lockhart, TX (note this is only PART of it).

Courtesy of Tom Soares on the Lynyrd Skynyrd message board, “The band behind such classic American hits as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” is the inspiration for the innovative new restaurant concept which opens early December at the iconic castle shaped casino (the Excalibur Hotel & Casino) on the Las Vegas Strip. It is appropriately called Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer. The rock n’ roll-inspired venue will feature classic hits, signature sips and the best down home, Texas-style BBQ to be found on the Las Vegas Strip.

Photo courtesy of MusicCourt.com

The philosophy at Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer will quite simply be to rock the house. As guests walk in they will immediately be transported to a setting reminiscent of “Hell House,” the ram-shackled structure in the backwoods of Jacksonville where the Skynyrd sound originated. The décor will consist of collectible items, from original album covers and guitars hanging on the wall to never-before-seen artwork and band pictures. The center of the action will be the concert stage featuring a variety of cover bands and musical acts, including special performances from the legendary band throughout the year. Each night the enthusiastic bar staff will get the house swinging and singing by hopping up on the bars and stage, leading spontaneous sing-alongs to mash ups of classic Skynyrd songs, such as “What’s Your Name” and “Gimme Three Steps.”

“Paying homage to the venue’s famous namesake, Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer will embrace the band’s unique spirit and the lifestyle it so proudly defined,” says Gilbert, managing partner of Drive This! Entertainment. “We are honored to work with the rock legends to not only create a much-needed, authentic BBQ spot, but also a place for people to immerse themselves in an eclectic blend of rock, country and blues music.”

President of Excalibur and Luxor Renee West said, “Bringing the first and only Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer to Excalibur is exciting and will provide our guests with an exclusive, fun experience courtesy of one of the best bands of all time. From incredible sounds by rock star legends, including impromptu performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd throughout the year, to delicious food and drinks, this is a high-energy hotspot that will bring a new form of entertainment to the Las Vegas Strip.” I personally can’t think of a better way to spend your time than playing blackjack and then moving on to some tasty BBQ.

Guests may be drawn to the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but they’ll want to stay and feast on delicious BBQ selections at the restaurant. Served up by the lively wait staff outfitted in the signature line of Lynyrd Skynyrd clothing, the menu will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites such as biscuits and gravy, ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Signature side dishes include coleslaw, baked beans, okra and macaroni and cheese. Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer also will offer an extensive selection of whiskey and bourbon in addition to creative and flavorful “shots” served from the Jack Daniels shot bar. A wide assortment of beers on tap and longnecks, including Texas favorites Shiner Bock and Lone Star will help quench any thirst.”

What do you think? Would you be interested in going to Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer?

Had a chance to stop by Green Mesquite on Bartons Springs Rd. in Austin, Texas last Sunday. Here are my first set of photos. Review to follow.