Places: Terry Black’s BBQ
You know I can never turn down some BBQ. Brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chopped beef…heck, even turkey is pretty groovy. And when my buddy Jeff came into town for a weekend trip with his wife and asked if I wanted to meet for dinner, I knew just the place: Terry Black’s BBQ.
Texas has no shortage of amazing barbecue places. And you can find something wonderful at each and every one of them. But in my book, Terry Black’s tops them all. Off of Barton Springs, you’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the giant smokers doing their thing. Well, that and the large “Terry Black’s BBQ” sign, but I digress. Let’s hop into some of the highlights.
Wait a Minute…
This is such an underrated aspect of Terry Black’s, but the wait has never been absurd. When you go to Franklin BBQ, you know you’re essentially spending your whole morning in line. Even arriving at 8 a.m., you likely won’t get to chow down until 1 p.m. That’s a LONG TIME to be waiting for that sweet, sweet, meat.
Other establishments like La Barbecue and Micklethwait will leave you standing in the sweltering heat, as well. The meat at all of these places is great. Why subject yourself to an extra hour or five when you could get through a line and finish your meal in even less time than that? Plus there’s an ample mix of indoor and outdoor seating at Terry Black’s, something a lot of other places also don’t offer.
So Nice to Meat You, BBQ
Of course, the biggest test of any BBQ joint is its meat. Luckily, Terry Black’s passes with flying colors. The brisket and pork ribs are fine choices, and for fanatics, their sausage is also quite tasty. My go-to here is the chopped beef sandwich. Beautifully smoked beef, onions, and pickles in between two hearty buns…it’s just perfection. The power play here is to just eat half of the sandwich and take the rest home for leftovers. Then you can truly get your noms on whenever you feel like it.
And though I mentioned turkey earlier, unless you have some horrible aversion to the other options, you’re best off saving it for Thanksgiving. Brisket, pork, sausage, and beef are the highlights for Texas barbecue. Don’t waste your appetite on something you can get anywhere.
My Sides, My Sides!
I’m not gonna lie, I think Franklin’s brisket is a little bit better than Terry Black’s. But if you need a little relief from your meat, nobody has the variety and quality that Terry Black’s does. The best option is getting mac and cheese and creamed corn, then combining the two into one glorious, creamy, cheesy masterpiece.
You’ll also find things like green beans, potato salad, kale slaw, and cornbread. For dessert, peach cobbler is nice and all, but get yourself a small cup of the banana pudding. You won’t regret it. And if you do, I will eat it for you. Win-win.
The next time you’re getting a craving for some ‘que, give Terry Black’s a shot. Just remember to wear some pants with an expandable waistline.
