Review: The Quintessential Austin Morning BBQ Stop
Stepping…read moreup to this Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ award winner, nestled amongst a cluster of other quality food trucks, a neighboring coffee shop, and a diner--the quintessential Austin food truck experience--you immediately feel the buzz. With nice outdoor seating perfect for takeout dining, this spot is truly a phenomenal way to start the day. If you've ever wondered about the difference between a "Top 100" and a "Top 50" joint, this place provides the answer: it's pure, unadulterated excellence, likely placing it closer to the top of that elite list.
The Meats: Brisket is King
The star of the show, without a doubt, is the Brisket. It is absolutely top-notch and comes with our highest recommendation. We sampled both the lean and the juicy cuts, and both were executed flawlessly. The meat featured that great, peppery bark you would expect from the best Austin barbecue establishments. The flavor was deep, smoky, and utterly satisfying.
Moving on to the smoked sausage, the Jalapeño and Cheddar Sausage was a huge hit. It boasted great flavor and a satisfying snap from the casing. The mixture of jalapeño spice and creamy, cheesy goodness was perfectly balanced. We especially appreciated the nice, coarse double grind, giving it an excellent texture.
The Breakfast Service
This spot proves that great BBQ isn't just for lunch. The menu features several creative breakfast items:
* Brisket Egg and Cheese Biscuit: This was a solid breakfast choice. However, in a testament to the quality of the main ingredient, we felt that as good as the brisket was, it honestly didn't need the addition of the egg and cheese!
* Blueberry Gouda Sausage Biscuit: A fantastic sweet and savory treat, capitalizing on the excellent flavor of the Gouda sausage. The Gouda sausage itself was spot on, offering a rich counterpoint to the fruit.
Sides & Dessert Critique
The sides offered a mix of stellar hits and minor missed.
* Pimento Cheese Grits: These were a true highlight--nice and creamy with an outstanding mix of savory and cheesy flavors.
* Biscuits: While very good, they were a little on the dry and dense side. Personally, I prefer a flakier biscuit, but they were certainly serviceable.
* Inside Out Cinnamon Roll: Made using their signature biscuit dough with a cinnamon swirl, the cream cheese filling was sandwiched decadently between two biscuit halves. The cream cheese was smooth, rich, and truly decadent in flavor, making this a standout dessert treat.
* Hash Browns: The only weak link in the entire meal. These were clearly just purchased hash brown triangles and offered nothing special. For a place of this caliber, they really should consider upgrading this side to a homemade, more interesting preparation.
Verdict: This BBQ joint earns its Top 50 status. Come for the brisket, stay for the grits and the unique sausage offerings. It's an essential Austin stop.