To Franklin BBQ and Beyond

There comes a moment in a man’s life when he must try all of the best BBQ Texas has to offer. Recently, we spent some time near Austin, TX, and I was able to make the pilgrimage to Franklin BBQ just near downtown. Having read the rewards and seen the awards, this place did not disappointment. You have to get there early as they open at 10:30, but close at 2:00 pm. I’ve heard that people are in line as early as 6:00 am with chairs. I’m pretty sure the ribs and brisket were going to be sold out by 2:00. I got in line a little after noon. As a good guide, when the line ends at the end of the overhang, that’s about 45 minutes to the counter. One Youtube video said the line took almost an hour and a half if it goes to the far side of the parking lot next to the building. I think it’s worth the wait.

Around 12:45, near the entrance, one of the staff will ask you what you’re thinking about ordering. She then told us what was left and what might be sold out by the time we got to the counter. They were already out of the Jalapeno and Cheese Sausage and close to running out of the ribs. I came for the brisket and ribs and hoped I would get them both. When you enter the room, there’s still about 20 people ahead of you. Although the smell of the bbq was great outside, once you step into their domain, you’re not coming out without a crumb of bbq. That full smoke flavor hits you hard. I’ve said it for years that women should wear that smell as a kind of perfume. You think men are stupid now and do stupid things for women, put that on and there is no limit to how dumb we can be. I also believe that Heaven will smell just like that.

The next thing you notice is the look on people’s faces who are sitting inside. For sure, you will get to watch as someone experiences their first taste, the brisket, or the ribs. Just prior to that moment, you also see the heavenly glory that is the glistening masterpiece of Franklin BBQ. The brisket and the ribs have a dark seasoned texture and you will want to just walk over and grab it and apologize after you take your bite. I watch as their eyes close as they savor BBQ perfection. Honestly, their eyes close and a smile spreads across their face. It happened to me when I took my first bite. With the smell, the look of the BBQ, and the smile on people’s faces, you want to buy pounds and pounds of meat.

I did get the brisket and the ribs; a ¼ lb. of brisket and a ½ lb. of ribs. I should have gotten more of the brisket, hell, more of both. The only sides I needed, although they had others, were bread, pickles, and onions. I thought, anything but the meat would waste the space I have for BBQ. I was right. The ribs were good. They were very tender and had good seasoning. I have had better. The BRISKET was outstanding! Wow! If a grown man wants to go somewhere to cry in a manly way (cry when you’re bleeding or broken or someone close to you has died… someone like Whitney Houston), come get some BBQ. A tear rolled down my cheek, it was so good. If Texas ever secedes from the US, they just need to make up some of that brisket and we are all out of here and yelling “Remember the Alamo! And Franklin BBQ!” It will turn a vegan from cauliflower, I bet my life on it. The BRISKET was so tender and full of smoke flavor, you don’t need teeth. My hands were trembling as I took another bite.

In the end, I didn’t have any of the sides and nor the desserts. I barely left without getting back in line to get more BRISKET. This is now the pinnacle of BRISKET for me and I have many other places to try. If you’re ever in the Austin area, grab some Franklin BBQ BRISKET and experience your own piece of Heaven. I can’t wait to go back.