Im actually surprised that RL Reeves Jr. accepted my invitation to provide his list of favorite BBQ joints. Perhaps its from my persistence or a weak moment on his part, but regardless of the reason, youre in for something special this week. RL Reeves Jr. is easily the busiest and most proficient writer in pursuit of all that Austin (and beyond) offers when it comes to food and drink. By the time youve read this short paragraph hes no doubt penned and published 3-4 pieces on either Scrumptious Chef or Chowpapi. What makes this weeks list different than the other 29 previous is that he has gone outside of the United States to offer up a few gems that I know for sure youve never heard of.
Here are RL Reeves Jr.s favorite BBQ joints in his words:
This is tough. Tougher than it has any right being. Its hard to make a top ten list out of the hundreds of barbecue joints Ive eaten at over the years but Ive been tasked tricked into having a go at it, so here they are: In order, starting with the number one spot.
1 Archibalds Barbecue in Northport, Alabama. The finest smoked meat I ever put in my mouth and holder of the always revered final meal on earth if I had time to plan such a thing. Since 1962, the Archibald family has been putting out pork butts and pork ribs in their tiny seats 6 barbecue stand just north of Tuscaloosa. George Archibald Jr is the pitmaster a term I do not use lightly, big difference between pitmaster and pitboss and his sister Paulette makes the sauce. Its the best barbecue Ive ever eaten and the only sauce on earth I buy a gallon at a time.
Photo of Archibalds courtesy of Buffetbuster @ RoadFood.com
2 JMueller Barbecue in Austin,Texas. Street fighting man. The hot-headed John Mueller is a cypher to this day. A puzzle of a man who has left a giant, fist-shaped mark on the world of Texas barbecue. I never know if Im going to get the plate of smoked meat Ive just ordered or if were going to start rolling and tumbling in the dirt parking lot of his eponymous food trailer in south Austin. The best handmade sausage Ive found in Texas and the best beef chuck ribs in the Great State.
Photo of JMueller BBQ courtesy of Full Custom Gospel BBQ
3 R&G Barbecue in McMahan, Texas. The old pit boss of City Market in Luling and Luling City Market in Houston, Roy Jeffrey has a half-century of experience in the world of Texas smoked meat. Superb brisket, handmade Texas hot guts sausage and some of the best barbecue sauce Ive ever eaten. Go on a Friday afternoon when the old-timers gather to throw bones, eat brisket and hang out in one of the sweetest dining rooms youll find in Texas.
Photo of Jeffrey from R&G Barbecue courtesy of Chowpapi.com
4 I have a deep love for American barbecue but after years of research and eating my way across our country, I felt like there was a giant gap in my education. Time to go to Turkey. In Istanbul there are numerous barbecue joints with the meat cultures of Syria, Kurdistan, Egypt, Morocco and a host of other countries represented. Ive eaten at dozens of them but only one can rule the city and that is Zubeyir. Run by 5 Kurdish brothers, the little cafe in Beyoglu district puts out traditional barbecue representative of the eastern provinces of Turkey-Kurdistan according to some folks. Their tarak lamb spare ribs are one of the greatest dishes Ive ever eaten in a restaurant.
Photo of Zubeyir
5 When I first began venturing to North Holland back in the 90s, I was determined to explore the phenomenon of Dutch Ribs. As is my custom, I did several months of research prior to boarding the plane and eventually determined that De Klos in Amsterdam was the joint of highest repute. Unbelievable. Giant, meaty racks of pork spare ribs are given a final denouement on a scorching hot grill at the end of the bar where you perch, drinking delicious Dutch beer, while you wait on your order. Raw onions, hunks of fresh bread and a mayonnaise dipping sauce complete the picture. One of the great barbecue experiences on this planet..
Photo of De Klos courtesy of You Pretty Things
6 Blacks Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas wears the crown of the city that would be king. Its really not that close. They kill the competition with consistency. Their superb smoked brisket, hot guts and beef ribs taste exactly the same, every single time. Ive been eating there for 2 decades and have never had a bad meal. Anybody who tells you Blacks is not the best in Lockhart should be looked at with a wary eye.
Photo of Blacks Barbecue
7 Mitnica in Zagreb, Croatia. This is a Serbian Barbecue house in the western part of Zagreb. It is unfathomably delicious. Smart choice here is Maksimirs Strings, which is a meat buffet brought to you, course by course, til you beg them to stop with the meat already. Their barbecue sauce is kaymak, a sort of clotted cream. After eating a half dozen rounds of meat the waiter was so impressed he comped me a rakia, which is the national liquor drink of Croatia, it burns like fire with a sweet finish. An appropriate end to such indulgence.
Photo of Mitnica courtesy of RL Reeves Jr.
8 Johnny Rays Barbecue in Birmingham, Alabama. Many misty, water-colored memories of this joint. Thinking about it makes me tear up a bit. I spent so much time here during my Birmingham tenure I was often mistaken for a worker. A giant, brick pit runs along the far wall and a busy crew of workers hustle the meat off the smoker all day long. Splendid rib tips, excellent smoky chicken and even an occasional brisket would make its way off the pit. House cut fries, hand dipped onion rings, sweet tea and mile-high cream pies were all on the menu and everything just tasted so damn fine.
Photo of Johnny Rays courtesy of Miranda Carter
9 Davis Grocery in Taylor, Texas. The good reverend James Davis Jr is doing the Lords work through the power of smoked meat. I like to go in this little grocery store on a Saturday, the ministers busiest day. Expect some good conversation while Davis is wrestling off hot, smoky briskets and big racks of pork ribs. Davis Grocery is on the wrong side of the railroad tracks and many people, even Taylor natives, dont know about him but youll not find better barbecue in Williamson County.
Photo of Davis Grocery courtesy of Full Custom Gospel BBQ
10 Zimmerhanzels in Smithville, Texas. Criminally under-appreciated, world class Texas barbecue. The city of Smithville went into a revolt when they ceased operations a few years back. The family was forced back into the game as the town folk took to the streets! A forty five minute drive from Austin, Zimmerhanzels has been quietly putting out top flight brisket, sausage and ribs since 1990.
Photo of Zimmerhanzels courtesy of Blue Eyes and Bluebonnets
RL Reeves Jr is on Twitter HERE
RL Reeves Jr on Austin Barbecue,Food Trucks and Dive Bars HERE
RL Reeves Jr on Texas Barbecue, New Orleans, Istanbul and Budapest HERE
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