I have a bunch of accounts in Texas and will eventually be going there when COVID is settled. I have accounts in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Von Ormy, Tyler, Odessa, and Midland. Any suggestions on the best BBQ near any of these places?
wow.. all over the state! The only ones I can really suggest are in the DFW area and Austin. I've only been to the Midland Odessa area and Tyler once and don't know Von Ormy at all.
For Austin:
Salt Lick because it is definitely worth the tourist trap visit that it has become over the years. Remember it's BYOB
La BBQ: this was a food truck that made enough to build a brick and mortar shop. So very tasty
Franklin's BBQ is probably the most well-known Austin-proper BBQ spot. it is well worth the visit but it is one of those places where you need to get there early and plan on waiting around an hour or so to eat.It will sell out of various meats by early afternoon. For my money, it is the only place I've ever had smoked turkey that retained its juiciness. I usually don't eat smoked turkey because it's almost always dry. Everything is excellent there.
If you're a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan at all you'll know or have heard stories that he used to have Sam's BBQ shipped wherever he was playing. Sam's is a very tiny place in East Austin and still family owned. As of last week the family (grandparents, uncle and grandson primarily) were still running the place and cooking up awesome home-style BBQ. I've been once and it was like I walked into someone's very welcoming home.
A little further north in North Austin and also in Cedar Park (5 minutes north of Austin) is Stiles Switch BBQ. Another excellent spot.
Dallas: it's been awhile since I've gone out to eat in Dallas but Pecan Lodge BBQ is fantastic. Added plus is there are 2 craft breweries within walking distance to it so if you're a craft beer fan you're in luck.
Fort Worth: you'll get a ton of recommendations for Fort Worth, some touristy, some not. My personal favorite bbq is Cousin's BBQ. There's also Railhead BBQ, Heim BBQ, Cowtown Brewery and BBQ (craft beer and bbq..German style beers primarily and really tasty bbq) and a whole host of others.. Fort Worth, because of its history w/ cattle drives, basically has a BBQ spot within a mile or two of wherever you might be standing at the time.