Culinary School New York

It seems to make sense if you want the best BBQ in Texas to not go to New York City, but it has to be said. Just because a place looks and smells like a pig doesn’t make it a pig. I’ve been reading about the Hill Country Barbecue in Manhattan and I don’t like it. Sure it might be a great place for confused Texans to remember what it’s like to be home, or for New Yorkers to think they are getting a test of Texas, but it is not the real thing.

If anything it’s a Disneyland version of the real thing. I do have to give them credit for copying some good originals: Lockhart and Austin Texas (where I live) and Kreutz BBQ (although I like Smitty’s BBQ in Lockhart much better) and the butcher paper for plates which is the norm at Kreutz’s and Smitty’s. They do have Lone Star beer, Big Red soda and Blue Bell ice cream so there are a few things that are real to a Texas BBQ joint.

But there are a few crucial things missing – the business is new, most great BBQ establishments here have been in the family for decades and all use real wood fires and smoke (at Smittys you have to stand next to flaming logs that heat and smoke the pit, even on 100 degree days), hip culinary folks don’t work there (usually the pitmaster looks like a trucker or at Snows BBQ (the best brisket in Texas) the pitmaster is a janitor at the local school)).

My issue is you might as well stick to what you know and what you can do best. I mean I never eat bagels here in Austin. I lived in Brooklyn a couple of years and was able to eat some of the best like Essa. Also, even though there is a Katz’s here in Austin it is so lame compared to the real Katz’s in Manhattan.

I know that this type of regional pilfering will continue forever and once in a while it does work. I mean we can finally get a decent Chicago style hot dog here, but please, don’t anyone try to pawn off one of those soggy ass cannollis they serve around Austin as the real thing.

So if you want real Texas BBQ just get your ass down to central Texas and make sure to come in the summer to enjoy the heat!

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