Holy Grail of Texas Barbecue
SMITTY'S MARKET in Lockhart

Central Texas barbecue you don't want to miss. Photo/biskuit

Smitty's Market
208 S. Commerce
Lockhart, TX 78644
(512) 398-9344; www.smittysmarket.com

HOURS: Monday-Friday; 7 am to 6 pm. Saturday; 7 am to 6:30 pm. Sunday; 9 am to 3 pm.

If there was ever a BBQ joint that qualified for the historic moniker, Smitty's would be it. Smitty's is housed in the original Kreuz Market location. The absolute standard by which all other Texas barbecue is compared, has been served from this location for 108 consecutive years.

First, the legendary Kreuz Market that opened in 1900 is now Smitty's. It's still all in the same family. You won't believe this place. Decades of smoke have left the place dark and smoke stained.

Smitty's uses post oak to smoke their meat in ancient waist high brick pits.

The sign hot or cold pertains to cooked and uncooked sausage. You can also choose juicy and dry. Dry is cooked longer. Order juicy and watch as the magnificent melted pork fat explodes from its natural casing. Pure heaven.

But that's only the beginning. Smitty's has the best pork ribs in Texas. Lean, meaty and peppered to perfection. I love Smitty's ribs because they taste like pork ribs.

Smitty's has figured out the right combination of smoke for all the meats. He serves brisket, pork ribs, chops, clod, sausage and prime rib.

Everything is very good. Ribs and sausage steal the show. Brisket isn't too far behind and the prime rib can rate perfection on the best days.

Smitty's can be inconsistent when they are particularly busy at lunch. If you can hold out, wait until the lunch crowd starts to clear out, around 1:30, so you can relax and enjoy your BBQ.

No one goes to Smitty's for the sides. I don't even remember any. You go to lap up the best barbecue in America off wax paper with your fingers. No sauce needed or offered. Smitty's Market is so good, so wonderfully greasy and flavorful, you will want to lick the wax paper clean.

When you're in Lockhart, try the barbecue ribs in this central Texas barbecue shrine. I guarantee it will be an experience you won't soon forget.

This joint's perfect. Food is arguable the best in the state. I try to eat here at least once a month even though it blows my day.

This is another barbecue destination, an attraction, a memorable experience that will surpass the meal itself. I don't rave on about a place very often but Smitty's is one of them. A perfect example of why this stuff is as addictive as air. A must visit Texas treasure.

Brisket, sausage and ice cold soda. Photo/biskuit

The line gets so long at lunch time, it stretches out this back door. Photo/jonl

First time I've seen this place empty! Photo/Bill Wilcox

MENU: Pork rib, pork chop, shoulder clod, brisket, sausage. Sides are traditional.

DON'T MISS: The ribs or sausage.

MAIL ORDER: You can order their 'unique spices', cap, apron and t-shirt at (512) 398-9433. Check out their web site.

LOCATION: Around 30 miles from downtown Austin. Head south on Hwy. 183. Turn right at E. Market Street. Turn left at S. Commerce Street.

LINK: This takes you to Smitty's Market home page.

Artz Rib House, Austin :: Ben's Longbranch BBQ, Austin :: Black's BBQ, Lockhart :: Central Texas BBQ Assc., Austin :: City Market, Luling :: Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, Llano :: County Line Bar-B-Q, Austin :: Crosstown BBQ, Elgin :: Green Mesquite Barbeque, Austin :: House Park Bar-B-Que, Austin :: Iron Works, Austin :: Kreuz Market, Lockhart :: Mann's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Austin :: Mikeska's Bar-B-Q, Taylor :: Louie Mueller's BBQ, Taylor :: Ruby's BBQ, Austin :: Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q, Austin :: Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood :: Sam's Barbecue, Austin :: Stubb's Bar-B-Q, Austin

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