San Marcos or... "Where's the Beef"

We're now settled in the San Marcos area. About 3 miles from town in an old pecan orchard on the banks of the San Marcos river. The leaves are mostly gone so what was normally a shady camp is now filled with sun. A nice change to the gloom and gray of the previous week.

As I eluded to in the last post, the trip down here was a little shaky as we experienced some electrical problems on the coach but still made it here safely. As it turned out, we found a Monaco dealer about 20 miles away and have an appointment to see what the issue is. DW notes that everything is falling apart but really not the case. I look at it as normal wear and tear on our mobile condo. Maybe we're both right but at least it keeps us both engaged in the care and understanding of this beast.

Our daughter and family are now located about 20 miles south of us about half way to San Antonio. Our first outing at our new location was to the local mall (of course). Actually it is about a big a shopping area that I have ever seen. Along Interstate 35, it is almost a mile in length well over 200 stores. From Dollar General to Neimann Marcus, the choices were exceptional. Since the only thing I was interested in was a new nut cracker (remember I'm in a pecan orchard) my shopping time was short so my son-in-law and I dropped off the women and kids and headed for Lockhart Texas about 15 miles east of San Marcos. Why there you might ask? Well Lockhart is known as the barbecue capital of the world and we were headed there for beef in all forms good and wondrous.

As we approached the city limits we knew we had reached Mecca. Yes there were oil wells all around but what we began smelling were not camels. It was that smokey deliciousness that put the town on the map. Looking for neon signs and long lines of beef affectionados, we were a little disappointed when we pulled up to the first of the beefatorioums. Black's Barbecue has been in the same family for 100 years the sign said. The place apparently had last been painted by the original owner as it looked quite rustic...to say the least. As we entered and pick up our fresh Styrofoam plates, and several side dishes, we rounded the corner to where the meat was ordered. There, standing aside a large old kitchen table was one of the Black kids (I guess) with knife in hand and, resting in a puddle of savory juices, this large hunk of simmering beef brisket. As I reached for another napkin to wipe away the drool he said "what'll ya have gents". I could barely talk but could at least point to the steamy brown slab of brisket. Sold by the pound, as it turns out, is not a good way to order lunch when you are really hungry. The 1/2lb mound of heaven didn't quite look big enough so I had him add another few slices....'oh yes, lets try a chunk of that homemade sausage too', I said. Settling down on metal folding chair alongside an eight foot folding table that's seen many a diner, we began the feast. Our journey was complete...our dreams fulfilled...this was what eating is all about. Smoke stained walls, long horn mounts, local football team pictures and an eclectic stream of customers didn't diminish the experience. It lived up to its credits as being the best.

Black's Barbecue, Lockhart Texas

Since Lockhart has four notable barbecue joints, our goal was to sample each one and see who really was the best. Our next stop was Kreuz's Market and barbecue emporium.

We were greeted by an elderly lady who, along with several others, were anxious to take our orders. By then the previous meal from Blacks had settled in and about the only thing I wanted to ingest was the aroma of the place. However I couldn't let my son-in-law eat alone so I ordered just a chunk of sausage. Our gluttony has finally overcome us as the brisket and sausage may have been good here but we had already overdone it. Stick a fork in us....we were done. Kreuz's was a little better decorated but their products weren't quite as good as Black's in our expert opinion.

Kreuz's Market, Lockhart Texas

We still had two stops to make but our hearts were just not in it. Barely able to squeeze behind the steering wheel, we lumbered out of town.

Just so you know that Lockhart is really a great little town to visit, check out their city hall, or county seat. What a beautiful building. A neat place to visit and the brisket is to die for.