Somewhere down in Texas

Things I’m loving this week!

Franklin’s BBQ.  This is the place in Austin where people start lining up at 9 a.m. and they sell out by 1:00 p.m.  I finally tried it and I can report this is no hype.  It really is the best BBQ I have ever had.

Wall Street Western in Wimberley

Cowboy boots.  One thing we have an abundance of in Texas is shops with rows and rows of brightly colored boots.  I love seeing all of the different designs.

I should have put a quarter beside it so you could understand how big it is.  It reminded me of summers spent fishing at my grandparents’.  I was the official grasshopper catcher because I didn’t want to deal with taking the fish off the line.

Breaking Bad is back and the final season is going to be explosive.

A couple of new colors to add to my collection of Fiesta dishes.

Buttermilk biscuits, Frdericksburg peach preserves, and a visit home.

 

Lockhart, TX BBQ Capital of Texas

Lockhart, county seat of Caldwell county, is located about 45 minutes southeast of Austin straight down 183.  Not the most scenic drive and slowed up a bit by construction, but it is worth the trip to check out the BBQ capital of Texas.

Fun facts about Lockhart from Wikipedia: The city’s Wal-Mart was featured in the movie “Where the Heart Is.”  Its quaintness and closeness to Austin have caused it to play host to other movie productions like “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Secondhand Lions, and many others.

This has to be one of the top 10 prettiest courthouses in Texas

I went to try the BBQ and there are four places to do so: Black’s, Smitty’s, Chisholm Trail, and Kreuze Market.  Black’s is the oldest (run by the same family) so I thought I would try it first.  Also, before researching Lockhart, it is the one I had heard of because it is frequently mentioned on Travel/Food shows.

215 Main Street

During his time as President, Lyndon Johnson selected Black’s to represent Texas BBQ at the Smithsonian.  Pretty impressive.  Now on to the food.

Black’s serves up their meat by the pound so you can order some brisket, a couple of ribs and then choose from beans, black eyed peas, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, sweet potatoes.  They also serve up a massive beef rib that reminded me of something Fred Flintstone might eat.  They charge per side so I opted for beans and potato salad.  Besides, with all that meat who has room for much more?  Okay I did add a deviled egg and pickle, but they are worth skipping, just fyi.

There are a few shops to check out around the square and if you get there by about 1 p.m. on Saturday, you can check out the farmers market.

There are a couple of antique shops, a few clothing and gift boutiques,

Wendy R – cute gift shop located on Main

a flower shop, and a music store.

Buffalo Clover Flower shop. I just love the Mexican metal art

I’m pretty pleased with the loot I left with

habanero salsa and prickly pear preseves from the farmers market.  

I think this year’s VBS is  Jonah and the big fish.  Whatdya’ think?

Check out Lockhart when you get a chance.  Your hardest decision will be deciding which bbq restaurant to try first.

Kreuz Market located just of 183 as you come into town from Austin

Smitty’s BBQ 208 South Commerce – downtown Lockhart

{Not pictured: Chisholm Trail 1323 South Colorado Street}

For those who have been, what’s your favorite spot to get bbq in Lockhart?

Fredericksburg, TX

It’s no secret what a great weekend trip Fredericksburg is so I’ll just tell you about some of the great places we went on our latest trip to celebrate the best mom in the world’s birthday.

First up, you have to eat German food when in F’burg and Auslander’s is my favorite place to do that.

Opa’s sausage appetizer

Sugar & Smoke came recommended by my aunt Cathy and I am so glad she told us about it.  I am still dreaming about these scones.

My mom and I split the brisket benedict with jalapeno hollandaise

We only ate there for breakfast so I guess I’m going to have to go back soon to try her lunch or fri/sat evening menu.  It looks pretty scrumptious.

The quiche with a teensy little biscuit

I  like what she says in her blog here about slowing down and making dinner an experience.  We so often rush through dinner so we can get to the next activity.  Some of the best meals I have had are those that are not rushed, the waiter doesn’t clear your plates in hopes that you will pay and leave, and coffee and conversation comes at the end.

This may have started with my granny at a place I get ridiculed for liking – Luby’s.  It’s not the best food and in most towns it’s not the best environment, but on Wednesday nights in Abilene it is where my granny and I ate dinner, drank coffee, and talked.  I would give up fine dining at the newest restaurant in town for another meal like that.

We came pretty close at Fredericksburg Herb Farm.  Happenstance brought us here.  We had another dining option set up, but it fell through and I found this place on yelp.

And it was amazing.  I’m sure most people who frequent Fredericksburg know about it, but we were new and we can’t wait to go back.  The atmosphere reminds me of The Homeplace in Tuscola , but the food is on an entirely different level.  Pasta made in house, bruschetta served on foccacia

and brick oven pesto chicken with polenta and fresh veggies.

Everything was perfect.   These are the dinners i enjoy the most.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm provides places to stay, spa services, shopping, and dining.

As you know, people go to Fredericksburg to shop.  And this is boutique shopping – no big name retailers or outlet shopping.  Most shops can be found on Main Street and you can spend a whole day checking them out.

We had Brinkley in tow and needed a dog-friendly place.  I recommend this website to find a place for fido.

We also road tripped it over to Kerrville, which is a beautiful 2o minute drive south of F’burg.  For those who know, this is where James Avery’s headquarters are and my mom and I have always wanted to visit.  My hopes to buy my mom something memorable turned into her doing that for me.  She is the hardest person to buy for, just so you know.

For the nature lover, take the time to check out Wildseed Farms just a few miles east of Fredericksburg.

They have a wonderful store with acres and acres of flowers, plants, vegetables, and a butterfly garden.

I can’t wait to go back.  What are some of your favorite places to go in Fredericksburg?