The Texas Barbecue Trail (Middle to Southern Half)

Elgin, TX

The Texas Barbecue Trail (Lexington, Taylor, Elgin, Lockhart, and Luling)
This week's post includes the rest of the places I've been to on the Texas Barbecue Trail excluding Snow's in Lexington.  I'm still working on getting my schedule worked out for that one since it's only opened on Saturdays.
However, we start this trip with a visit to Southside Market in Elgin. This place is set-up cafeteria style where you go through a line, pick how much meat and then what sides you want. It reminds me a lot of Dickey's in Dallas as far as the set up but the meat is much better.
I got my usual, ribs, brisket, and sausage. The sausage had really good flavor and is processed onsite. Ribs were perfectly cooked with the expected aldente firmness but with meat easily leaving the bone when bitten into the rib.  The brisket was very good.  Take a look at the picture below at the pronounced smoke ring and thick bark, it was delicious.

Dining room

So my overall opinion is it's worth a visit not only for the barbecue but to also to put a notch in your belt to check-off one of the places on the Texas Barbecue Trail.

Southside Market

1212 HWY 290 E
Elgin, TX 78621

512-281-4650

Monday-Thursday 8 AM - 8 PM
Friday, Saturday 8 AM - 9 PM
Sunday 9 AM - 8 PM

http://southsidemarket.com/

City Market (Luling)
Prior to my visit I've heard a lot of great things about this place from many people.  Some even saying it's the best in Texas. So, I left Austin, drove straight through Lockhart, and arrived in Luling just after 11 AM. When you walk in you pass by the counter and continue towards the back of the store to the smokehouse. Once you walk into the smoke house the smell of smoke and meat hit your nose.  You place your order for your meat and then walk back into the store to the counter for sides and to pay.

 

 I'm going to give this place another try just because I've heard such great things but the brisket was dry and the sausage had too much smokey flavor for my taste.  The ribs were good but I really like just a simple salt & pepper rub and not so much a cooked on sauce glaze.  Give it a try, I think I hit them on a bad day.

City Market 

 633 E Davis St, Luling, TX 78648

(830) 875-9019

Monday - Saturday 7 AM - 6 PM

Sunday Closed

  

Next week...Lockhart Smokehouse in Dallas!