This thread proves that two people can walk into the same BBQ joint and one can come out saying it was the best ever, the other might say it's the worst ever. (It's the same thing with Tex-Mex food) One thing I've found about Texas BBQ in the last 45 years is that nobody smokes a great brisket 100% of the time. Even the legendary spots crank out a dry brisket occasionally. That's why I generally stay away from brisket and tend to go with the pork ribs and sausage.

For me, Dickey's BBQ was hands down the lousiest I've had.

Sonny Bryan's stays open solely on it's past reputation - the BBQ isn't close to what it was before the old man died.

Maybe I was expecting a bit too much but I wasn't all that impressed with Kruez Mkt. The sausage was average, the shoulder clod was dry, and tasted oversmoked. Wasn't bad, just didn't live up to the hype.

I feel the Salt Lick is overrated as well. Decent prices, beautiful setting, but the BBQ was pretty average.

Angelo's has great ribs and ice cold schooners of beer but the brisket is consistently inconsistent. It's usually too dry or too fatty, they just can't seem to find that happy medium. You'd think after 50 years they could figure it out.

My favorites are the Railhead in Aledo or Ft. Worth, and Cooper's BBQ in Llano.

i agree with the salt lick assessment

Tried rib crib in Tulsa again this week. They still suck.

Worst is Bill Millers!
Best is R.O. Outpost on 71 in Spicewood, they smoke their briskets for 2 days! I do like Salt lick, they have a very different flavor.

They do have a dang good potato salad though

I have to agree with the VA and NC statement. Poor folks think they are eating BBQ but it ain't. Won't ever make that mistake again.

mikeskas in taylor is the worst i have ever eaten. the precooked brisket from heb is better. and the customer servise is about like the food.

I have the same sentiment about Mikeska's in El Campo.

Worst - Dickies

Best - Clarks in Tioga (one of about 5 personal favs)

Believe it or not: Bonedaddy's BBQ is pretty good.

Anything in DFW, pretty much SUCKS!!! Any Rudy's would beat the snot out of anything else in DFW. My favorite BBQ joints are as follows:
1.Coopers in Junction (great brisket, and cabrito on Sun)

2.Coopers in Llano (great all around, and I love the sauce)

3.Smitty's in Lochart (haven't yet tried their prime rib, but everything else is delicious, with a great atmosphere)

4.Lumley's in Junction

5.Luling City Market (great atmosphere. My family is from Gonzales and Luling. And the same guys who worked the pits when I was 5 are still working it today.)

I have never eaten at the Salt Lick in Driftwood, the original Bill Mueller's in Taylor, or the original County Line. I have eaten Goode Company in Houston. It is pretty good, but too comercial / big city for my taste. I have noticed that many of the DFW area bbq chains have added smoke stacks to their buildings and I have seen actuall wood stacked outside. So, maybe there's hope.

Anyway, just my 2 cents...

Shady oaks BBQ in Ft. Worth by Fossil Creek is the worst i have had in a long time.

BoneDaddy's is awesome BBQ. Extremely great smoke flavor and tender meat.

Salt Lick is Austin Westlake is the utmost worst excuse for BBQ I have ever had.

any place outside of texas

pappas in houston

There are not many real BBQ places around anymore. How do some of these chains cook when you don't smell any smoke, they have fake pits to heat their prepaired meat. I like places that when you walk out you smell like smoke at least you kow their trying..
Hard 8 over priced no flavor
Any chain Dickies, Red Hot and Blue, Spring Creek ect blows
Most over rated Clarks in Tioga, Angelos, Sonny Bryans
Hammer BBQ in Richlandhills use to be good but I think he sold the place to someone else.