Debates about the best barbecue in Texas may be more passionate than the current election.
We visited three revered spots on our recent family trip to Austin.
Bring on the ‘cue. Vegetarians beware.
Mopping, Salt Lick
Tootsie, Pitmaster, Snow’s BBQ
Tootsie Tomanetz is 81 years old and has been making barbecue since 1966. That’s just on weekends. Tootsie still works during the week for the local school system.
She’s famous.
Tootsie, Snow’s BBQ
Brisket Beauty, Snow’s
“Many Texas barbecue fanatics have a strong belief in the beneficial properties of accumulated grease.”
~Calvin Trillin
Pitmaster’s Gloves
Ali, La Barbecue
Let’s Eat!
Free Beans!
“Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”
~ Anthony Bourdain
More Sausages, Please
Checking the Cue
All The Fixings, Salt Lick
C’mon In
Jane Lurie Photography 
Thanks for sharing!
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Oh, Austin BBQ. We ate at the La BBQ before holidays. 🙂 Great photos, Jane!
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Awesome, Amy, thanks. A favorite! Have you been to Snow’s yet?
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I haven’t tried the Snow. I bet it’s good!
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Number one in the country… we give it to our kids mail order for Christmas, too. 😊
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Awesome!! 🙂
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A really good set of pf px.
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Thanks very much, CP. Austin is a fun eating city. 🙂
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Love, love, love the quotes and your photo captions! I can learn from a master. The photos are pretty brilliant too lol!
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Thank you, Elaine. This was a fun post to put together. Delicious memories and good family time, too. Glad you enjoyed!
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I love sausages or any grilled meat, your photos surely made me hungry. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Hi Ricci, Thanks very much, If this made you hungry, then I’ve done my job! 😉
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You sure did! 🙂
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More napkins and extra sauce, please!! Great shots, Jane.
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Ha, Patti! A woman after my own heart! Thanks so much. And it was delicious. 😊
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My mouth waters. An excellent barbecue is a fitting reward to a quest. 😊
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Thank you, Imelda. A fun family trip – happy times around the table.
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wow looks great, thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thanks very much, Adrian. 😃
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Wow. Amazing Mouth Watering Pics.
In India we don’t have much Barbecues. My family and me just love to eat Steaks and Sausages. We buy some off the shelf Steak Sauce, put it in our Boring Grill cum Oven (small and tiny) and then eat, whatever comes out.
I wonder when I will be able to visit these places and eat these delicious Barbecues.
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Hi Cattie, Yes, Texas Barbecue takes it to an unbelievable level. A lot of love and cooking time goes into these recipes. Makes me happy that you enjoyed these photos and I hope one day you will experience the most revered cuisines in Texas. 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind comment.
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OMG….YUM…fabulous detail in these shots…love Tootsie!!
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Thanks, April! An extremely tasty photo shoot… 😀 Glad you enjoyed. Tootsie was a highlight!
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You know I am a barbecue girl born in Lexington NC…I have always been intrigued with the many excursions you and Bob have gone on throughout the land… In the kitchens, behind the scenes etc! Great cross section of this yummy food!!
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Hi Linda, We sure have had fun over the years finding the gems. Happy these whet your appetite and I hope you have some good NC ‘Cue sometime soon. Thanks very much!
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I am a vegetarian but I still think your photo’s are fantastic 🙂
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Hi Noortje, I’m happy that you could still appreciate them despite the meaty subject! 😀 Thanks very much.
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Nothing like Texas BBQ! My mouth is watering!
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Glad you agree, Susan! What a tradition. Thanks so much.
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Really fabulous story telling, Jane. Feel as though I’m there. Wish I were.
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Thanks very much, Sherry. You sure would have enjoyed the atmosphere. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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Love your photo series, such great fun. You did such an amazing job of capturing the real essence of this place and these people.
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Hi Charlie, That’s very nice to read- thank you so much. The barbecue spots are incredibly atmospheric, as you can imagine, and the people really make it special. I’m so glad you liked this series.
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What great photographs, Jane, and they bring back some wonderful memories too!
The best barbecue I ever had was in Texas.
AND even better, the best pair of boots I ever purchased, were purchased there also!! 🙂
Happy day to you!
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HI Lisa, That’s great! So good that this brought back tasty memories. We made a stop at the famous Allen’s Boots in Austin– what a scene! Happy you enjoyed– thanks very much.
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Espléndido reportaje. Me has hecho coger hambre, me voy a desayunar! Cheers, Jane! 😉
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Muchas gracias, Jacinto! 🙂
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Really love your photos… Photography : What a way to express feelings!
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I so agree, Louise. Many ways to tell a story and photography does it for me. Happy you enjoyed this one- thanks so much.
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That is quite a barbecue you serve here. Got my mouth running. In addition you made the event into beautiful photo essay, Well done!
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Thank you so much, Otto. I’m happy you feel it told a story. And, this style in Texas is amazing! 😍
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It is a sin to have coleslaw in the presense of meat! I was under the apparent misimpression that South Africa owns a braai. Braai is the Afrikaans word for having a barbecue and is used by all South Africans. But it seems as we can be challenged in Texas!
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Haha, Abrie. That made me laugh. Can’t say the sides get that much attention. It’s so interesting all the different names and styles around the world. Texans will give you a run for your money. Glad you enjoyed this one– thank you.
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Not good to look at food pics before lunch. The Texas horse show we go to, the food vendor with longest line is the one with the BBQ. They have a “sampler’ plate that offers a bit of everything, but you’ll need to bring your appetite for that one.
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Hi David, Glad this made you hungry– the best compliment! Sampler plate is the only way to go. 😀 Thanks so much.
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Saucy awesome work here Jane and what’s not to love about Tootsie!
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Hi Patti, After I shot that B&W of Tootsie (honestly, she is much more smiley than that) she called me over to take a photo together. A legend thrust into the limelight when they were discovered by Texas Monthly. She is so nice. Happy you enjoyed –thank you!
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LOL Jane, you and the fam have turned BBQ into an art form! Photos really tell the story of a wonderful family tradition. Glad to see the girls join in!!
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Thanks so much, Tina. We sure had fun together and my DILs loved it. And I loved photographing it!
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Great shots, maybe it’s just the vegan in me, but I prefer the B&W images 🙂
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Hi Robert- Oh, indeed, we share a love of B&W. I converted a few of the pit that I really like but thought the colors of the meat told the story. Really, the barbecue environment calls for monochrome. Thanks so much for appreciating.
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Great set of shots, really captured some of the ‘pit’ atmosphere – just wish we had some of these in the UK!
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Thanks very much, John. It’s quite a scene watching the pitmasters. Hope you get to try some one day!
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I am now so hungry Jane. What an amazing set of pictures. Wonderful!
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Thanks so much, Adrian. Fun to shoot and then you can eat! Glad you enjoyed.
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indeed, not for vegetarians..this ode to meat, I let it pass me by!! Sorry about that, and glad you warned us.!!
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Hi Paula, Not for everyone, however, I sure appreciate that you let me know. Thank you. 🙂
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Great photos.
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Thanks very much, Amy.
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Ah, the brisket looks amazing and then I go to the next photo and then the next…and you’ve captured the magic of the BBQ. I’ve yet to visit Texas but it’d be worth it to go there just for the BBQ and Tootsie, I like the story. Great thing about BBQ is the pride people have around the world with perfecting their style, gotta love it – now off to finish off my plate of brussel sprouts 😦
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Haha, Randall. Love your closing line. I’ve been eating a lot of salads this week. I would love to spend more time capturing the surroundings of each place, as you do so well. Barbecue is pretty much a must when visiting Texas- the passion runs high as in all parts of the world. Thank you for your wonderful reaction.
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Awesome Pics, make me instantly veeery hungry. I’m in Dallas right now so I think I need to find myself a Texas BBQ tomorrow 😝 Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Marcus, Wish I could recommend a place but I don’t think a good one would be difficult to find. Glad I got your tastebuds going and that you enjoyed this one – thanks very much.
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Great shots, Jane….
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Thanks so much, Sue. I know you would enjoy every bite!
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I love those pictures. Sounds like a unique and fun family trip. Tracy told me about it. We’ve got to find a time to get together but I am almost hesitant to ask since we go to Japan in a couple of weeks and I am immersed in documenting for SFMOMA. Sandy and I were planning to do For Site art installation at Ft Scott and Coast Trail this Saturday- maybe get to Crissy Field early at 9:30 and park as close to the warming hut as we can and walk up to Nike Admin building and take the tour which will be a couple of hours. Any interest? It would not be a great catch up time but it would be a time together outside and looking at art. Jennifer
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HI Jennifer, Thanks so much! Will message you and hope to see you.
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Only thing Texan fight about more than barbecue is chili. Now that’s something to really fight about.
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Hi Don, Would be fun to see the judging at a Chili Cook-off! Thanks so much.
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Without question, there’s lots of good bar=b=q in Texas and that’s not up for debate!
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HI Linda, Spoken like a true Texan! 😀Have you tried the ‘cue in Austin? So glad you enjoyed this- thank you.
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Now that is barbequeing on a grand scale! What a delicious looking series, Jane! And we’ll know, as BBQ (or “Braai” as we call it) is the national pastime in South Africa – we’ll use just about any excuse for a braai, from a birth to a funeral…
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Hi de Wets, I didn’t know that is what it’s called in SA. Funny, everywhere we visit, barbecue is claimed as the local pastime in all different styles. Aussie’s certainly feel that way about their barbie. And don’t mess with Texans. 😄 Hope I made you hungry! Thanks very much.
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Jane — another great series. I like the comment above that the collection is like a novel about barbecue. Big question: how does Texas ‘cue compare with our SC barbecue?
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Hi Jack, I hate to disappoint you, but I am a huge fan of Texas BBQ… I love SC but, honestly, the mustard sauce variety doesn’t quite compare to the Lone State’s version. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.
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This sausages certainly look fine, looking tasty and very rich. Lots of meat for a big barbecue. I’ve always loved how Americans like eating sausages with bread – the hot dog. And I hear mustard sauce is very popular over there 🙂
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Hi Mabel, I think the Texas style sausages are the best. Most places do give a big stack of white bread which I haven’t eaten since my childhood! You see mustard sauce in one area of SC but generally, it’s vinegar (NC) or red and spicy (TX). Thanks so much for enjoying this one.
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Ahhh, such great memories! I do not eat a single thing at BBQ places (I’m a vegetarian who also happens to dislike coleslaw and beans), but I LOVE going to all these places (Salt Lick is my favorite of these) and many others just for a longneck beer, the twinkling white lights, and the camaraderie on a warm night in Texas. Great photos!
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Hi Lex, Spoken like a true photographer and traveler! 😀So glad you enjoyed this special part of the culinary world. Thank you!
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PS. So cool that you’ve been to the Salt Lick and others.
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I worked in Texas in my 20s, met my husband there, then my son went to college there, and my daughter got her first job there! All totally coincidental and none of us is still there, but we miss many things about it, including the whole barbecue scene!
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You certainly can claim roots there!
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I think I can smell the ‘cue. Great shots, Jane.
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Thanks, Sharon. The aromas were incredible. Fun time.
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That is an awesome set of images. It is like a novel about barbecue.
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Hi Camerapacker, Hmmm…good idea. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed them– thanks!
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That’s great!
(The photo, too… 😉 )
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Thanks very much, Autopict. 🙂
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It looks like an industry, not a cozy little grill in a garden … 😉
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Hi Awa, Yes, this kind of barbecue is very different than our backyard grills. Smoked for many hours over various kinds of wood. A lot of love goes into this ‘cue. 😀 Glad you enjoyed– thank you!
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Not my type of preferred food but once in a while I would give it a try 😉
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I think it would surprise you! 🙂
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Awesome images! Brings us right in. 🙂
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Thanks very much, Richard. Fun places to photograph–happy you liked them.
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wow – the opening photo is a very cool shot – all the meat and the worker seems to get lost inside !
and cool post – and I have heard of the debates…. in a few towns.
and side note, I am hoping to go to Shuler’s BBQ in South Carolina on my next trip down 95 – they were recently on The Profit (TV show) and I am really hoping to go. keep you posted.
🙂
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Thanks so much, Yvette. It’s quite an experience. I am not familiar with Shuler’s and look forward to your review. A very different style of BBQ in that part of the country.
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Well I was so close to going because an ad came on right as I was. Ear it on interstate 95
And on the way back they were closed –
Anyhow I am going back now to see your Texas BBQ pics again
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Many BBQ places are only open on weekends… I appreciate you perusing — if you search Barbecue on my blog you’ll see another post I did on the Salt Lick a few years ago.
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Ok – and. I pressure – but if you find it before I can come back – maybe you could leave a link in a reply and I can find it right away (😊)
And I am not a huge BBQ person – it some of the most tender meat I have ever had has been BBQ “pulled” meats –
Omg!
And of course the trimmings are good – wait – maybe I am more of a BBQ girl – but we just don’t get it often –
Hm
🍴🍴🍴🍴
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Woweeee!! So much meat! Looks delish too.
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Yeehaw, John! It was over-the-top delicious. Great people at these spots, too. I even had some coleslaw. 😄
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Slaw is awesome.
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