The Big Bib (San Antonio, Tx)

I knew I was not in New Orleans when I saw a smile from the cash register and an owner that wanted to please his customers. The place is designed for to-go orders but they awkwardly have a few places to sit. Don't be worried or skeered, they'll will make you feel right at home.

We ordered the Brisket, Ribs, Sausage, Macaroni and Cheese, and Baked Beans. It was all incredible.

As we sat with our meal, the owner came and let us sample the peach cobbler. It was incredible.

Then went up and got a banana pudding. It was incredible.


This place was incredible. However, there was a sense of magic missing. Don't get me wrong it was a slice of heaven...but delivered by one of the 2nd tier Saints like Saint Abdas of Susa instead from the St. Peter or the Big JC himself.

The best BBQ I've ever had in San Antonio has been The Big Bib. Period.

The Big Bib will be receiving a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

BBQ 101: How To Smoke A Brisket

Episode 1: How to Smoke A Brisket

Iron Works BBQ (Austin, Tx)

"Eating awful BBQ in Texas makes me mad"

This place wasn't even on my radar. But when I showed up to Franklin's BBQ all late, I had no plan B. So some Austin locals gave me two "great" substitutions - Stubb's BBQ (No Thank You-Pass) and Iron Works. I told myself "what the hell, it's only a mile or two away." Well let me tell you what, this was not a great substitution to Franklin. You know the slogan "Keep Austin Weird?" Well these locals that suggested this place were trying to "Keep Austin Awful."

It is always a bad omen when the smoker is of stainless steel. They got the decour right, the pricing right (by the pound, not any of these "McDonalds style" meal plans), the customer service right, etc... Everything was right but the meat. *Sigh* It was great getting beef ribs but next time I'll pass and smoke my own. The meat was dry and boring. I'm surprised that this place has lasted as long as it has. There is not much left to say. I'm quite surprised that a place like this can survive in Austin amongst great BBQ establishments.

Side note...Austin is on its way of getting annexed to it's own non-Texan Texas city to join the ranks of Dallas, Houston, and East Texas. Establishments like Ironworks show me that these decor restaurants do nothing more than appease the "Texas aesthetic" that the hipster scene thrives off of and yet does nothing to appease the taste of great BBQ.

Don't get me wrong, there is hope for this place. Just how the New Orleans Saints had to fire Jim Haslett for Sean Payton, Ironworks will need to change Pitmasters to get a good turn around for Championship BBQ.

Iron Works BBQ will be receiving a 2 out of 5 stars.