I scanned Texas Monthly's Barbecue article in the Dr's office beforehand,
but I really didn't have enough time to assimilate all the info. Back in the
seventies, when TM first published a list, I spent a lot of time and drove
a lot of miles checking out about 90% of the places listed. But this was just
a weekend getaway with the chance to sample a couple of places.

I had a couple of hours only to kill around lunchtime Friday, so I took a short
Hill Country sight-seeing loop out 290. I thought TM mentioned a place in Dripping
Springs but I couldn't remember the name. No matter, Dripping Springs
is pretty small, and I stopped at Riley's downtown (bikers welcome ;-)). It was
very good, the sauce was very sweet and I didn't even try Riley's new "sweet"
sauce. I had the hoagie plate w/slaw. I would return.

In Johnson City I was again perplexed. Which place was on TM's list
I chose Ken's World Class, which worried me a little, because usually
an advertised claim of "world class" indicates it's probably not.
The sandwich was generous, tender, and juicy, the sauce was in
ketchup containers (ketchup?). It was good, but I wouldn't drive 240
miles to return.

Next afternoon, I awoke in beautiful Lockhart State Park. :-) So far,
I have always found a campsite there, although it was crowded.
McKinney Falls was full up as it has been the last four times I've
attempted a stay there. (I saw the biggest whitetail buck I have
ever seen as I was leaving the MF park entrance.)

I usually go to Kreuz but this time I picked Lockhart Chisholm
Trail. I got the beef plate w/cornbread and homemade bread.
The meat was very Very good as were the sides and sauce.
I would recommend it. Got a pound to go and headed north.

Skipped the place in Elgin, to get to Mueller's in Taylor.
Mueller's was on that old legacy TM list, but somehow
I never stopped there as I thought it was so close to
I-35, I would get there next time. That was 30 years ago.
Mueller's was out of meat when I arrived.;-( Taylor and
Elgin are top of the agenda on the next occasion.

Pulled into my driveway at 10:00 PM and nuked the
pound for a minute with some H.E.B. bakery rolls and
jalapenos and cheese from the fridge. yum