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CULINARY EXPLORATION IN TEXAS
DALLAS
DALLAS = BEEF
Dallas is where I had my first true BBQ experience, the one that made me an addict. I was in town for a food convention, walking down the sidewalk after bar time, and suddenly the sweet smell of pecan and hickory stopped me in my tracks. Across the street stood a little smoker attached to the back of a pickup. I negotiated for a sandwich with the last three dollars in my pocket. The pit master, god bless his soul, took pity on me and started me on my BBQ journey.
In the heart of the lone star state, Dallas is home to some of the best BBQ in the country. Texas specializes in beef, slow smoking briskets and ribs for up to 24 hours before they wrap them in a Texas tourniquet. Sound intriguing? Well then scroll down and see my favorite picks from this BBQ haven known as Dallas.
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The Pig
PIG'S PICKS
Big ass BBQ, and down home comfort in Dallas
HUTCHINS BBQ
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: MASTER'S OF THE PIT
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
1301 North Tennessee Street
McKinney, TX 75069
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Beef Brisket
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Baby Back Ribs
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All the sides
WHY: The line just to order was 50 minutes long, and worth every last second. The brisket was tender and juicy, the ribs down right amazing. I have eaten my way across the BBQ belt and would put Hutchin's as a must try for any serious BBQ addict.
LOCKHART SMOKEHOUSE
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: TEXAS BBQ
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT: (2 locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Texas Twinkies
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Beef ribs
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Beef Brisket
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All the sides
WHY: A simple Texas smokehouse, with a 100 year old sausage recipe. Don't pass on the Beef Ribs, they will make you feel like Fred Flinstone when you eat them.
MAPLE & MOTOR
PIG SCORE: 3.75 / 4.0
WHAT: A BURGER JOINT
WHEN: You're hanging with friends and want beer and burgers.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Cheeseburger
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Onion rings
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Lone Star
WHY: This is high volume no-frill counter service burger joint. They put out great flavorful burgers that are cooked on a old school flat top in their own juices.
PECAN LODGE
PIG SCORE: 3.7 / 4.0
WHAT: CENTRAL TEXAS BBQ
WHEN: You're in the mood for a big tender ass piece of meat.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Brisket
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Sausage
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Beef rib
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WHY: Pecan lodge is one of the great Deep Ellum BBQ places. It helps if you get here early, because the line will run out he door and down the block quickly.
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TWISTED ROOT BURGER CO.
PIG SCORE: 3.6 / 4.0
WHAT: BURGERS TEXAS STYLE
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT: (multiple locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Freshman 15
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The Verdi
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Treat yo' self fries
WHY: Twisted root has edge from the second you walk in, place your order and they don't ask for your name, they give you one, mine was John Travolta. The burgers are serious and the beer is cold, this is a must try burger chain.
JOHNATHAN'S OAK CLIFF
PIG SCORE: 3.4 / 4.0
WHAT: Texas Bungalow Café
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Patty Melt
WHY: A little bungalow café pumping out some solid food. They make one of the best Patty Melts around, even for this Midwestern boy, although side Wisconsin note, mushrooms don't belong on it.
UNCLE UBER'S
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: ECLECTIC SANDWICH SHOP
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Pork BunMe
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Roast Beef
WHY: This funky sandwich shop has solid ecletic and flavorful sandwiches. The locals line up at lunchtime just to get one.
HARD EIGHT BBQ
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: GREATEST BBQ SHOW ON EARTH
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT: (multiple locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Ribeye steak
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BBQ Sausage
WHY: This place is visually impressive.. It feels like the Disney land of Texas BBQ. Select your entree out of the meat locker, and grab your sides. But this is the once BBQ joint that I will tell you to not ignore the steak.
BABE'S CHICKEN DINNER HOUSE
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: ALL YOU CAN EAT COMFORT FOOD
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT: (4 locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Chicken Fried Steak
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Fried Chicken
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Smoked Chicken
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Sides
WHY: Babe's is all you can eat southern cmofort food in a country casual setting. The food is extremely good, but be carful not to load up on the free salad and bread, why? Because all the entrees and sides are all you can eat. Want another chicken fried steak, just ask.
