Texas

I'm an Aussie who spent 7 hours in line to try some of the best barbecue in Texas. The wait was well worth it.

Published

2 months ago

November 17, 2024

I'm an Aussie who spent 7 hours in line to try some of the best barbecue in Texas. The wait was well worth it.

I waited for seven hours to try Franklin Barbecue, considered the best barbecue in Texas by many.
In line, I met other tourists and was even interviewed by a local paper.
Despite the long wait, the food was amazing, and we made a day out of the experience.

Texas is renowned for its barbecue. One of the most famous places to get it is Franklin Barbecue in Austin, where people wait in line for hours to order.

Established in 2009, Franklin Barbecue has made quite a name for itself in the past few years. It’s regularly recommended in Michelin Guides, and publications from Texas Monthly to Bon Appetit have listed it among the best barbecue in Texas (and even the country).

Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain even called the restaurant’s brisket the “best” and “finest” he’s ever had in 2012.

As someone who loves Texan barbecue, I’d always wanted to try it.

Eventually, I got a group together to see if this spot was really worth the hype. We arrived at about 7 a.m. on a Saturday, and there was already a queue of about 80 people.

We got to know the others waiting in line

Waiting in line felt like tailgating for a sports game.

Ash Jurberg

The restaurant is in a pretty unassuming turquoise-and-white building, but we immediately noticed the crowds outside of it.

Most people in the queue came prepared with chairs and coolers full of drinks. Although we didn’t have chairs, we did bring some beer.

However, 7 a.m. felt a little too early to start drinking, so I had coffee first.

We started chatting with others in the line and discovered that most were not from Austin and had traveled from other states. We even spoke to a few international visitors.

Overall, the atmosphere was very friendly, and it felt like we were tailgating before a big sports game.

The back of the line was told there may not be enough food for them

After a couple of hours, when the queue had grown to a few hundred, a staff member came out to take orders.

These were not official orders, but the staff member wanted to try to check if there’d be enough of each order to cater to everyone in the queue.

Since there was a chance of demand exceeding supply, they advised people at the end of the queue to go home and not risk wasting their time. Thankfully, we were well within the cutoff limit and didn’t need to worry about the food running out before we ordered.

The samples we received left me wanting more

We could smell the delicious meat since the smokers were very close to the line, which made us even more eager to eat.

Around 10:30 a.m., another employee came to hand out some small samples.

Although the portion sizes were smaller than a bite, the piece I tried had me salivating. My stomach was rumbling, but I knew we still had a few hours left of waiting.

At one point, a local reporter started asking a few of us why we were in line.

A reporter from the University of Texas paper came to ask some tourists why they were there. As an Australian, I was one of the people interviewed. I joked I’d flown from Down Under for lunch just to fly home after eating — and they seemed to believe me.

At this point, I was getting delirious from the hunger.

The line began to move slowly once the doors opened

Ash Jurberg

The doors finally opened at 11 a.m., and the queue began to move very slowly. Time moved even slower as I watched satisfied customers exit the restaurant.

I became impatient as we inched forward. Finally, around 1 p.m., we entered the restaurant and soon got to place our orders.

At last, we received our food after almost seven hours of waiting

The food from Franklin Barbecue was delicious.

Ash Jurberg

Once we made it inside, I was so hungry that I wanted to order several pounds of food, but I contained myself.

Finally, after almost seven hours, we sat down with plates full of meat and sides like coleslaw and pickles. The brisket melted in my mouth and no knife was required for the tender meat.

I felt like I was in food heaven.

The long wait was worth it

The food and experience made the wait worth it.

Ash Jurberg

After finishing our meal, we saw the owner and pitmaster, Aaron Franklin, emerge from the kitchen. We complimented him on his food and staff and told him that the experience was well worth the long wait.

I’ve tried many barbecue places in Texas, but this was the best I’ve had.

Customers can order Franklin Barbecue online to avoid this wait, but you must do so days in advance during a specific window and order at least 5 pounds.

Still, I think everyone should try the queue experience once since it makes for a fun day and an interesting story — plus, you get delicious barbecue at the end of the wait.

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Texas

After a battle that split the GOP, Texas leaders select a new Speaker of the Texas House

Published

4 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

After a battle that split the GOP, Texas leaders select a new Speaker of the Texas House

After a contentious battle that split Texas House Republicans, State Representative Dustin Burrows of Lubbock was elected Speaker. In the second round of voting, he defeated his fellow Republican David Cook of Mansfield, 85 to 55 votes.

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Texas

Texas football: Which former Longhorns are paying in the NFL postseason?

Published

12 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Texas football: Which former Longhorns are paying in the NFL postseason?

The Texas football season is over, but the NFL playoffs are underway.

The Longhorns sent a record 11 players into the NFL with the 2024 NFL draft and will send even more in 2025. The ultimate goal for those potential draftees will be to make the playoffs — just like a couple of Texas-exes who will be playing with a chance to advance past the divisional round this weekend.

WATCH TEXANS VS CHIEFS HERE

The upcoming games include the Houston Texans vs the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Commanders vs the Detroit Lions on Saturday and the Los Angeles Rams vs the Philadelphia Eagles and the Ravens vs the Bills on Sunday. The victors this week will move onto the conference title games, just one win away from the Super Bowl.

From big contributors to backups on the roster, here are the former Texas players left in the NFL playoffs.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs WR

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft after the former Texas receiver ran the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL combine history.

When he was initially drafted fans believed Worthy would unlock Mahomes’ deep ball, reminiscent of Tyreek Hill’s prime days with the quarterback. However, Worthy’s role has been in the short passing game. He has 638 receiving yards this season with 416 of them coming after the catch according to Pro Football Focus. Worthy and the Chiefs will face the Houston Texans in the divisional round.

Charles Omenihu, Kansas City Chiefs DL

After tearing his ACL in the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, Charles Omenihu has returned to the lineup for another playoff run with the Chiefs.

Omenihu has played in six games this year and has collected six tackles and a sack. Last season, however, Omenihu was having a career season on the defensive line. The former Longhorn had 28 total tackles and seven sacks before the injury took him out for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams WR

Drafted in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, Jordan Whittington earned a spot on the roster through his gritty playstyle and willingness to do whatever the team needs. He has 293 yards on 22 catches this season.

With wide receivers Puka Nakua and Cooper Kupp receiving the Lions’ share of targets, Whittington won’t see much pass-catching action in the playoffs. The Rams mostly use him as a run blocker and on special teams. He and the Rams will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens K

One of the best kickers of all time, Justin Tucker has not been his usual stellar self.

He’s made 22 of his 30 attempts this season, for a 73.3% hit rate. It’s nearly 10% lower than his previous career low of 82.5% and it’s already cost the Ravens a few wins. The good news for Baltimore fans is Tucker has gone 21-of-21 on extra points and field goals since a disastrous three-of-six outing against the Eagles in early December.

The Ravens matchup with the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round.

Sam Cosmi, Washington Commanders OL

Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Commanders, Sam Cosmi has quietly become one of the more reliable offensive guards in the league.

The Commanders’ offensive line has seen shuffle after shuffle over the past few seasons. Cosmi has been incredibly reliable for Washington, and they subsequently rewarded him with a four-year, $74 million deal this past offseason. The Commanders will face the Detroit Lions in the divisional round.

Andrew Beck, Houston Texans FB

Beck alternates between the Texans’ practice squad and their roster. He does not have a solid role and has played in four games this season.

Kris Boyd, Houston Texans DB

He has eight tackles on the season and likely won’t see much action against the Chiefs in the divisional round unless there is an injury.

Boyd has played sparingly for the Texans as the second-string cornerback behind Derek Stingley Jr., who’s having an All-Pro caliber season.

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Texas

AMBER ALERT: 8-year-old boy missing in Aransas Pass, suspect on the run

Published

20 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

AMBER ALERT: 8-year-old boy missing in Aransas Pass, suspect on the run

An AMBER Alert has been issued for 8-year-old Patrick Killian, who was taken from Aransas Pass, Texas. Authorities are searching for 41-year-old Jeffery Harris in connection with the abduction.

Texas Department of Public Safety says Patrick was last seen at noon on Friday, in the 2600 Block of Armstrong Rd in Aransas Pass, Texas. He is described as a white 8-year-old boy, approximately 4′0″ tall and weighing 50 lbs. He has blonde hair, and blue eyes, and was wearing black frame glasses at the time of his disappearance.

Patrick was last seen with 41-year-old Jeffery Harris, who is described as a white man, standing 5′9″ tall and weighing 215 lbs. Harris has brown hair and blue eyes.

Harris is believed to be driving a silver 2016 Hyundai Elantra with Texas license plate VDK447K.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Aransas Pass Police Department at 361-729-2222.I f you see the vehicle or have any details, please call 9-1-1.

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