My 1st lechonera in Puerto Rico!

Had lunch yesterday from one of the many lechnoneras in Puerto Rico. Roadside joints that slow roast pigs on rotating spits over charcoal. The one I hit up was El Cunao, located in Cayey, in the interior of the island. Pictures of the food still to come.

What's your favorite Texas BBQ joint not on Texas Monthly's Top 50 list?

Earlier this week, Texas Monthly announced it's Top 50 BBQ joint in Texas. Which joint that did NOT make the cut is your favorite?

Texas Monthly's Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints 2013

People love "Best of" lists. People love rankings. And people love debating them. List of top BBQ joints is no exception. Yesterday, Texas Monthly, for the first time since 2008, published its list of the Top 50 BBQ joint in Texas. There are lots of Texas BBQ lists out there, but no list creates as much buzz as TM's. They say that Texas has around 2K BBQ joints. For this list, their team of eaters visited 658 of them, covering 33,168 miles. This is the most joints they've visited in preparation for the list, no doubt thanks to the help of our buddy and their new hire Daniel "BBQ Snob" Vaughn. Only 18 of the 50 are repeats from 2008, so there is certainly lots to talk about. For each stop, the staffer sampled "at least 3 meats, a couple of sides, and a dessert." Afterward, the eater filled out a "detailed score sheet. The final score considers intangibles like setting, service, and history, but mainly it is based on meat. The brisket score counts the most."

Before I ask for your reactions (Many of you already have weighed in. As of now, there are 138 comments below the TM post.), I just want to congratulate all of the winners for the honor, as well as the staff of Texas Monthly for seeing their hard work come to fruition. Kudos for traversing far and wide to get as big of a sample as you did. Cheers to all of you.

So, what are your thoughts? I can't imagine any two people would come up with the same list, as lists like this are inherently subjective, so I am sure everyone has something to say. Any places you feel should not be on the list? Places that should have been included? Thoughts on the list's methodology? Should brisket count the most? What about the 1300+ joints that didn't get visited?  Anyone already making plans to hit up all 50? Weigh in with your thoughts!

BBQ in Puerto Rico?

Just touched down in San Juan, Puerto Rico. First trip here. Was supposed to land last night for my 1st of 8 nights, but the airline was on the struggle bus, so I got stranded in Miami. So, here for 7 nights. Any BBQ worth hitting up? I'm definitely on the hunt for some lechoneras!

At la Barbecue with LeAnn Mueller!

Near the end of our West benefit at la Barbecue, red-faced & sweaty, Brad & I snagged a pic with la Barbecue's LeAnn Mueller!

All aboard for June 8 BBQ/wine/bourbon trip!!!

Join us Saturday, June 8, for our next public Texas Q Tours trip! We're heading West to 2 Texas BBQ joints, 2 Texas wineries, & 1 Texas bourbon distillery. You eat. You drink. We drive. Tickets ($125 per seat) are all-inclusive. Here's the itinerary:

Tour/tasting at Garrison Brothers Distillery (Hye, TX)
Meal at Smokin' Rose of Texas (Fredericksburg, TX)
Tasting at Grape Creek (Fredericksburg, TX)
Tasting at ___________ (VOTERS' CHOICE - See below.) 
Meal at Opie's Barbecue (Spicewood, TX)

We've left open the 2nd winery stop, so that all of you can have a say in where we go. So, via Twitter, Facebook, comment below this post, or email, vote on 1 of the following wineries:

Becker Vineyards
Pedernales Cellars
Torre di Pietra

Again, the all-inclusive seat price is $125. Here is the PayPal button (You may also pay via cash or check. If you wish to do so, email us.):

Best Texas Trinity in Austin?

Back in December, I asked which Texas BBQ joint serves the tastiest Texas Trinity (brisket, sausage, & pork ribs). Today, I want to know which Austin BBQ joint serves the best Texas Trinity. So, of all the BBQ joint in Austin, which one serves the best brisket, sausage, & pork ribs (as a group)? Don't list a favorite for each item. Just vote for one BBQ joint!

Our food at our West benefit at la Barbecue

Here's the food I snagged for our volunteers at our West benefit at la Barbecue. Huge chopped-beef sandwiches, sausage, cheese, & potato salad. Didn't last long.

Hyatt Place Austin Downtown is the official hotel of this year's Gettin' Sauced!

We're delighted to announce today that the official hotel of this year's (4th annual) Gettin' Sauced! contest & festival is the brand new Hyatt Place Austin Downtown! The 17-story hotel features 296 guest rooms and is located at 211 E. 3rd St., in the heart of downtown. The lobby has a full bar and a Starbucks, and food is available in the hotel 24/7. 

Gettin' Sauced! is Saturday, September 28. Our group rate of $169 is available for Friday (Sept 27) and/or Saturday (Sept 28) and includes WiFi and breakfast! To get the group rate, click this link or use the checkout code g-sman.

Pics from West benefit at la Barbecue

First pics from our West benefit at la Barbecue: