Monday, June 10, 2013

Austin writer upset about state of Texas BBQ

Yesterday, I tweeted an article in the Austin American-Statesman about how the popularity of local BBQ joints is not sitting well with a local. The author, Statesman staff writer Mike Leggett, recounts his recent (June 1) trip to Louie Mueller Barbecue (where he waited in line behind the bus of people that Texas Monthly took there), a microcosm of what he sees happening to the Texas BBQ scene, generally. He ends his piece as such:
If I sound bitter, well, good.
It’s not that I mind that barbecue has been “discovered” here. I’ve always thought that Cooper’s and Kreuz’s and Mueller’s were the absolute pinnacle of the pit stuff.
But things have gotten out of hand when folks think it’s cool to stand in line for two hours to get a piece of brisket. That’s not cool. I don’t care how good the food is.
And we’ve begun to turn our barbecue stars like Aaron Franklin and Terry Woottan into super heroes. You see them now on dumb shows like BBQ Pitmasters and Mystery Diners. If only their super powers could deliver a good chunk of smoked pork at a decent price in under an hour.
All this media exposure is too much. I’m all for free enterprise and you can’t blame a restaurant owner for wanting to show off what he’s got and snap up some of that easy money.
But when the long-time customers start bailing on you — and I’m one of those — you need to pay attention to what’s happening. This high can’t last forever, guys.

10 comments:

Drew Thornley said...

Facebook: "Mike does seem like a grumpy old man. And, he said he is a loyal local. If that was the case and he is SOOOO loyal, why did he call Wayne Wade? And next time, call ahead and pick up your order there you loyal local!!!!"

Drew Thornley said...

Twitter: " I guess the market should build around this guy starting immediately. Comes off petty and weirdly jealous."

Drew Thornley said...

Twitter: "Wow...we've heard less whining from hipsters out of Lone Star tall boys!"

Drew Thornley said...

Twitter: " I do not agree with this article :-/"

Jacob said...

It was whiny and ridiculous. I have a hard time taking a writer seriously who both claims hipsters ruin something, and then use the ultimate hipster line of how he knew about it and liked it before it was cool. This same thing happened 5 years ago, with the 2008 bbq issue, which got me interested in trying BBQ other than Rudys and the small joint by my work place. Over 100 joints later, and I'm still interested today. BBQ is not elitist, and knowing about Snows or any other place before TM made it widely know is respectable and interesting, but does not make you special.

You forgot to mention the best part, that Mike Leggett, the true Louie Mueller customer for life, feels they are owned by an unknown Mueller son named Wade.

Drew Thornley said...

Twitter: "the sports pages and the paper he works for should not have been his platform for his vitriol. Period. People should enjoy the times or stay away. Definitely a generation(s) gap issue for him. There is Q in Burnet...eat there."

Drew Thornley said...

Twitter: "Saw Franklin's 2 hour line Friday @ 1145... 20 mins and 400 yds later I was eating just as well... #ifyoudontknowiainttellin"

Drew Thornley said...

Twitter: "BBQ has always been popular and cool. The proliferation of social media disseminates info faster. This is the new normal."

Frank said...

I thought it was Kelso until I read the byline!

Drew Thornley said...

FOR THE RECORD, when I introduce a comment with "Facebook" or "Twitter," it's b/c I am copying and pasting SOMEONE ELSE'S Facebook or Twitter comment.