Blue Ribbon Barbecue has closed.

We hate to see Texas BBQ joints shut down. Just learned that this past fall, Blue Ribbon Barbecue closed its doors. We wish Bobby and all of the BRB family the very best.

Gameday Giveaway: Texas-Texas Tech

This weekend's college Gameday Giveaway matchup is a battle of Texas teams: Texas at Texas Tech (tomorrow, 6:30 PM Central). To be counted, your prediction must include winner, final score, & total yards (total yards is in case of a tie). Any prediction submitted after kickoff will not be accepted. The closest prediction wins a small family package (1.5 pounds of meat & 3 pints of sides - $40 value) from Austin's very own Blue Ribbon Barbecue! You can enter your prediction via comment below this post, via email, or you can tweet it to @ManUpTexasBBQ or submit via Facebook. 

Stanley's, Blue Ribbon, & Franklin on the cutting boards

(Brad's 2nd round of pics from the Super Bowl Media Party in Dallas)

Super Bowl Media Party: BBQ Caterers (Round 1)

NOTE: This last picture is of Blue Ribbon Barbecue. I could never get a clear shot of their sign! I suspect the banana puddings they served had something to do with that.

50% savings at Blue Ribbon Barbecue!

Today, The Lunch Deal has a 50%-savings deal for Blue Ribbon Barbecue (Austin). Spend $7, get $14 worth of food & drink. Deal ends at midnight, so don't delay!

Winners of Texas BBQ Giveaway #5

Last night, Brad and I drew the winners for our most recent Texas BBQ Giveaway: 3 great prizes from Blue Ribbon Barbecue (Austin, TX). Without further ado, here are the lucky 3:

#1: Who owns Blue Ribbon Barbecue, and how many years of experience does he/she have in the Texas BBQ business?

Answers: Bobby Cavo, 21 years

Prize: Official Blue Ribbon Barbecue T-shirt

Winner: Kevin Sidora (Austin, TX)

#2: How many meats does Blue Ribbon Barbecue sell by the pound, and how many side items are available?

Answers: 6, 9

Prize: Small Family Pack (1.5 pounds of meat, 3 pints of sides, sauce, pickles, onions, peppers, & bread - $28 value)

Winner: Amy Marie (Fort Worth, TX)

#3: The owner's grandfather was a legendary Texas BBQ restaurateur. What was his name, and where did he open his first BBQ restaurant?

Answers: Rudy Mikeska, Taylor, Texas

Prize: Large Family Pack (2.5 pounds of meat, 4 pints of sides, sauce, pickles, onions, peppers, & bread - $44 value)

Winner: Linda Heinemann (Houston, TX)

Lunch with The Daytripper

Had the pleasure of having lunch at Blue Ribbon Barbecue with my buddy Chet Garner, The Daytripper himself. Chet's preparing for the airing of the 2nd season of his show, which explores many of the great things that Texas has to offer - including BBQ. In fact, season 2 includes an entire episode devoted to Texas BBQ. Be sure to check out his site. As for our meals, sausage sandwich and potato salad for Chet. Turkey sandwich and green beans for me. And free banana puddings, with our Q Cards! (Speaking of Blue Ribbon Barbecue, later today I'm announcing the winners of our BRB giveaway.)

Chris reviews Blue Ribbon Barbecue (Austin, TX)

Any review of Blue Ribbon Barbecue starts with the owner Bobby Cavo, who is unbelievably welcoming and passionate about his barbecue. I went in on a rainy Wednesday along with Jenny, a Man-Upper of yesteryear, for lunch. The restaurant is located on the south side of the Frost Tower's ground floor smack in the middle of downtown. Because it's a rented space in the middle of one of the most recognizable buildings in Austin, the atmosphere doesn't necessarily look as common as other joints, but there are still some reminders you're there to eat BBQ in wall artwork and the booths. Plus the atmosphere (or relative lack thereof) is definitely not a reflection of the food.

There's plenty on the menu to choose from, and we ended up with a three-meat plate and four sides to share. There is so much variety in both the meat and the sides on the menu, so any trouble in ordering will only be because it's so hard to choose what to pick. I ordered brisket, sausage and chicken as our meats (although I thought I said pulled pork instead of chicken, but it was still good). Our sides were green beans, sweet corn, potatoes, and pinto beans.

The sides were all amazing. Jenny said the green beans were among the best she'd ever had from any restaurant. I actually only had a couple of bites of them because she ate them so fast, but I can agree that they should be ordered as one of your sides. Both the corn and potatoes were full of buttery goodness and flavor as well. Jenny's not a beans fan, but Blue Ribbon's beans are up there with any of the other beans I've had on other Man Up outings. Bobby came and visited each table while we were there, and one of the things we talked about with him was how he wanted a wide variety of menu items since so many different people work downtown. I told him I appreciated a BBQ restaurant that had more sides than just potato salad and beans, especially when they all taste good, while Jenny continued to rave about the green beans.

The brisket had a really nice smoke ring and good consistency, and the chicken was moist throughout. The sausage was my favorite of the meats. Bobby told me they make it themselves, which is always impressive when a BBQ joint, especially outside of Elgin, makes its own sausage. I wish I had tried the pork ribs or pulled pork, but I'll just have to get it the next time I visit. Bobby certainly knows what he's doing when it comes to correctly smoking meat.

My only issue with Blue Ribbon is one that can't easily be fixed. Because it's located in the middle of downtown Austin in a skyscraper, there isn't exactly room for a smoker anywhere. Because of this, Bobby smokes all his meat near Taylor and then transports it to Blue Ribbon's counter each day. This causes the meat to lose a little bit of its smokiness. However, I would put the brisket on par with Man Up staple Rudy's (which doesn't have to transport its meat). I also have no idea how it impacts the pulled pork or ribs since I didn't have any.

Overall, the transportation issue means Blue Ribbon will struggle to have brisket that compares to walking up to order at Snow's or Franklin's, but that doesn't mean it's not quality food. Plus, as Bobby and I discussed, having a BBQ restaurant smack in the middle of downtown makes it a perfect fit for any of you reading this from your downtown office. Just make sure to give yourself a couple of minutes to decide on what to order from a menu as well-rounded and delicious as Blue Ribbon's.

Last day to win from Blue Ribbon Barbecue!

If you haven't entered our Texas BBQ Giveaway, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Barbecue, there's still time. You've got all day to email me your entries, for chances to win 1 of 3 great prizes. BRB's website has all the answers you need for your entries, so get on it, people!

Blue Ribbon Barbecue Giveaway

Reminder: Through August 23, you can enter to win 1 of 3 prizes from Austin's newest BBQ joint: Blue Ribbon Barbecue. It's free to enter, all you have to do is email me the answers, and all the answers you need for the giveaway questions are conveniently located on BRB's website, so there's no excuse, people!

(Another reminder: The Q Card gets you a free dessert at Blue Ribbon, with your purchase of any sandwich combo or plate combo!)

Big day for Blue Ribbon Barbecue

As if catering an event at the UT football stadium for Mack Brown & Company (not to mention running a restaurant downtown) isn't enough for one day, Blue Ribbon Barbecue will be catering the Easton Corbin show tonight in the KASE Live Music Lounge over at Penn Field. Speaking of Mack Brown, I saw him interviewed the other day, and he just can't seem to get past losing to my Crimson Tide. C'mon, Mack! It's a new season, you've got loads of talent, and you had a killer recruiting class. Just roll with it. Anyway, congrats, Bobby, and everyone at Blue Ribbon!

Don't forget to enter to win prizes from Blue Ribbon in our Texas BBQ Giveaway. You've got through August 23 to enter. It's free, and you can get all the answers you need via Blue Ribbon's website, so quit tarrying and email me your entry!

Reader Review: Blue Ribbon Barbecue (Austin, TX)

Reviewed by: Joe Wagner (Lakeway, Texas)

Hey, just went to Blue Ribbon BBQ on 4th.

They smoke their meats in Taylor and then rush ‘em downtown to the store.

It is missing some of the ambience of some of the classic joints, but thought that the food was very tasty. They were giving out free banana pudding with the purchase of lunch and free coffee with the purchase of a breakfast taco. So I got breakfast and lunch (I’m fond of banana pudding)

Brisket was smoky, well marbled, had a nice bark on it and was tasty. A bit on the dry side, but I think that they’re still working out their operational logistics. Bobby Cavo himself was there and the whole crew was very friendly and attentive.

The cole slaw was sweet, not too creamy, but a perfect compliment to the meat.

Didn’t have the other sides, but will in the future.

Highly recommend the banana pudding. Damn good.

*Don't forget to enter to win prizes from Blue Ribbon in our Texas BBQ Giveaway.

Tomorrow morning: Free breakfast tacos at Blue Ribbon Barbecue!!!

Free breakfast tacos at Blue Ribbon Barbecue (4th & Brazos) tomorrow morning (Monday, July 26) from 7-8 am!!!

Texas BBQ Giveaway #5: Blue Ribbon Barbecue (Austin, Texas)

I'm pleased to announce our 5th Texas BBQ Giveaway. This one comes to you courtesy of the newest BBQ joint in Austin (and the latest affiliate of The Q Card): Blue Ribbon Barbecue. Same rules as always: Email me your answers (Don't leave them as comments.) to any/all of the questions below. Please include your name and hometown. Each correct answer gets your name in the hat (both parts of each question must be correct), and we'll draw a winner (Smart money is on consulting BRB's website for the answers.). Man Uppers aren't eligible. Maximum of one prize per winner. Contest is open through August 23.

#1: Who owns Blue Ribbon Barbecue, and how many years of experience does he/she have in the Texas BBQ business?

Prize: Official Blue Ribbon Barbecue T-shirt

#2: How many meats does Blue Ribbon Barbecue sell by the pound, and how many side items are available?

Prize: Small Family Pack (1.5 pounds of meat, 3 pints of sides, sauce, pickles, onions, peppers, & bread - $28 value)

#3: The owner's grandfather was a legendary Texas BBQ restaurateur. What was his name, and where did he open his first BBQ restaurant?

Prize: Large Family Pack (2.5 pounds of meat, 4 pints of sides, sauce, pickles, onions, peppers, & bread - $44 value)

Blue Ribbon Barbecue: Before & After

I made my first visit to Blue Ribbon Barbecue a couple of days ago. I didn't eat as much as I normally would have, since I had just come from a lunch meeting, but I cleaned my plate of brisket, sausage, pork rib, green beans, and corn (Sorry for the quality; didn't have my camera.). Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe BRB is the most centrally located BBQ restaurant in Austin (4th & Brazos). Should be a hit with the downtown lunch crowds.

I am thrilled that Blue Ribbon has signed on as the 30th affiliate of The Q Card. I spent an hour with proprietor Bobby Cavo, who is the grandson of the late Texas BBQ legend Rudy Mikeska. Bobby is a super-nice guy. Stop by to see him and grab a bite. BRB is a welcome addition to the downtown lunch scene. Wait, not just lunch. Starting Monday, BRB will be serving breakfast tacos!

Blue Ribbon or Bust

I'm about to walk into Blue Ribbon Barbecue, which just opened in downtown Austin. Looking forward to it. KPC and Bo hit it up yesterday for lunch and sent me a succinct review: "It's legit." Here's the pic they emailed me:

Blue Ribbon Barbecue opens in Austin!!!

Blue Ribbon Barbecue is Austin's newest BBQ purveyor! Find BRB at the base of the Frost Bank building (120 E 4th St.), and check them out on Facebook and Twitter. It's owned and operated by Bobby Cavo, who has some serious Texas BBQ history to his name. I'll be making my first visit next week, but if someone beats me to the punch, email me and tell me what you think - and send pics!