Friend lunching at Pecan Lodge

One of my friends just texted a pic of his Pecan Lodge lunch:

Yesterday at Pecan Lodge

One of my buddies worked near Pecan Lodge yesterday. He didn't have time to eat, but he took some pics:

Birthday lunch at Pecan Lodge

One of my best buddies had lunch last week at Pecan Lodge last week on his birthday. Texted me a pic. Brisket, macaroni & cheese, fried okra, and iced tea:

"Best BBQ in the American South" (Huffington Post)

Just saw yet another best-BBQ article. This one on Huffington Post is entitled Best BBQ in the American South. The article begins,

A 2,500-mile, three-week road trip across the American South in search of this vast and varied region's best BBQ turned out to be one of the smartest -- and tastiest -- travel ideas I've ever had. A heaping helping of delectable local culture at every stop was all but ensured alongside the opportunity to enjoy some of the most deeply satisfying meals of my life -- usually presented with warm reception at independent, family-owned establishments.

The journey is chronicled in a series of "BBQ Bound" posts published on my personal blog, tikichris. Have a look at the complete series here:
tikichris.com/category/bbq-bound

But for those preferring to cut to the chase and get to the meat of the matter, listed below are the 25 best BBQ eateries visited during my trip. Each one of these independent and mostly family-owned establishments astounded my palate profoundly with authentic and traditionally made American food.

The Texas joints that made the author's (Chris Osburn) list are as follows:

Franklin (Austin)
Micklethwait (Austin)
Lockhart Smokehouse (Dallas)
Pecan Lodge (Dallas)
Smoke (Dallas)
Salt Lick (Driftwood)

Garden & Gun's Ultimate BBQ Bracket

It's NCAA tournament time, and that usually means a BBQ bracket emerges somewhere. Heck, I published one once...and might again. For now, check out the Ultimate BBQ Bracket from the magazine Garden & Gun. Of the 32 Southern BBQ joints in the bracket, 4 hail from Texas: Pecan Lodge, Franklin Barbecue, la Barbecue, & Kreuz Market. You can vote once per day. Round 1 voting ends March 20 at 10PM ET.

Gameday Giveaway: Texas-Oklahoma State

This weekend's college Gameday Giveaway matchup is Texas at Oklahoma State (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 Trough from Pecan Lodge (Dallas, TX)! Know what a Pecan Lodge Trough is? It's a beef rib, a pound of brisket, a pound of pork ribs, half a pound of pulled pork, & 3 sausages! And you get to redeem it in Pecan Lodge's express line, without waiting! You can enter your prediction via comment below this post, via email, or you can tweet it to @ManUpTexasBBQ or submit via Facebook. 

BBQ bumper stickers from Pecan Lodge & Smokey Denmark's

Friday, I posted a picture of a BBQ bumper sticker I spotted in Austin. I asked for pics of any others out there. Via Twitter, the nice folks from Smokey Denmark's & Pecan Lodge sent me pics:

Lunch today at Pecan Lodge (Dallas, TX)

Earlier today, my good buddy Drew Lifsey texted me from the line (50 deep, he wrote) at Pecan Lodge. He sent me a pic (top) from his spot in the line. A bit later, he texted me pics of his lunch: brisket, pork ribs, & fried okra.

Todd reviews Pecan Lodge (Dallas)

Our Todd Plunk emailed me this:

Texas BBQ is a beautiful thing. I mean, there is something to be said for anything that causes grown men to wait for hours on end just to try a delicious hunk of smoked meat.  On December 26, while in Dallas for Christmas, I decided to hit up Texas Monthly's #2 pick in their Top 50 List, Pecan Lodge, located in the Dallas Farmer's Market.

I first sampled Pecan Lodge at the 2013 Texas Monthly BBQ Festival. The brisket was tender and well smoked, so I was excited to try Pecan Lodge again, this time on their home field.  I arrived Thursday morning at 11am and was about 100 people back in the line. After waiting in line for one hour and 45 minutes, I finally made my way to the front counter to place my order... It all went down hill from there.

Becoming one of the top BBQ joints in the state, requires more than just having the best smoked meat. In my opinion, what separates Texas BBQ from all other BBQ is our hospitality. When I reached the counter to order, Mark L. (according to my receipt) took my order, and seeing how the only meat left was brisket, it was a fairly easy order. Watching the interactions of those guests in front of me, and then myself, I was amazed at how little personality and hospitality was shown to guests.  It was as if the staff didn't want to be there. The line moved extremely slow, with guests spending several minutes at the register...but not due to friendly, hospitable conversation, but due to the slow, 'zombie-like' actions of the staff.

I ordered the brisket, mac-n-cheese and a canned coke...notable items missing from the menu include sliced bread and iced tea...I mean how do you eat BBQ without these two things?  The brisket was good, my order of half a pound gave me both moist and lean cuts.  The mac-n-cheese was also good filled with green chilies and bacon.  But that's just it...the food was good, not great.  It was certainly above average, but if this truly is the second best BBQ in Texas, it fell far short. I was expecting to be blown away, and today, on this occasion it just wasn't there.  

Now I've been eating and reviewing BBQ for over 5 years now, so I understand you have on-days and off-days, and unfortunately I caught Pecan Lodge on an off-day; but beyond the meat, my overall experience fell far short for one of the best BBQ joints in the state.  Truly the gap between central Texas BBQ and Dallas BBQ is still quite large.

Todd

Updates from Pecan Lodge

Pecan Lodge (Dallas) is one of the Texas BBQ joints that has received so much publicity and acclaim that big crowds & long lines are part of the experience. In an effort to make it easier to dine at/from PL, they've implemented a couple of changes. In their words:

1. A second cash register has been added that will primarily serve as an "Express Line" for those ordering 5lbs or more. This means at any time (without notice) you can walk up and place your order without waiting in the main line.

2. Pre-Orders can be made with 2 days advanced noticed by sending an email to catering@pecanlodge.com. Pre-Orders must be for whole products (whole briskets, racks of ribs, etc) and can be picked up anytime from 11am to 3pm on days that we're open.

Some Texas pitmasters

From top to bottom: Marco Oglesby (Opie's Barbecue, Spicewood), Kerry Bexley (Snow's BBQ, Lexington), Justin Fourton (Pecan Lodge, Dallas), & Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue, Austin).

Event Announcement: Shannon Stone Memorial Fundraiser

What: Shannon Stone Memorial Fundraiser

When: Sunday, August 14, 2011, 6:30-9:30 PM

Where: Dallas Farmers Market, Shed 2

Press release:

DALLAS PITMASTERS UNITE FOR STONE FAMILY FUNDRAISER

Pecan Lodge Catering and Lockhart Smokehouse join forces for a
Shannon Stone Memorial Fundraiser in Dallas

DALLAS, Friday July 22, 2011 — Diane Mason Fourton of Pecan Lodge Catering and Jill Grobowsky Bergus of Lockhart Smokehouse were so moved by the tragic death of Lt. Shannon Stone at the Texas Rangers Game on July 7, 2011 that they have put aside barbecue competitiveness to help the family of the fallen firefighter with a fundraiser.

The event will feature a barbecue dinner with smoked meats from both Pecan Lodge (D Magazine’s “Best BBQ” in Dallas winner for 2011) and Lockhart Smokehouse (our local Cathedral for carnivores), burnt end pizzas from Il Cane Rosso’s Jay Jerrier along with drinks, music and a live auction. The auction items are being finalized and will be announced soon.

Sponsors include Dallas Farmers Market, Texas BBQ Posse, Full Custom Gospel BBQ, Il Cane Rosso, Edible DFW, Crave DFW, Deep Eddy Vodka and US Foods. Local food and barbecue fans wishing to support the Stone family through this exciting event can purchase tickets, priced at $30 each at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1940775913, tickets can also be purchased at the door based on availability.

STONE FAMILY MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011
6:30-9:30pm
DALLAS FARMER’S MARKET, SHED #2
1010 S. Pearl Expy, Dallas, TX 75201
www.pecanlodge.com : www.lockhartsmokehouse.com

BBQ returns to Pecan Lodge!

After a time away, thanks to the powers that be in Dallas, the smoker will be firing up again this Saturday at Pecan Lodge (Dallas Farmers Market, Shed 2).

The rest from Pecan Lodge (Dallas Farmers Market)

More from Pecan Lodge