The Holy Grail of BBQ Part 1: Kreuz Market Lockhart, TX

    Welcome to the home of Texas BBQ, Lockhart, TX.  4 of the Top BBQs in the state are here.  This town is renowned for BBQ.  It has been part of their culture since the beginning of the 20th Century.   Texas BBQ is a flavor and tradition all it's own.  Kreuz Market might be the biggest building in all of Lockhart, TX.  Located downtown it encompasses nearly an entire city block, including about an entire acre of woodpile!  I suppose this may be considered to be a bit bold titling this 'The Holy Grail of BBQ', but I have waited a long time to sample this and until I find something better so be it. 



     Kreuz Market has been at or near the top of the rankings since 1973!  It owes it's reputation to the simple concept of GREAT FOOD with few amenities and no allowance for BBQ sauce.  That's right, NO SAUCE.  In fact the sign upon entering says it all.  Like many folks, they believe that good BBQ needs no sauce. The flavor is all you need. 

 

     As you enter through a long hallway and enter the heart of the beast itself, your nose awakens.  You are in the smokehouse.  When you reach the entry you stand in line waiting on your own personal butcher.  When you are summoned forward you will be asked what you want and then it is taken from one of the 8 enormous horizontal smoke chambers that surround 270 degrees of the room.  Your butcher then places it on his block table and cuts as much as you want of whatever you want cut to your preference. 

 



 

 



     Barb ordered two links of Jalapeno Cheese Sausage and I ordered 4 spareribs and several slices of brisket.  Your order is placed on several layers of brown butcher paper and several slices of bread are added while the top is simply gathered together before you pay and enter the dining area.  Price depends on what and how much you order.  Sides and drinks are extra.  The dining area consists of table seating with another counter to order your choice of sides and a drink.  Barb got Mac n Cheese and I got German Tater Salad.  We both drank the tea, which we sweetened ourselves.  Sweet Tea is not available.  There is a roll of paper towels on each table which are paramount to the experience.  There is also Chrystal's Hot Sauce if you wish.  This type of meal/setting works well for Barb and I as we like to taste and sample all the meats and sides available. 

 

     Notice the ONLY choice of eating utensils available.  Ironically, the plastic knives were not needed in the least.  Once again there IS NO BBQ sauce allowed.  I found their signature entre, the brisket, to be very moist and tender, easily torn and eaten with bare hands, but had very little flavor or smoke.  The ribs were some of the best I have ever eaten, easily leaving the bone with a very nice dark crunchy crust to savor.  The ribs have a distinct black pepper flavor that is delicious, but not too overpowering.  I don't think Barb realized that she ordered spicy sausage links, but I found them delicious and not that hot.  Barb enjoyed her Mac n Cheese, but I did not think the German Tater Salad was very good.  The staff was extremely friendly and ensured we had everything we needed (except BBQ sauce).  The entire experience was very much like a family picnic with good food.  Total for our meal was right at $28.  I am by no means an expert on BBQ, but I have eaten more than most and know what I like.  Texas Monthly rated Kreuz Market 4.2 on a scale of 1-5.  Due only to the brisket I would rate it slightly lower at about 4.0.  The sausage and ribs are to die for!

 

http://www.kreuzmarket.com

 

 

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