Dampf Good BBQ - Cary, NC

 I was lucky to find Dampf Good BBQ only a few months after my wife and I moved to Durham, NC.  I didn't know what to expect.  Labeled as Texas Craft BBQ with a 2025 Michelin Star...now THAT got my attention.  Often times a Michelin star restaurant will be about the experience more than the food.  However after trying the products of Nick Dampf - Owner and Head Pit Master - I was completely blown away.

At first, you think it's akin to a food truck and it does function much line one. However on the side is a smoker shed that is immense.  It also had a large shed with picnic tables for guests and it's on a fairly large plot of land.  It's really setup to be able to process a lot of food for a lot of people.

On today's tray was sliced brisket, pulled pork, mac and cheese and jalapeño creamed corn.  That brisket is on par with any of the top 5 that I've had in Texas.  Yes...it is that good.  The pulled pork was also on that same level.  I just can't get over how an embellished food truck in Raleigh/Durham, NC has Texas barbecue on an equal level with the best in the Hill Country.  

My recommendation, if in the RDU area, is to run - don't walk - and get there early as they do sell out.  Nick also has almost daily FB posts about the status of the day so find them on social and get there as quick as you can.

Maybe next time, I'll splurge and try the beef rib.  They looked amazing.

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ - Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC is a picture perfect mountain area town in western North Carolina.  They have beautiful vistas, great cycling/hiking and great barbecue.

I had lunch at Bears Smokehouse and did a sample of their burnt ends and smoked turkey.  For sides, I had the beans and greens.

The beans were definitely a NC sweet baked beans.  Very good with a thick molasses-like sauce.  The greens were smothers in pulled pork.  These are recommended.

The burnt ends were moist and tender with a good smoke and some bark.  The smoked turkey was very fresh and clean.  The cornbread had a bit of sweetness to it - in the range of a Jiffy cornbread.

Sauces were on point although I imagine some might find they want an option with less spice.

Overall, a very good barbecue experience.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Franklin Barbecue - Austin, TX

Franklin Barbecue

Austin, TX

Franklin Barbecue has been known as the benchmark for central market style barbecue in Austin.  There is a line to get Aaron's best every...single...day....and there has been for years.

I arrived around 10am to a line that started before breakfast.  They have chairs, water and access to restrooms.  About 30 mins before they open, they will survey every guest to see what you are ordering.  They may let you know if you are after the expected point where certain meats are sold out.

When they open at 11am the line moves as they fill up the inside cue.  It took me about an hour to get inside the door, then another 30 minutes before being served.  So a total of 2 1/2 hours in line.  That's a long time to wait for barbecue.  In fact, it took enough time that I had to get mine to go.

It's a lot of hype to live up to.  The menu is pretty simple with brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey and sausage.  Sides are slaw, potato salad and pinto beans.  Now I expected a more traditional pinto but these would be more accurately called ranch style beans.

I had brisket, ribs, sausage and beans.  The brisket had a good bark and was solid.  The ribs had a strong crust of rub that added a good Texas traditional flavor.  The beans seemed to be part of the same flavor family as the ribs.  Not sure if the spice combination is the same but it did taste like it.  Sausage was spot on good.  

While the barbecue was good, I think Franklin's strength is in his marketing.  I just don't see too many places that have this level of following, attention and culture.  I consider myself a barbecue snob and I don't think there was anyone that I talked to in line that didn't have the same level of passion...or above. I don't often find that.

I feel like I've stamped my ticket more for having the experience of eating a Franklin's than eating the barbecue.

I ask myself the question, would I do it again? There are a lot of places that have barbecue of a similar quality where you don't have to wait in line for hours so we'll just have to wait until my next trip to Austin to see if I'm drawn back or onto the next adventure.

LeRoy and Lewis BBQ - Austin TX

 LeRoy and Lewis BBQ

LeRoy and Lewis Store – Best BBQ Restaurant

Their slogan is "New school barbecue...old school service".  They seem to be building a community at their Austin, Texas location.  I was intrigued by their Michelin star rating.

I went with my cousin Pat that lives in Austin for dinner.  You always risk some items not being available.  When we arrived they had tri-tip as their sliced meat, a German Garlic sausage and other items.

We tried...

Sliced Tri-Tip

Beef Check Barbacoa

Miso Coated Carrots

Frito Pie

All were well crafted.  Pat and I agreed that the Barbacoa was likely the best thing on the plate.

They also have a Thursday night special - Chicken Fried Steak.

 

Absolutely solid.  From the outside, it seems typical for any good CFS but they definitely started out with a better piece of meat.

The dinner, while not your typical barbecue offering was very good.  A solid meal and not terribly expensive at all.

Enjoy!