Pilgrimage to "BBQ Mecca"

So I was down in San Marcos, TX on business today, which for me is only an hour's drive south. It's a mere 13 miles to Lockhart from there....so as far as I was concerned, that's "on the way home!" :evil:

So I headed a little to the West and quickly arrived in Lockhart. I've been to Black's before and another lesser known BBQ outpost in the self proclaimed (and well earned) BBQ Capital of Texas. But I had not previously been to Smitty's.....I WILL BE BACK!!

This place is OLD!! Right of the square of this little town, where they were hosting a big National Day of Prayer event at lunch-time...pretty cool, lots of WWII vets and older folks from this little town.

Anyway, when you walk in the door, you are in the Pit Room which consists of 4 or 5 large brick pits, covered by huge, flat iron lids...the freaking fire is ON THE FLOOR at one end of the pits and is drawn through the entire row of pits! CRAZY!! So you order the meats (brisket, beef shoulder advertised as lean, hot link, regular sausage, pork ribs, etc.) right there at the pits, and pay (not much) for it right there! Then you walk through two glass doors into what looks like an old General Store (without all the shelves), pay for your sides (beans, slaw, drinks, etc) that stuff there.

I got 1/2 pound of brisket (no forks, just a plastic knife and some white bread) and a link of hot - all wrapped up in butcher paper - also got some beans and a lemonade - total? Less than 9 bucks!!

Now I love BBQ of all kinds, remember - lived in Memphis, been to the Carolinas, Dreamland.....et al - heck, I just dig it all! But THIS BRISKET was the best BBQ experience of my 42 years. It was perfect brisket - moist, but not tons of fat, gorgeous smoke ring, great bark, and wonderful texture. THEY SERVE NO SAUCE - and it needed NO sauce! Just slap a couple slices in-between two slices of that cheap white bread and dig in.

The sausage was okay, but up against the brisket...no chance. If you get the chance, go get you some!! I know this, the standard I am shooting for with my brisket has been set, and I'm pretty sure I'll be checking against that standard OFTEN!