Waiting in line at Franklin Barbecue - NYTimes

HeavyG

The New York Times this morning has a little article and short video about waiting in line for entrance into Franklin Barbecue some might find interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/us/for-mavens-of-meat-no-fast-lane-to-slow-cooked-texas-brisket.html?_r=0

stemc33

Great stuff. I've read articles similar to this before. Franklin definitely has a great thing going on that's for sure. Eating there is on my bucket list. 

kl8ton

I like the comment about the 13 year old "professional line sitter." He has made somewhere in the 5 figures range sitting in bbq lines for people.

tarheelmatt

kl8ton said:

I like the comment about the 13 year old "professional line sitter." He has made somewhere in the 5 figures range sitting in bbq lines for people.

I am pretty sure that has ceased now.... 

DeltaNu1142

tarheelmatt said:

kl8ton said:

I like the comment about the 13 year old "professional line sitter." He has made somewhere in the 5 figures range sitting in bbq lines for people.

I am pretty sure that has ceased now.... 

It has. It's stated in the article. Also stated:

“Kanye West wanted to cut the line and we didn’t let him,” said Benjamin Jacob, Mr. Franklin’s general manager. “Everybody’s equal.”

The first part doesn't surprise me--that guy strikes me as one who routinely pulls the "Do you know who I am?" card. ...and the second part tickles and pleases me.

Spring Chicken

A couple of years ago, my wife and I took an Egghead friend from Ireland to Franklin BBQ.  Yes, we stood in line.  In fact, we were 125th in line at 8:15 am.  Yes, it was worth it.  We even got to meet Aaron Franklin and take a tour of his famous cookers.  We sent our friend back to Ireland very happy and with this as a keepsake.




Spring "Been There Done That" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

hondabbq

I think that's nuts, but sadly I want it, and I will have it at some point. Maybe @cazzy will take me when I show up in Austin

SmokeyPitt

hondabbq said:

I think that's nuts, but sadly I want it, and I will have it at some point. Maybe @cazzy will take me when I show up in Austin

My first reaction was "no way in hell I would wait in line that long for food", then somebody said "day drinking" and now I would be all in. 

Spring Chicken

SmokeyPitt said:

My first reaction was "no way in hell I would wait in line that long for food", then somebody said "day drinking" and now I would be all in. 


You've never been in the Army, have you?  You learn early on how to stand in line.  Then they teach you how to Soldier.

Spring "Been There And Done That Too" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

Fuzzbutt

“Kanye West wanted to cut the line and we didn’t let him,” said Benjamin Jacob, Mr. Franklin’s general manager. “Everybody’s equal.”

They just don'e like Kanye  . They had no problem letting Obama cut.

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/franklin-patrons-excited-to-see-obama-even-after-h/ngc4T/

Waiting in line at Franklin's is more like a tailgate than waiting in a restaurant line. There's beer, breakfast, chairs, umbrellas, and even sometimes canopies. I've done it before and I'll do it again. I've never met someone who was disappointed. 

YukonRon

I dream of the day, AF shows up in Louisville, waits three hours to have my brisket. MY Dream=BS.

blasting

I love it that AF told Kanye to pound salt.  Now I really want to go.

lousubcap

@YukonRon - You must have jumped into AF early-line day drinkin' to be thinking like that

Hi54putty

I will be in Austin in a few weeks (first visit) and I don't think I can wait in line for anything that long. I plan on going to LA Barbecue and a few others. 

cazzy

Hi54putty said:

I will be in Austin in a few weeks (first visit) and I don't think I can wait in line for anything that long. I plan on going to LA Barbecue and a few others. 

La Barbecue can be up to two hours on the weekend.  Try to hit em up during the week, and you'll wait lessm. Even Franklin is about 1 to 1.5 hours less Tuesday through Thursday.

Eggcelsior

 Hi54putty said:

I will be in Austin in a few weeks (first visit) and I don't think I can wait in line for anything that long. I plan on going to LA Barbecue and a few others. 

@Hi54putty

Hit up Cen Tex. If he is around, he'll show you a good time. If you can, go to Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ. They have a "Tex" menu(traditional Tx BBQ) and "Mex" menu (tacos and whatnot). Out of this world. My second favorite place I've been to(after Franklin). It's in a parking lot next to a liquor store so you can grab a sixer and have a good time. Line wasn't too bad when I was there is November.

http://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com/our-food.html

Hi54putty

cazzy said:

Hi54putty said:

I will be in Austin in a few weeks (first visit) and I don't think I can wait in line for anything that long. I plan on going to LA Barbecue and a few others. 

La Barbecue can be up to two hours on the weekend.  Try to hit em up during the week, and you'll wait lessm. Even Franklin is about 1 to 1.5 hours less Tuesday through Thursday.

Nevermind, I need to go on Tuesday and they aren't open. Oh well. 

Grillmagic

I have been there twice and it was VERY VERY GOOD! I was told at one time that his brisket was choice or maybe even Select? and if so it was WAY Better than it should have been, I have been told by someone on this forum that that is not true which makes sense (they shared it was PRIME) Well worth it, I got in both times at 11:30 and 1 PM and had Brisket, Ribs, slaw and beans once and had the Pulled Pork the second time with the brisket . 50.00 dollar lunch each time and I will try to get in again the next time I get to town. I got there on  weekdays around 6:30/7:00 both times. I personally have made pulled pork that I thought was close (80% as good) but the Brisket was SOOO GOOD! Great sides also! 

Hi54putty

Eggcelsior said:

 Hi54putty said:

I will be in Austin in a few weeks (first visit) and I don't think I can wait in line for anything that long. I plan on going to LA Barbecue and a few others. 

@Hi54putty

Hit up Cen Tex. If he is around, he'll show you a good time. If you can, go to Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ. They have a "Tex" menu(traditional Tx BBQ) and "Mex" menu (tacos and whatnot). Out of this world. My second favorite place I've been to(after Franklin). It's in a parking lot next to a liquor store so you can grab a sixer and have a good time. Line wasn't too bad when I was there is November.

http://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com/our-food.html

Sweet! We will definitely check it out. They are open on Monday and Tuesday. Thanks for the info. 

Legume

@Hi54putty holler when you know your schedule, I'd definitely be up for meeting you at Valentina's

SGH

@Grillmagic
Brother Magic, in a few of AF's interviews I have heard him say that he uses prime from these folks: http://www.creekstonefarms.com/
On a few of his videoes and interviews I have seen wrappers with the CSF logo on them. This leads me to believe that he actually does use their beef. Or did at one time. 

Grillmagic

SGH said:

@Grillmagic
Brother Magic, in a few of AF's interviews I have heard him say that he uses prime from these folks: http://www.creekstonefarms.com/
On a few of his videoes and interviews I have seen wrappers with the CSF logo on them. This leads me to believe that he actually does use their beef. Or did at one time. 

I was performing at a Memphis in May Event 5/6 years ago and one of the venders told a few of us this and back then I had not been to Franklins so I had nothing to compare it to, both times I ate there I thought I was eating choice/ select which really added to how good it was. To date it is the best Brisket I have ever eaten bar none and it makes sense that he is preparing prime. Highly Recommended to any true EGG HEAD! 

DeltaNu1142

Fuzzbutt said:

“Kanye West wanted to cut the line and we didn’t let him,” said Benjamin Jacob, Mr. Franklin’s general manager. “Everybody’s equal.”

They just don'e like Kanye  . They had no problem letting Obama cut.

Ehh... that's only a little disappointing. Kanye holds no formal authority over anything of significance. Obama, whatever your opinion may be, is leader of the free world. Aside from the fact that putting him in line for 3+ hours would probably cost the taxpayers several hundred thousand dollars.

blasting said:

I love it that AF told Kanye to pound salt.  Now I really want to go.

Yep, me too. I've never been to Austin, but I've heard great things in general.

Black_Badger

I've written about my one experience at Aaron Franklin BBQ on here as well as on Yelp but I'll summarize again:

Yes, you will wait in line.
Yes, it will seem crazy.
Yes, it's totally worth it!

Best brisket I've ever had (by a MILE) but also the best pulled pork and VERY good pork ribs and sausage. Can't speak to the sides, I ONLY ATE MEAT!!!!

I certainly envy you Austinites; very cool place!

Cheers all -
B_B

The Cen-Tex Smoker

They just don'e like Kanye  . They had no problem letting Obama cut.

Racists!...oh wait. Never Mind

blasting

I wonder if any restaurant has refused service to a president?

A presidential visit shuts the restaurant down for a chunk of the day, and imagine the publicity you'd get turning down a presidential visit...

Eggcelsior

blasting said:

I wonder if any restaurant has refused service to a president?

A presidential visit shuts the restaurant down for a chunk of the day, and imagine the publicity you'd get turning down a presidential visit...

In DC, it's only for an hour or so. I guess it's since they are used to Presidential visits.

blasting

Eggcelsior said:

blasting said:

I wonder if any restaurant has refused service to a president?

A presidential visit shuts the restaurant down for a chunk of the day, and imagine the publicity you'd get turning down a presidential visit...

In DC, it's only for an hour or so. I guess it's since they are used to Presidential visits.

With all the security checks and sweeps, I had thought it would be more.  I had heard BO was turned down for golf because it shut down the course.

YukonRon

lousubcap said:

@YukonRon - You must have jumped into AF early-line day drinkin' to be thinking like that

@lousubcap naw, it was from the continuation of late night drinkin' that made me think that.
Still total BS. Just hoped people laughed.

HeavyG

Fuzzbutt said:

“Kanye West wanted to cut the line and we didn’t let him,” said Benjamin Jacob, Mr. Franklin’s general manager. “Everybody’s equal.”

They just don'e like Kanye  . They had no problem letting Obama cut.

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/franklin-patrons-excited-to-see-obama-even-after-h/ngc4T/

Waiting in line at Franklin's is more like a tailgate than waiting in a restaurant line. There's beer, breakfast, chairs, umbrellas, and even sometimes canopies. I've done it before and I'll do it again. I've never met someone who was disappointed. 

Even if I had been waiting in line in the cold and rain for five hours if the POTUS shows up (regardless of my personal feelings for the person) I'd be glad to let the Prez go ahead and cut in line.

POTUS has enough on their plate (so to speak) and could really use a lunch break with the best brisket on the planet!

As the city of Austin voted overwhelmingly for Obama in 2008 and 2012 I'm sure there were very few who were upset by his visit.

Jeepster47

Who wouldn't let POTUS go ahead ... his side kicks have guns and no sense of humor on the job.