My Franklin BBq Pilgrimage - Los Angeles to Austin Tx in 24 hrs - A Day In Pictures

buzd504 said:

So what's the story on "Cooper's"?  I've never heard of that one.

coopers is a strange recommendation from Franklin but I like it. There are 4-5 of them around and they are all a franchise of the original but still owned by people in the Cooper family (at least that's the way it has been in the past). You order right off the pit and they chop off whatever you want right there, then you take it inside and they weigh it. It's a Medieval feast. The Q is decent but not anywhere near Franklins/Valentina's/LaBarbecue and many others around here. It's an experience but they cook on gassers for the masses at most of the locations. I think the original in Llano (an hour outside of Austin) still runs wood pits. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

buzd504 said:

So what's the story on "Cooper's"?  I've never heard of that one.

coopers is a strange recommendation from Franklin but I like it. There are 4-5 of them around and they are all a franchise of the original but still owned by people in the Cooper family (at least that's the way it has been in the past). You order right off the pit and they chop off whatever you want right there, then you take it inside and they weigh it. It's a Medieval feast. The Q is decent but not anywhere near Franklins/Valentina's/LaBarbecue and many others around here. It's an experience but they cook on gassers for the masses at most of the locations. I think the original in Llano (an hour outside of Austin) still runs wood pits. 

Interesting, thanks.

Looks like LaBarbeque will be opening in Los Angeles soon.  That bodes well for ya Tim!

Hook_emHornsfan_74 said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

you order off these big brick pits outside then go in to pay and get sides etc. It's hard not to overbuy when you see it all lined up like this:

Couldn't agree more with your assessment of Coopers.  Its just blah compared to Valentina's and Franklin's.  Sometimes when driving back to Midland from Austin, we stop and get some Coopers for home and every time I do it swear its my last time.  La-barbecue is next on my list to try.  Will be in Austin in May, we should try to meet up and feast on some good Q.  SWMBO's daughter just built a condo on Cooper Lane in south Austin.   Its like 10 mins from Valentina's.  Couldn't be happier.   I have only had their breakfast tacos.  They Holyfield is amazing as well as the brisket/avcacado taco.  Can't wait to try the rest.  

let's do it. I bet we could get a pretty big crew together for a day like that. 

Thank for sharing @SoCalTim

@SoCalTim I did not see any sausage on your plate, did you get to try any?

Looks like a great trip, well done on the early start and line position.

Appreciate the write up Tim - sounds like y'all had a great time.

Outstanding post, and thank you for sharing. Very nicely done.

Someday I will make the trip, it’s top of the bucket list

Hans61 said:

I like it you wore a BGE hoodie for this experience!

And he printed it himself!

@socaltim I’ve never eaten at the original, but the one on 5th and the one labeled Graceland Grocery both serve food from the original.  They’re sort of bar-embedded places - bbq sandwiches, sliders and nachos kind of stuff.  Good, but not remarkable is how I hear it described by most people.  And nothing to do with Stubbs sauces, that name was sold off long ago and is why the Graceland Grocery is in the name of that location - they got sued over it.

Austin is on the bucket list. Hopefully 2019. The plan is to take 2 weeks off and hit as many places as possible. Thanks for posting!