Where can you find the best BBQ in Texas?  I've spent several weeks thinking about where to go for the best BBQ in Texas.  I thought about restaurants that are open now. I thought about the ones that have closed.  I thought about the memorable places that I have eaten that I can't even remember the name of.  I have thought and thought and thought - where is the best BBQ in Texas? 

I finally concluded....the best BBQ in Texas are the outdoor BBQ's put on by family and friends.   The BBQ might be held in someone's back yard.  It might be at the lake.  It might be in a parking lot of a rodeo or at a football game.   The location doesn't matter all that much, so long as everyone is enjoying being there.  (Hard core BBQers take their pit with them.)

Although some Texan's have a love affair with their BBQ pit, I don't think the pit itself really matters....to me at least.  I think it is the atmosphere of a BBQ that practically guarantees the food is going to taste great.  Mmmm...just thinking about brisket, steaks, chicken, ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage.  They all taste great cooked on the pit.   I'll admit, every once in a while, the hamburgers may shrink a little too much or the hot dogs may get a little too crispy, but that is the exception versus the rule.

Maybe BBQ almost always tastes good because somehow, each person present seems to get involved in some little way.  Most people will simply look and give their stamp of approval.  "Yep, it's looking good.  Won't be too much longer."   In most cases, there will be at least one person that takes great pride in their BBQing abilities.  I'll call that person the grill master or the king of the BBQ pit.  Whatever title is endowed upon that person, everyone knows they are ultimately responsible for the great tasting BBQ. 

Unlike a restaurant, you can watch the meat get put on the grill.  You can see the smoke.  You can smell the BBQ.  You can hear the sizzle.  You can watch the meat being turned over, sprayed, getting coated, poked....what ever that person does to make the ultimate BBQ creation.  There is something about the anticipation of waiting for it to cook to perfection.  I think that adds to the taste.    

At the same time, there is the camaraderie of hanging out with family and friends while the food is cooking.  The guys may be throwing a football.  (You can't do that in any restaurant.)  The girls are chatting about their love lives.  Someone may be trying to decide what music to listen to.  The dog is soaking up all the attention it possibly can get.     Unlike a restaurant, at a BBQ...it is easy to get up and walk around and visit with different friends.  You can laugh as much and loud as you want.  It is a relaxed atmosphere.  As time goes by, everyone wonders "How much longer till the food is ready." 

 The chips, plates, bbq sauce, and other condiments are arranged on a table.  Everyone hopes the wind doesn't blow everything away.  At times, there may be efforts of strategizing how to keep the flies away.  Ice is in the ice chests, as may be sodas and beer.  There is usually ice tea.  Maybe Kool-Aid for the kids. 

Finally, the BBQ is ready.  Everyone lines up for his or her turn.  Seating may be at a picnic table, on a lawn chair, at a chair around a table, on an ice chest, or on the tailgate of someone's truck.  It just depends.  Regardless...it is casual and very enjoyable.  How can the BBQ not taste great?    

In my mind, this is BBQing Texas style.  Although the location, cook and seating arrangements will change, this is by far my favorite BBQ in Texas.