BBQ, Is it really a big deal in Texas?
Yes, it is absolutely a huge deal in Texas and in more ways than you think.
When I ask locals in Victoria, TX where I can find the best BBQ in town, the most frequent reply is “my backyard.” Everyone, throughout Texas, claims that their barbeque is the best.
The other day, I was riding home from work and I did a double take. “Wait, did I just see what I thought I saw? Is someone cooking on a GAS GRILL outside?” They must be new here.
Seriously, after nearly three months in Texas, I can count the number of propane tanks I’ve seen outdoors for cooking…1.
Mansions, apartment complexes, run-down shacks and even parks all house barbeque pits. They don’t have charcoal pits, not fire rings but rather cylindrical bodies of metal with chimneys used to house fire, smoke, heat and meat to create barbequed pork, chicken, ribs and of course, brisket.
I struggle to find words to try to explain how deep BBQ is in the culture of Texas. As someone from the Northeast, BBQ is just another method of cooking. We lump bbq, baking, roasting, grilling and stewing all together. We really don’t have a method of cooking that is at the same level of artistry, history, utility and culture as Texas BBQ.
On a Friday evening (or any other evening) for that matter, I can swing by Mumphord’s on my way home from work and find a group of men, gathered around the still-smoldering ashes of the 8 enormous pits that cooked all day. While yes, there was a lot of hard work and time that went into barbequing for their Victoria, Texas restaurant, there are also a lot of good laughs, tall tales and songs sung while cooking.
A day in the life of a Mumphord’s BBQ restaurant starts early. Usually, the fires ignite around 5am and they burn 2-3 cords of wood per day. The day we stopped by, Mumphord’s was humming like a bee hive being serenaded by a black southern gospel choir. One man’s feeding the fires, another is mashing potatoes, still, another is mixing the dry rub and many others are prepping meats and vegetables for the day. Beyond the counter service, the restaurant does a lot of catering. Today they were preparing to feed 500 county employees for an annual appreciation event.
Holidays, birthday parties, sporting events and even a day working in the yard all require a barbeque. Easter for example happened not long ago. When you think of traditional Easter foods, I tend to think of Easter eggs, peanut butter eggs, marshmallow peeps and maybe a ham.
Around Victoria, when talking about Easter dinner the response usually begins with “Well…we’re fixing a brisket and…”. That doesn’t mean that the brisket is broken but rather they're taking it from its relatively low rank in terms of cuts of meat and elevating it to a new, resurrected creation of awesomeness, very significant for the holy holiday.
Outside of a local butcher in the Northeast, I can’t say that I see many briskets on sale at the grocery store. HEB, the favorite grocery chain of Texas, not only offers a large abundance of meat products, they limit your purchase! I’ve never gone to a store in Pennsylvania to purchase a brisket let alone be limited to 2!
Beyond the meats, you need the right seasonings. Chupacabra, Slap Yo’ Mama, Butt Rub and Texas Hot Salt are some of the favorite local essentials. Of course, these are just the commercial options, most people have their own twist to these common favorites.
As we are settling into our new home in New Hampshire, we’re not hearing much so far about any food options that are on even a similar playing field to that of Texas BBQ. Pretty sure that NH is going to provide amazing experiences in ways other than cuisine and that is just fine by us. Just goes to show again that we live in a big, beautiful and diverse country that has a lot to offer in all States of the Union.
When leaving Texas, the kids asked me what is my pick for “the last meal” in Victoria… as if I was on death row. While surrounded by fantastic barbeque, without hesitation I said Barbacoa tacos from Morelo’s on Lone Tree road. I’ll always be a sucker for tacos!