Shortly after 11am, we pulled into the Louie Mueller Barbecue parking lot in Taylor, a storefront in an old downtown that had seen better days. The smoke clung to the walls and windows like paint. It was immediately apparent this place was like a Hollywood set for the classic Texas BBQ joint.

The line was almost to the door already, giving us time to soak in our surroundings. Unlike Snow's, where the pits were outside under a steel awning, these folks were smoking meat inside the restaurant. The smells and the memories they evoked were unforgettable.

Twenty minutes later we finally made my way up to the front of the line, past the menu, which was written on butcher paper and masking taped to the wall. The pit master tore off a big piece of wax paper, cut off a burnt end of brisket and tossed it on my paper, not saying a word. I ate it and immediately changed my order to include one pound of their incredible brisket, in addition to beef ribs and beef sausage, undoubtedly the best sausage I've ever tasted.

Click here to see Gary Jacobson's story on our first Central Texas BBQ Tour.

Louie Mueller Barbecue, 206 West 2nd Street, Taylor, Texas. Open Monday-Saturday 10:00 am - 7:30 pm.

Photos ©Gary Barber