Is Pecan Lodge in the same league as Franklin?

That was the case this week, according to Posse pit master Marshall Cooper, who eats barbecue – his own and other’s – several times a week.

Marshall is hard to please. But after his lunch Sunday at Pecan Lodge in the Dallas Farmers Market he was raving.

“In terms of quality, in my opinion, the brisket and ribs today hands down beats any BBQ in DFW,” he reported. “The ribs were better than any ribs I’ve eaten out. Today, the brisket was so damned good, it makes me re-think Franklin for sure.”

Consistency, turning out great barbecue day after day, is probably the toughest element to master in running a joint. In the past, Pecan Lodge has received some very strong reviews from food critics, but Posse members haven’t put the place in the same league as Franklin, located in Austin, or Snow’s, located in Lexington.

“He nailed the brisket and ribs for sure,” Marshall continued, referring to Pecan Lodge pitmaster Justin Fourton. “Thought today it could have been better than Franklin.”

That’s good company.

Pecan Lodge, 1010 South Pearl Expressway, Farmer's Market Shed #2, Dallas, TX, 75201, (214) 748-8900. Open: Thur-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat-Sun 9am-3pm.

Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse