On the road again: East Texas II BBQ Tour begins tomorrow at Stanley's

Texas BBQ Posse / Joints / On the road again: East Texas II BBQ Tour begins tomorrow at Stanley's

On the road again: East Texas II BBQ Tour begins tomorrow at Stanley's

The posse returns to one of our favorite joints in the state on Saturday to begin the second East Texas BBQ tour. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q in Tyler was the starting point for our first East Texas tour in February 2010.

We've gotten to know owner and pitmaster Nick Pencis pretty well since then, he's one of the "young gun" pitmasters who are leading the next generation of great Texas BBQ cooks. We can't wait to try Stanley's ribs, considered by many to be among the best in the state.

The first time the Posse was there, a customer bought out all the ribs by 11:15 a.m., so we didn't get a taste. Nick has been anxious to get us back since then.

All four of the scheduled stops are Texas Monthly top 50 joints. Of course, we'll let you know what we discover and also hope to find an off-the-radar joint or two along the way.

Here's the plan for Saturday. If you happen to be around any of these stops, please keep an eye out for the Posse and let us know what you think.

East Texas II BBQ Tour itinerary April 16. 2011

11 a.m.: Meet at Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave., Tyler, 903-593-0311. Open Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-til the meat runs out.
Stop no. 2: Stacy's Bar-B-Q, 1217 South Jackson Street (Hwy 69), Jacksonville, 903-56-1951. Open Tues-Sat 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Stop no. 3: Baby J’s Bar-B-Que & Fish, FM 2419 at U.S. 287, Palestine, 903-729-8402. Open Thur-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Stop no. 4: Cripple Creek BBQ, 500 S. Palestine Street, Athens, 903-677-4226. Open M-Thur 11-8, F-Sat 11-9.

Photo by Chris Wilkins

Nolan W Bailey

6 years ago

My oldest son and I have made "special" trips to many, many, joints in Texas and Tennessee to try their barbecue. These places are more than "worthy."

Franklin Barbecue Austin (Has to be the best in Texas.)
Pecan Lodge Dallas (Sometimes great, sometimes not.)
Snow's BBQ Lexington (Not number one, but very close.)
Louie Mueller Barbecue Taylor (Most excellent--no complaints.)
John Mueller Meat Co. Georgetown (Excellent)
La Barbecue Austin (Among the best in Texas)
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew - Austin
Lockhart Smokehouse --- Dallas
Black's Barbecue -- Lockhart
Hutchins BBQ McKinney & Frisco (Top notch)
Valentina’s – Austin (Super. I didn't believe I would like mesquite smoked brisket, but I did.)
Cattleack BarbeQue – Dallas (If you can tolerate a rude Yankee owner.)
Freedmen’s – Austin
Killen’s – Houston
Heim Barbecue – Ft Worth (Love the bacon burnt ends.)
Bodacious BBQ – Original location in Longview (Most excellent)
Kreuz Market --- Lockhart
Micklethwait Craft Meats - Austin (Sausage is number one. Move joint behind Kreuz--right here.)
Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ – Tyler (We really like their brisket.)

We try to skip most chain barbecue restaurants... Rudy's, Spring Creek, Dickey's, etc.

Greg Tankersley

6 years ago

Ilove your comment about the rude Yankee owner at Cattleack BarBQue in Dallas. I've known Todd David for about 30 years and to my knowledge, he's not a Yankee, but definitely a rude, obnoxious bastard. However, that does not discount the fact that he does pump out some kick-ass BarBQue!