All sold out at the original Franklin Barbecue trailer in Nov. 2010. (Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse) |
Posse co-founder Chris Wilkins sent me a photo the other day from a trip we made to the original Franklin Barbecue in November of 2010.
It shows the front of Aaron Franklin's little trailer in Austin and his barbecue prices at the time.
"Sweet memories," Wilkins said in his email subject line.
Indeed.
Franklin then sold his terrific brisket for $13 a pound. Now it's $20 a pound, a nearly 54 percent increase.
Ribs were $11 a pound then; now $17, also a 54 percent increase.
Franklin, of course, has since moved to a permanent building near downtown, which increased operating costs. And there was a huge jump in the price of raw brisket a while back.
Still, that 50 percent barbecue increase occurred over a period when overall consumer prices in the country rose by only about 10 percent.
But compared to another staple of life, shelter, Franklin's prices appear right in line. Since 2010, the median price of an Austin-area home has jumped more than 50 percent, from about $179,000 to about $275,000.
So, Austin not only has one of the hottest residential real estate markets around but also one of the hottest barbecue markets.
More Franklin price comparisons:
Pulled pork, $11 a pound in 2010, $17 now.
Sausage, $9 vs. $12.
Tipsy Texan sandwich, $4.95 vs. $8.
Single serving sides (potato salad, slaw or beans), $1.35 vs. $2.50.
Quart-size sides, $8 vs $9.
I'm certainly not an economic expert. But I would think that there is still some upside to both Franklin's prices and Austin homes.
Gary Jacobson carries the Posse's first-ever Franklin brisket to the table in 2010. (Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse) |
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