Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Wait a Minute...

You guys know how much I love Gus's BBQ. The brisket could make stoic cowboys weep with joy and the side dishes are so down-home good they seem straight from the butcher block counter of a Southern mama's kitchen. This place is as authentic as it is yummy.

However...

As someone born and raised in Texas I can honestly say I've never seen a mounted longhorn displayed next to pink orchids. It's kind of like satin boxers worn under chaps. (I love it!)

15 comments:

Judy Williams said...

Well, now THAT makes me feel at home.

"Satin Boxers Under Chaps" - might be a new hit by Keith Urban or Carrie Underwood!! HA HA HA HA

kustom55 said...

Being a San Marino/SoPas native that now lives in Austin, TX I can say I have never seen that either! Love the picture, Gus's will always hold a special place in my heart.

Judy Williams said...

Kustom...Im in Austin too!

Anonymous said...

this is great.

Jon said...

This is great. The shadow of the longhorn can still be seen under the his horns.

Jean Spitzer said...

Terrific photo! But I bet the brisket is better here--in the Austin area. People really take their bbq seriously here (as you know).

Virginia said...

Why am I humming "Rhinestone Cowboy"???
Next trip to the Denas.........Gus's!!!
V

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Wasn't Gus' a gay bar at some point?

dbdubya said...

Today's photo inspired me to call one of my best, old friends, Sam from Gruene, Texas. Actually, his name is Austin, but I knew him when he lived in LA and he went by Sam. He was raised in San Marcos, TX and his great-great uncle was second in command in Sam Houston's army, which makes him the most Texan I know. The first time I visited him after he retired and moved home, someone called him Austin. I asked him what that was about and he replied, "Boy, when you live in Texas and your name is Austin, you go by Austin."

Thanks for giving me the incentive to call my good buddy so we could have a long visit.

I've never heard of Gus's being a gay bar, PA.

With the exception of it's cool neon sign, the Gus's of today is not much like it was when it changed hands about 3 years ago. Although it had a pretty steady clientele, it was worn out and it was the only barbecue place I know of that had bad barbecue. The owner sold it to a couple of Greek brothers who remodeled it, tweaked the menu considerably, and hired new staff. It's now a very popular and successful restaurant with a much different clientele. And, the barbecue's pretty good.

Gruene is next to New Braunfels which is between San Antonio and Austin. Those from Austin probably know of The Salt Lick, which Sam/Austin says has the best barbecue in Texas. I've been there three times. I don't know if it's the best - I'm sure every area has their best barbecue, but the Salt Lick is pretty damn good. The ambiance is pretty rustic - tin roof barn with a huge open pit barbecue you walk by when you enter. It's in a dry county so you have to bring your own Lone Star Beer. You sit at picnic tables with a bunch of people you don't know and then they start bringing the food, family style. Ribs, Brisket, Chicken, beans, corn on the cob - I'm drooling like a bassett hound just thinking about it. About the time you can't eat any more, they bring you a big doggy bag to take more home with you.

Now I'm hungry and hankering for some barbecue.

kustom55 said...

Great posts everyone and hello Judy!!
dbdubya, you paint the perfect picture of a true Texas bbq joint. If I ever move back to San Marino/SoPas I would miss Texas bbq as well as the experience.
As for Gus's, my grandfather first started going there in the early 50's after my mom was born in 51. He would frequent the place so much (up until his death in 58) that there was a picture of him and my then toddler mom hanging on the wall until an ownership change in the mid to late 90's I believe. I myself rarely ate there, I would occasionally but rarely stop in after my shift at the police department. My mom talks about it now and then and she doesn’t care for the food now however she has fond but faint memories of her dad and Gus's.

Laurie Allee said...

Love it, everyone. Kustom and Jean, I was just in Austin visiting family (still miss you Judy!) We didn't eat BBQ, but we did go to Threadgills.

And DB, the Salt Lick. Wow. Hadn't thought about that place in years. Don't forget to order Shiner Bach to wash it all down.

Thanks, everyone.

dbdubya said...

Shiner Bach! That's heresy for a Texan! Sam/Austin would shoot me if I drank anything but Lone Star while in Texas.

Shanna said...

I didn't get a chance to comment yesterday, but I want to let Jon know how much I appreciate his observation about the shadow of the long gone longhorn.

Glad to know you guys go to Gus's.

Anonymous said...

Shiner is from shiner Texas.

Sonya Blue said...

Oh yes, Shiner Bock. You can get it all over the United States now but back in the eighties it was worth a trip to Texas. :-)