More weird BBQ chips from South Africa

Scott always finds weird BBQ chips in South Africa to bring back.  These didn't taste anything like spare ribs to me.  Now I am wondering if they have brisket and sausage flavor.  Holy trinity chips!

Cowtown Brewing Company, Fort Worth

https://www.cowtownbrewco.com/

Sampled 2/20/19

We have been driving past this place for a few months on our way to another brewery and I finally found a good excuse to make a dedicated trip.  In addition to craft beer, they serve craft BBQ which they make in a food truck outside on their patio.  Everything is made in house, even the sausage, and that is usually a good sign.  Their official grand opening is March 2, 2019.

I ordered a 2 meat plate, but I messed up the order (my fault) and ended up getting two types of sausage along with my sides of mac and cheese and skillet potatoes.  I added a quarter pound of brisket and baby back ribs to get a taste of everything.  My Mrs got the brisket tacos.  Unfortunately they had just run out of their bacon wrapped jalapenos.  Next time.

The jalapeno cheese sausage was really nice, almost Kreuz quality. I got some good heat from the generous jalapeno pieces and a nice moist, beefy flavor from the sausage.  The casing was just a little tough, but the good flavor was there.  The black pepper sausage was tasty, also, but could have used a bit more pepper to my taste.  It was also moist and beefy.

The brisket from the fatty end came out in a single thick slice, which usually means it is overcooked.  Yup, it was, but not terribly so.  It wasn't mushy,  but it crumbled a bit when sliced with a plastic knife.  Smoke flavor seemed to be concentrated around the bark without much penetration.  The fat was well rendered and juicy.

The baby backs had a dry rub and were tasty.  The meat left a perfect bite mark.  I just wish they had been spare ribs.  Next time I will definitely get more ribs.

The sides were good, but nothing I would rave over.  I did like their house made pickles.  I could have used a few more of those and some more onions with my dinner.

My Mrs's brisket tacos were tasty but the slightly overcooked brisket was a bit mushy in those.

We heard good things about the brisket chili and the brisket queso, but those will have to wait for another visit.  We shall make more visits.  While their BBQ is pretty good for a brewery, their beers are excellent.  I think next time I shall find another designated driver!

Red Dirt Tix are on sale

http://reddirtbbqfest.com/

Whew, after 10 minutes of refresh and disappointment, I finally hooked our VIP tickets.  Very annoying to finally get a ticket selection box, select 3 VIP tickets, hit checkout, then be told "those tickets are no longer available".  4 times.  Grrrrrr.  Maddening.

Right now they have 26 joints listed including a bunch of Texas Monthly top 50 joints.  Always one of our favorite events of the year.  I just wish they would offer their previous customers a jump on the ticket sales, like Houston does.  They are limiting ticket purchases per transaction to 4 this year.

Ring of Fire tickets on sale

http://fortworthfoodandwinefestival.com/events/ring-fire-next-level-cookout/

Last year this event was called the Fort Worth Pitmaster's Picnic.  This year the theme has been expanded to include other fire-cooked food, but will still have BBQ.  The line-up has not been announced yet, but based on the fun we had last year, I have already grabbed VIP tickets.  They will also have 15 wine, beer, and spirit participants.  I have arranged for my designated driver. 

7th annual Houston BBQ Fest tickets on sale

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-annual-houston-barbecue-festival-tickets-50374310920?aff=ebapi

Pre-sale tickets for the April 14, 2019 festival are on sale now.  Looks like the event will be back at the Humble Civic Center, which was a great site last year.  I grabbed my VIP tickets.  We will be 7 for 7!

I wish more BBQ events would provide their previous attendees a pre-sale bargain.

Blues, Bandits, and BBQ 2018, Oak Cliff

https://www.gooakcliff.org/blues-bandits-bbq/

Another fun afternoon at Kidd Springs Park in Oak Cliff with 45 competition BBQ teams and some very good blues bands onstage.

Not all of the 45 teams competed in the People's Choice award, but most did.  For just $25 your blue wristband allowed you to sample from about 35 teams.  Pulled pork sliders and tacos were common, but there was some tasty brisket, sausage, and a few ribs.

Several booths featured pork belly burnt ends and they were one of my favorites at this event.  There also was some nice homemade sausage and a smoked meatball stuffed with cheese that was awesome.  In the end my voting token went to a team with the best pork belly burnt end.  I even went back for a second sample and it was just as good as the first.

The pork belly above may have been the best BBQ bite I had all year long.  That's saying something considering this was our 8th BBQ festival of 2018.  It was served fresh from the pit and the fat turned to gravy when you bit down on it.  Scrumptious.

Smoked lemonade was the most creative item I have seen in awhile.  They slice and smoke the lemons, then make lemonade.  It wasn't bad and you could definitely taste the smoke flavor.

I still feel this event is one of the best bargains on the BBQ circuit.  It's just the right size, not too overcrowded, and at just $25 for 35 BBQ samples it is definitely a deal.

Ruby's BBQ sale at Antones

https://www.antonesnightclub.com/event/1785922?utm_source=MEL&utm_medium=283304

Ruby's closed last year and they are selling some of the memorabilia and art that adorned their walls for many years on Saturday, November 10th from 4 pm to 9 pm at Antones nightclub in Austin.