Pecan Lodge, Dallas 11/1/12

visited 11/1/12 at 11 am

http://www.pecanlodge.com/

Well we finally made it!  This place has long been on my list to visit thanks to folks like Daniel at Full Custom and the guys at the Texas BBQ Posse.  However I just never find myself in downtown Dallas at lunchtime Thurs-Sun.  I have heard nothing but good things about this spot from the get-go, but it was the samples I had at the Texas Monthly BBQ fest in September that made me "need" to make the trip to have lunch there.  They beat the other 20 joints I tried, hands down.  The Mrs is off this week so we made a plan to hit there for lunch on Thursday.

Having heard rumors of "Franklinesque" lines, we arrived at 10:20 am, about 40 minutes before opening.  We were first in line.  Hah!  by the time they opened at 11 am there were about 30 folks behind us.  I had the honor of ringing the opening dinner bell to start the day.  My Mrs got the chopped brisket sandwich and I had the usual Texas trio of sliced brisket, rib, and sausage. 

The brisket was just as awesome as the samples I had in Austin at the Texas Monthly fest.  The lines may not be "Franklinesque" yet, but their brisket is.  I can't even imagine anything better.  The fat was perfectly rendered and melt in your mouth.  The smoke flavor was deep and long lasting.  The moisture and tenderness were exactly on target.  It only took a slight tug to pull a slice apart, yet it did not crumble.  10 out of 10 out of 10.  Their sausage has great garlicy flavor, a perfect medium grind, and a casing that was not too tough.  I like my sausage a bit spicier than this, but it was still very good.  The rib I had was just a tad undercooked. It was still just slightly tough to pull away from the bone, however it left a perfect bite mark.  There was a sweet crispy crust that almost tasted like it had been finished on a grill.  I liked that rib, too.  The Mac and cheese was pretty good but did not live up to the raves I have heard elsewhere.  It was still a nice side.  The gooey cup of sauce we shall not speak of again.

My wife's main description of the sandwich was "Amazing".  I think I heard that more than once.  She really liked their slightly sweet home made bun but she loved the brisket.  Normally, my Mrs drowns her brisket in sauce.  Not today.

Knowing we were in for some good eating, I also ordered 2 pounds of fatty brisket to go.  This is the sight that greeted me at home when I went to package it up for the fridge.  Yow!  Burnt ends and all.  It pays to be first in line.  We shall do that some more!