The best barbeque I have ever had is from Maurice’s Real Pit Barbeque, now located on Veterans’ Memorial Hiway in Harker Heights, just West of Belton. I’ve had other excellent BBQ from lots of other places: Kreuz Market, one of the Muellers in Taylor, Salt Lick, Clem Mikeska’s in Temple, Rudy’s (San Antonio), Elgin hot guts, Iron Works, Arthur Bryant’s in KC and two supposedly famous spots in Chicago. Lots of catered stuff, including Jetton’s in the early 60’s.
The first time I had the best was about half an hour after I got my driver’s license in 1963; Maurice was still alive and his small place was down by the rodeo grounds in Killeen. That place burned on a Friday, around 1970, and Maurice bought the present location the following Tuesday with cash. He opened a month or so later after installing a big pit. The old fellow died in the ‘80’s and it went downhill for awhile, but it is back in the family now and doing quite well. Last time I was in Texas, in March, my boy and I ate there three times and brought a brisket and sauce back up here with us. The first spot had one table, the newly expanded one has, maybe, eight.
They do all the usual-brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken, and very good standard sides. Maurice’s has always had two sauces, both are thin and vinegar-based. One is hot and brown colored, the other is milder and is reddish; neither has any tomato content. The meat has plenty of flavor without the sauces, but the hot sauce is transcendant. If I had to guess ingredients I would say cider vinegar, beef broth, crushed red peppers, ground mustard, garlic and odds and ends. Whang. I have only once had anything like it- the dry seasoning mix on some really good Cajun Tasso.
Now maybe I am just partial to my first real barbecue; the first taste defining the standard in some primal way. I know I was weaned on tamales and will not eat chili if it has beans in it. Several friends from high school still go to Maurice’s religiously and I have run into a few people around the Army who have raved about the brisket.
I guess I just wondered if any posters on this site have ever sampled the fare at Maurice’s and if any might want to try it. Some of lawyers who seem to do a few appearances in the vicinity might want to stop in to compare. The chopped beef sandwich on regular white bread with hot sauce and onion is the best thing I have ever eaten anywhere. Hold the pickles.
The first time I had the best was about half an hour after I got my driver’s license in 1963; Maurice was still alive and his small place was down by the rodeo grounds in Killeen. That place burned on a Friday, around 1970, and Maurice bought the present location the following Tuesday with cash. He opened a month or so later after installing a big pit. The old fellow died in the ‘80’s and it went downhill for awhile, but it is back in the family now and doing quite well. Last time I was in Texas, in March, my boy and I ate there three times and brought a brisket and sauce back up here with us. The first spot had one table, the newly expanded one has, maybe, eight.
They do all the usual-brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken, and very good standard sides. Maurice’s has always had two sauces, both are thin and vinegar-based. One is hot and brown colored, the other is milder and is reddish; neither has any tomato content. The meat has plenty of flavor without the sauces, but the hot sauce is transcendant. If I had to guess ingredients I would say cider vinegar, beef broth, crushed red peppers, ground mustard, garlic and odds and ends. Whang. I have only once had anything like it- the dry seasoning mix on some really good Cajun Tasso.
Now maybe I am just partial to my first real barbecue; the first taste defining the standard in some primal way. I know I was weaned on tamales and will not eat chili if it has beans in it. Several friends from high school still go to Maurice’s religiously and I have run into a few people around the Army who have raved about the brisket.
I guess I just wondered if any posters on this site have ever sampled the fare at Maurice’s and if any might want to try it. Some of lawyers who seem to do a few appearances in the vicinity might want to stop in to compare. The chopped beef sandwich on regular white bread with hot sauce and onion is the best thing I have ever eaten anywhere. Hold the pickles.
