TXSooner518
250+ Posts
All,
I had to go to Corpus Christi for work. I decided to detour through Luling on the way for lunch at the City Market, as I had heard tremendous things.
If you're in for the short version, I can sum it up in four letters: OMFG.
For the long version, read on. I arrive at the City Market around 11 AM. I had a small dinner the night before, and no breakfast, in preparation to demolish some cue. Couple of quick notes: I was unaware, but there is a restaurant called Luling City Market in Houston. WTF? I looked it up on the net so I could find it, and was like wait, all this time, this place was in HOUSTON? No, this place is just called City Market. Very wack on the part of the folks in Houston, who apparenty have no relation to the real deal holyfield.
OK, so you take 183 south and go right on Davis, the last street before the main intersection in Luling. It's on the right.
I walk in and see several tables, and a counter in the middle of the room. I find that this is where you purchase sides and drinks. There is an enclosed room in the back where you get the meat. You can't see in, which adds to the atmosphere a bit. There is a menu outside, which I consult so as to have my order ready and avoid any Soup Nazi scenarios.
I open the door and step into heaven. The smokers are going, cooking all of the meat. It smells absolutely incredible. I step to the counter and order 1/2 LB of brisket ($8/lb), 1/2 lb of pork ribs ($8/lb) and 1 hot sausage ring ($1.75). They also have a selection of pickles, and I get a carton with about 25 slices (.50). They put the meat on thick paper, ask if you want bread or crackers (I got bread), and they fold up the corners, making a tray out of the paper. Awesome. I carry out my feast and put it on a table and head to the drink/sides station. I get a side of pinto beans (.50), one of potato salad (.50), a thick slice of cheese (.50), and a cold bottle of Big Red ($1). All told, I spend about $12 for a metric shitton of cue.
I sit down and dig in. There are no forks, so you eat with your hands. You are given plastic spoons if you get a side. I am down. I first try the brisket. OMFG. So unbelievably good. Perfect texture, great flavor. I slap some of the sauce on to try that, and it is very good. Kind of a tangy, mustardy sauce. Kind of like Salt LIck sauce, but a bit less sweet. However, the meat doesn't need it one bit. I alternate with and without, b/c I really like both flavors.
Next I try the sausage. Again, tremendous. This is the item I'd heard most about. I would say sausage, in general, is one of my less favored cue items, but I like it if it's good, and this is tremendous. Looser texture than most places, very very good flavor, and extremely juicy. Normally sausage is pretty dry, but def not here.
Then I tried the ribs. Again, OMFG. Excellent texture, with lots of tender, juicy meat on each bone. And the flavor, holy God. So so so good.
The beans were also absolutely superb, great flavor, good complement to the meats. Would order them every time.
The potato salad was good, but unspectacular. Mainly tried so I could tell my wife how it is when I take her down there ASAP.
The cheese was the only semidisappointment. Would prefer a sharp cheddar, but this was a soft American cheese, with not much flavor to it. Oh well.
I have had meats that compare (brisket at John Meuller's, ribs at The Country Tavern), but never had 3 separate meats anywhere close to this level at one place.
If you have not yet gone, do it immediately. This is now my absolute standard bearer for Texas cue. I can't imagine finding a location that surpasses it, but I look forward to trying it.
Thanks to those who had mentioned it before, and I repay the favor by hopefully triggering more people to go to this fantastic spot.
Also, no credit cards, but there is an ATM on site. If need be, give handjobs to street people to fund your lunch, it's worth it.
I had to go to Corpus Christi for work. I decided to detour through Luling on the way for lunch at the City Market, as I had heard tremendous things.
If you're in for the short version, I can sum it up in four letters: OMFG.
For the long version, read on. I arrive at the City Market around 11 AM. I had a small dinner the night before, and no breakfast, in preparation to demolish some cue. Couple of quick notes: I was unaware, but there is a restaurant called Luling City Market in Houston. WTF? I looked it up on the net so I could find it, and was like wait, all this time, this place was in HOUSTON? No, this place is just called City Market. Very wack on the part of the folks in Houston, who apparenty have no relation to the real deal holyfield.
OK, so you take 183 south and go right on Davis, the last street before the main intersection in Luling. It's on the right.
I walk in and see several tables, and a counter in the middle of the room. I find that this is where you purchase sides and drinks. There is an enclosed room in the back where you get the meat. You can't see in, which adds to the atmosphere a bit. There is a menu outside, which I consult so as to have my order ready and avoid any Soup Nazi scenarios.
I open the door and step into heaven. The smokers are going, cooking all of the meat. It smells absolutely incredible. I step to the counter and order 1/2 LB of brisket ($8/lb), 1/2 lb of pork ribs ($8/lb) and 1 hot sausage ring ($1.75). They also have a selection of pickles, and I get a carton with about 25 slices (.50). They put the meat on thick paper, ask if you want bread or crackers (I got bread), and they fold up the corners, making a tray out of the paper. Awesome. I carry out my feast and put it on a table and head to the drink/sides station. I get a side of pinto beans (.50), one of potato salad (.50), a thick slice of cheese (.50), and a cold bottle of Big Red ($1). All told, I spend about $12 for a metric shitton of cue.
I sit down and dig in. There are no forks, so you eat with your hands. You are given plastic spoons if you get a side. I am down. I first try the brisket. OMFG. So unbelievably good. Perfect texture, great flavor. I slap some of the sauce on to try that, and it is very good. Kind of a tangy, mustardy sauce. Kind of like Salt LIck sauce, but a bit less sweet. However, the meat doesn't need it one bit. I alternate with and without, b/c I really like both flavors.
Next I try the sausage. Again, tremendous. This is the item I'd heard most about. I would say sausage, in general, is one of my less favored cue items, but I like it if it's good, and this is tremendous. Looser texture than most places, very very good flavor, and extremely juicy. Normally sausage is pretty dry, but def not here.
Then I tried the ribs. Again, OMFG. Excellent texture, with lots of tender, juicy meat on each bone. And the flavor, holy God. So so so good.
The beans were also absolutely superb, great flavor, good complement to the meats. Would order them every time.
The potato salad was good, but unspectacular. Mainly tried so I could tell my wife how it is when I take her down there ASAP.
The cheese was the only semidisappointment. Would prefer a sharp cheddar, but this was a soft American cheese, with not much flavor to it. Oh well.
I have had meats that compare (brisket at John Meuller's, ribs at The Country Tavern), but never had 3 separate meats anywhere close to this level at one place.
If you have not yet gone, do it immediately. This is now my absolute standard bearer for Texas cue. I can't imagine finding a location that surpasses it, but I look forward to trying it.
Thanks to those who had mentioned it before, and I repay the favor by hopefully triggering more people to go to this fantastic spot.
Also, no credit cards, but there is an ATM on site. If need be, give handjobs to street people to fund your lunch, it's worth it.
