Hello Darlin' Craft BBQ is opening this Saturday 6/21 at Baron/Hwy 6 S. Looks like it's a trailer that took over the spot where Charlie Mac was slinging burgers.

Somebody help me out, what exactly is "Craft BBQ"?

Some place that hopes to run out of meat before they want to close ……

This definitely scream $20 chopped beef sandwiches and weird flavor beers from a guy who loves to argue about the 'science' of bbq on Reddit.

MarkPro said:

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Somebody help me out, what exactly is "Craft BBQ"?

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It means... I can't afford it.

I find this thread very interesting. I do think Craft BBQ is a marketing tool, however there is a huge discrepancy between most of the BBQ places in Brazos Valley and say Aaron Franklin or Goldies.

The level of taste/quality are miles apart. But some people I guess don't notice?

Grmpy said:

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I find this thread very interesting. I do think Craft BBQ is a marketing tool, however there is a huge discrepancy between most of the BBQ places in Brazos Valley and say Aaron Franklin or Goldies.

The level of taste/quality are miles apart. But some people I guess don't notice?

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Some people convince themselves that Le Creuset Dutch ovens are better than the Costco versions, mostly because they cost more and other people say they are great. Truth be told in a blind test you couldn't really tell them apart.

MarkPro said:

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Somebody help me out, what exactly is "Craft BBQ"?

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I think it's more of the new school barbecue that has perfected the meat and branched out from the typical beans and potato salad sides. A local example would be 1775.

It's interesting reading the Texas Monthly Top 50 and seeing how so many places (seemingly thanks to Aaron Franklin 20 years ago) have mastered the brisket and ribs. Also how the majority of these places have been established in the last 5-10 years.

Looking forward to trying this place. 1775 is a little far for me to catch at lunch.

EliteElectric said:

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Grmpy said:

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I find this thread very interesting. I do think Craft BBQ is a marketing tool, however there is a huge discrepancy between most of the BBQ places in Brazos Valley and say Aaron Franklin or Goldies.

The level of taste/quality are miles apart. But some people I guess don't notice?

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Some people convince themselves that Le Creuset Dutch ovens are better than the Costco versions, mostly because they cost more and other people say they are great. Truth be told in a blind test you couldn't really tell them apart.

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Brisket? Sure. But that has changed in the last 10 years. Everyone has learned how to cook brisket just about perfectly. The gap between craft and C&J is very very narrow.

Sausage? That's a different story. The craft places are all doing homemade sausage with all sorts of grind textures and add ins. They definitely aren't serving Slovacek and you can tell.

Pork belly Or belly burnt ends? Pork steaks? Homemade pastrami? A side order that's not Sysco potato salad like the carrot souffl at Tejas Chocolate. That's where the small shops shine.

For those complaining about the price of BBQ, look at the price of a whole packer brisket at HEB. 4.99/lb for prime usually. I usually lose 40% of that weight between trimming and cooking. So true cost of just the cooked meat is closer to $8. Then got overhead, salaries, wood, rent, and you gotta make some profit.

If it's too much I get it. Everyone has a point where it becomes too costly, but it's not like these folks selling BBQ out of a trailer are rolling in their cash each night or something.

Agreed. Same with bourbon. That's my group does blind tastings

FlyRod said:

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"Craft beer" sorta makes sense because it can. E contrasted with large commercial breweries.

"Craft BBQ" does seem an odd expression .

I'll also check out this new place!

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Craft can also mean

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skill used in deceiving others.

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Their sides were way better than their meat

I hope it's good and succeeds.

Lord knows we need some diversity in our BBQ game in town. Cooper's is over priced and just meh, Rudy's is consistently average, C&J's puts out a good product all around but no real standouts and all the other places are not great (sorry you all know it's true).

So let's hope the hipsters get it right this time.

C&J's gets sides right. I know, maybe that's a low bar of sorts but, credit where credit is due.

I'll never forget that weird, wonderful tan colored bbq sauce the old Randy Sims place used. Haven't had anything remotely like that since.

Reverse snobbery is a good term. The whole Prime brisket thing is the highlight of it. You don't need prime brisket. But some want it.

EBrazosAg said:

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Reverse snobbery is a good term. The whole Prime brisket thing is the highlight of it. You don't need prime brisket. But some want it.

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Yep. Snow's proves you don't need it if you know what you are doing.

Mathguy64 said:

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EliteElectric said:

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Grmpy said:

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I find this thread very interesting. I do think Craft BBQ is a marketing tool, however there is a huge discrepancy between most of the BBQ places in Brazos Valley and say Aaron Franklin or Goldies.

The level of taste/quality are miles apart. But some people I guess don't notice?

---

Some people convince themselves that Le Creuset Dutch ovens are better than the Costco versions, mostly because they cost more and other people say they are great. Truth be told in a blind test you couldn't really tell them apart.

---

Brisket? Sure. But that has changed in the last 10 years. Everyone has learned how to cook brisket just about perfectly. The gap between craft and C&J is very very narrow.

Sausage? That's a different story. The craft places are all doing homemade sausage with all sorts of grind textures and add ins. They definitely aren't serving Slovacek and you can tell.

Pork belly Or belly burnt ends? Pork steaks? Homemade pastrami? A side order that's not Sysco potato salad like the carrot souffl at Tejas Chocolate. That's where the small shops shine.

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It's a huge gap. I had Snow's and C&J in the same week a while back; C&J might as well have been horse meat

I like C&J. I always get the rib plate and they have always been solid.

As others have pointed out they have great sides.


With regards to brisket pricing. It's gotten silly bc that's the crap portion of the steer. It's supposed to be more reasonable.