Among polite society, a few subjects are invariably touchy, threatening to flare into heated debate. Politics. Religion.

And don’t forget to add one more topic to that list if you’re in Texas: barbecue.

Whether you spell it barbecue, barbeque, bar-b-que, or just bbq, one thing’s

for sure: barbecue is more than just a meal, it’s a mantra.

At last count, Texas boasted over 1,300 barbecue joints, ranging from side-of-

the-road greasehouses with slamming screen doors to sit-down restaurants

with beautiful vistas, air conditioning and even (gasp) wine lists. The business

of barbecue rings up over a half-billion dollars annually, a cobweb of

commerce that connects an otherwise diverse, sprawling state with a common

mission: Go forth and seek out good barbecue.

Although you can find good barbecue throughout the South, the Texas variety

is different from that in other barbecue capitals. Texas barbecue means beef

brisket, basted meats, and tomato-based sauce, or sometimes no sauce at all.

The selection varies from pit to pit but in most tradition reigns.

In each region, divided by hundreds of miles, the local barbecue is influenced

by other culinary cultures, from Southern to Tex-Mex to Southwest. Cabrito or

barbecued goat is often served in the western portion of the state while pork or

lamb is a more common offering in East Texas. Cooking styles vary as well. Out

on the West Texas plains, barbecue is usually cooked over a slow fire of

mesquite wood while in Southern and Central Texas pecan and oak are more

common. Farther east, barbecue pits are stoked with hickory. Throughout the

state, meals are served with sides of cole slaw, pinto beans, and spongy white

bread, often on plates of butcher paper. Dessert, if found at all, is usually a

scoop of banana pudding with a dose of vanilla wafers.

Unlike Kansas City and Memphis, Texas has no clearly defined capital of ‘que.

But Texas does have what’s sometimes nicknamed the “barbecue belt,” a

smoky swath that runs through the central part of the state and includes:

Llano: On the westernmost edge of the barbecue belt lies the community of

Llano. What makes Llano unique among the central Texas barbecue towns is its

cooking style. Most pit masters in this town rely on indirect barbecuing. In a

firebox, wood burns down to coals, then it’s transferred to the main section of

the pit beneath the meat to impart a delicate smoky taste subtler than ordinary

smoking. Don’t miss Cooper’s Old Time Pit Barbecue. From its huge

rectangular pits located by the front door to the dining room lined with loaves

of white bread and jars of jalapeño peppers, this is the real deal.

Taylor: Taylor calls itself “The Barbecue Capital of the World,” home of two

legendary barbecue joints separated only by a parking lot and small road at

their locations on Second Street. Louis Mueller’s is housed in one of the most

authentic barbecue joints in Texas, with an old-fashioned screen door, smoke-

covered walls, and giant fans that provide the only cool breeze on a hot

summer day. Next door, Rudy Mikeska’s serves its equally fine offerings in a

more citified atmosphere. During his lifetime, Rudy Mikeska was the dean of

Texas pitmasters. If there was a political function to be held, Rudy Mikeska and

his barbecue specialties were there.

Elgin: In Texas, the town of Elgin is synonymous with sausage. The small

community, located about 25 miles east of Austin, produces the sausage sold

by many barbecue joints through the state. The best known of Elgin’s smokin’

stops is the Southside Market, probably one of the most recognized names in

Texas barbecue lore. In business since 1882, the market is known for its Elgin

hot sausage, sometimes known as Elgin Hot Guts.

Lockhart: Twenty-three miles south of Austin lies another “Barbecue Capital of

Texas,” Lockhart. The test of a real Texan is to know the correct pronunciation

of the town’s Kreuz Market. No, don’t say “Cruise.” It’s “Krites,” rhyming with

“lights.” Also in town, don’t miss Smitty’s, housed in the building where the

original Kreuz Market was located, and Black’s BBQ, which claims to be the

oldest barbecue house in Texas continuously owned by the same family. Since

1932 the Black family has been firing up these brick pits every day for lunch

and dinner.

Luling: Located east of Austin, Luling is the land of oil wells. No longer a

boomtown, today the barbecue restaurants are the ones producing black gold.

The best known spot in town is the City Market, a no-frills smoky meat market,

with plenty of local atmosphere.

Paris Permenter and John Bigley are the authors of Texas Barbecue and numerous other books on Texas travel as well as the editors of TexasTripper.com, http://www.TexasTripper.com, an online travel guide to the Lone Star State.

Austin, Texas is best known for being the capitol city of one of the largest states in the union and for hosting the largest musical festival in the country, South by Southwest. It goes without saying that the burgeoning live music scene here is the modern day equivalent to what the Seattle grunge scene was during the early 90s. That aside, this city is both diverse and magnificent, and has much to offer the visitor. While there are many notable places that you should try and see if you find yourself passing through Texas, these top ten are truly must-see destinations that can really enhance your trip in this state and make for some very fond memories when you return back home.

Texas State Capitol: One of the prettiest and most marvelous capital buildings in the United States is the brain child and architectural baby of designer architect Elijah E. Myers, originally finished being built in the late 1800s. This near exact replica of the White House is just as grand and is something that shouldn’t be missed when in Texas.

Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum: This is, without a doubt, the most popular of all presidential libraries. LBJ was the 36th sitting president, made famous for his secret taping of Oval Office affairs, tapes which can be seen in this building, and the Watergate Scandal. The library also houses nearly forty million documents and a replica of the Oval Office itself.

Zilker Botanical Garden: This must-see botanical garden runs adjacent to Barton Springs Road and features multiple different gardens that span over twenty acres. It is considered to be one of the finest botanical gardens in the country, and is absolutely a must-see when you travel to Austin.

East 6th Street: Ever wondered what there is to do at night in Austin? East 6th Street is the answer. During the weekends they close off the streets to cars and only foot traffic is allowed. Tons of bars, restaurants and night clubs litter the streets, complete with live performers, vendors, food carts and live music. A must-see for all who venture to this amazing state; one of the staples of the night life.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue: When you travel to Austin, make sure that you stop by Auditorium Shores so you can catch a glimpse and shoot a photo of this awesome statue. Originally erected in 1994 to pay homage to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan – an amazing blues rocker that died tragically in a plane crash – perhaps one of the most legendary musicians to ever claim this city as his hometown.

For more free information on Austin travel, and for a complete top ten list of things to see and do please visit: [http://www.AustinVacationTravelsGuide.com]

Technorati Tags: texas travel