Austin Man Magazine
Austin Man Magazine
The 2018 Guide to Good Health is here! FIND LOCAL DOCTORS & HEAR FROM EXPERTS close
You are at:»»Texas Tailgating
Uncategorized

Texas Tailgating

By 316 Comments
Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr +

ATX Man’s guide to barbecue food trailers / By Tiffany Harelik / Photo by Sadie Barton

Nothing rings in the fall like the smoky smell of pit barbecue weaving through the air while you walk down to your favorite tailgating party. If you’re like most guys who grill, you know serving up barbecue out of a trailer is kind of the norm here in Texas. Whether it’s brisket for a big party or ribs for a dove hunt, you’ve likely cooked or eaten from a trailer toting a giant-sized grill. You know the saying: Everything’s bigger in Texas. That means grills too. During the season of football in the land of food trucks, there are some big grills and big grillers. Here is a look at the pit masters behind the smoke, along with some of their best tailgating tips.

Rollin Smoke BBQ
Fifth and Colorado streets
Wednesday through Saturday, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Rollin Smoke BBQ opened in May 2011. Originally from Austin, owner Tony Hamilton went to Pflugerville High School. His best seller is the Playboy sandwich, which piles brisket, pulled pork and sausage—all chopped together—and smothers it with pickles, onions and barbecue sauce. Barbecue runs in the family for Hamilton. His father always barbecued and his grandfather owns two barbecue restaurants in Killeen named Maurice’s.

“I got into barbecuing when I was a kid. I just got into cooking and grilling and have been barbecuing since I was 17 years old,” Hamilton shares.

Being right next door to the popular music venue Antone’s, he feeds a lot of bands. He also serves a lot of football players, Cedric Benson, Chykie Brown and Derrick Johnson, to name a few. His food is so good, he sells out every Friday and Saturday.

“I have it down to a science of how many people I’m serving,” Hamilton says. “I cook everything fresh. I don’t like having leftover food, so I give any leftovers to the homeless.”

Sugar Shack BBQ
24th and San Antonio streets
Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mark Avalos opened Sugar Shack BBQ catering in 2006; the food trailer was born in 2009. Sugar Shack mainly serves college students and downtowners, and the Notorious P.I.G. is his best seller. It is a pulled pork and mustard-based coleslaw “sammich” as he calls it.

“I am a big barbecue fan and I’m really big in to introducing people to new flavors,” Avalos says. “This slaw is more of an Alabama-style coleslaw and a little different than what people are used to around here. They like it.”

According to this pit master, there are about four main styles of barbecue across the barbecue belt that have inspired him. Carolina-style barbecue is all about the pork; there is no brisket at all. The sauce is vinegar-based. Conversely, in Kansas City, they serve mainly brisket with a tomato-based vinegar-style sauce. Tennessee barbecue has a focus on pulled pork and ribs, and the meats offer a smoky Notorious P.I.G. Sandwich from Sugar Shack BBQ taste. Last but not least, Texas barbecue tends to be more beef-based and uses a lot of pepper in the rubs and sauce.

“I get a lot of UT students, everyone from the football players to the cheerleaders,” Avalos says. “We do a lot of tailgates for the fraternities. Football season is big for us because of fraternities and sororities. Usually, everything is done at the trailer and I deliver. Almost all the fraternities have barbecue pits, so occasionally we will go there and do it. Everyone loves to be around a barbecue pit and that good smoky smell.”

Known for offering a variety of styles of barbecue at his trailer, Avalos says the Alabama white barbecue sauce is one you won’t want to miss. It is mayonnaise-based and has a tangy cayenne bite to it.

“When you put that white sauce on poultry, it kicks it up another level, even on brisket,” deems the pit master.

Woodpile BBQ
9300 U.S. Highway 290, three miles west of the Y
Saturdays only, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Levi Smith and his wife, Rachael, opened Austin’s newest food trailer in August, earlier this year.

“I’ve been in Austin most of my life with a ranching background, so beef has been a big part of my life,” Smith says. In addition to ranching, he was the CEO of a healthcare company for the last 10 years. “I love hospitality, and barbecue is my favorite cuisine. I’m a business guy too. Even though it’s kind of a pipe dream, I love making food and I’m doing it because I’m passionate about it.”

One thing that makes this joint unique is the Smiths’ commitment to purchase high-quality meats from small ranches.

“We are buying the best meats you could possibly use from small ranches where the cattle and pigs are allowed to roam with no antibiotics,” Smith says.

Other notable barbecue trailers in Austin include the legendary JMueller BBQ, Double Trouble BBQ (Austin’s first amphibious food trailer) and the family-owned Bee Caves BBQ. More barbecue icons in Austin include Franklin Barbecue, Uncle Billy’s, Iron Works, the County Line, Green Mesquite BBQ, Mann’s, Stiles Switch, Live Oak and Lamberts. The Salt Lick and Railroad Bar-B-Que in Dripping Springs are also well worth the short drive.

Tips for tailgating from the pit masters:

Brisket. How long do you leave it in the smoker?

“It depends on how you cook it and how you control your temperatures. A lot of people tell you that you need 24 hours, but I smoke mine in six to eight hours. I cook on high because I like the char. How long you smoke depends on how much it weighs. A good rule of thumb is one hour per pound.” —Tony Hamilton, Rollin Smoke BBQ

“If you lookin’, you ain’t cookin’. A lot of people have the bad habit of w anting to open and look at the barbecue. I tell everybody trust your pit; leave it closed. Every time you open the cavity, it drops 25 degrees and it will take between five and 10 minutes to get back to the temperature that you want.” –Mark Avalos, Sugar Shack BBQ

Any tips on cooking from the pit all day?

“One suggestion could be doing a mix of meats so you can have a steady stream of things being ready instead of everything being ready at one time. It’s like leading people through a multicourse meal over several hours of tailgating. If you have an 8 a.m. s tart, you could throw some breakfast sausage on and have it ready in an hour or two. At the same time, put on the ribs and brisket. The ribs will be ready in four to six hours for lunch, and the brisket will be ready for dinner. Cooking in stages helps keep people happy. Cooking that way in phases, you don’t have to worry about holding food and burning meat. ” – Levi Smith, Woodpile BBQ

Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos

Courtesy of Sugar Shack BBQ, Via the Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook: Austin Edition
This is a true Texan appetizer. You can substitute the cream cheese for cheddar or string cheese. Serve right as you’re putting the steaks on the grill.

Ingredients
1 pound jalapenos
1 stick cream cheese
1 jar of your favorite spicy jelly
1 package bacon
1 package toothpicks

Directions
Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and clean out the seeds and veins using a spoon. Stuff one half with a bit of cream cheese and a bit of jelly. Close jalapenos back up and wrap them with half a piece of bacon. Stick toothpicks through bacon and stuffed jalapenos. Make sure toothpicks come out the other end. Repeat process until all the jalapenos are stuffed. Grill assembled jalapenos over medium-high heat. Try to spread them out because the bacon will cause some flareups. Cook until bacon is ready, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Stay tuned to all things food trailer throughout the year at trailerfooddiaries.com.

Share.

Related Posts

316 Comments

  6. Gian phoi Hoa Phat on

    Im no expert, but I think you just made an excellent point. You undoubtedly fully understand what youre talking about, and I can really get behind that. Thanks for being so upfront and so honest.

  26. mince on

    Your style is so unique in comparison to other folks I ave read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I all just bookmark this page.

  27. Paris elite escort on

    IaаАа’б‚Т€ТšаЂаŒаАа’б‚Т€ТžаБТžve read some good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a fantastic informative web site.

  28. Desktop on

    You completed a number of good points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found the majority of people will go along with with your blog.

  37. M3U File on

    Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  58. betproduct vsport on

    The reality is you ought to just stop smoking period and deal using the withdrawals. *I was quite happy to find this web-site.I wished to thanks for the time for this great read!!

  61. girlswinmn.com on

    You made some really good points there. I looked on the web for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  77. buy YouTube views on

    You can certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.

  82. domain names on

    Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It as on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!

  86. casino online maha168 on

    Thanks for any other great post. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal means of writing? I ave a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.

  96. adelaide seo expert on

    Wow, awesome blog structure! How long have you ever been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The whole look of your web site is fantastic, as well as the content material!

  99. wap dewatogel com on

    I was looking for the report in Yandex and suddenly came across this page. I found a little information on my topic of my report. I would like more, and thanks for that..!

  103. bitcoin on

    Keep up the great work , I read few articles on this site and I believe that your web site is really interesting and contains lots of superb information.

  107. joker123 on

    Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely feel this site needs a lot more attention. I all probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info!

  114. login joker123 on

    I think other website proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and great user genial style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  116. read on

    Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We ave ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Magnificent. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.

  140. VCP-DCV 2020 on

    Wow, marvelous blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is wonderful, let alone the content!

  147. moving compani on

    Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It as on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!

  162. slot online on

    Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is great, let alone the content!. Thanks For Your article about sex.

  173. click here on

    This particular blog is obviously awesome and also factual. I have picked a bunch of helpful tips out of it. I ad love to go back again and again. Thanks a lot!

  175. Tattoo Designs on

    I think other site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and great user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  181. Jamb expo on

    You made some first rate points there. I appeared on the internet for the problem and found most individuals will associate with along with your website.

  183. click here on

    I was just wondering what computer software you would need to make business cards or labels from a home computer. Is is easy or even worth the time or money..

  189. cheap flights on

    I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your
    content. This great article has really peaked my interest.
    I will bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about
    once per week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  190. cheap flights on

    I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours
    lately, but I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
    It is lovely value enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content material as you probably
    did, the web will probably be much more helpful
    than ever before.

  194. see the website on

    I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You are amazing! Thanks!

  195. cheap flights on

    You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic
    to be really something that I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and very broad for me.

    I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try
    to get the hang of it!

  203. cheap flights on

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find
    things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of
    your ideas!!

  212. Brio Webcam on

    Your style is unique compared to other folks I ave read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.

  218. San Gabriel realtor on

    You ave made some really good points there. I looked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.

  220. el monte realtor on

    I simply could not leave your site prior to suggesting that I really loved the standard info an individual supply to your guests? Is gonna be again regularly to investigate cross-check new posts.

  226. Yealink ZVC500 on

    It as not that I want to copy your web page, but I really like the design and style. Could you let me know which style are you using? Or was it tailor made?

  227. brujos en linea on

    I think other website proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and excellent user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  229. eToro Review UK on

    You ave made some really good points there. I looked on the web for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.

  241. tinyurl.com on

    Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after going through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me.

    Anyhow, I’m certainly happy I stumbled upon it and
    I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  252. Svise on

    You completed several fine points there. I did a search on the theme and found mainly persons will have the same opinion with your blog.

  254. piedmont painters on

    Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style and design. Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you. by Harold Bloom.

  261. Dog scissors on

    Your style is so unique in comparison to other folks I ave read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you ave got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.

  264. for more info on

    This particular blog is obviously entertaining and also diverting. I have chosen helluva helpful advices out of this amazing blog. I ad love to come back over and over again. Thanks a bunch!

  278. Giay dan tuong on

    Usually I do not read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.

  283. Instagram followers on

    whoah this weblog is excellent i really like reading your articles. Keep up the good work! You already know, a lot of persons are looking round for this information, you could help them greatly.

  290. read on

    It as not that I want to duplicate your web page, but I really like the design and style. Could you let me know which theme are you using? Or was it custom made?

  292. cbd dog treats on

    This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I ave shared your site in my social networks!

Leave A Reply

Banner