I’ve never gotten the whole brisket thing.  Any article or review I’ve read about a BBQ place, or BBQ in general, typically mention brisket being a standard of measure for whether the place is good or not.  I’ve tried it… bunches of times at lots of different places.  From little mom and pop places to big chains, many were highly rated, and at least two were featured on Diners Drive-in’s and Dives, and always… yawn.  What’s all the shouting about?  It’s just okay. (or “meh,” as the interwebs might say)

Most places I wind up in, I try to sample what’s good in the area, and I’d been in Texas for a bit, and in Texas, it’s barbecue. (and things being big, and maybe Tex-Mex, but I’ve had good Tex-Mex before)  So in the Houston area, I hunted up a good Barbecue place, not specifically thinking I’d try the brisket, but just wanting to sample some good ol’ Texas BBQ.  At The Pit Room, you order from the counter, and right in front of you, on the others side of the counter only separated by glass, is the meat dude, and all the various meats are laid out right there to eyeball, and the brisket was looking damned good.  So I tried it.

And now I know why brisket is the standard for whether a place is really good or not because this brisket was amazing.  Clearly, every other place I’d ever tried brisket at had no clue what the hell they were doing, and, Texas has BBQ/beef/brisket dialed.  For realsies.

So if you find yourself in Texas, track down a decent BBQ place and try some brisket.  It’s playing on a whole ‘nother level.