Here’s another Food Trailer to add to the Food Truck List: Holy Smokes BBQ Trailer. They’ve been set up in the parking lot behind the Shamrock Tavern since January. Since I haven’t been there yet here’s their description of the menu:

The menu consists of smoked Jalapeño Sausage Wraps, Pulled Pork, Sliced Brisket and Chopped Brisket Sandwiches (these sandwiches are TEXAS SIZE…they are HUGE), the side dishes include homemade Pinto Beans, Potato Salad, and Cole Slaw. Every sandwich comes with one on our homemade “Mom’s Best Pickles”; these pickles have a bite of garlic, sweet, and spice to make the BBQ flavor really POP!

You’ll find them on Fridays and Saturdays from 6PM -2AM. They smoke all of their meats on-sight in the back of the trailer. I can’t wait to check them out.

Holy Smokes BBQ Trailer
(corner of West 7th and Carroll)

I’m not going to write about Father’s Day Brunches because frankly none of the Dads I know are into “brunches”. Most Dads, mine included, love a good barbecue though. Even though we all have our local favorite BBQ spots like Angelos, Coopers, or Cousins why not take a drive down to the BBQ capitol of Texas in Lockhart.

Some fellow foodies and I recently took a road trip that included a stop at Smitty’s BBQ in Lockhart. Smitty’s Market is just one of four fine BBQ establishments in Lockhart. Smitty’s Market ranks as one of the top 5 BBQ establishments according to Texas Monthly magazine and has been in operation for over 50 years.

Walking into Smitty’s from the gravel parking lot behind the building you will most likely find a long line- but don’t worry it moves at a fair pace. The long line gives you plenty of time to formulate the perfect BBQ order. Half a pound of ribs or a full pound? These are the questions you must debate while in line.

Rounding the corner into the “pit” area you will see and feel the actual fire pit just inches from the folks in line. Consider the heat grazing your legs and added Texas summer heat part of the price of admission. Kids will find the exposed fire pretty cool (no pun intended).

Once you survive the fire, you place your order. Behind the counter you can watch how all the meats and sausages are expertly and efficiently sliced.

Your order is then thrown with little fanfare onto butcher paper and topped with slices of white bread – but what a welcome sight. Plastic knives are the only utensil (don’t bother asking for anything else, they might laugh at you).

The dining area is a large open, sparsely decorated, cafeteria style space. Honestly, after surviving the long hot line the only thing that matters about the dining room is the air conditioning, which is on in full force.

You sit on long tables next to strangers where you won’t feel embarrassed about eating with your hands and sucking tasty rib bones dry. And yes, the ribs were that damn good! The house made sausages were another favorite with a chunky texture and spicy flavors. I was looking forward to the brisket and though it was tasty with its infused smoky flavor and nice crust the meat was a tad dry for me.

Don’t forget to load up on pickles, onions, jalapenos, and chunks of cheddar. This quintessential Texas meal was washed down the quintessential Texas brew, Lone Star. If you still have room for dessert, Smitty’s has got you covered with scoops of Blue Bell ice cream.

Smitty’s is a spot where it’s truly all about the food-not the decor or the service. They do BBQ and they do it well enough so that nothing else matters.

Smitty’s Market
208 South Commerce
Lockhart, Texas 78644
512.398.9344

Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat. 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tillman’s Roadhouse brings Fort Worth an eclectic atmosphere and Texas comfort cuisine gone classy. Tillman’s recently opened with much buzz judging from the crowds and anchors new development along the growing West 7th corridor.

The Vibe
Tillman’s fanciful, over the top version of a Texas Roadhouse sets the stage for a fun dining experience. “I got friends in low places” blasts on the sound system along with other popular rock and country anthems that are conducive to letting the good times roll.

Check out the primitive tree pieces that mark the large bar area at the entrance of the restaurant, on cold nights a lucky few can snag a seat on one of the camouflage chairs next to the fireplace. Lounge in the “maw-maw” style parlor area behind the bar with an eye-catching turquoise oversize sofa and damask wallpaper.

Wood paneling and the cheeky taxidermy style animal heads that surround the main dining area create a rustic yet rich atmosphere. Oversize, sparkly chandeliers add a generous dose of bedazzlement. You can settle in on lush banquettes that feature throw pillows a-plenty. In the private dining area towards the back you’ll find birch tree trunks lining the walls and twig chandeliers hovering over tables that add a rustic elegance. Even the bathroom delivers a surprise with hundreds of horse prize ribbons lining the bathroom walls.

The Food
Dinner service starts off with “Popcorn and peanuts for all my friends”. Popcorn and peanuts drizzled with truffle oil and cleverly presented in a large steel scoop is the first hint of the haute take on humble roadhouse cuisine .

I have an affinity for Fried Pickles so I couldn’t turn that down as a Starter. The Fried Pickle Cup consists of a ceramic crumpled looking “cup” with pickles spilling out of the cup. The texture of the breading was pleasantly grainy and complemented the mustard. The pickles were cured in-house and had a nice bite and slightly sweet tartness to them.

Selecting the main course proved to be a little more challenging. Entree choices range from Main Street, Texas with an emphasis on local and regional ingredients. Tillman’s Classics are southern favorites given the “Tillman’s” touch such as Venison Frito Pie, Chicken Fried Hanger Steak and the Landy Burger which features foie gras. Dedicated carnivores can appreciate the selections from the Hardwood Grill such as the PGA ribeye and the “Texas Red Clay” Spiced Beef Tenderloin.

The sides seemed just as appealing as the entrees: Truffled Goat Cheese Tator Tots, White Cheddar Mac & Cheese, and Lambert-Noe Grits. The Lambert-Noe Grits are produced with Paula Lambert’s Dallas Mozzarella Company Goat Cheese and Metro Coffee. While I appreciate that these ingredients are local to Dallas I would love to see Fort Worth’s own Aduro Bean and award winning, Cowtown Farmer’s Market Vendor, Latte Da Dairy Goat Cheese included in Tillman’s dishes as well.

Eventually I decided on the special of the evening which was a flap steak with butternut squash puree and braised leeks with oyster mushrooms. The flap steak is similar to a flank steak in that it is a tougher cut of meat. Tillman’s did the flap steak proud with a preparation that left the meat tender and rich yet still with a chewy bite. The butternut squash lent a sweet balance to the heartiness of the meat and the deep, earthy flavor of the oyster mushrooms.

The meat-centric menu at Tillman’s ensures that it will be a success in Fort Worth but that leaves few options for vegetarians like my husband. He chose the Vegetable Collage of our Regional Growers. The plate included Fried Green Tomatoes and Fingerling Potatoes. Although it was good, it was not memorable. From the decor to the music to the food I feel that every detail no matter how minor has been painstakingly thought about and attended to at Tillman’s. So, I was a bit surprised to see a lack of a creativity in vegetarian options. The Dallas Tillman’s serves a meat free Roasted Poblano Chile Relleno, which would be welcomed on the Fort Worth menu.

Most of the deserts at Tillman’s are made for sharing. The cupcake carousel features cupcakes that you frost yourself. The real show stopper has to be the Tableside S’mores. Along with a little pot of fire you are brought house made marshmallows of coffee, orange, and maple, graham crackers, chocolate bark and skewers ready for you to assemble and roast yourself. What fun is that! On this visit since it was just my husband and I we chose a peanut butter mousse pie with maple whipped cream and candied bacon. The candied bacon made desert selection a no-brainer and provided the expected delicious salty contrast to sweetness of the pie.

The Service
The service still seemed to be getting through some of the opening jitters on this first visit. However, our waitress was friendly and fairly knowledgeable about the menu. She was able to quickly find out answers to our many questions. Aside from a small fiasco with spilled coffee the service was good. The host staff, though adorable, could stand to be a tad more hospitable.

Overall
If I could, I’d grab a blue first place Best in Show ribbon off the bathroom wall and award it to Tillman’s for the overall experience. I love the cheeky charm of Tillman’s where nothing is taken too seriously and whimsy mixes easily with nostalgia. The food is a high-falutin take on familiar favorites that make it approachable and fun yet still adventurous. Tillman’s is destined to be that “go to” spot, whether it’s for first dates, showing off to visitors, or any other special celebration.

Tillman’s Roadhouse
2933 Crockett Street ( at W. 7th and University)
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817.850.9255