Vater Ranch Trip 5-13-18

The tradition of a family cookout is so special. It brings us all together in our love for family and food.

  • Texas T-Bone Steaks
  • Seasoned with salt and pepper.
  • Fresh corn on the cob made with milk and a stick of butter
  • David’s old school smoker grill.
  • The smoke billows up. It smells so good.
  • The fire flickers under the T-bones.
  • Added some pork ribs too.
  • The juices are dripping on the platter from these T-bones.
  • T-errific!!!
  • Which one you picking?
  • Picture perfect T-bones. David nailed it again.

Cooper’s Bar-B-Q in Christoval, Texas Trip 7-08-2017

Gay and me decided to take a short road trip to try out Cooper’s Bar-B-Q in Christoval, Texas. Cooper’s is a legendary name in Texas BBQ since 1952 and we wanted to see the latest edition to the Cooper’s Bar-B-Q brand. Kim and Mark Cooper opened Cooper’s Bar-B-Q in Christoval in 2016. The Cooper’s staff was so friendly and the meat selection was awesome. We loved the hometown feeling you got in the joint. Cooper’s is also an entertainment Mecca for Texas country music and comedy shows. They have hosted Aaron Watson and Randy Rogers recently with upcoming shows with Kyle Park, Comedian Steve Trevino, Robert Earl Keen, Josh Abbott and Stoney LaRue. Definitely take a trip to Christoval one weekend and enjoy the great BBQ and the best that Texas country music has to offer.

  • Step on up and make your BBQ selection
  • The inside of Cooper’s
  • Cooper’s Bar-B-Q beef brisket, jalapeño cheddar sausage, coleslaw and beans.
  • Cooper’s Bar-B-Q.
  • Cooper’s Bar-B-Q pork ribs, beef brisket, potato salad and beans.
  • The outdoor stage at Cooper’s. Home to Texas Country Music shows on the weekends.
  • The meat is overflowing for lunch today at Cooper’s.
  • Front view of Cooper’s Bar-B-Q

Lockhart, Texas Trip 8-01-2014

If you have never been to Lockhart, Texas, you have been missing out on the BBQ capital of Texas. Lockhart has multiple top BBQ joints in a small town with a population of 13,924. Lockhart has the legendary Black’s Barbecue, Smitty’s Market, Kreuz Market and the Lockhart Chisholm Trail BBQ.

  • The wood stack at Black’s.
  • The brisket at Black’s is epic.
  • Black’s Barbecue garlic sausage is delicious.
  • The menu at Black’s.
  • The front view of Black’s Barbecue with a line of customers
  • Caldwell County Courthouse.
  • The front view of Smitty’s Market.
  • The open fire pit at Smitty’s Market. It was so cool to see this.
  • Stepping back in time at Smitty’s.
  • The smokestack at Smitty’s.
  • The wood stack behind Smitty’s was impressive.
  • Smitty’s crew checking the meat.
  • The front view of Kreuz Market
  • The front entry at Kreuz.
  • Kreuz Market since 1900.
  • The rules of BBQ at Kreuz.
  • The front door at Kreuz.
  • The back picnic area at Black’s.
  • Panoramic view of Black’s.
  • Black’s Barbecue beef brisket, potato salad and beans.
  • The fire pits at Smitty’s.
  • The wood went on and on at the wood stack for Smitty’s Market.
  • Smitty’s Market pork ribs, jalapeño cheddar sausage, beef brisket and saltine crackers.
  • Kreuz Market pork chops.
  • Smitty’s Market Beef Brisket.
  • Smitty’s Market is old school right down to the saltine crackers.
  • Kreuz Market pork chops and beef brisket. The pork chops were smokey goodness.
  • Texas BBQ is king and Lockhart is definitely the BBQ capital of Texas.