Hutchins BBQ

 

After the videogame museum, Troy announced "I know it's only 3:30 but if we wait much longer to visit Hutchins, we will be waiting in line for one or two hours."

So we went to dinner at 3:30. Who cares? It's vacation.

If this doesn't look fun to you, I don't know what to say. 

Troy's partner, Trey - I swear, I am not making that up - told me that last time he and Troy ate here, while waiting in a line that stretched around the whole building, an employee came by and gave them samples of sausage made with Chili Cheese Fritos. 

"I hope they have those again," he said, "but without a long line, I don't know if they will." 

He was thrilled to see that they were selling them. 

You tell a counterman what you want and how much of it you want, and he slices it up for you. He slaps labels on the tray and you make your way down the hall, selecting your side dishes. 

We got everything we wanted and took a seat under a photo of Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City. (Years ago, my friend Tom and I - Tom and Troy were even closer friends in high school than I was with either of them - ate at Bryant's. I sent him a photo.)

Brisket, ribs, turkey, a chopped beef sandwich, sausage, fries, mac & cheese, broccoli salad... and one other thing. 

I took a bite of Trey's beloved Chile Cheese Fritos sausage and immediately fell in love. I have never had anything quite like this. I proclaimed it the best thing I had eaten in 2023. 

It would remain so for approximately 90 seconds.

The Texas Twinkie: a giant jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese and brisket, wrapped in bacon, and smoked. 

This was last-meal-of-your-life spectacular. Other than maybe the Crab Cooker's lobster, this was the best thing I have ever eaten. 

The brisket was outstanding and most other meals it would have had me raving, but this was no ordinary meal. 

Ditto the fries. 

The turkey was great but not out-of-this-world, like so many other items. 

Satisfaction. 

And in case this wasn't enough... 

They offer free dessert to all dine-in customers. 

Troy had peach cobbler. 

I had banana pudding. 

It was the best Texas BBQ I have ever had. 

It might well be the best barbecue of any kind that I have ever had. 

It was a meal I will remember for the rest of my life.