I know barbecuing is a slow process, but the time it takes to cook the food at Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas is nothing compared to the wait for it.
Austinites seem to be cool with (barbe)queuing for what I’ve been told is the best eatery of its kind in Texas, America or perhaps even the world. For five days I watched the line for the restaurant that opens from 11am until 2pm form from about 7.30am. Legendary it might be, but despite it having a reputation for the best brisket in the city, I just couldn’t make myself join that queue.
Franklin Barbecue is on East 11th Street in Austin, a seven minute walk from where I stayed on San Bernard Street.
Or a 15 minute round trip, with one minute in the middle spent marvelling at the hardliners happy to set up camp - even on workdays - in the hope of being one of the lucky ones who actually get to eat, albeit a few hours down the line.
A two minute walk away we found Hillside Farmacy.
I was immediately drawn to its seating options, in that it had some available. Its decor (with some lovely original pharmacy cabinets - a nod to its past days as a neighbourhood pharmacy) was great. It had a variety of delicious mixed drinks, served in on trend jam jars, and a happy hour that lasted for two hours every day. It had what I like to think of as a Goldilocks menu - with neither too much nor too little on it, it was just right. Open from 9am until 10pm on some days, and 11pm on others, everything from breakfast to a late, lazy dinner was an option, and we ate there maybe three times during our five day stay in Austin.
I’m a big fan of restaurants. Once the food is good I’m happy with everything from a cheap Chinese to a Michelin star menu. The pleasant surroundings, the great food I’ve had nothing to do with preparing, the fact that the delicious food is brought to me after no more effort on my part than choosing it from the menu...what’s not to love?
Queuing for it, that’s what. Eating out for me is a treat. Queuing, on the other hand, is not. I queued for my school lunch. I’ve given up queuing to buy tickets. Lots of diners these days seem to be happy to accept, even embrace, queuing as part of the restaurant experience.
I might be missing out on some great food, but bringing a deck chair and snacks just to make it to the restaurant door? I'd sooner buy a smoker and give brisket a go myself.
