Cooper's BBQ

POST #100!

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Today, we completed the holy trinity of Texas barbeque. Fortuitously, Cooper's BBQ is in Llano, TX, 30 minutes away (and on the way home from) Enchanted Rock, where we camped Friday night. The list that I worked off of for the best Texas BBQ had Smitty's, Louie Mueller, and Cooper's as the top 3 (links to previous blog posts). Texas Monthly came out with a new top 50 (they do it every couple of years). Smitty's and Louie Mueller were still in the top 5, but Cooper's had dropped out. They said something about a family fued, blah, blah. How could the BBQ change that much? Anyway, I had to go off of the knowledge I have. I don't have time to start on a new list. I will definitely miss Texas BBQ. Maybe I'll have to get a smoker and cook my own meats.
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Like most places, you approach the pits, and request your meat. Today we got brisket (a must), pork ribs, and prime rib.
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The food gets served on a tray, you go inside, get it weighed, pick your sides, and pay. Your plate is a sheet of paper, like all real Texas BBQ places. Beans, bread, and pickled jalapenos were complimentary at Cooper's. They also have blackberry cobbler. More on this later.

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Now for the review. Since we were just at Smitty's last week, their meal is fresh on my tastebuds. I thought the brisket at Cooper's was superb. The pepper crust was really really good. I would say that the crust was the best that I've had, but the meat itself at Smitty's brisket is slightly better. The ribs at Cooper's were really good as well. Fall-off-the-bone, peppery-crust good. At Smitty's they use a sweet glaze on the pork ribs which taste really good, but the meat wasn't as tender and didn't fall off the bone. The prime rib at Cooper's was divine. I really like the smoked prime rib at Smitty's, but this was even better. Melt-in-your-mouth better.
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At Cooper's they ask if you want your meat dipped in sauce. We declined and got some on the side. We were happy with this choice. The sauce is thin and vinegary, like Louie Muellers. At Cooper's you can use a knife and fork, which was nice, but I was tempted to just dig in with my fingers.
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Now, for the desserts. At Smitty's they have Blue Bell ice cream, a local Texas ice cream that is really good. At Cooper's, they have blackberry cobbler. HEAVENLY BLISS. So good! Too bad it is 2 - 2.5 hours away. It would have joined the rotation long ago.
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If I had to rank my favorite Texas BBQ, I would say:
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Brisket: Cooper's, Smitty's, Louie Mueller, Rudy's
Sausage: Rudy's, I haven't loved anyone else's or haven't tried it
Pork Ribs: Smitty's, Cooper's, My own, Rudy's
Prime Rib: Cooper's, Smitty's
Sauce: Rudy's
Ambiance: Louie Mueller, tie: Smitty's, Cooper's
Dessert: Cooper's
Best Motorcycle Ride Destination: Cooper's (I saw it on the wall and there were a lot of bikers)
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I may update this next week when we go to Smitty's again since Becca's mom will be in town and she loves Texas BBQ. We usually take her to Rudy's but we think we are going to step it up this time. Great BBQ three weeks in a row. I also know that there are many good places around Texas that may be equally good. Too bad. We are moving and we want to keep our favorites.