A perfect Friday night: Football and Barbecue

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

A question that has plagued Central Texas for generations will be answered Friday night on the gridiron: Which town really is the King of Texas Barbecue?

While some sausage “purists” (and Bastrop County residents) insist that Elgin is actually the Barbecue Capital of Texas, and that Lockhart was simply misnamed, ple

nty of Lockhart residents know better. On Friday night, the Lockhart and Elgin Chambers of Commerce, joined by a bevy of statewide and nationally-known barbecue restaurants, will duke it out once and for all – courtesy of the First Annual BBQ Bowl.

In reality, barbecue will be the sideshow, as both communities rally around a focus that everyone can agree on – supporting high school athletes in their endeavors. However, a tailgate party offering the very best in Central Texas prior to a football game makes for a nearly perfect Friday night in Texas.

In addition to the reigning bi-district champion Lockhart Lions, Lockhart will come to the table with four renowned barbecue joints: Smitty’s Market, Chisholm Trail Bar-B-Que, Black’s Barbecue and Kreuz Market are all on deck to set up tents to allow tailgaters the chance to enjoy Lockhart’s famous fare.

The hosting Elgin Wildcats (1-6) not only have the hometown advantage on the gridiron, but carry the weight of Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse and the Southside Market and Barbecue behind them.

At the end of the evening, the BBQ Bowl Trophy will be awarded to the winning team – and the winning community.

From Lockhart, follow Highway 183 north to SH 130. Exit Highway 290 and take a right. Travel 6.4 miles to FM 1100 and turn left. Travel another 6.4 miles to County Line Road and turn left.
Tailgating for the BBQ Bowl will begin at 6 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium, 1400 County Line Rd., in Elgin, with kickoff scheduled at 7:30 p.m.