#30 - HAYS COUNTY BAR-B-Q - Keeping the Community Tradition Alive

In my opinion, there are three things that any Texan will rally around.  Barbecue, beer and barbecue, in no particular order.  (I would also add the Dallas Cowboys, Blue Bell ice cream and Whataburger to this list, but that would water down my analogy so just go with it.)

Back in the old days, aka BAF (Before Aaron Franklin), barbecues were community-wide events.  Folks would come from miles around to dine on tasty smoked meats prepared by experienced cooks for mass consumption. Beefologists can't prove it, but it is suspected that this is the first time that long lines of beef lovers formed to wait for brisket.

In modern day Texas, Hays County Bar-B-Q in San Marcos is keeping the community tradition alive.  They deliver one of the greatest communal barbecue experiences you will ever have in the Lone Star State.  Hays attracts barbecue fans from Hays County and the surrounding area.  And they've got room enough to spare for hundreds more inside an event center in the back.

When we arrived at Hays County Bar-B-Q, we were greeted by a line of cones and police officers.  Lots of police officers.  Clearly something was going on, so I put on my sleuthing hat, channeled my inner Angela Lansbury, and headed into the restaurant looking for clues.

Clue #1: TV station vans were setting up in the parking lot.  A besuited reporter stood in the hot sun, going over his soon-to-come witty banter and repartee.

Clue #2: Behind the counter, we observed a large gathering of HCBBQ employees.  "We don't know how many people will be here, but be ready for a bunch," said a person I assumed to be the manager.

Clue #3: The event center was decked out with balloons.  Items for a silent auction were laid out on tables, waiting for bids. Music blared.

The clues were aligning.  Stepping up to the counter, I prepared to question the girl taking our order.  The exchange went something like this:

"So, what's going on here tonight?" I asked.

"It's a big fundraiser for a motorcycle officer who was injured on I-35 earlier this year.  We're expecting hundreds of police officers and their families from San Marcos, San Antonio and many other areas to come help.  Proceeds are going to help the officer with her medical bills.  What can I get you?"

"Ah," I said, nodding my head.  Nailed it.  I had cracked the case.

We didn't get to stay for the event, but we did our part to contribute.  We ordered a hefty amount of brisket, sausage, turkey and sides to-go and headed for our car.  At our rental house in Wimberly, we unpacked the spread and dove in.  Everything was drool-worthy, even on puke green rental plates. The brisket was terrific, the turkey was tender and the jalapeno cheese sausage was the star of the plate. Even the green beans delivered a flavorful punch.

Kudos to the Hays County Bar-B-Q team for giving back to the community while making some of the greatest BBQ in Texas.