Before we left Taylor, Texas, my mom and I took a drive down the main drag (or shall I say, memory lane), and then we took a left on 2nd Street.  We drove right up to Louie Miller Barbecue and parked right in front.  As we stepped into the old restaurant, it was as if we were entering a time warp.  I remember the walk from the door along the creaking wooden warehouse floors to the counter stacked with plastic trays and each covered with white butcher paper.  The cook sliced off a crusty end of the beef brisket and gave me this greasy sample of heaven.  My mom and I ordered a pound of barbecue brisket along with a pound of pork ribs (For leftovers of course).  I also ordered a side of potato salad, slices of white bread, and a Big Red Soda to continue my memory.

I remember walking into this same scene over 30+ years ago holding my granddad’s hand.  The room looked the same with green paint peeling from the walls, with a wall filled with business cards blackened by the constant smoke of the brisket.  The glare of sun light breaking into this dark warehouse restaurant being interupted by the gentle rotation of the exhaust fans at the top.  I always thought we got that sample of beef because the cook/owner knew my granddad.  I guess they made and still make everyone feel like an insider.  The room had a few people in suits while the majority in jeans, cowboy boots, and work clothes. 

Louie Mueller is a barbecue place family run for the past three generations.  If you think I making this whole story up, take a look and see for yourself.  Louie Mueller Barbecue

However, the best way to verify is to “taste and see” for yourself.  If you are ever near Austin (200 miles or less), it is worth the drive.  Now that your mouth is watering, take another look and imagine.