As road trips go, this one to @gonzosmokehouse was a short one, just 30 minutes upriver from my New Orleans home to in Luling.

But it entailed the logistics, timekeeping and excited anticipation of a much bigger journey.

We had a smorgasbord platter of barbecue in mind, an ice chest on hand to bring home a particular Cajun-meets-Texas brisket boudin from Gonzo’s freezer case, and a brewery taproom visit on the agenda, too.

Gonzo’s has earned a following around Louisiana for the best Central Texas-style barbecue this side of the Sabine River. But it serves this barbecue only at lunch on Fridays.

That’s made lunch at Gonzo’s into a happening, with people lining up outside before the doors open. Now, it’s more of a destination too since ti move upriver and next to @germancoastbeerco .

Barbecue, boudin and beer add up to the kind of eating adventure worth planning weeks in advance, like Friday lunch at Galatoire’s or Saturday night at Mosca’s.

So I recruited a few trusted trenchermen and set out to Luling for a feast.

As our lunch progressed, teeth got sticky with salty beef fat, chitchat fell away, and the napkin pile grew as fingers gleamed. A cold beer next door beckoned.

Is this barbecue heaven? Close. It’s Friday at Gonzo’s in Luling.

Link in my bio has the read on how it went, and how to do it up and some upcoming changes to the scheduled , including Gonzo’s own roadtrips for appearances in New Orleans

#wherenolaeats #igersneworleans #nolaeats #riverparishes #nolafoodie Less