Best Brisket In Michigan

Submitted by Bluenin on
Spent some time in Texas with the In-Laws and the smoked brisket is insanely good down there!! Just wondering if anyone has had any luck finding great brisket up here in Michigan??
MGoBoard

Texagander

November 16th, 2017 at 10:53 PM ^

I’ll smoke my own brisket but the best I’ve found in a restaurant in SE Michigan is the Union Woodshop in clarkston. I️ eat at Lockhart’s about once a week. The brisket is pretty good most of the time. Slows is terrible. They don’t trim the fat off. I’ve had much better brisket at a gas station in east Texas than that place.

Joined: 03/30/2014

MGoPoints: 3733

mgobleu

November 16th, 2017 at 11:13 PM ^

No, they definitely don't trim their brisket very clean. I will say I've had some pretty doggone good brisket at the one in GR, but I've had some boot leather too. I think they'll usually try to mix up some of the point and some of the flat so you don't get to much dry or fatty, but I don't think consistency is really their thing.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 38428

Bigly yuge

November 17th, 2017 at 12:29 AM ^

I’ve not ever had Brisket before, though it is certainly on my bucket list. I have heard great things about Texas bbq style brisket, though I’m thinking I need to try the bbq brisket from all the major bbq players (Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City, Texas, and any others that come highly recommended).

Joined: 09/23/2017

MGoPoints: 3166

goblueram

November 17th, 2017 at 1:55 AM ^

West Side BBQ in Ann Arbor is a really solid spot. But I'm less informed on brisket than on pork after having done a significant amount of work travel this year to Memphis. They are all about ribs down there.

Joined: 08/18/2009

MGoPoints: 11701

turtleboy

November 17th, 2017 at 6:15 AM ^

My vote is for Rogue Estate in Royal Oak/Ferndale area. It's their best offering, and despite making delicious sauces I can never bring myself to put any on because it's too good on its own.

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 35131

lapis9

November 17th, 2017 at 6:23 AM ^

these guys are doing some amazing brisket and ribs and making it happen just down the street from the Big House at Main and Madison. They're in the unassuming red building with no sign other than 3 big white letters: BBQ. No frills just great food (mostly takeout). Best stuff I've had in MI. 

Joined: 08/15/2017

MGoPoints: 1

Roanman

November 17th, 2017 at 7:14 AM ^

26 Mile Road at I-94. Hideous lime green roof is impossible to miss.

If I'm close, I'm taking a brisket and at least one rack of ribs home, usually two. The coleslaw, beans and waffle fries are all a cut above as well.

Superior breakfast sandwiches featuring a nice selection of smoked meats.

Nice people.

I have no financial interest in this business.

Honest to God.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 1410

reshp1

November 17th, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^

The thing with brisket is it's so hit and miss. On any given day it can be amazing or awful, even from the best places. Even within a cut, it can be dramatically different. Best I've had in Michigan was from a food truck called "Smoke Ring" at the Ferndale Pohang Whiskey. Best restaurant was Sharks BBQ in Troy. Woodpile in Clawson is decent but they do all their stuff on the drier side, so some days it's just too chewy for me, although flavor is good.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177

reshp1

November 17th, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^

The thing with brisket is it's so hit and miss. On any given day it can be amazing or awful, even from the best places. Even within a cut, it can be dramatically different. Best I've had in Michigan was from a food truck called "Smoke Ring" at the Ferndale Pohang Whiskey. Best restaurant was Sharks BBQ in Troy. Woodpile in Clawson is decent but they do all their stuff on the drier side, so some days it's just too chewy for me, although flavor is good.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177

MgoblueinAustin

November 17th, 2017 at 1:57 PM ^

Makes a competent brisket. They use the wood accessible to them so they're using fruit wood, which I've never seen done in Texas. The fruit wood doesn't give you the same smokey taste as post oak. I'm a purist Texas barbecue guy, having relocated for 13 years now.

I'm actually smoking a brisket right now. Three to be exact, and two pork shoulders, three pork spare ribs, and sausage. 70 lbs of meat on for the next 24 hours for my annual neighborhood tailgate in Round Rock, TX. Let me know who's in?

Joined: 03/27/2009

MGoPoints: 83

mgoblue78

November 17th, 2017 at 4:26 PM ^

I much prefer Saddleback over Meat in the Lansing area.  

I very much like the original Saddleback location in REO Town; the Okemos location just opened a week ago, with a broader menu, more seating and a full bar, 

Joined: 12/15/2011

MGoPoints: 6645

seksdesk

November 17th, 2017 at 4:26 PM ^

I'm biased, but our brixit (as we refer to it) is darn tootin. Our pulled pork was rated #1 in Michigan, #4 US by Travel Channel, but who pays attention to rankings!?

Joined: 02/02/2011

MGoPoints: 1132

seksdesk

November 17th, 2017 at 6:39 PM ^

from 11 until 6:30 p.m. We are primarily a catering company but the demand insisted we open doors a couple of days a week. and the line is usually out the door and into the parking lot. best time to stop by is right at 11 or 1:30. every Thursday we feature double smoked corned beef burnt ends called Pit Stop McNuggets. we are also smoking turkey breast for Thanksgiving will be smoking Kentucky bourbon Stout smoked hams for Christmas always have specials follow us on Facebook and by the way we are consistently hands-down the number one BBQ joint in Grand Rapids.

Joined: 02/02/2011

MGoPoints: 1132