Trails End Barbecue & Grill

An unexpected turn of events led me to this barbecue spot that, somehow, had completely escaped my radar. A business partner suggested it—he’d had dinner there the night before. I trusted his judgment, especially since he’s from Austin, Texas. And you know what they say about Austin… well, they say a lot of things, but one thing’s for sure—they know their barbecue. As I walked in, I realized it was waaay past lunchtime, which meant this meal was either going to be good—or way good. The place was quiet, just a few tables occupied, two waitresses on the floor, and the smell of smoked meat in the air. The décor had a casual, comfortable flow to it—nothing fancy, just the right vibe. We were handed a paper menu, a little worn and stained with barbecue fingerprints. I liked that. It was simple, no fluff—straight to the point. Just the way I like it. I placed my order: sliced brisket, fries, corn… and a Coke. While we waited, our group took care of some pressing work issues—important things like who’s going to dig the hole and who’s going to cover it. You know, high-level stuff. I slipped away to check the restroom. Clean, well-kept, thoughtfully designed—another good sign. Back at the table, the conversation heated up. Apparently, no one was in the mood to dig a hole today. Heheh. Then the food arrived. My brisket looked just like the doctor ordered. I’ll say this—the slices were a bit thicker than what I’m used to, and slightly on the dry side, but still packed with flavor and had that smoky kick I crave. Yeehaw. Now, here’s a more honest observation. For most of our visit, it was just us and one other solo diner. Meanwhile, two employees sat nearby folding silverware and chatting—loudly—about their grievances at work. I get it. I’m human too, and I know work dynamics can be rough. But there’s a time and a place, and this wasn’t it. That said, the two waitresses working the floor were phenomenal—attentive, kind, and on point. The dining area was also impressively clean. I’ll definitely be coming back, this time alone, and during lunch hours. I’ve already picked the day. Until then…