What Texas Monthy said:
Out-of-towners who crunch their way across the gravel parking lot, past the post oak-stoked fire at the back of the redbrick building, and into the big old bare-bones dining room might not realize that anything has changed here if they failed to notice that the name on the building is now Smitty's Market and not Kreuz Market. That's because the brisket at this Lockhart destination is still primo, the coarsely ground handmade sausage is sublime, and the pork chops are thick, sweet, and delicately smoky. Those in the know spring for the succulent, juicy boneless prime rib; since it's cooked to be perfectly medium-rare right when lunch begins, it's more subtly flavored than Smitty's longer-smoked brisket. Just as in the old days, all the meats are sold by the pound and slapped onto butcher paper. Now three years old, Smitty's is named for Edgar "Smitty" Schmidt, the father of owner Nina Sells. Although the restaurant's first few months were up and down, it seems to have hit its stride under manager and pitmaster John A. Fullilove, Sells' son. Yes, sometimes the brisket can be a tad dry and the rub too salty or not salty enough, but there are times when Smitty's is even better than its predecessor—and that's saying a lot. In a concession to modernity, the dining room now offers potato salad, beans, and coleslaw. Likewise, diners are grudgingly provided with plastic spoons and knives but not forks, a reminder that in the old days, folks weren't too proud to eat with their hands. And as always, there's no sauce anywhere on the premises. Brisket plate about $5.50. Beer. Rating: 5. 208 S. Commerce (though most everyone uses the rear entrance fronting U.S. 183), 512-398-9344. Open Mon-Fri 7-6, Sat 7-6:30, Sun 9-3. Checks accepted, no credit cards. Joe Nick Patoski