Could the insanity over Franklin Barbecue spin more out of control than it already has? Totally. For one thing, we’re piling on. Yesterday, Texas Monthly named the riotously popular eighteen-month-old Austin joint as the designated “newcomer” at the second annual Texas Monthly BBQ Festival, coming up October 30. That means Aaron Franklin will be there, handing out samples of his mouth-watering, shirt-staining, chin-dripping brisket. He’ll join the twenty-odd other participating joints from our list of the top fifty barbecue joints in Texas and the runners-up. (Check our cover story from June 2008.) If you’re not from Austin, you may be asking yourself, What the hell is Franklin Barbecue and what does Sharpe mean by “insanity.” Just this: Bon Appétit magazine just named Franklin “the best bbq restaurant in America.” Full Custom Gospel BBQ, one of the most respected barbecue blogs in Texas, gave Franklin six out of six stars (six means “reconsider your honeymoon destination”). Other major blogs like Texas BBQ Posse and Man Up Texas BBQ are in agreement that it is one of the best, if not the best. AND we featured it in our Cook Like a Texan cover story this April. And, oh, did I mention the lines? That Franklin regularly sells out in an hour or two almost every day? So check it out, readers. If you’re in Austin, queue up starting at 11 a.m.  at 900 E. 11th (closed Mondays). If you’re from out of town, come and get some of that brisket, and more,  at our fest on Sunday, October 30. General admission tickets go on sale August 10 ($58); VIP tickets are on sale now ($118). Hint: When you get to the page, scroll down a bit and click on the little box for “Texas Monthly BBQ Festival.”