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Ring of Fire

It was one of the most passionately observed traditions on any college campus in the country. Then, on November 18, 1999, a week before it was scheduled to burn, the Texas A&M Bonfire collapsed in the middle of the night, killing twelve Aggies. Ten years later, as the university continues to wrestle with the tragedy—and debate whether Bonfire should ever return to campus—the students and alumni who chopped logs, hauled timber, and built stack talk about what they saw, what they lost, and how their school was changed forever.
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Below the Surface

Since 1996, a legal battle has raged between ExxonMobil and a powerful South Texas ranching clan that believes the oil company sabotaged wells on the family property. Even after a ruling by the state Supreme Court earlier this year, the bitter feud shows no signs of letting up. Maybe that’s because it’s about something far more important than money.
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With God On Their Side

The decision to abruptly remove 437 children from a fundamentalist Mormon compound in Eldorado sparked the largest custody battle in U.S. history. But now that the last child’s case has been settled and all the kids are back home, a question still lingers: What really happened on the Yearning for Zion Ranch?
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The 50 Greatest Hamburgers In Texas

A gastro-scientific inquiry into the finest burgers in the state that invented the burger, including the Toro (#4), the Stodg (#6), the Miss Hattie (#28), and, in our top slot, a miracle of meat served only on Sundays. No wonder they call it the Lord’s day.
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Across The Line

According to the district attorney in Smith County, this building was the site of the most horrific child sex ring in Texas history. Three of the adults convicted of running it have already been sentenced to life in prison. There’s just one problem: The DA in neighboring Wood County, where the building is located, says nothing happened here at all.
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The Reaper Doth Protest Too Much

When the president visited Texas A&M last week, the opposition was waiting.
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Memo to Kay

Even someone who supports the death penalty, as you do, can and should be up in arms over the Cameron Willingham case.
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Texas High Ways

Why the unlikeliest of states—ours—should legalize marijuana.
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Fundamental Arguments

On October 26, the first FLDS criminal trial in Texas begins. What legal strategies remain for the defense?
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3 comments

November 5th, 2009 at 9:06am
Larry says:
My wife and I did a road trip from Snow’s, to Louie Mueller, to Southside, to Smitty’s, to Kreuz, and finally Blacks. Smitty’s was an arm and a leg above everyone else. It was almost like my wife and I took one bite of the brisket, and we both looked at each other was said with our eyes, "why did we waste our time going to all those other places?" Finally, a place that seasons their meat a little. Finally, a place where the smoke is bold enough without being overbearing. Finally, a place where the brisket can hold it’s form, not be dry, and still melt in your mouth. Not to mention, the emotional feeling of this place really added to the meal. The sausage was great too, though a little greasy. Good pepper flavor though, it didn’t fall apart when cut, and the meat actually had some texture to it instead of being mushy. I will say this: every BBQ place has a bad day. It’s possible that my bad experience at Kreuz was a fluke (I ranked Kreuz 5th out of the 6 places we went to). It’s possible the the dry brisket at Louie Mueller was caused by a fluke raise in the pit temperature that one day we went. But, nevertheless, Smitty’s is the only place that we went to that day, that makes me want to go back as soon as possible.

September 25th, 2009 at 9:31am
Michael Kelley says:
Just check the suggestions on where to eat brisket and you’ll know what to make of Jesse’s review. Anyone here interested in mass market taste? I don’t think so.

August 2nd, 2009 at 9:11pm
Jesse says:
2 Aug 09 We left Austin looking forward to eat at 1 of the top 5 BBQ’s places in Texas. What transpired was far from that. I am not sure if it was an "off" day, but if Smitty’s made it in the top 5 of BBQ places in Texas 08 that is a very sad statement. The 1/2 lb of Brisket was tough and struggled to provide flavor. On the outside edges you could taste a hint of smoke flavor. The pork ribs were not much better than the brisket. Although they had a fraction more taste. All in all we were VERY DISAPPOINTED and want to save others the gas and money. Insult to injury was the price for this gem of a meal. Your side items taste "ok", nothing interesting there. Also the person grabbing bread had no gloves on or any indication sanitation was a priority. I am all for the no BS country BBQ, but with the viral/bacterial challenges of today I want good ole fashion BBQ NOT the next outbreak of e coli or strain of the flu. If you are looking for good BBQ, don’t go to Smitty’s. I can’t speak for Kreuz as they were closed and we have not been there. Here is some advice to save gas, time and money. Go to HEB get their Mesquite smoked brisket. It blows the doors off Smitty’s. No I don’t work for HEB, just trying to give you some context of what it boils down to. Even Rudy’s, County Line, Dukes are MUCH better if you are looking to go out to eat BBQ. We plan to check out the other places on the top 5 list to broaden our horizons. It just happens Smitty’s was the first one we went to due to being open on Sunday. To us Smitty’s no longer exists, instead the "m" has been replaced with an "h".