It was somewhere east of Roswell, New Mexico, I think. We were at a gas station, doing the usual gas station stuff. I was pumping. Scott Jacobs was draining.
"That [pause for dramatic event] is a beautiful car."
The compliment came from a woman filling the pickup truck at the next pump.
"Thanks," I said.
"Love the color. My daddy had one that color back in the '70s," she says, now walking over to our chocolate brown 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo, which stands out in this part of the country like a flying saucer from another world. Which it is. She spots our license plate. "California? Where are you guys going?'
"Texas," I say matter-of-factly, as if Texas is just around the corner from California.
"Wow, long drive. What's in Texas?"
"We were in the mood for some barbecue."
"Really?" she says in disbelief, circling the Porsche's bulging flanks. It's so obvious she wants to touch the car, but is too polite to ask. "Really?" she says again. "You're driving from California to Texas just for some barbecue?"
"Yup."
She looks up from the car for the first time. "For real?" she asks, looking me straight in the eye.
"For real," I say, opening the door of the Porsche. "There's this place called Snow's BBQ in Lexington, Texas, that we've always wanted to try. It's supposed to be the best in all of Texas. But it's only open on Saturday mornings."
From the look on her it's obvious she thinks we're crazy. I don't let it bother me.
"It's so good," I continue. "We hear they're only open until the meat runs out, which is well before noon. So we left Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon and hope to be at Snow's at 9 a.m. Saturday."
"Then what?" she says.
"Then we drive home," says Jacobs, emerging from the gas station shop with 12 inches of Slim Jim clenched in his right fist. "Would you like to sit in the car?"
"Sure. But I've been in the barn all day," she says smacking some of the looser dirt from her blue jeans. "I better not. I'd hate to get it all dirty."
Martha's reaction to our 3,000-mile road trip was not uncommon. We had the same conversation with other folks in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Both coming and going.
But it was true. We really were driving this new Porsche to Texas for some barbecue. Hey, what can we say? Our craving for brisket was only matched by our keen sense of adventure. We also had a brand-new Porsche 911 Turbo, which we nicknamed the Brisket Express, and the company gas card.
So how did it go? Check out the photos and read through the captions for the full report on our ultimate red meat road trip.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Add A Comment »
cpa4s says:
07:56 PM, 07/05/2011
ok guys, great pictorial of the journey but my question is whether it would have been more fun in a Turbo Cab.
i need to know asap as i am trying to decide between the two!1
rebeled521 says:
08:29 AM, 09/20/2010
Having arranged several TX BBQ trips in which we hit multiple joints in one day, so I understand the compulsion. Sad thing is, just because Texas Monthly says it is the best doesn't mean it's so. Next time you're in town (or the state), let me know and I will personally take you to Virgie's in Houston.
antig says:
06:31 AM, 09/10/2010
Nice trip.
I drive the same, over here in Europe, at least once a year: northern Germany to soutern Spain: ~2200km in one "sitting". But I drive diesel cars (my favorites are BMW 318d oder 320d) and I only stop once to fill up until my destination...that's right...2200km in 17hrs while getting 42mpg!!
The secret? Great diesel engines, made by BMW and empty highways (I drive only at night): cruise control set at 130-150km/h and a break&fill-up after 9-10 hrs.
pushrod says:
08:59 PM, 09/08/2010
Now I am so jealous. I was hoping to take a major road trip this summer, but projects around the house put the kibosh on that plan. My last was Calgary to Phoenix in the spring a couple of years ago (hamburgers in Tortilla Flats. yum). Now I really have to convince The Boss to let me out on the road for a few days. I will have to check out those hot dogs next time I'm in Arizona. And that Texas BBQ.... aw nuts, now I'm really hungry.
300zxtt says:
07:37 AM, 09/07/2010
Great story, great trip in a great car! All the brisket & the sonoran dogs sound awsome...
garrym says:
07:19 PM, 09/06/2010
Really enjoyed the feature. Makes me want to pack up and hit the road. My buddy and I did six weeks across the US and Canada in a Vega GT back in the summer of 75. It was a wonderful experience and I learned alot about the people that made America, America back then. We knew such a trip would never be repeated and made every day count. My little Vega GT was a pleasure on the road and could get around 30 mpg even though we were loaded with camping gear and food.
I enjoy driving and our strong dollar (Cdn) makes a good case for a long drive south of the border...sigh. Maybe next summer.
dieseltc says:
06:26 PM, 09/05/2010
Just did that trip one month ago to the day... but mine is permanent. I'm staying. Those pictures brought back thoughts of my trip. Very cool.
renorally says:
09:45 AM, 09/05/2010
I wonder if the ride was overharsh. Yes i know, it's a sports car, but still. Were you guys beat up by the ride? Incidentally, I live in Reno. If one is ever here, visit the BBQ House on Wells avenue. Excellent BBQ. I drove from Reno to Las Vegas for Vietnamese food. I gt distracted by a girl named Darlene. Never made it to the restaurant. Drove back to reno with a hangover and 3 hours of sleep over a weekend. VERY long 8 hour trip
justlovecars says:
09:20 AM, 09/04/2010
wish you all came through Dallas we have great bar-b-que here as well :-)
blueguydotcom says:
11:40 PM, 09/03/2010
Wow, little version of hell.