In my recent trips to nearby Elgin I've visited Meyer's and Southwest Market and had some good experiences, but in talking with local residents, the consensus seemed to be that I should get off of Highway 290 and try out Crosstown Barbeque in old downtown Elgin (202 S. Avenue C) if I really wanted to taste the best of Elgin barbeque.
Crosstown is located right on the edge of the old business district in an unprepossessing metal building. Once you get inside the atmosphere is classic Texas rustic, with boar and deer heads on the walls, a kind of cowboy decor, a long serving counter, simple basic tables, and a big TV showing classic westerns. Crosstown is newer than its more famous competitors, but it's already established a reputation and a regular clientele.
The menu is about as basic as they come, offering brisket, pork ribs, sausage, chicken and beef ribs. The selection of sides is very limited, with just beans and cole slaw. They don't even have fountain drinks. They've got home made iced tea and bottled soda from a cooler.
I couldn't try everything in one visit, but I got a reasonably priced three-meat plate with brisket, pork ribs, and sausage and had them throw on a beef rib as a bonus. I got double beans instead of cole slaw because I just can't stand cold, slimy cabbage in any form.
Elgin is famous for its sausage and I think Meyer's deserves that reputation, but what surprised me most at Crosstown is that their sausage is even better than Meyer's. It's very much the same sort of sausage, a rough ground and very peppery mix, with lots of character, but it's extra spicy with both black and cayenne pepper, and it has variations in flavor which suggest that the ingredients weren't mixed very well, but which I found really interesting. Every bite is a little bit different, but they're all good. It's not too greasy and comes in long, thin links. In my experience it may be the best sausage I've had, with more character than Kreuz's and more flavor than any of the others I've tried. I could have eaten just the sausage and been perfectly happy.
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