Cartwrights Smokehouse

Bastrop needed some good news after the crap couple of years it's had. So I was thrilled to hear that Cartwrights opened up shop here recently, and especially thrilled to hear that their ribs and pork tenderloin were still superlative. It isn't the first location of Cartwrights you see, but it may be the most beloved: owner Steve Cartwright and his business partner/buddy Rick Tamez opened their doors to legions of hungry, discriminating fans -- fans with no shortage of BBQ in a 10-mile radius. But one bite of their brisket, along with the smiles and contented faces of my fellow patrons, proved to me that Steve still has the magic touch.