This is the only place in town that pitmaster Aaron Franklin will go to eat BBQ, (besides his own place…duh.) It took me 5 years to make it down to south Austin to give it a try, but I finally went for a lunch date last Friday.
Now, I’m really not a BBQ pro. At all. I probably only eat it twice a year, because one meal of smoked brisket, sausage, and ribs and I want to curl up in bed and nap for 8 hours…haha! (Want to read about ALL the bbq in Austin? Go to Jimmy’s blog.) So consider this a BBQ review from your average I-kind-like-BBQ-but-I-don’t-eat-it-often type of girl. Good?
Valentinas was unlike anything I’ve tried. I don’t know much about the process of smoking meat, but I’m pretty confident that they’re doing things right down at Valentina’s. Also, this is a Tex Mex BBQ trailer, so the meat is piled high inside a warm, fluffy, homemade flour tortilla. #gamechanger
There was almost no line on a Friday morning at 11:30. We waited behind 2-3 people and had our food within 20 minutes of arriving. I’m sure it would be a different story on a weekend.
Valentina’s makes the softest flour tortillas, and while I typically eat my tacos in corn tortillas, BBQ tacos are the exception. Get the flour tortillas, friend!Â
I tasted three different tacos, and the most surprising one was the CHICKEN! Holy mother…. maybe I’ve had a few too many dry, tasteless chicken breasts in my life, but this smoked meat blew my world to pieces. I’ve never tasted chicken so flavorful and moist. (The brisket and carnitas tacos were equally fantastic, but neither overwhelmed me like the chicken.)
You can also order meat by the pound or meat on sandwiches. If I ever get tired of the BBQ tacos (I won’t…), I’ll try one of the sandwiches.
Valentinas also has a breakfast taco menu, and that’s currently on my list to try. Anyone want to go on a breakfast date?
11500 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Mon: 7:30 am -9 pm, Tue-Sun, 7:30 am – 10 pm
In about 6-12 months I’ll have another BBQ post for you. I just can’t help it – eating that much meat makes me sleepy like it’s Thanksgiving day!
Hope your Wednesday is treating you well. I’ll be back here on Friday with a fun little series that I’m starting…I’m really excited about this one! Talk soon!
XO
Kelsey
Valentina’s has been on my list to try for a while! I’m with you, I only need one good BBQ meal about once every 6 months or so and I’m satisfied. Now breakfast BBQ tacos sounds soooo good.
I agree – I want to check them out!! Let me know if you ever want to go with me some morning 😉
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