A native of Amarillo now based in Austin, photographer Wyatt McSpadden has been documenting the many facets of Texas life for decades. His work has appeared in scores of publications nationwide, including Texas Monthly, where he is a contributing photographer.
For almost 20 years, McSpadden has pursued a private project: documenting authentic small-town barbecue joints, a venerable and essential part of the state’s culture. His newly published book, Texas BBQ, is the culmination of that passion.
He has plenty of pointers when it comes to discovering one of the most essential ingredients in Texas.
"Austin sits smack-dab in the middle of the richest vein of barbecue joints in the state, and thus the world," he says. "Take off in any direction and within half an hour you can be feasting at a number of legendary, small-town smokaterias."
The quest for the best, he continues, starts with leaving the interstate scrum behind and cruising two-lane blacktops to outposts like Lockhart, Luling, LaGrange and Llano.
"That’s just the Ls," he notes, laughing, naming Kreuz Market, Prause’s Market and Cooper’s among the area shrines.
Who is best in Texas? As any Texan knows, that’s a deliciously endless debate, but McSpadden puts it this way: "The winner is the barbecue pilgrim on his or her perpetual quest; for all of these places are as unique as the towns and the folks who toil each day to produce the greatest ‘cue on Earth."