Aaron Franklin knows his barbecue very well, from making his own at the acclaimed Franklin Barbecue, cooking all over the world from Chicago to even Sweden, to frequenting other smoked meats joints. So it makes sense that he has his own personal barbecue game plan when it comes to exploring the wealth of smoked meats found in Central Texas. With that in mind, Franklin graciously shared his suggested barbecue tour for a long weekend with Eater Austin, all scribbled appropriately on his own butcher paper.

Franklin's three-day meat journey begins south of Austin in the meaty capital of the country Lockhart, swings east to Lexington and Taylor, and ends in Austin for some local flavor (and non-barbecue choices, for a change of pace). For each spot, he included his recommended order, from brisket, beef ribs, sausage, to even tacos. Go forth and eat plenty. Keep in mind that most barbecue places are usually open until everything is sold out, which happens more often than not.

Friday

Begin at: Kreuz Market

619 North Colorado Street, Lockhart

Distance from Austin: 29 miles, 35 minutes

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Franklin recommends: pork chop, prime rib, sausage

Move on to: Smitty's Market

208 South Commerce St, Lockhart

Distance from Kreuz: .4 miles, two minute drive or nine minute walk

Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday

Franklin recommends: “Sausage! Sausage! Sausage!”

Last stop: City Market

633 East Davis Street, Luling

Distance from Smitty’s: 14.8 miles, 21 minutes

Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Franklin recommends: pork ribs, sausage, cheese and crackers

Saturday

516 South Main Street, Lexington

Distance from Austin: 62 miles, one hour and eight minutes

Hours: 8 a.m. until sold out, Saturday

Franklin recommends: pork ribs, brisket, pork steak, chicken

Next and last stop: Louie Mueller Barbecue

206 West Second Street, Taylor

Distance from Snow’s: 30 miles, 34 minutes

Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Franklin recommends: brisket, beef ribs, sausage

Sunday

11500 Manchaca Road, Austin

Distance from Austin: 13.3 miles, 22 minutes

Hours: 8 a.m. until sold out, Monday through Sunday (the trailer is closed on the first Monday of every month as well)

Franklin recommends: tacos

Move Onto: Franklin Barbecue

900 East 11th Street, Austin

Distance from Valentina’s: 12.2 miles, 30 minutes

Hours: 11 a.m. until sold out daily, which is usually around 2 to 3 p.m.

Franklin recommends: well, yeah.

Final (and Decidedly Not Barbecue) Stop: Uchiko

4200 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin

Distance from Franklin: 4 miles, 12 minutes

Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Franklin recommends: Anything that isn’t barbecue