The legend of the Barbecue Kid

If you grew up in Dallas in the late 1970s then you probably already know the story of the BBQ Kid. A media star by the time he was 8, it was rumored that the Kid's own baptism was catered by Martin's Barbecue in Bryan.

The Kid disappeared sometime after his 10th birthday, gone to parts unknown, most folks figured he was gone for good.

The truth of the matter is the Kid was ripped from the bosom of his mother Texas, forced to move to a strange land called Oregon where it rained a lot and BBQ was nothing more than cooking hamburgers on a grill.

So the Kid grew and he waited, waited for his chance to return. Return to the land of his birth and reconnect with the wonders of the world's finest food.

Almost 30 years later the Kid has indeed resurfaced, ribs in hand, the sauce still smeared across his face and on his t-shirt, just as it was on those oh-so popular billboards. He has returned for one reason and one reason only - to stop the bad and promote the good - meat that is.

The Kid will not be stopped this time. By the time he is done every corner of the state that has a place which deigns to call itself a 'Barbecue' restaurant will be investigated and the Kid's report will be published here.

So let the cry go out to all who claim to be cooking the best brisket in the land. The Kid has returned, hungry and ready to find out just who really can live up to such a bold claim.

It's been a long time.

Let the eating begin.