Howdy BBQ Lovers!
” If you love delicious flavor-loaded craft BBQ, succulent pork belly, fresh chef driven sides and savory sweet treats you’re going to LOVE this discovery. It’s TRULY where BBQ and FLAVOR take center stage. Please enjoy and share with others so everyone can enjoy this unforgettable craft BBQ experience. ” – Trey
If you follow us, then you’re aware that we’ve been on the hunt for most unique and delicious BBQ joints America has to offer. We’ve visited 28 states and been on this mission for years and we’ve discovered some of the most incredible BBQ destinations. It’s difficult to stay on track because there are so many small family-owned BBQ joints popping up every day in cities big and small across America. But that being said, through our research, hard work and determination we think we’ve discovered some of the BEST joints to enjoy delicious BBQ in some of the most UNSUSPECTING places.
There are many things I love about Louisiana the culture, history, music, art, wildlife, people and the incredibly delicious food and drinks. What I was NOT expecting to discovery was a small Craft BBQ joint creating and slang’n some of the BEST BBQ in the USA. I was literally BLOWN away by the creative deliciousness of the smoked meats, unbelievable pork belly options, house sausages, fresh sides, pitmaster driven dishes, steaks, and house fresh desserts. Every single thing we tried was just DRIPP’IN with DELICIOUSNESS and so unforgettable I had naughty BBQ dreams for days after we left. YES! It’s truly that memorable and IMPRESSIVE!
It all started in Waggaman, Louisiana where JASON GONZALEZ was born. His rise to pitmaster greatness and his passion for BBQ took an unusual path. He started as a drafter in the Maritime industry and slowly worked his way into the oil and gas industry and became a structural designer. He worked at Shell in New Orleans from 2010 to 2016 as a lead structural designer. It was at this time he started smoking meats with a Masterbuilt electric smoker box. One might say that JASON got bit HARD with the BBQ bug at this time. In 2016 oil prices had an extreme decline and Shell laid off the entire design team. He took his severance check from Shell and purchased a YODER PELLET SMOKER in 2016. In August 2016 he created GONZO’S SMOKEHOUSE and started with POP UP’s. He did pop ups and festivals honing his craft for almost four years. THE REST THEY SAY IS HISTORY!
As we made our way driving through Luling I started to get excited because I knew there was NO WAY for a BBQ joint to survive in a community this small if it wasn’t unbelievable and offering BBQ perfection. When we pulled up and I saw the vehicles stack and packed in the parking lot and strung out all along the road way and people lined up like it was a JELLY ROLL or GEORGE STRAIT concert I had my answer. It was going to be POPP’IN!
When we were walking up, I could smell the BBQ aromas lofting in the air and my BBQ senses cranked up to the “FULL TILT BOOGIE” status. I threw that door open and saw Jason’s big smile he was ready to SLANG that Q because he knew I was going to love it. I watched Jason and his family members bustling and hustling because the doors were fixing to open. They had folks stacked up and ready for smoked BBQ deliciousness. It was GO TIME at GONZO’S.
I stood and watched the PITAMASTER and ARTIST Jason cut the smoked meats, pork and sausages then layer my trays like an artist creates a painting. The BBQ meats and pork were glistening under the lights and my mouth started watering. I grabbed those trays and headed to our table it was CHOW DOWN TIME. The prime brisket and beef cheek were so tender and juicy I couldn’t stop eating it. The Wagyu Tri-Trip is what dreams are made of! The smoked turkey breast was so juicy it was DRIPP’IN down my chin. The Pastrami Beef Rib was Stupid delicious! The Brisket Boudin was dangerously delicious! But the PORK, OMG the pork! They don’t call GONZO’S the Pork Belly Cartel headquarters for no reason. Every single pork dish you try will be savory, flavorful and DRIPP’IN like ICE with DELICIOUSNESS. He’s won awards with his PORK and I know why because each bite is truly unforgettable. The Char Siu Pork Jowl Burnt Ends and the Hot Honey Jowl Cracklings are dreamy and EVERYONE NEEDS TO TRY THEM at least once in their life. The Cherry Cola Brisket Burnt Ends are so good they should be illegal in all fifty states. Yes, they’re that delicious!
Fresh sides let’s talk about his sides HOLY FARM FRESH. The Mac-N-Cheese, Smoked Broccoli and Kale Salad, Beef Cheeks Dirty Rice and Gouda Grits were so delicious I still haven’t stopped thinking about them to this day. Oh, and the fresh desserts are savory a little sweet and loaded with deliciousness. After about 10 minutes I literally had no words because everything was so F#$% delicious.
I’m telling you NOW and I’m telling you LOUDLY if you LOVE Texas BBQ or any type of BBQ a visit to GONZO’S is A MUST from anywhere. I truly mean anywhere. He’s just outside New Orleans and easy to find. “Just be aware that everything you try is going to taste like ” MORE “ because ” MORE “ is all you will want.” I WILL NOT be responsible for your naughty BBQ dreams because you’re going to have them after you leave. It’s just a side effect from visiting one of the world’s BEST BBQ Joints.
BBQ is not just food or a passion for the GONZO’S family; it’s a way of life.
Take it from me TREY and make plans to visit and CHOW DOWN! It’s a TREY’S CHOW DOWN USA FAVORITE BBQ DESTINATION and A MUST VISIT for any BBQ and FOOD LOVER!
Trey ( CHOW DOWN ) Chapman
