Day Trips

Crossvine Market in Waelder is the kind of old-time barbecue joint where legends are made and so much more.

When you first walk into the market, which is more convenience store than supermarket, the unforgettable smell of barbecue engulfs you like a soft perfume. But the pit is hidden in a backroom, and you order directly from the pitmaster.

All the smoked meats are good, but it is the German-style sausage rings that set the Crossvine Market apart. The spicy, coarse-ground pork sausage is so good you'll want to grab a package to take home.

For the few residents left in Waelder – ironically the home of one of the largest commercial suppliers of cooked meats in Texas – the closest grocery store is 18 miles away. The store opened in 1909 and was run by the Eureste family until November 2012.

In April, the Orona family stocked the shelves and fired up the pits again with some of the pitmasters who had worked for the Eurestes. One of the secrets that transferred with the building was the sausage recipe. Some say that it is well over 100 years old, and came from the old country. But nobody is sure which old country that would be.

Crossvine Market is on the north side of the railroad tracks, two miles off I-10. They're open every day except Sunday. Give them a call at 830/788-7154.

---

1,152nd in a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips," is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.