Explosion In The World Of Austin Texas Barbecue: John Mueller Out Of JMueller BBQ

Oct 31

posted by RL Reeves Jr in Barbecue

This is hard.

I just got off the phone with LeAnn Mueller, daughter of the icon Bobby Mueller {RIP} and sister of legendary Texas pit boss; John Mueller.

John is no longer part of the business that bears his name.

JMueller BBQ will re-open as Mueller Barbecue {update:the name is LA Barbecue} on Saturday November 3rd with pit boss John Lewis {http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/2012/9/22} now manning the giant iron smoker that's been putting out the best barbecue in Texas for just over one year.

John Mueller is a cypher to this day.

The man who brought Austin into the national barbecue conversation with his Manor Road smokehouse at the turn of the century has fallen. I've documented Mueller for almost a decade; his rise to the peak of USA barbecue, his stunning fall from grace and his rebirth as he strode back to the mountain top.

And now this.

Fallen.

twitter https://twitter.com/RLReevesJr

Questions? comment below and I'll answer as best I can.

on the one year anniversary of JMueller BBQ http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/2012/10/8

and an article titled "The Redemption of John Mueller" http://chowpapi.com/wordpress/wordpress-2.8.6/wordpress heartbreaking in retrospect.

17 Comments

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This entry was posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:24 AM. There are currently 17 comments. Print this entry. Download attachment.

     

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• #1 by MIKE on 10/31/12 - 10:35 AM

  

  WOW!! Did LeAnn give a reason why? Will there be any visible change to customers (other than a new sign and John not being there)? That's huge.

• #2 by rl reeves rj on 10/31/12 - 10:46 AM

  

  honestly I'm a little shaky right now. John's out, John Lewis is in as the man for at least the next 5 months til he heads out west to start his own business.

• #3 by Frank M on 10/31/12 - 10:47 AM

  

  Bummer

• #4 by Doug on 10/31/12 - 10:59 AM

  

  How can this be? Terrible news. I hope it's not health related.

• #5 by Doug on 10/31/12 - 11:35 AM

  

  @louiemuellerbbq just tweeted, "Brother John is fired, stealing from family again it seems.If you've been conned by John Mueller, please contact Wayne"

• #6 by eltex on 10/31/12 - 11:52 AM

  

  *^#$!!! Dang it. I was just getting used to having John back in the area, and now this. I don't have the time for Franklins. This sucks...

• #7 by CarterB on 10/31/12 - 11:54 AM

  

  No one thinks the trailer can survive without John? I'm skeptical but not ready to write them off.

• #8 by TXCleaver on 10/31/12 - 11:57 AM

  

  Don't understand complaints about John treating customers poorly. How complicated can it be? Place order, get food, eat.

• #9 by Alan Sudo on 10/31/12 - 1:06 PM

  

  That man worked his ass off and went from down and out to nationally recognized. John needs to forgive himself for whatever he did, make it right and fight for the business he built.

• #10 by Dan on 10/31/12 - 1:07 PM

  

  Well wherever John ends up, will be the bbq place to go to. You can't remove the guy who made the place and expect it to stay the same.
  
  Looking forward to seeing where John goes now.

• #11 by greg morrow on 10/31/12 - 1:46 PM

  

  This is terrible news. If John manages to start again somewhere else, I want to know about it.

• #12 by eltex on 10/31/12 - 5:32 PM

  

  Looks like he's not dead. He had an afternoon post over at the Bevo. His master thread is gone though, and I didn't get a chance to read it this morning before it got yanked. While I feel that the joint won't be the same without JM, I will at least give it a shot. Had to take a 3hr lunch break for Franklin's. I guess I could give Live Oak a shot.
  
  I do wonder who hired the new pit boss though. Was it John, or did the family see this coming, and make a preemptive move?

• #13 by rl reeves rj on 10/31/12 - 6:30 PM

  

  I'm working like Hell to get a sit down with him y'all. Will report back.RL

• #14 by Vicki on 10/31/12 - 6:47 PM

  

  Please do Russell.....

• #15 by champ on 11/1/12 - 3:06 PM

  

  So...another Franklin's opening on Saturday in Austin?

• #16 by Dennis on 11/2/12 - 7:20 AM

  

  John was always good to me and I appreciate it. He answered all my silly questions and made the best BBQ beef ribs I have ever eaten. Dennis

• #17 by dkcoley on 11/3/12 - 3:28 AM

  

  I'm saddened to learn of John's departure. The trailer is an institution in my neighborhood ; and the folks there have been nothing but gracious.