Day Trips & Beyond: Stay Trips, Delivered

Receiving a package brings with it a little adrenaline rush of joy, plus the fun of a day trip without leaving the house.

The World Health Organization says, “The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.”

COVID-19 has not silenced Texas’s most flavorful export. The smoked meats come to your door factory sealed, and slow heating in the oven makes dinner taste like it’s fresh off the grill. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)

BARBECUE

Black’s Barbecue, Lockhart
The oldest barbecue joint in Texas in the same family ships brisket, sausage, turkey, chicken, ribs, or combination packs. Orders placed after Tuesday are shipped the following week.
512/398-2712, store.blacksbbq.com.

Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue, Wolfforth (Lubbock)
The High Plains smoker ships whole briskets or prime rib for $120 plus shipping. Order by Friday and the sealed container ships the following Tuesday.
806/782-2281, www.eviemaesbbq.com.

Kreuz Market, Lockhart
Pitmaster Roy Perez and his crew offer by-the-pound brisket, pork ribs, prime rib, or beef clod (3-pound minimum), or you can also order package deals.
512/995-4499, www.kreuzmarket.com.

Luling City Market, Houston
This Space City outpost of the famous Luling barbecue joint ships brisket, sausage, and ribs by 2-day express. Don’t forget to include the famous sauce.
713/871-1903, www.lulingcitymarket.com.

Snow’s Barbecue, Lexington
Brisket, pork ribs, pork shoulder, turkey breast, sausage, or combos. Order by 5pm Sunday for Tuesday shipping.
979/773-4640, www.snowsbbq.com.

Truth Barbecue, Houston
The Brenham location is closed during the pandemic. Whole briskets ship 2-day express from Houston for $230, shipping included. Don’t forget to add a bottle of the sauce.
832/835-0001, www.truthbbq.com.

SIDES

Fickle Pickles, Boerne & New Braunfels
What goes better with barbecue than pickles? Billie Shaw began selling the spicy and sweet crisp pickle slices out of the Carousel Antique Shop in Boerne in 1987. Now her daughter has added a second location in downtown New Braunfels. Three-jar minimum, but it’s a condiment worth having a supply of.
877/249-9306, www.ficklepickles.com.

Uvalde Honey, Uvalde
Nicknamed the Honey Capital of the World, Uvalde has a long history of honey production and is known for the unique flavor and color of its Huajillo honey.
210/410-0629, www.uvalde-honey.com/uvalde-honey-store.

Independence Coffee, Brenham
Locally roasted teas and coffees in whole bean, ground, and single-serving cups.
979/836-3322, www.independencecoffee.com.

Have your baked goods, jam, jellies, and more delivered to your door. Many bakeries are no stranger to shipping their most popular wares around the country. (Photo by Gerald E. McLeod)

DESSERTS

Apple Store, Medina
The store’s “Hill Country Breadbox” package includes apple buttermilk bread, apple pumpkin nut bread, and apple nut bread with your choice of three jams or jellies for $40 plus around $18 shipping. If that doesn’t whet your appetite, then order the “Apple Pie in a Jar” and make a pie at home. The little store at Love Creek Orchards ships Quarantine Survival treats to satisfy any sweet tooth.
830/200-0302, www.lovecreekorchards.com/the-apple-store-bakery-cafe.

Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Co., Bastrop
The family-owned orchard store west of Bastrop offers all things pecan from cracked and peeled pecans to pies and candies. The vending machine in front of the store on Highway 71 is still stocked regularly with pecan pies for non-contact shopping.
800/518-3870, www.berdollpecanfarm.com.

Collin Street Bakery, Corsicana
This famous little East Texas bakery in operation since 1896 isn’t just fruitcakes anymore. The bakers have concocted candies, cakes, and pies that can be shipped around the world.
800/672-5216, www.collinstreet.com.

Rao’s Bakery, Beaumont
Pies, cookies, King Cakes, coffee, and combo Quarantine Goodie Kits or Texas Boxes. All items shipped overnight.
www.raosbakery.com.

Royers Pie Haven, Round Top
The selection includes the cafe’s famous buttermilk, Texas Trash, and pecan pies. The cafe is part of the Goldbelly gourmet food market network, so you’ll be bombarded by ads after you place an online order.
979/249-3611, www.royersroundtopcafe.com.

WINES

Becker Vineyards, Stonewall
The legendary winery offers a good selection of Texas-made wines with free shipping on three or more bottles. Join the virtual wine tastings to hear the winemakers talk about making wine in Texas. You can order their lavender products at the same website.
830/644-2681, www.beckervineyards.com.

Brennan Vineyards, Comanche
Tucked away in the hills north of Lampasas, this little winery has been producing some bold reds and flavorful whites since 2001. Free shipping on six bottles or more. Join their virtual tastings on Facebook.
325/356-9100, www.brennanvineyards.com.

Kuhlman Cellars, Stonewall
Using primarily High Plains grapes, the winery offers a variety of red and white wines. Free shipping with online orders over $75.
512/920-2675, www.kuhlmancellars.com.