> Big city barbecue places are also a bigger time investment for patrons. Potential customers will need some freedom to take long lunch hours or maybe even take the whole morning off.

That's the #1 reason that I've never eaten at Franklin BBQ in downtown Austin. I can't afford to take an entire morning off to stand in line (and risk their running out of food before I can order).

But if I'm in the Lockhart area, I can stop in at Blacks and get some brisket and sausage in only a few minutes.