Checked out the ‘new’ location of Gatlin’s on Ella - pulled pork sandwich, spicy link sandwich.
Gatlin’s pulled pork is very good - moist. Wouldn’t have even needed sauce for this except for the very substantial bun. Spicy link very juicy (lots of fat included) and lots of red pepper - very spicy.
Help yourself to condiments (and utensils, napkins, to go boxes, etc.) - I just took pickles and passed on onions and jalapenos; had to get directions to the sauce dispenser which I didn’t recognize.
Per Daniel Vaughan on TMBQQ blog, Gatlin’s gave up their off-set smokers and switched to commercial rotisserie ovens when they abandoned the original location and weren’t willing to spring for the necessary scrubbers to meet city smoke pollution regulations.
Pulled pork was not as good as I remembered but better than what I’ve had at Killen’s. Can’t compare to The Pit Room since that taco was all dressed. Didn’t care for the sauce in conjunction with the pulled pork; should’ve brought this one home and tried with HEB or TJ’s Carolina style sauces.
I think I’ve read the sausage is made locally but not by Gatlin’s. I couldn’t finish but one sandwich ($6.99 each, a lot of meat). Made the mistake of snacking on some of the sausage too close to bedtime and woke up in the middle of the night with what I thought was going to be a fatal case of heartburn.
Very disappointing - pot likker was not much more than pale green tinted water.
New place is in a new strip center; seats 140, almost 20 times the capacity of the original location. There are two cashiers and the worst part of the wait was the woman in front of me having to read the whole menu all the way through each time she ordered something. Lots of employees circulating through the dining rooms to help with bussing, etc. Less than 10 minutes for the food to come out. I was there in the middle of the afternoon, would still recommend avoiding lunch time.
Evaluation … tough. This was ok but wasn’t great bbq. I may be back to try the ribs and brisket sometime (dirty rice is supposed to be their best side) but there’s better bbq in town.
