I know I’ve only been once.
I remember two things, the dried out BBQ y’all mentioned and…the horror of horrors to end all horrors, table service. I’d never seen it before and if I see it again I’m doing a 180 and out the door.
It’s even worse than Luby’s, “Hi, my name is Xyz and I’ll be taking care of you.” I don’t need taking care of at a cafeteria, I’ve got however much rectangular fish I feel like eating, some mac n cheese, and a water and I’m fine, thank you.
The owner of Pizzitola’s is a really nice guy. I met him once at my work and we talked saltwater fishing. I wish he had better BBQ and I’d go more often but to go only as I don’t need no stinking servers, no offense to the servers.
It will definitely come under the category of taking one for the team. I think there was one on South Main and went a couple of times way back when and even with not much competition I didn’t like it.
We had Pappa’s brought in at work for the 4th and it was good for catered food. I good some brisket from the bottom of the pan with the juices and a nice moist chicken breast. Good stuff and even better as it was free.
Now if you go to Luby’s, at least the one way out Westheimer, they ask you at check out (before you get to eat), “do you want to add any amount to your bill for tip?” I think the Pappas family has lost their minds on this one.
I’ve been to the Tidwell/290 location three times in the last two months and there has been no attempt at extorting a tip, but if it ever happens I’ll get a good attorney and sue them for every last piece of rectangular fish they’ve got plus all their tartar sauce.
I only made it all the way out to Llano once. I remember being overwhelmed by the choices in the open pit before you go in which I remember as quite a bit bigger than what’s pictured on the website, but the dining room looks familiar.
I thought they used to have a branch in Mason but I didn’t know about all the other locations they’ve opened.
Word to the wise: this is the worst BBQ on this celestial sphere
Never had it but I bet I could name a couple that could give 'em a run for their money.
I went to the one in San Antonio once after I dumped the Wifeacita off so she could shop.
I’d read the BBQ was not good but wanted to try the fried chicken and got some to go for us to feed on. It was delicious and I’m sure being fresh out of the fryer didn’t hurt.
We struck out for Llano once but were driven back buy a really nasty freezing rain event. Freezing rain and the Hill Country don’t mix and we wisely hightailed it back to Houston, lots of wrecks in those hills.
The highway was under construction when I went. It was like driving on a gravel road at least half the way there. I was doing a barbecue tour at the time, one of the first I undertook, and had already eaten way too much smoked meat that weekend. I wasn’t in the slightest bit hungry by the time I got there and I can’t recall what I had. Not their fault. I will look forward to trying it out (unless it gets bad reviews).
That Big Chop looks pretty good.
Wow, how have I missed this thread!
@jcostiones - Ruby’s has a good chopped beef sandwich. Yes, I know it’s a chain, but they put out some pretty good food, I think. As for their chopped beef sandwich, you have two choices. One is called, “spicy chop,” and that’s the traditional chopped beef where they basically just shove all of the “leavings” into a drawer and then add some sauce and stuff. The other, superior, choice is that you order a few slices of brisket - moist or lean, however you like it - and they chop that up and put it on a bun.
Black’s in Lockhart ships brisket & hotlinks. I think they do a pretty good job. My son lives out in California and, for years, I’ve sent him some for his birthday.
Now for your other question…the Salt Lick.
We moved to Austin some 20 years ago (yikes) and we lived down by the Salt Lick. We went a lot. Great (unsurpassed, really) ambience. And the bbq was very good. We went a lot and liked it. But…
It is a restaurant. A no-kidding, go-in-and-sit-down, table-service, restaurant. The very best of Texas bbq is sold in the famous, iconic meat markets - and, although my family loved the Salt Lick, it’s not “top tier” bbq.
And, I have to add, it’s been at least 15 years since I’ve been there and, although I don’t know for sure, I’ve heard it’s gone badly downhill. Like so many successful businesses, when the original owner dies and the kids take over, things change. The current rap is that the son decided to go into the big groups (weddings, mitzvahs, tour groups) and tourist souvenirs (clothes, aprons, hats, totebags) business and the quality of the food suffered.
But again, I don’t know that for sure. In its heyday, it was a hell of a good time. I’m down in Houston now, so not close. But if I had the opportunity to go there again, I’d definitely do it. Which is more than I can say for Goode Co here in Houston.
So that tells you something.
I wouldn’t have anything sent to or from Houston except from November through April and those two months can be iffy.
My mother passed way in August a few years ago and someone sent a cheese tray from up north and let’s say it was a bit soft, borderline edible so we ate it.
Those little freezer packs Fed Ex uses can’t hang with Texas heat.
We used to go in the late 70’s and we thought it was great but what do 18-22 year old’s know about BBQ, plus it was all you can eat plus plus alcohol was legal for our age group back then.
The Salt Lick is the darling of Food Network’s Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, and Duff Goldman.
Yes to going to Salt Lick again another big thumbs down for Goode Co.
I believe you meant Rudy’s. I’ve been there twice and the Wifeacita once and while I was underwhelmed she was even more so.
I know I can’t drag her back there but I can see myself sneaking off on an off weekday while she toils away at work.
The latter version of the chopped beef sounds good, the way it should be done while the former should be borderline illegal.
I have been just once, in the 90s, for a graduation party for my oldest nephew. Party is what the place was all about. My neph, his wife and siblings went there often. Absolutely, jc, what do college kids know about good food? (He was considerably past 22 by then).
The food was slow in coming out and not very remarkable. That was the first round. Apparently it was AYCE? They had overbooked and the second order was even slower and tough and underdone. It was awful. Maybe they’ve added more pits since then since I’m sure it’s still very popular with UT students.
If you’re going to Austin and CTx as a foodie tourist, I’d say skip it. If you’re just going as a tourist, it’s a fun thing. It is a very nice setting.
Popular with SWTSU San Marcos students as well being just as close by. I’d ride the bus up from Houston and spend the summer up there with my brother and his crew.
Yes. Silly me. Rudy’s of course. I don’t go there unless I want that chopped beef sandwich. And even then, would go elsewhere if I had a nearby better choice.
I’m looking forward to the new Cooper’s in Katy. Will have to see how that goes.
