^^^
We could hang out together
Franklins is my favorite and then Luie Mueller and finally Smittys. Luling City Market is real good in Luling, not a fan of Kreuz or Blacks. I also LOVE me some Country Tavern in Kilgore.
Haven't eaten at Pecan Lodge yet, tried to on Friday and they were out of food, the wife shopped too long.

I haven't found an ounce of BBQ in OK that I would compare with Texas BBQ.

^^^
We could hang out together
Franklins is my favorite and then Luie Mueller and finally Smittys. Luling City Market is real good in Luling, not a fan of Kreuz or Blacks. I also LOVE me some Country Tavern in Kilgore.
Haven't eaten at Pecan Lodge yet, tried to on Friday and they were out of food, the wife shopped too long.

I haven't found an ounce of BBQ in OK that I would compare with Texas BBQ.

I did not make it to Franklin's on my last trip. I drove by and there were people lined up about an hour before they were open in the middle of a very cold and heavy downpour.

The brisket I ate at Snow's BBQ in Lexington was incredible. A bright light from heaven shined down upon me as I ate it. =+)

Here is a link (http://okbbqea.blogspot.com/2011/12/let-me-tell-you-what-i-like-about-texas.html) to my blog about my last trip to central Texas.

Out in NC I didn't find a single BBQ place that I thought was decent, and couldn't stand their vinegar-based pork.

And this is exacty why it is impossible to name a "best BBQ" anywhere. To me, pulled pork with a little of that "Carolina style" vinegar-based sauce is the epitome of excellent BBQ. Although I like other styles as well. Just not as much. Mr. Spriggs/Mr. Tees was/were always good, but they don't have my favorite BBQ. With the Carolina style sauce. =)

And this is exacty why it is impossible to name a "best BBQ" anywhere. To me, pulled pork with a little of that "Carolina style" vinegar-based sauce is the epitome of excellent BBQ. Although I like other styles as well. Just not as much. Mr. Spriggs/Mr. Tees was/were always good, but they don't have my favorite BBQ. With the Carolina style sauce. =)

Agreed. BBQ may be one of the most subjective foods on the planet and it's why, unlike other BBQ bloggers, I refuse to give rankings on my blog and suggest that the reader gets out and tries it for themselves.

Ain't nuttin' wrong with Carolina treasures when it comes to Q. It's definitely a different flavor, but in a good way all its own.
That said, my now grown lads just don't much care for it. Last time it was available, I just shrugged it off as their loss and made sure their share did not go to waste.

Here is a link (http://okbbqea.blogspot.com/2011/12/let-me-tell-you-what-i-like-about-texas.html) to my blog about my last trip to central Texas.

well... so much for being productive this morning. i really enjoyed reading your site!

several people on this site have asked over the years and i'm curious for myself: are there any places near the okc metro that serve beef ribs? -M

Thanks, I really enjoy running the site. :)

Unfortunately the answer to your question is no.... Oklahoma Line (later County Line which is an Austin based company) was the only place in Oklahoma that I had ever found that served them.

Beef Ribs appear to be almost a Texas only option now and even then it seems to be more of a central Texas thing.

My next Texas road trip is going to be based around places that serve beef ribs.

OK BBQ Eater Anonymous:
1) How can I abbreviate that like RadMod or Dub or Pete?
2) Have you ever been down to New Braunfels Smokehouse? I loves me anything they do (but mostly their jerkey). Would you consider their offerings up in your BBQ fare? or does it not meet the cut as BBQ per se?

OK BBQ Eater Anonymous:
1) How can I abbreviate that like RadMod or Dub or Pete?
2) Have you ever been down to New Braunfels Smokehouse? I loves me anything they do (but mostly their jerkey). Would you consider their offerings up in your BBQ fare? or does it not meet the cut as BBQ per se?

1) OKBBQEA is the acronym I use.

2) I have not been there but I'll add it to my list of places to check out. Thanks!

I never did make it over to Franklin's before I moved away from Austin, the few times that I tried they were already out of food, this was when he was still in the parking lot before moving. Never did make it to Snow's either. Salt Lick is the only "pit" BBQ that I know of in the Central Texas area, there might be others. I though Lockhart was overrated, out of the places there I preferred Black's, but I would rather have gone to Louis Mueller's in Taylor or Cooper's in Llano. The Hard 8 in Stephenville (west of Fort Worth) was pretty good as well, never tried the one in Brady. I had a lot of average BBQ in the Hill Country, there are some gems but there is a bunch of average. The worst was Easy Pickens BBQ in Harper, I usually give a place a second chance because BBQ can be inconsistent but I didn't think that place was worthy of a second chance. We went to Rudy's about once a week, it was just convenient since it was in town and always had food unlike a place like Franklin's. The places out of town were usually a motorcycle ride destination, our motto was Ride to Eat, Eat to Ride.

As far as beef ribs the only place other than County Line that I had found them at was The Salt Lick and that was only a special on occasion. My wife likes them and our dog did as well since those were stout enough bones for her, I am not a rib fan, I cleaned up too many of them when I was a busboy at Han's. There is a place here in Denver (Brothers BBQ) that has beef ribs on the menu, they also have a price on the menu board for "1 Rib".

I still prefer the variety of sides and sauces available in Oklahoma compared to Central Texas but the meat is hard to beat. I just don't subscribe to the "meat market" mentality of a bunch of the places there like Kreuz, that is fine if you are taking it home but I want a complete meal if I an riding or driving any kind of distance.

There is a wide variety of woods used in Central Texas and it seems to be where you learned the trade and what is native to the area as to the kind of woods that are typically used. The further west you go the more mesquite that is used, east uses more oak wood.

I am hungry for BBQ now

I already tried Pig's Van Stand and Billy Sims which are both good so what other BBQ places do you reccomend?

I am hungry for BBQ now

I already tried Pig's Van Stand and Billy Sims which are both good so what
other BBQ places do you recommend?
I like Van's. I ask them for crispy fries and they accommodate. They are
very consistent and I've not been disappointed.

MonkeesFan,
I mentioned JT's earlier and right now, I think it's as good as you will find in the OKC area. The only problem is their hours. See their web page for details. Oklahoma City BBQ | J.T.’s Barbeque and Catering (http://jtsbarbque.com/).
C. T.
I am hungry for BBQ now

I already tried Pig's Van Stand and Billy Sims which are both good so what other BBQ places do you reccomend?

I am hungry for BBQ now

I already tried Pig's Van Stand and Billy Sims which are both good so what other BBQ places do you reccomend?

Never been to to Billy Sims but I hear that is good. My Fav is Steve's Rib in Edmond. George's Happy Hog use to have great HOT BBQ sauce but I think they just use head country now as I saw their bottles in the back (not bad but not as good as the HOT stuff the had). I buy HC for home use but want an original when I go out.... Earls is okay, I just wish they had better sauce. I will tell you where NOT to go, Dickie's on 63'd and May. That has to be the worst service, BBQ, sauce, serving size I have ever had in my life!

MonkeesFan,
I mentioned JT's earlier and right now, I think it's as good as you will find in the OKC area. The only problem is their hours. See their web page for details. Oklahoma City BBQ | J.T.’s Barbeque and Catering (http://jtsbarbque.com/).
C. T.

Those are terrible hours but I will give it a try! Thank you!

Never been to to Billy Sims but I hear that is good. My Fav is Steve's Rib in Edmond. George's Happy Hog use to have great HOT BBQ sauce but I think they just use head country now as I saw their bottles in the back (not bad but not as good as the HOT stuff the had). I buy HC for home use but want an original when I go out.... Earls is okay, I just wish they had better sauce. I will tell you where NOT to go, Dickie's on 63'd and May. That has to be the worst service, BBQ, sauce, serving size I have ever had in my life!

Edmond is pretty far from me (45 minutes) but I will give it a try but I can not eat hot stuff so I just have to eat the regular stuff, yeah Earl's have good food but their sauce is meh

MonkeesFan,
There is a Steve's on Hefner and Rockwell. Just West of Rockwell actually.
C. T.
Edmond is pretty far from me (45 minutes) but I will give it a try but I can not eat hot stuff so I just have to eat the regular stuff, yeah Earl's have good food but their sauce is meh

I wasn't about to read through 8 pages to see if Bedlam had been mentioned and the search engine on the forum is crapola - but one of my BBQ regular spots now is Bedlam BBQ on Lincoln. Went there today as a matter of fact - mainly because my experience at Blu's BBQ was so terrible.

Bedlam was PACKED, but as usual, very good and fast service. Did the two meet combo (ribs/bologna) with mac-n-cheese and baked beans. Did the bread pudding for dessert - unbelievable!

BB,
I enjoyed Bedlam several times but haven't been in a while. I need to go there next. Glad to hear it's still pretty good.
C. T.

Steve's used to be really good at there old place, but when they moved it seemed like there food went down several notches

I still haven't found a BBQ spot in OKC that I really enjoy going to and would drive out of my way for

Billy Sims is opening in Guthrie next month. This is good news!

Jack's BBQ near NW 39th and Meridian - excellent ribs and slaw. JT's - excellent ribs and beans.

Two new places getting ready to open soon...

Simmons BBQ Shack (https://www.facebook.com/Simmons.BBQ.Shack?fref=pb) - scheduled to open in April

Back Door BBQ (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Back-Door-Barbecue/134661030025064) - scheduled to open in May

Looking at the pics on their Facebook pages both have potential. Simmons appears to be a competition cook by the look of his photos and Back Door is being piloted by two of the three Big Truck/Mutts owners.

Can't place where Simmons would be located. I guess in th old shopping center? Subway just moved, maybe they are asking that little spot over. Hope he does great. I have done competative and catering for years and it's a vast difference from a full time joint. can't wait to try it out since I'm just down th road.

Yeah, in the shopping center between the Taiwan Chinese restaurant and the bank.

I think that "Red Hot and Blue" is great BBQ, even though it is a chain. There very popular here in the DFW area. It would do well in OKC area.

Red hot and blue has better wings than BBQ. Kind of a bad deal when ur a BBQ joint. But I do eat there and like it.

Red hot and blue has better wings than BBQ. Kind of a bad deal when ur a BBQ joint. But I do eat there and like it.

Yeah, That's kind of how I feel about Earl's Rib Palace here.

I think that "Red Hot and Blue" is great BBQ, even though it is a chain. There very popular here in the DFW area. It would do well in OKC area.

It is a franchise and very spotty. Failed in Wichita. They haven't been successful in someone getting the franchise here.

It is very mediocre Memphis style BBQ. In Dallas there is not good BBQ competition. I don't think they would do well here.

I'll pass on franchise BBQ

I read an article in USA Today, this afternoon, regarding Zagat's List of ten restaurants that really capture the "culinary spirit" of the city in which they are located. For example, The Four Seasons in NYC, Spago in LA, etc. I was surprised to see a "non-official" mention of "Rudy's" in Dallas as an example of fine BBQ (although Dallas had nothing on the "official" list--some la-de-dah spot in Austin got the nod =). The article mentioned that it apparently began as a filling station that happened to serve a little BBQ. This tidbit of information somehow reminded me of Gary Dale's at the corner of Eastern/MLK and Reno many years ago and the Q that came out of the back of a "Stop-N-Rob" on the east end of Main St. in Jones.

I suppose that my big question about all this is how it could be even remotely possible to produce anything approaching that initial, nearly perfect, product without using the exact same pit and pitmaster . . . which is, of course, impossible to duplicate. (I was also reminded, again, of Tom's Barbeque at 10th and I-35 and the Original George's just north of 63rd on Kelly =)

btw: i ate at a Red Hot and Blues location somewhere next to a freeway in the vicinity of Six Flags while visiting some friends in the Dallas area several years ago. personally, i didn't think it was that bad . . . and i liked the options provided to select the "style" of rub/etc. that might be most appealing. locally, i still pick Oklahoma Station . . . maybe because i like the decor with pictures of trains. =)

oh! there used to be a little BBQ Shack on Eastern, in what looked like a converted house, on the west side of the street, up there just across from whatever The Omniplex is called now, in the vicinity of the recently permitted and approved Remington Park Racetrack/Gambling Den. it was apparently operated by a kindly grandmother of african american heritage who introduced me to the concept of a "rib sandwich" . . . fortunately that little taste of heaven (three perfect ribs and two pieces of bread with a little sauce on the side and a couple of pickle slices, to go) never morphed into some sort of chain concept.

I suppose that the bottom line on this topic is that "[The] Best BBQ in Okc metro" doesn't exist yet. =)
Now . . . If Beasley's had only had a truck . . . =)

(spotted, resting, on an offramp from an interstate in iowa):
http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/drive-on/2011/03/08/bigx-large.jpg

except with real, authentic, bbq of course. rather than simply brats.

OKC barbecue is not bad. But it's not really good, either. I've yet to enjoy a truly transcendent barbecue experience here, with a couple of minor exceptions. At one time, I thought George's Happy Hog barbecue was godlike, particularly the ribs. However, I haven't been there in several years and I'm not sure if George is still there. Also, way back when I remember Tom's being quite good (is it still open?). Leo's is strong.

Tulsa has better barbecue. Not sure why. In fact, Tulsa has some damn good barbecue.

For a state that is as meatcentric as Oklahoma is, though, one would expect better barbecue overall. In fact, there are a lot of mediocre to bad barbecue joints in this state. And you can't even trust the locals. Without naming names, I've visited some "locally highly recommended" establishments that turned out to be rather terrible.

Lots of hits and misses in the big picture here. The original Van's in Shawnee is solid. Watts barbecue in Eufaula is good.

But the barbecue hotspot in Oklahoma seems to be in the Tulsa-Tahlequah-Muskogee triangle.

As far as west of I-35 is concerned, I'm very fond of Roy's Barbecue in Chickasha.

OKC barbecue is not bad. But it's not really good, either. I've yet to enjoy a truly transcendent barbecue experience here, with a couple of minor exceptions.

Pretty much my thoughts on OKC exactly. I'm hoping that the soon to open Back Door BBQ is about to change this.


At one time, I thought George's Happy Hog barbecue was godlike, particularly the ribs. However, I haven't been there in several years and I'm not sure if George is still there. Also, way back when I remember Tom's being quite good (is it still open?). Leo's is strong.

I have heard that George has passed on and it has recently changed hands for a second time since. The last time I was there the Q was good but really only "if you're in the neighborhood" good.

Tom's has been closed for several years and my last couple of visits there left me understanding why. It had long since passed it's glory days.

Leo's is still one of the best in OKC in my opinion but even they have been a little inconsistent on my last couple of trips.


Tulsa has better barbecue. Not sure why. In fact, Tulsa has some damn good barbecue.

Burn Co BBQ is the only place in Oklahoma that I have seen people waiting in line to get in before opening. It's not uncommon in Texas but in Oklahoma it's an anomaly.


For a state that is as meatcentric as Oklahoma is, though, one would expect better barbecue overall. In fact, there are a lot of mediocre to bad barbecue joints in this state. And you can't even trust the locals. Without naming names, I've visited some "locally highly recommended" establishments that turned out to be rather terrible.

I can name 3 in the state that I would be comfortable recommending to anyone..... The BBQ Joint in Pond Creek. Mud Creek BBQ in Ringling, and Burn Co BBQ in Tulsa.

Burn Co was the first in Oklahoma to recieve my "I would drive 3 hours to eat there again" award and they are on the edge of the coveted "I would drive 6 hours to eat there again" award.


Lots of hits and misses in the big picture here. The original Van's in Shawnee is solid. Watts barbecue in Eufaula is good.

Have not been to Watts but agree on the Van's in Shawnee. It has been a couple of years since I ate there but the last time I nearly gnawed off two fingers while plowing through a slab of spare ribs.


But the barbecue hotspot in Oklahoma seems to be in the Tulsa-Tahlequah-Muskogee triangle.

Last time I checked. Muskogee had seven Q-raunts not counting the Rib Crib. I am in the planning phase of a road trip just to hit all of the non-chain Q-raunts there in one weekend.


As far as west of I-35 is concerned, I'm very fond of Roy's Barbecue in Chickasha.

Have not tried Roy's yet. The weekend I had them scheduled we pulled up just to find a sign saying they were on vacation. I have been to Jake's Rib and while I can say the portions are huge I wasn't impressed with the meat.

Leo learned his craft at one of the pitmasters at an old North Tulsa BBQ institution (can't remember the name of it) and moved to OKC to open up his own place. So Leo's has its roots in that Tulsa BBQ culture.

In Dallas, Sonny Bryan's was the only BBQ that I ate when I lived there, tried many places once or twice but Sonny Bryan's was the only place that I went to consistently.

The "fancy" Austin BBQ place was probably Lambert's in downtown, the owners sister also owns the Hotel San Jose on South Congress and some other places. I never ate at Lambert's, too many other not-so-fancy places that were great to go to for BBQ.

I really like The Boundary on Route 66... The BBQ and there BBQ sauce is really good.

Is that the place on the north side of the road between Arcadia and Luther?

(p.s.: speaking of places outside of the OKCMetro, i tried that place in Wellston ONCE (it was awful) and the place at the curve in Davenport (once)(way overrated in my opinion)

(p.p.s.: the place on Britton Rd that is now a doughnut shop not far from Westlake hdw. used to have good BBQ, as did KC Blues BBQ and the BBQ place that replaced it in the same building. i think i liked the short lived, second incarnation even better than KC Blues.

If it says Barbeque or Bar-B-Q instead of BBQ on the sign, it's probably not very good.
~Joe Bob Briggs

RM,
Yes, it's on the Indian Meridian and Route 66. By the way, I have found the best "Que" in Oklahoma. See below.
C. T.
3611

CT: I am not surprised that someone out there in the vicinity of The Hinterlands of Suburban Spencerian Sprawlville would appreciate the concept of multitasking.

I wonder if they are selling a setup like that at that Upscale Barbecue Cookery Emporium on May, north of Memorial . . . =)

btw: "en espanol" (with a squiggle over the second "n") "Que" means "What". as in "que the [f-word]." =)

(someone getting offended countdown . . . 8 . . . 7 . . . 6 . . . =)

Thanks, again, amigo!

I'm excited for Back Door BBQ to open on 23rd. I've been nothing but disappointed with Bubbas, and have been there several times hoping the quality would improve.

I haven't seen any comment on "Smokin Okies" truck. Has anybody tried it? I will next week if I don't hear anything bad about them before then.
C. T.

I haven't seen any comment on "Smokin Okies" truck. Has anybody tried it? I will next week if I don't hear anything bad about them before then.
C. T.

Smokin Okies (http://okbbqea.blogspot.com/2012/08/smokin-okies-if-ya-gotem.html) <---- Complete with commentary and photos. ;)

OBEA,
Thanks for the review. I'm a fan of brisket (too bad I guess), and ribs. I think a slab is in order for me next week at Kelly and Covell. They also have beans that apparently really spicey and I like that.
C. T.

OBEA,
Thanks for the review. I'm a fan of brisket (too bad I guess), and ribs.
C. T.

Maybe I just caught them on a bad day. I haven't seen them parking downtown recently so I haven't been able to make a followup visit.

OBEA,
Their web site tells you where they will be during the week. I will give their brisket a try.
C. T.

Maybe I just caught them on a bad day. I haven't seen them parking downtown recently so I haven't been able to make a followup visit.

Have not tried Roy's yet. The weekend I had them scheduled we pulled up just to find a sign saying they were on vacation. I have been to Jake's Rib and while I can say the portions are huge I wasn't impressed with the meat.

Jake's Rib is the tourist BBQ in Chickasha. Locals will all tell you that Roy's is the real deal -- and it is.

I'm excited for Back Door BBQ to open on 23rd. I've been nothing but disappointed with Bubbas, and have been there several times hoping the quality would improve.

Bubba's is very good at two things: their baked beans are the best around. Also, their brisket is very good and quite moist, unlike most of the dried-out brisket served throughout Oklahoma.

I did meet George before he died. He told me that if you eat good ribs, they shouldn't make you burp. I thought about it for a minute and remembered that kind of faint burpy feeling you often get when you chow down on BBQ ribs.

So I gave George's Happy Hog the "burp test," and they passed with flying colors. Kind of an odd thing, but certainly worth noting.

Not OKC metro, but I ate at the Lockhart smokehouse in Dallas earlier this week. It's run by the granddaughter of the guy who bought kreuz market in Lockhart, tx in the 40s. Great flavorful brisket and habanero Mac n cheese. Got their too late to try the sausage.

Jake's Rib is the tourist BBQ in Chickasha. Locals will all tell you that Roy's is the real deal -- and it is.
Jakes was pretty good 20 or so years ago, the last time that I ate there (probably about 6 years ago) it was just bad.

I picked up a slab of ribs at Smokin Okies yesterday and they are very good. They didn't have sauce on them and they were tender, not "fallin off the bone" but good to put you teeth into. Next week, I will try the brisket.
C. T.

My house...lol. Two briskets on the cookshack smoker as I write. Eating out though.....hole in the wall jacks on 39 th street is always consistently good when I go there. Vans is decent and the BBQ guy that used to be (may still be there...haven't been in awhile) that is in front of the buy for less ay 44 th and I-35 and sells it inside.

Was in town to watch my son race and we decided to try Bad Brad's Yukon location. Absolutely horrible, the ribs were not done and cold, okra was old and cold, fries were old and cold. But the sweet tea was good. Asked to speak to the manager, was told the manager wasn't there, asked to speak to the person in charge, the waitress told us there was no one in charge but I could stop by or call later to speak with the manager.

Yeah, that place sucks. Apparently the only good one is the original in Pawhuska.

Yeah, that place sucks. Apparently the only good one is the original in Pawhuska.

Been a good while since I was there, but I have fond memories of BB up Pawhuska way.

There was a Bad Brad's in Portland, Texas (between Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi) for about a year about 5 years ago. The next time that we went down there it was operating under a different name. Never really heard anything about it.

If you read my blog about Bad Brad's (http://okbbqea.blogspot.com/2012/02/with-name-like-bad-brads-it-has-to-be.html). I probably could have saved you a trip. ;)

If you read my blog about Bad Brad's (http://okbbqea.blogspot.com/2012/02/with-name-like-bad-brads-it-has-to-be.html). I probably could have saved you a trip. ;)

Have you or anyone else ever tried Bedlam BBQ on Lincoln and NE 50th? I've driven by there several times, but never had the time to stop.

One of our favorites. Go for lunch on a regular basis. I always get the ribs - consistently good to very good. Desserts are really good too - they make my favorite bread pudding. Only thing is it can be difficult to find a seat during the lunch rush.

Favorite bread pudding? That's some really high praise there, I love me some bread pudding. I'll have to check it out one of these days.

Have you or anyone else ever tried Bedlam BBQ on Lincoln and NE 50th? I've driven by there several times, but never had the time to stop.

I tried it about 4 years ago, before I started the blog, and it was good then. I did think it was a little pricey but they were really busy for lunch the day I was there.

I think I'll try and hit them up this month and get a blog posted for them.

Favorite bread pudding? That's some really high praise there, I love me some bread pudding. I'll have to check it out one of these days.

Next to peach cobbler with some raspberries on top I think bread pudding may be my favorite dessert.
(and 50th and Lincoln ain't all that far away . . . I think BBQ there may be on tap for Wednesday lunch . . .)