Best BBQ in Okc metro.

[aintaokie]

It means that Bad Brads is good. It means that Swadley's BBQ is good too, but with several loctions, some of them are not as good as others.

What does this mean? That Bad Brad's is good? That Swadley's is
good? I've passed by Bad Brad's many times but have never stopped.
Swadley's is okay. I usually order a bake potato if I eat there. I don't
order the bbq. I must say that they used to serve a very good ribeye.

The Swadley's are very, very nice people.

[Prunepicker]

It means that Bad Brads is good. It means that Swadley's BBQ is
good too, but with several locations, some of them are not as good
as others.

I'm glad to know that Bad Brad's is good. I'll try it soon. Swadley's
is good, not fabulous, but far, far, far, far, far better than Dickie's.
In fact, I don't know why anyone would go to Dickies if Swadley's
or Burger King, McDonalds, Braum's, Jack in the Box or 7-11 is in
the neighborhood. The 39th & N. Rockwell is the best Swadley's.

The Swadley's are wonderful and caring people. Georgia helped me
load my truck so I could make a gig. She's a nice lady.

[bluedogok]

One year we went down to Port Aransas and there was a Bad Brad's in Portland on the other side of Corpus Christi Bay, it was listed on their website along with the original Ponca City location. The next summer it had changed names, never got a chance to try it out.

[rcjunkie]

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.

[Larry OKC]

Wow, the fact that no one was "in charge" explains a lot. Hopefully you will get satisfaction if/when you speak to the manager...

[WilliamTell]

Has anyone commented on Mr Tee's BBQ in the Spencer area?

[Prunepicker]

I was surprised by the bbq at the Buy for Less on N.W. 23rd and
N. Council. I had a rib sandwich and the ribs weren't cooked to
death, i.e. falling off the bone. There was a wonderful amount of
pull and the flavor was very, very good. The hot link was good, too.
I didn't ask who made the hot link. I'm guessing Schwab's but it's
only a guess. Next time I'll ask what wood was used for the smoking.
I don't believe it was mesquite. Maybe hickory or another hard wood.

[Corndog1]

Mr Tees is okay. Not my favorite, but much better than Spencers across the street. Problem is Mr. Tees isnt open for very long times before it tends to close for awhile. I have heard due to taxes, but am not sure. If you can catch it open though it isnt bad. New place opened up in midwest city area by the old calico joes building. It is called Gary Dales barbq. Have not been yet, but will soon.

[Prunepicker]

New place opened up in midwest city area by the old calico joes
building. It is called Gary Dales barbq. Have not been yet, but
will soon.

Gary Dale's was at I-40 and N. Eastern. It closed at least a year
ago, maybe more. I never ate there but never heard anybody
say yay or nay.

To tell the truth, I'm afraid to try bbq joints. It's very expensive
and if it stinks I'm out a lot of money for a lousy meal.

Here is how I determine the quality of BBQ...

1. If it needs sauce it isn't worth it. Sauce should accentuate and
not create the flavor of the meat. Isn't that what the cooking
process is all about?

2. If the meat falls off the bone I won't be back. Rib meat that
falls off of the bone doesn't taste as good as rib meat has has
some pull to it. This isn't a humble opinion, it's an absolute fact.
Those who think rib meat that falls off the bone really like the
sauce. I've paid very close attention to this.

3. If there's a printed menu I leave the premises immediately.

[Larry OKC]

That goes against all of my criteria (esp 2 & 3)...1 is something that I just always add anyway, much like ketchup to fries. You should be able to eat them without it but they taste so much better with it. The exception would be Corkys BBQ in Memphis, the dry rub they used was sublime, the meats juicy, tasty and fall off the bone tender....no sauce needed

I like the Gary Dales way down on south Western (there is a Billy Sims at the same intersection), plenty of tasty meat serving and they have deep fried corn on the cob cooked to order

One of the best hot links I have had recently was at the Casino in Perkins...plenty of heat and taste...most hot links lately havent had much kick to them at all.

[Larry OKC]

Prunepicker, you had a Rib Sandwich and the bones were still in it? That would be a case where I would definitely want it to be "falling off the bone"

[Martin]

I like the Gary Dales way down on south Western

the joint in the shopping center on the nw corner of 119 & western is just called "dale's"... i don't think they're related to the old "gary dale's"

-M

[ctchandler]

Mr Tees is okay. Not my favorite, but much better than Spencers across the street. Problem is Mr. Tees isnt open for very long times before it tends to close for awhile. I have heard due to taxes, but am not sure. If you can catch it open though it isnt bad. New place opened up in midwest city area by the old calico joes building. It is called Gary Dales barbq. Have not been yet, but will soon.

Corndog1,
Gary Dales has been around for a long time. I am certain he started over on N. E. 23rd and Post, opened a second store at Reno and MLK, S. W. corner. These two might be reversed, but then he opened one in Edmond just East of KFC and another one in South OKC. He had some problems so ended up shutting them all down except the one on Post. It was reasonably good.
C. T.

[RadicalModerate]

I am beginning to believe that The "Best BBQ" is The Nearest BBQ.
However--at least according to Joe Bob Briggs--of Texas Drive-In Movie Review/Other Newspaper Column Fame (google it)--we should never confuse BBQ with actual barbecue or even Bar-B-Que.

(i apologize for that obscure reference . . . suffice it to say that i had a recent conversation with my grandson, over dinner, during which GrouchoMarxian/RodneyDangerfieldian quips resulted mostly in slack-jawed nodding. He did, however, remember the proper and mannerly Pavovian response to Good Eats. Except he accused me of providing "more like best restaurant food instead of "home cooking" . . .=)

I'm still waiting for Steve Raichlen's and Rick Bayless'--of CREATE TV/NPR/PBS Fame--reformed rabbincal/e.g. "pork is OK" response to this apparent matter of Universal Concern.

I hope the price is right.
(sorry . . . Maslow just had to chime in from his pyramid (google it) =)

(P.S. to CT: "Gary Dale's" location down there at the former confluence of The Interstates and Eastern Avenue was in The Top Five of my BBQ Sandwich-To-Go Experiences. Even if it wasn't African-American "owned" it was managed and run by some of the best barbeque pit-meisters in the area at that time. I think that I ordered the sliced brisket with medium sauce. Thank goodness cell phones weren't invented back then, on account of I was already distracted enough trying to minimize the sauce drippage while steering that eighteen-wheeler back to the asphalt plant "under the influence" of Excellent Authentic BBQ. No matter what "the critics" may say. About the alternative spellings and so forth. =)

(P.S.2 to The Easily Annoyed/Thin-Skinned,
sub.ref. "poetic" formatting):
there was a little, old, "black" lady,
who had a little barbeque shack
over there on (was it "Eastern")?
across the street
from the former Omniplex
who had some good "Q" . . .
her "rib sandwich"
consisted of two or three ribs
a couple of pieces of Wonder Bread
and some darned good sauce
plus a small handful
of tasty dill pickles

it was really good too.
if not "technically" a "sandwich"
per se . . .
i was young and dumb at the time
but not so dumb as to not recognize
Excellence in The Art of BBQ
or whatever it is called
and be rendered speechless =)

[Dubya61]

I am beginning to believe that The "Best BBQ" is the nearest BBQ.

When I lived in Naples, everybody had their favorite pizza place, and it was always better than the others -- every single one of them. Maybe BBQ (in any spelling) is like that. Find the nearby one and call it home, but be sure to try out the competition!

[RadicalModerate]

Yup.

Well . . . I've never been to [Naples] . . . But I've been to Oklahoma . . . =)
(Hoyt Axton or Chuck Negron/Three Dog Night . . . (google it) =)

BTW, amigo: i apologize for my misspelling of "Pavlovian"
in the last sentence, of the second paragraph,
(of the diatribe, above).

[RadicalModerate]

I realize that this has nothing to do with "Best BBQ" . . .
Yet, somehow, it seems to be relevant to the topic.
Especially in regard to your observation regarding the
relative quality of what hits the plate
(or Environmentally Friendly To-Go Container)

If [you] don't "get" the connection . . .
Substitute BBQ Plate for Pizza . . . =)



I'm thinkin' mebbe Soupy Sales should have turned
to Soup Trucks instead of television entertainment.
("Soupy Sales" . . . google it =)

[Roger S]

the joint in the shopping center on the nw corner of 119 & western is just called "dale's"... i don't think they're related to the old "gary dale's"

-M

It is Dale's BBQ House

[Prunepicker]

I like Van's Pig Stand. I have never been disappointed. They will
provide crispy fries on request.

[Prunepicker]

Another good restaurant is Ken's in Amber. The ribs are consistently
good. No menu. He serves chicken, ribs and steak (2 cuts).
Eating there is quite an experience. Go early so you don't have
to stand in line very long, but you'll be standing in line.

[OKCisOK4me]

Is Metta World Peace having his barbeque party tonight? Gotta assume that'll be some darn good bbq!

[Martin]

It is Dale's BBQ House

ok... you can't post with a name like that and *not* tell us what your favorite barbecue joints are. -M

[ctchandler]

Another good restaurant is Ken's in Amber. The ribs are consistently
good. No menu. He serves chicken, ribs and steak (2 cuts).
Eating there is quite an experience. Go early so you don't have
to stand in line very long, but you'll be standing in line.

Ken's is not open every day. I believe it's Thursday through Saturday. I don't really consider it a barbecue restaurant but he does serve ribs. As a matter of fact, while you are waiting in line (and you will be), he brings you a rib to keep you happy.
C. T.

[Prunepicker]

ok... you can't post with a name like that and *not* tell us what
your favorite barbecue joints are. -M

You're a hoot!

[Prunepicker]

Is Metta World Peace having his barbeque party tonight? Gotta
assume that'll be some darn good bbq!

You're going to get banned. I can sense it.