The McRib Is Back: Rob Has the Final Word
After first being introduced forty years ago amidst amazing hoopla, the McDonald’s McRib sandwich is back for one of its periodic rollouts as they continue the cliched strategy of limited availability. Still the endless images on TV eventually piqued my curiosity. Now normally the only reason I ever go to Mickey D’s is for a […]
Takeout Orders You May Have Overlooked
PoK-e-Jo’s has a long standing as one of Austin’s more popular locally owned and operated restaurants. But in this era where takeout and delivery have become critical options, there is one thing people may be overlooking when placing an order from PoK-e-Jo’s: in addition to their tasty variety of smoked meats and fowl, they probably […]
Scenes We’ll Hopefully See Again Soon: the Beef Ribs at It’s All Good BBQ in Spicewood
Things have become vastly and tragically different in the Austin area lately due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Simple thoughts that we took for granted like “let’s have lunch” have become memories. But in the presence of all the mandated social distancing and health worries, local restaurants have stepped up to provide safe and health-conscious takeout […]
Tex Mex And BBQ ? Welcome to Valentina’s
It was inevitable. In a city that consumes vast amounts of Tex Mex and BBQ, somebody finally had to fuse the two. That’s what happened at Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, a permanent trailer off Manchaca run by a husband and wife team. In the picture above is an absolutely palate pleasing moist brisket taco topped […]
The Secret to Getting the Best Moist Brisket at PoK-e-Jo’s
I was lunching with owner PoK-e-Jo’s owner Danny Haberman last week and I remarked about how tasty the moist brisket was. Then Danny gave me a tip. Each morning around 11, Pitmaster Demetrio brings out the latest briskets from the smoker. So head over to the Brodie Oaks store at that time and ask for […]
Rob Finishes Recent BBQ Austin BBQ Tour at Franklin. Lip Smackin’ Good!
My journey into the heart of Austin BBQ for Forbes.com ended at Franklin Barbecue. Here I was chowing down, of course, with the sumptuous pork ribs. Read the article on Forbes.com by clicking on this link.
Danny Haberman Keeps the Local Tradition of PoK-e-Jo’s Alive and Well
PoK-e-Jo’s is an Austin BBQ tradition. And Danny Haberman has seen that this family business has grown and prospered by focusing on customer service and great ‘cue along with some of the best sides in the city. In a city that has been virtually overrun with national and regional chains, PoK-e-Jo’s stands as a beacon […]
Rob’s Take on Austin BBQ is Live on Forbes.com
When a national site like Forbes.com asks you for your favorite BBQ joints in Austin, it’s very cool. Click on the image above or this link to read the article.
Scott Roberts Leads Salt Lick from BBQ to Wine
I had an enjoyable meeting last week with The Salt Lick BBQ honcho Scott Roberts. We tasted some astonishingly good new dishes like bison ribs and (yes, you’re reading this this correctly) smoked tofu. But the biggest takeaways for me were the wines from Salt Lick Cellars. The Tempranillo was exceptionally balanced with great mouth […]
Salt Lick Adds Bison Ribs to the Menu
Just when you thought the iconic Salt Lick BBQ couldn’t dish up any better pork ribs, Scott Roberts and crew unveil bison ribs. They just explode with flavor and your cardiologist will be pleased. 😉 I certainly was!
When Tex Mex Meets Austin Style BBQ: Welcome to Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ
In my quest to finish my article in Forbes magazine on Austin BBQ, my path led me to Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ on Manchaca. I had to schmooze my way through the line as I tracked down owner Miguel Vidal and his wife Melody. Seems that Miguel worked for Kevin Williamson at Ranch 616 off […]
Forbes.com Chooses Rob for Article Rating Austin BBQ
So you thought that Texas Monthly was the only go to source for rating Austin BBQ? Turns out Forbes.com, the website of nationally distributed Forbes Magazine, has shown an interest in BBQ in and around Austin, so they asked Rob to rate the local scene along with a ranking of his favorites. The article is […]
The Secret to Great Moist Brisket? Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q has the Solution!
There’s a reason why Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q sells so much moist brisket. It’s flat out delicious. But why is it so good? The answer lies in correct time and methods of smoking, their proprietary rub, and in the simple yet fundamental act of slicing. Haven’t tried it yet? Then what the heck are […]
Disappointing News from Cedar Park: Big Cat BBQ has Closed
I’m very sad to report that Big Cat BBQ has closed. Owner James Jones had bounced back from incredible physical challenges to launch the popular Big Cat, but his family restaurant was overwhelmed by a proliferation of chain restaurants in Cedar Park. I, for one, am saddened by the loss of Big Cat And the […]
A Few of the Reasons I like Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
There’s always a smile awaiting you at Rudy’s. The servers seem to genuinely like their jobs and it reflects in the genial attitude they project to the customers. There may be a line from time to time, but unlike the three hour adventures that can await at another Austin BBQ joint, the lines at Rudy’s […]
