Event: Rudy's BBQ Katy Grand Opening

Sideview of Rudy's Katy

Readers, I know this is coming hot on the heels of my recent review of Rudy's BBQ.  I must confess at the time I visited Rudy's on 290, it was to give it a try and decide if I would try to make it to the Katy locations July 4th Grand Opening Event.  Suffice it to say I was happy enough with the chopped beef sammy and the green chile stew as to come on back.  The thing is, the Rudy's on 290 made no mention of having breakfast tacos.  However, when I saw Rudy's announce the Grand Opening on their  website, they were mentioned quite boldly and after having enjoyed the chopped beef sandwich so much, I dragged myself out of bed early on July 4th to be there.

I was about 35th in line

I got there off of Mason Road and I-10 about 6:30 AM and there was a medium sized line which grew as the time to the Grand Opening--7 AM--approached.  While I was in line I found out that they were going to give breakfast to everyone who came at opening and would also give the first 100 visitors a $20.00 gift card to use later. I was one of the lucky visitors who got both perks and would like to say that was a very generous offer and was not expected, so kudos to the Management of Rudy's for doing something so nice.

I got a $20.00 Gift Card!  WHOO HOO!!!

During the wait I had a nice conversation with a fellow Baylor Alumni named Ashley and a fellow UT-Austin named Clay.  We're all parents of kids, but managed to take a little time to reminisce about University days in Central Texas.  As I listened to them tell about what was now in Austin and Waco compared to what used to be there in the 1990s, I realized that I really needed to get back over there and do some more street level food exploring.  During my times in Austin and Waco I'd missed the arrival of Rudy's in Central Texas.   I also realized that during my travels around Texas since then, I'd passed by Rudy's numerous times but somehow never stopped in at any location until this past week.  (I think their marketing at some locations where they proudly declare themselves "The Worst BBQ in Texas" may have been a bit of an off-putter... just saying Y'all!!!) Someone else had once brought some Rudy's Ribs over a few years ago and I remember enjoying them quite well.  Anyhoo, Clay told me that Rudy's is also operating a burger joint called Mighty Fine Burgers in the Austin area as we waited... I think I sense a road trip coming on soon...

(l to r) Brisket,  Jalepeño sausage, & Spicy Chopped beef breakfast Tacos with egg & cheese

The Management, some folks from corporate and the full staff was in there wide awake, full of friendly smiles and eagerly ready to serve.  Even with the line, everything flowed smoothly.  There was plenty of fresh bbq and breakfast tacos to be had.  And that is what I went for:  breakfast tacos.    The setup is very simple--you can put any items you want of the following:  egg, bbq brisket, sausage, jalepeño sausage, bacon, spicy chopped bbq beef, cheese, potatoes or refried beans.  A 2 item taco is $1.50, a 3 item taco is $1.70, a 4 item taco is $1.90 and if you go above 4 items pay a quarter for each additional item.  I went with a Brisket Egg & Cheese, a Spicy Chopped Egg & Cheese, and a Jalapeño sausage Egg & Cheese.  The eggs were fresh and perfectly scrambled, not runny.  The cheese was well melted and the flour tortillas were quite soft and fluffy.  The meats were well smoked/seasoned and I was able to add red or green salsas to them.  I washed them down with a good cup of their house coffee and was thoroughly satisfied with the breakfast.

Rudy's Katy Texas Kitsch views

Overall the staff was very friendly and kind.  Clearly this was part of their preparations for the hordes that would be coming in today to buy their slow oakwood smoked real pit barbecue.  In fact, I bought about half a pound of their smoked turkey and a half a pound of spicy chopped beef to bring home to serve with the other items I grilled on July 4th, and will probably be back in a week or so in order to buy some slow smoked pork ribs.  I'll probably be writing another column with some more details on Texas BBQ, brisket etc. in the near future.  But in the meantime, I can say with confidence that if you don't feel like smoking or grilling your own meats, Rudy's BBQ is a good place to pick up any amount of great smoked meats for your family's eating pleasure.

Rudy's Katy is located at:
21799 Katy Freeway
Katy, TX 77450
Phone: 832-772-7242

And Remember:
Eat Happy, Y'all!!!
Happy Independence Day, USA!!!
早安，你们！