Review: Rudy's BBQ

As 4th of July approaches thoughts turn to BBQ & either grilling or takeout or some of both. As a lover of BBQ grilled & smoked meats, I take great pride in the Texas style brisket & ribs. A well seasoned smoked meat with good bark, a smoke ring & spicy sauce is good eating. And you can't go wrong with a good Texas chain like Luther's or a local joint like Hickory Hollow. I've seen Rudy's BBQ off of freeways around Houston & elsewhere in Texas.  They are based in San Antonio and although they have locations around the Southwestern US, they are a Texas chain.  After a look at their website I decided to pay them a visit.

FYI: Rudy's doubles as a county kitsch store and a BBQ joint. They serve your meal in a reusable drink tray that is used for soda bottles. Sign on the wall tells you to clean up your own mess. They further affect the country grammar by spelling it as "Sause" on the bottles--regular and Sissy varieties. The bare rafters, sheet metal & old signs complete the kitsch.  If you have no patience for faux country Kitsch, I suggest getting your food to go.  Personally, I didn't mind eating there.

A little information  about Rudy's from their website:

Just north of San Antonio, at the edge of the Texas Hill Country, sits the small community of Leon Springs, Texas. Founded in the 1800s by Max Aue, Leon Spring's cityscape changed when Max's son, Rudolph, opened a one-stop gas station, garage, and grocery store. Bar-B-Q was added to the operation in 1989, and Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q has been serving up tasty food ever since. The same original recipes that built Rudy's Leon Springs' reputation are now available throughout the Southwest. Our pits are 100% wood fired with oak, a slower burning wood than the mesquite used by others. Along with time and oak, we cook with a dry spice that ensures each plate of Rudy's Bar-B-Q is perfectly ready for you. Apply some of our famous "Sause" and dinner is served.

I will say that these folks smoke up some mighty find BBQ & sides. Several places around the location I was at, there was the tagline "Respect the Meat" and out of respect for the meat, I ordered a chopped BBQ beef sandwich & green chile stew. So without further ado, here is your meal blueprint:

BBQ Beef Sandwich:  Chopped Slow Smoked Brisket, light sauce, fluffy white bun.


Green Chile Stew: green chile peppers,  carrots, potatoes, shreds of beef and pork, in a warm spicy tomato soup base

The Green Chile Stew was savoury, spicy and created a warm fire in my belly. The chopped beef sandwich had great oakwood smoke flavour, had good bark and went well with either BBQ Sause offerred--I squirted some of each in two separate piles on my plate and dipped in each of them.  The regular BBQ sauce was sweet and spicy.  The Sissy Sauce was milder and more vinegary.  Either one was good in my humble opinion.

Report card for Rudy's BBQ:
Chopped Beef Sandwich: A-
Green Chile Stew: A+
Service: counter style A for friendliness & Speed
Atmosphere: B- but I can deal
Cleanliness: 

A Staple at all Rudy's

     Dining Area: B+
     Men's Room: A-
Overall Grade: A-

There are 5 locations of Rudy's BBQ in the Greater Houston area.  The 4th one on Katy Freeway and Fry Road opens on July 4, 2012 (Today!!!).

Houston - 290
14620 Northwest Fwy
Houston, TX 77040
Phone: 713-462-3337
Fax: 713-462-7954
Hours:
Sun-Thur 7:00AM-10:00PM
Fri-Sat 7:00AM-10:30PM

And remember:
Eat Happy, Y'all!!!

Happy Independence Day, United States of America!!!