Sunday, November 2, 2008: Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que (Belton, Texas)

Sometime during the now-classic Texas-Texas Tech game, watching the game from the back patio while smoking cigars, Brad and I plotted our assault on Schoepf’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Belton. Schoepf’s was on Man Up’s list of places to visit, and it just so happened to be on our way back to Austin. So we called Schoepf’s during the game and found out they open at 11:00 on Sunday mornings. Done and done.

We exited I-35 around 11:15 Sunday am and stepped into Schoepf’s about a minute later. Easy stop of the interstate. Keep this in mind if you pass through Belton on I-35.

I’d heard great things about Schoepf’s, and it lived up to the hype. Several things about Schoepf’s remind me of Opie’s Barbecue in Spicewood: meats served from similar pits onto plastic trays, option of having your meats sliced/cut for you, free beans/bread/onions/pickles.

We ordered brisket, pork ribs, and a half chicken. They were out of turkey, which I would’ve tried. We both scored the chicken the highest, followed by the ribs and then the brisket. The sauce was tangy and not thick at all, which I like. I didn’t try the jalapeno cornbread, but Brad manned up on both pieces. My suggestion to dip it in the sauce turned out to be a screaming success.

Drinks are served in big to-go cups, which is great two levels: less need to leave your food for refills, and you’re guaranteed that you can take your drink with you. Speaking of drinks, great iced tea: Luzianne, which is what I brew at home. Also, they had lemons. They stopped just short of hitting the trifecta (freshly brewed, non-flavored iced tea; lemons; and Equal), b/c they only had Sweet’N Low, but not having Equal is easy to take care of, thanks to aspartame stashed in my pocket at all times.

Schoepf’s is absolutely worth a stop; and if you’re in no hurry when you leave, do as Brad and I did post-meal: head just a few minutes down the interstate for a cigar in the smoking lounge of Salado Cigars. A meal at Schoepf’s and a cigar at Salado Cigars is quite the 1-2 punch. Don’t be jealous.

Brad’s scores – Pork ribs: 8.13; Brisket: 7.96; Chicken: 9; Beans: 8.78; Cornbread: 8; Overall experience: 8.8

Drew’s scores – Pork ribs: 8.8; Brisket: 8.6; Chicken: 9.6; Sauce: 9.5; Overall experience: 9.65

Overall Man-Up Score: 9.225