Texas Cowboy BBQ open in Abilene

I learned yesterday via Twitter that Abilene has a new BBQ joint: Texas Cowboy BBQ. Located at 1881 N. Treadaway, they are open Monday-Thursday from 6AM-2:30PM and Friday-Saturday from 6AM-9PM. Here is their menu. Check them out on Facebook & Twitter.

Best BBQ in Abilene?

I've been interested lately in knowing readers' favorite BBQ joints in the some smaller markets in Texas. I recently asked for your favorite joint in Lubbock & in Amarillo. Today, I'd like to know your #1 BBQ stop in Abilene, which has several BBQ joints. So, which one gets your vote?

Harold's Pit Bar-B-Q (Abilene, TX) is closing.

On July 30, Abilene's well-known Harold's Pit Bar-B-Q will close its doors "temporarily," but "Further plans are indefinite." Read the story here.

Brisket, ham, & turkey from Betty Rose's Little Brisket (Abilene, TX)

Chili Super Bowl XXIX (Buffalo Gap, Texas)

I got to Buffalo Gap just as this ended yesterday. If I (a) had known about the event & (b) had known it had brisket and BBQ chicken categories, I probably would've been there. It was the 29th year of the event, which raised more than $75,000 for the Ben Richey Boys Ranch in Abilene.

Whatcha got, New Mexico?

Made the long, beautiful drive from Abilene to Ruidoso yesterday. Only passed 1 BBQ joint between Abilene and the state line (Well, I saw a couple of others, but they were either closed for the day or no longer in business.): Big Boy's Bar-B-Que in Sweetwater (Warning: This website might make you dizzy.), the "Wind Energy Capital of the World." Really liked it. Writeup and pics to come. There's a BBQ place right near the house here in Ruidoso, so I plan to stop in today to see what kind of BBQ New Mexico has to offer.

Whatcha got, West Texas???

Today, I'll be making the 383-mile drive from Abilene, Texas, to Ruidoso, New Mexico. Knocked out 4 hours of the trip yesterday and, naturally, stopped at Mills County BBQ Company in Goldthwaite. Stocked up on pork ribs, turkey, ham, and sausage; and great to see proprietor Chris Paskett, as always. Pics forthcoming. I've said it before, but if you haven't been to MCBC, you should make the trip. I don't know how many times I've stopped in (more than 5, less than 10), but not once have I had a dry bite - of anything. Flavor is always on target. As a group, their meats can hang with anyone's.

Anyway, it's my first time on this road. First time in NM. And the farthest West I've been in Texas. Making the return trip on Monday via same route, so I've got a couple of chances to have BBQ along this path unknown. Anyone have any recommendations? Here are some the towns I'll pass thru: Sweetwater, Snyder, Post, Tahoka, Brownfield, Tokio, & Plains. Would love to hear your suggestions via comment or email.

The rest from Harold's

Harold's menu: then and now

More from Harold's

Saturday, October 17, 2009: Harold's Pit Bar-B-Q (Abilene, Texas)

I’d heard for some time about a hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint in Abilene whose proprietor sings gospel music a capella inside the restaurant from time to time. The joint also made the latest Texas Monthly Top 50 list, but, since that list has left many of us scratching our heads from time to time—and since I hadn’t heard much fanfare about the food—I had a feeling that in-house gospel might be a big reason the joint made the cut.

As luck would have it, our noon trip to Harold’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Abilene was on the Saturday that all three Abilene universities held their homecomings. As such, when we arrived at noon, the line was well out the door. While we were outside, Harold made his way to the single-room dining area and sang a nice rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” The door was open, so we could hear, and I watched through the window. We had a nice time visiting with folks in line with us and, needless to say, were ready to eat by the time we finally made it to the counter around 1:00.

The food did wonders for my cascading blood sugar, but I wouldn’t say that it was worth the wait. The food was flavorful enough, but it was all pretty pedestrian, at best. I ordered ribs, even though Harold warned me that they were kinda off that day – and they were. They were so soft that they didn’t stay on the bone when you picked them up, and, given that they (like all the meats) were covered in sauce (which was too sweet for my taste), they ended up just being a sloppy mess. The ham wasn’t bad but would’ve been better sans sauce. Amber’s slaw and potato salad were much better than my greens and green beans. Having to swat flies wasn’t a highlight of the meal.

Flies notwithstanding, the place has character – from the hole-in-the-wall feel to the gospel singing to the pictures on the wall. And Harold and all of his staff were friendly. It was nice of Harold to make the rib disclaimer and to offer to make me a new plate after I got a plate covered in sauce, after ordering sauce on the side. Considering I ordered the ribs anyway and considering I declined his offer to remake my plate, without sauce, I guess I can’t really complain too much about either…so discount some of what I wrote above.

To sum it up, Harold’s is a joint to visit more for the experience than for the food – although the food was better than what I had at the only other Abilene joint I’ve been to (Sharon’s). If you knew that Harold would be there, Harold’s is worth a trip, if only to hear some gospel and meet some friendly folks.

Amber’s thoughts: “Ambiance: the hour long wait, pictures on the wall, fellow customers sharing their Harold stories and of course Harold himself singing were all great... but the flies on the condiment station killed it for me. (I don't know why plastic bags with water work, but they need to get some!) Service: Harold, his wife and crew could not be nicer people but the orders were messed up for the people in front of us and ours. I took the plate even though it was covered in sauce because I hate to see food go to waste. Sides: jalapeno poppers were good, hot water cornbread is just not my style, potato salad was of the cold mashed potato variety, coleslaw was solid, green beans limp but flavorful. Sauce: too sweet and, again, flies all over the crockpot at the condiment station. Turkey: good flavor and tender. Pork ribs: Fall off the bone tender but covered in sauce.”

Amber’s scores – Pork ribs: 8.6; Turkey: 8.7; Sauce: 8.4; Sides: 8; Service: 8.75; Atmosphere: 8; Overall experience: 8.4

Drew’s scores – Pork ribs: 7.5; Ham: 7.75; Sauce: 6; Sides (mine): 5; Sides (Amber’s): 7; Service: 9; Atmosphere: 8.5; Overall experience: 7.5

Overall Man-Up Score: 7.95

Harold's Pit Bar-B-Q (Abilene) temporarily closed, due to fire

I'm a few days late on this, but Harold's Pit Bar-B-Q in Abilene is temporarily closed, after the restaurant suffered fire damage on October 24. I just spoke with Harold, and he said he doesn't know when they will reopen but that he's shooting for next Tuesday.

Man Up made its first trip to Harold's a couple of weeks ago. I'll post a review, scores, and pics later this month.

Three stops this weekend, including two 1st-time visits

It was a jam-packed BBQ weekend: (1) Dinner on Friday from Mills County BBQ Company in Goldthwaite; (2) Lunch on Saturday at Harold's Bar-B-Q in Abilene; (3) Brisket (for dinner on Saturday) from Mills County BBQ Company that owner Chris Paskett sent us off with on Friday; & (4) Lunch today at Mac's Barbeque in Brady. Reviews, scores, and pics from all 3 joints to come.

The rest from Sharon's

Pics from first trip to Sharon's Barbeque in Abilene

Back from Abilene

In addition to hitting up Sharon's Barbeque this weekend, I also had some pork ribs from Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap and got a to-go order from Mills Country BBQ Company in Goldthwaite. Pics from all 3 in a few days, so don't go anywhere.

Branching out

Man Up has been all over Central Texas, but we want to hit up joints all over the Lone Star State and are trying to venture out more. I made a small step today, having BBQ in Abilene, for the first time. Pics from my visit to Sharon's Barbeque and Catering to follow in a few days.