Super Bowl Media Party: BBQ Caterers (Round 1)

NOTE: This last picture is of Blue Ribbon Barbecue. I could never get a clear shot of their sign! I suspect the banana puddings they served had something to do with that.

Best of 2010: Best Chicken

Winner: Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que (Belton, TX)



Others receiving votes: The Salt Lick, Opie's, Whup's, & Rudy's

Todd's pre-Thanksgiving meal at Schoepf's (Belton, TX)

Todd, a Man Upper since Day 1, hit up Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Belton on his way home to Dallas for Thanksgiving. From the looks of the pic he sent me, he had a healthy serving of brisket, pork ribs, ham, & turkey. Well done, Todd. Exit 294A on I-35, folks. Go about a tenth of a mile West. Then, stop and eat!

Sauce pickup and dinner at Schoepf's

A couple of Friday nights ago, Brad and I made the 130-mile round trip to Belton to pick up sauce from Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que for Gettin' Sauced! Naturally, we stayed for dinner. It was slammed. While we waited to order, we were told that we would have to take our orders to go, b/c there was no room in the dining areas. A table opened up, by the time we got our food and paid, so we didn't have to eat in the parking lot.

To sum up the meal: taste on, temperature way, way off. No meats were hot. The chicken wasn't even warm. Probably had something to do with the fact that it was a cool night and that the top of the holding pit was raised the entire time we were waiting (as you can see below). No problems re: taste; I just wish the food had been hot...at least warm. Schoepf's is good, but this was an off night, to be sure. Friendly service, though.

R.P. hits up Schoepf's & Johnny T's in one evening.

A recent email from Russell:

Had to run to Waco this evening. So figured I better man up @ Schoepf’s & Johnny T’s while up this way.

Can't beat new atmosphere of Schoepf’s. They actually had a bluegrass country gospel jam session going on back patio. Their pork ribs r mighty flavorful but could be meatier.
Brisket is tasty even if not really my style...a bit roastish.

Johnny t's provided a southern style home cooking surprise. Very flavorful and well marbled moist brisket. Mighty fine pulled pork and spicy apple slaw. I think we need to give this place future consideration for an official visit. It may well be a hidden gym in that A- to B++ type range.

RP on the road.

More from Schoepf's

Saturday, July 4, 2009: Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que (Belton, Texas)

Before spending July 4 on sunny Lake Belton, Mark and I took time to honor our country by lunching at Schoepf’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Belton. It was our first time at Schoepf’s since they renovated. With a new room for ordering from the holding pits and a picnic area out back, Schoepf’s is looking good. The line was crazy. It took me over 20 minutes just to get in the door and another 20 to the register after getting my tray filled with chicken and ribs. By the time I paid, half of my half chicken and one of my two ribs were long gone. It was also burning up, so I was drenched with sweat.

In spite of the large crowd, service was good, as always. I watched co-owner Ronnie Schoepf carefully deal with a group who were sent home with someone else’s order. Ronnie’s service to them was great, enough by itself to make me want to go back (I would’ve anyway).

My food wasn’t that hot by the time I sat, but the ribs were still pretty good, and the flavor of the chicken was fantastic. Mark had a ½ chicken, a ¼ pound of ribs, and took advantage of one of the day’s specials: husk-on corn on the cob for $3. The kernels were tiny, but it apparently tasted great.

All in all, a nice holiday feast.

Mark’s scores – Brisket: 9.1; Chicken: 9.98; Corn on the cob: 9.4; Jalapeno cornbread: 8.6; Sauce: 9.85; Service: 9.8; Atmosphere: 10; Overall experience: 9.94

Drew’s scores – Chicken: 9.2; Pork ribs: 8; Service: 9.7; Overall experience: 9.2

Overall Man-Up Score: 9.57

Jason and Todd Tag Team Schoepf's

Jason and Todd recently made a stop at Schoepf’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Belton, a place Man Up has visited several times. Here are their thoughts.

Jason:

Schoepf’s is place I enjoy very much; every time I’ve gone I’ve been satisfied with my orders. I ordered of course brisket, venison sausage, sirloin, and a pork rib.

Brisket was very good; great flavor as always here was a lean cut as well and I enjoyed the tenderness still. Venison sausage: wow…amazing, highly recommend this. Sirloin is always great here; again was not disappointed; if you like meat you need to try the sirloin here… nice and medium rare. Excellent flavor and good quality meat. Pork rib was all right.

They looked like they were remodeling as the regular room was closed; they said they were expanding and upgrading the pit and it seems like they were almost done. Should be exciting stuff the next time we come back here. Apparently Cooper’s is planning on locating somewhere near the area…Good old BBQ competition.

Lastly, I must talk about the peach cobbler here. My first 10 on a Man-Up BBQ review! Yes, folks, you heard it, I’m awarding a Ten’er! Peach cobbler off the charts ridiculous! Best I’ve ever had in my life. I would come back here just for this!!! The girls working told us we can get ice cream next door; but honestly didn’t need ice cream; if you like that doughy flakey goodness in your peach cobbler you will love this one. The caramelized sugar on the top of the dough was awesome as well; great sweetness not to sweet and not to bland. Perfect!

Todd:

Despite the fact that we were both in suits and managed to stay clean, I'd say the visit was an immediate success! Upon arrival we were created to a small temporary structure in the front parking lot, as the old pit room was/is undergoing major renovations...We were told it would be better than ever once it's finished! Anyways, I was curious to see if this change affected quality, and am happy to report it did not, the meat was still better than ever. I'll rate the meat below, but the highlight of the trip was the peach cobbler at the end of the meal...words cannot even begin to describe it! And although there was not any Blue Bell homemade vanilla to top the cobbler, all was forgiven when I tasted the first bite. This was hands down the best cobbler I have had to date, and I've had my share! Overall, this was a great trip. I can't wait to see the new pit room which should be opening soon. I only hope the new room will bring new sides...do I hear any seconds for macaroni and cheese?

Chicken: good but room for improvement; Rolls: great yeast rolls with country crock butter! Sweet tea: a stable, a must have; Peach cobbler: the missing Blue Bell ice cream cost this score a perfect 10; Service: the service here is great; Overall: friendly atmosphere, good food, and phenomenal cobbler.

Jason’s scores – Brisket: 9; Venison sausage: 9.9; Sirloin: 9.3; Pork rib: 8.4; Peach cobbler: 10; Overall experience: 9.5

Todd’s scores – Chicken: 8.25; Green beans: 8.5; Rolls: 9.5; Sweet tea: 9.5; Peach cobbler: 9.99; Service: 9.8; Overall experience: 9.68

Overall Man-Up Score: 9.59

More from Schoepf's

Outside Schoepf's

Saturday, February 14, 2009: Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que (Belton, Texas)

Five of us made the 60-mile drive up I-35 to Belton for lunch at Schoepf’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, a return visit for everyone except Russell. (Read about our previous visits.) It’s Ashley’s favorite BBQ joint, and the rest of us have really enjoyed it in the past, so we were looking forward to it. Plus, loading up on BBQ is exactly what we needed to sustain us through the over 5 hours of cigar smoking that would follow lunch at Salado Cigars. Certainly a Valentine's Day well spent.

Located just off the interstate at Exit 294A, Schoepf’s is a great choice for BBQ on I-35.It’s a traditional pit-BBQ joint, with the smoking outside the restaurant and the meats carried inside on plastic trays. They have a nice selection of brisket, pork ribs, sausage, chicken, turkey, pork chops, and sirloins. (View the menu.) Their sauce is quite good. Thin, peppery, and tangy. Beans, pickles, onions, and cornbread/roll are complimentary.

We sat in the new Special Event Room in the back. It doesn’t have as much of a true BBQ feel as the original seating in the front, plus there were flies, so I suggest sitting in the front. We had great service, including a nice chat by the pit with Staci Schoepf, who owns the place with her husband, Ronnie. (Staci and Ronnie are on the cover of the February 2009 edition of Bell County’s Wedding & Party Ideas.)

Russell sums up his thoughts: “Brisket: good but not really memorable. Pork ribs: good flavor but a little on the crispy side this day. Sides: solid but not great. Atmosphere/hospitality: very nice tour given by one of the owners of this recently nicely-updated place. Overall: solid place along I-35 to stop for some hill-country-esq BBQ.”

Ashley’s scores – Chicken: 9; Sides: 9; Atmosphere: 9; Service: 9; Overall experience: 10

Mark’s scores – Brisket: 8; Chicken: 8.9; Sauce: 9.1; Cole slaw: 9.25; Atmosphere: 9; Service: 8.5; Overall experience: 8.95

Brad’s scores – Brisket: 7.25; Sausage: 7.5; Pork ribs: 8.85; Sauce: 8.75; Sides: 7; Atmosphere: 8.5; Service: 8.75; Overall experience: 9

Drew’s scores – Turkey: 9; Pork ribs: 8.8; Chicken: 9.2; Atmosphere: 8.8; Service: 9.7; Overall experience: 9

Russell’s scores – Brisket: 8.5; Pork ribs: 8.35; Sides: 8; Atmosphere & Hospitality: 9.95; Overall experience: 8.88

Overall Man-Up Score: 9.166

Today: Man Up visits Schoepf's

Before spending the afternoon at a C.A.O. event at Salado Cigars, we're having lunch at Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Belton, Texas. Stay tuned for our review. In the meantime, read about our previous trips to Schoepf's.

Jason follows suit

After reading about Todd's visit to Schoepf's, Jason stopped in. His email:

So I’m driving up to Dallas what a perfect opportunity to check out Schoepf’s, I mean I just read Todd’s review, I’ll check it out for myself! The drive is not too bad from Austin and very easy to find. I parked my car and walked out smelling BBQ goodness! I had my suit on and was a little upset I was going to smell like BBQ, but that’s ok! Hahaa…Anyway, I digress; I asked the person behind me if she had been here before and what she recommended; she recommended I get the brisket and pork ribs. That’s already a must in my book! I also ordered a cut of the sirloin, as the kids cutting the meat said it was good! Granted, I had to take this on the road with me; the lady who packaged my meal made it very eat-in-the-car friendly! I do thank her for that!! Super nice service! She cut my meat nicely. It was great! Brisket was good; not the best; lean brisket, good flavor. 8.5. Pork rib – very good pork rib! I was impressed with its tenderness; by far the most tender pork rib I’ve had. It’s almost like it was stewed! Flavor was good as well. 8.9. Sirloin – GREAT flavor; I’m glad I asked those kids what was good, 'cause this was the best tasting stuff I had. Basically a steak. BBQ’ed good smokiness; a little tough, but the flavor of the beef was fantastic! 9.3. Service 9.7. Overall 8.9. I would definitely go back to this place when heading up to Dallas or coming back down!