Question of the Day: If you had 36 hours in San Antonio, would The Smokehouse be one of your stops?

The New York Times says "yes." Based on our only visit there, we'd probably say "no." But, hey, maybe we should give it another try.

Here's what the NYT has to say: "Texas’s most beloved barbecue is served about an hour north in Hill Country, but the Smokehouse (3306 Roland Avenue; 210-333-9548; thesmokehousesa.com) represents San Antonio proudly. You’ll smell the proof from the parking lot: this is the real deal. Friendly staff members work the 40-foot-long mesquite-wood pits. Order a sandwich or a platter by the pound, including the succulent, charred-on-the-outside brisket ($6.60 for 1/3 pound, with two sides)."

The rest from The Smokehouse

Holding Pits

Manning the Meats

Saturday, February 21, 2009: The Smokehouse (San Antonio, Texas)

I’ve been meaning for a while to make a trip down to San Antonio for a meal at The Smokehouse, and we finally got a group together and made it happen. Six of us made the 80-mile trip down I-35 for a Saturday lunch at the no-frills joint on the East side of town that made Texas Monthly’s Top 50 list for 2008.

Russell, Brad, Bo, and I manned up on the Super Family Order (“1 lb Brisket, 1 lb Pork Ribs, 1 lb Sausage, 1 lb Meat of Your Choice, 2 Quarts of Sides, Bread, Pickles, Onions, and BBQ Sauce”). We chose chicken for our fourth meat, and the three of them each had a beef rib, as well. (View the menu.) All of the meats had a nice, smoky flavor, but everything was overcooked and dry. I didn’t try the sides. The owner was gracious enough to let me in the back to take pictures of the meats in the pits.

For the company alone, every Man Up trip is worth it, but I’d say it’s unlikely we’ll make a return trip to The Smokehouse.

Brad’s scores – Pork ribs: 8; Brisket: 7.8; Chicken: 7.25; Turkey: 7.5; Sausage: 8.5; Atmosphere: 7.9; Overall experience: 7.85

Bo’s scores – Pork ribs: 7; Brisket: 7; Chicken: 5; Sausage: 7.5; Atmosphere: 7; Overall experience: 6.5

Russell’s scores – Pork ribs: 7.5; Brisket: 7.5; Chicken: 7; Turkey: 7; Sausage: 8; Atmosphere: 4.5; Overall experience: 6.75

Drew’s scores – Pork ribs: 8; Chicken: 5; Atmosphere: 7; Overall experience: 7

Overall Man-Up Score: 7.025