Dyer's Bar-B-Que, Failed Inspection

[scheissekopf]

Amarillo has no good BBQ. For REAL Texas BBQ go south, like Austin. Stubb's, Green Mesquite, Salt-Lick, etc. Amarillo has fake BBQ, like the Big Texan has fake steaks. Yes, I said it, the Big Texan steaks suck. It's a tourist trap! Why do you think nobody in Amarillo goes there to eat?

[karenew]

ummm... I love Big Texan's food. We eat there at least twice a month.

[mustakister]

bdub - Austin has a County Line right off loop 360, overlooking Lake Austin. Great location / atmosphere, and the food is pretty tasty. But, yes it is a chain. I wouldn't rank it in my top 10 for local BBQ. As for the aforementioned Green Mesquite, that is great stuff. Stubbs is OK, but known more for live music. Salt Lick is Austin's version of the Big Texan. LOTS of portions and not as good quality. The SL is basically a BBQ compound w/ lots of development going on around it now. The owner has expanded to Vegas, even. Being BYOB, we used to carry a keg in there and put it at the end of our table. Those were the good old days!!

[mustakister]

I should also add that I despise the Big Texan and the fact that so many people associate our city w/ that craphole. Also, the fact that they cater Texas now is too bad. I've heard their service down there in the canyon is abysmal. My in-laws pre-paid for dinner last summer only to be told that they were out of food. no refund was offered and it took Bobby Lee and his cronies 20 minutes to give them 1/2 of an undercooked chicken breast. The Big Texan staff actually got pissy w/ my father-in law (who is a very patient, accomodating man) because he demanded a refund. Guess what - he never got it. Nor did he get an apology.

I'm going to start a campaign to replace Big Texan w/ Rudy's as caterer of Texas. That way there is a chance some of the people who travel here and spend their money will taste something edible. This is more important than the 2008 election, I say!

OK, end of rant!!

[petiepanzer]

mustakister said:

Doug's was OK when I was a kid. Now it is nothing more than a pile of mush slathered between 2 buns. I think it has gone downhill through the years for sure. Also, living in Austin, I enjoyed the world's greatest BBQ on many day trips to Llano, Lockhard, Manor, etc... not to mention the wonderful places inside the city limits. When I lived in Austin going to Rudy's was just a convenient little place to get some decent BBQ. But, compared to what we have to offer here, I think it will definitely be a beacon of hope for those of us looking for properly done BBQ. (whenever I'm not in the mood to do it myself)

You should give Beef Ribs a try again if you are in the right place. I had a great one not too long ago at Coopers in Llano. BTW, the best brisket i've ever tasted was at Cooper's... close second is Kreitz's Market in Lockhart. 2 totally different approaches... Unlike Kreitz's traditional german smokehouse approach, Cooper's is "cowboy" cooking at it's best. The brisket is not smoked, but BBQ'd directly over mesquite coals.

Didn't the old man that owned Doug's die? I think that may have something to do with the decline in the end product there.

I can't remember the name of the place, but there used to be a little joint in New Braunfels that had some of the best BBQ I have ever had. It was right on the highway headed out of town.

I would be willing to give beef ribs another shot, but I'm not going to go out of my way in that pursuit. I have been disappointed in them so many times. They just don't have enough meat to compete with pork ribs. Usually, they are priced around the same neighborhood as well.

[Writer]

I like Salt Lick. I did notice when we were there a couple of weeks ago that they are expanding into vinyards......

mustakister said:

bdub - Austin has a County Line right off loop 360, overlooking Lake Austin. Great location / atmosphere, and the food is pretty tasty. But, yes it is a chain. I wouldn't rank it in my top 10 for local BBQ. As for the aforementioned Green Mesquite, that is great stuff. Stubbs is OK, but known more for live music. Salt Lick is Austin's version of the Big Texan. LOTS of portions and not as good quality. The SL is basically a BBQ compound w/ lots of development going on around it now. The owner has expanded to Vegas, even. Being BYOB, we used to carry a keg in there and put it at the end of our table. Those were the good old days!!