Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Que


RICHARDSON: Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
800 E Arapaho
Richardson, TX 75081
972-699-1521
Open M-F 10:30-5, Sat 10:30-3
www.tejassmokehouse.com/

This part of town is home to a variety of business park operations that vary from high-tech to transmission service. At 11:35am on a Thursday, I appeared to be the first customer of the day. I would guess that they primarily sell lunch to workers from the area, but only a handful had trickled in by the time I left, just after noon.

Everything looked as it should. The brisket displayed a promising black crust and pink banding. As you've seen here time-and-again, looks can be deceiving. Although it was nicely done with just enough moisture left, they managed to expunge almost all the flavor as well. A hint of smoke just eeked it's way through the beef. The crust turned out to be a mirage of texture as well with no bark or crunch at all. Ribs were similarly unremarkable. Their sauce is a thinner, sweet & tangy one. I can't recall what side dish I had. Nothing bad to report but they seem to have made the same compromise we see all over, consistency for flavor.

Rating **
Texas Smokehouse BBQ on Urbanspoon

1 comment:

Rabbit said...

I've been to this place a couple times, and it is actually pretty good. They do a different lunch special every weekday for $7, and that includes two sides, Texas toast, and a drink. I can't speak for the brisket or ribs, but I've had the pulled pork, which was fantastic, and the 1/2 barbecue chicken, which was also perfectly done, with lots of smoke penetration.

DISCLAIMER:

Each joint is judged on the essence of Texas 'cue...sliced brisket and pork ribs. Sausage is only considered if house made. Sauce is good, but good meat needs no adornment to satisfy. Each review can only be based on specific cuts of meat on that particular day. Finally, if the place fries up catfish or serves a caesar salad, then chances are they aren't paying enough attention to the pits, so we mostly steered clear.

-THE PROPHETS OF SMOKED MEAT