Friday's BBQ

JOHNSON CITY: Friday’s BBQ
7678 E Hwy 290
Johnson City, TX 78636
830-868-9014
Open M-F 11-9, Sat 11:30-8, Sun 11:30-5

Friday's General Store is the home to a gas station, convenience mart, Mexican restaurant and Friday's BBQ which has recently reopened under new management just 5 months before this review. The new pit master inherited the unique converted Farmall tractor that sits out front with a smoker mounted to its belly. It functions as the main smoker for the joint, and has been coveted by none other than Earl Campbell for years according to the owner. The 'cue is served from a small counter within the convenience store, and the service is friendly. I grabbed my two meat plate, and sat at one of the two picnic tables inside. The meat smelled and looked great. The brisket was exceptional with good smoky crust, excellent flavor and well rendered fat at the edges. The smokiness went throughout these moist, if not buttery tender, slices. The ribs were confounding, because I couldn't figure out how they were cooked in the same smoker. There was no real crust, and the smokiness was lacking. The meat was tender, and red throughout with decent flavor, but were just average. Maybe with a few more months to work with, the pit boss will produce a consistently good rib to match that brisket. I'm optomistic.

Rating ***