Riley's Bar-B-Q

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Riley’s Bar-B-Q
1111 Hwy 290 West
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
512-858-9493
Open M-Sat 11-8, Sun 11-5
www.rileysbarbq.com/

Update: This joint is CLOSED.

2009: Dripping Springs bills itself as the Gateway to the Hill Country, and Riley's sits in the heart of it in a strip mall that tries to look older than it is with artificially weathered wood and Austin stone. A sign outside welcomes bikers, but inside all I found was old timers hanging out around the TV's. I ordered a large spare rib and some sliced beef. The brisket was tender and moist with a decent smoky crust. Outside the crust it was just a little roast-beefy. The rib was picture perfect with a nice red crust and a red interior that was fall apart tender, but the flavor didn't keep up its end of the bargain. The smoke flavor was fleeting, as was any flavor at all. They really needed the sauce to give them some life.

Rating **