Bubba Que BBQ

RED OAK: Bubba Que BBQ
2500 E. Ovilla Road
Red Oak, TX 75154
972-617-1222
Open M-Sat 10-9

Update: This joint is CLOSED.

03/2009: At Exit 411 on I-35E South, on the western end of the "Boxcar Willie Memorial Overpass" lies Bubba Que BBQ. This joint is part neighborhood hangout (many customers were recgonized by name) and part rest stop for hungry Texas highway travelers. Bubba runs the show and the register. Everyone is greeted with a smile and possibly a joke from this gregarious owner while munching on complimentary peanuts from the communal barrel. I had heard some good things about the chicken here, so I added it to my standard plate of pork ribs and brisket. This was the fourth stop on a Saturday BBQ binge, but I couldn't resist the fried okra and "award winning" potato salad. I was told by the owner that D Magazine had awarded his potato salad the best in the Metroplex. I couldn't verify that myself, but I'll take his word for it because it was delicious with chunks of potatoes with just the right texture, and a good dose of celery seed to liven it up. The okra was perfectly crisp on the outside without being greasy, and I found myslef eating it like I would a bowl of popcorn.

The meat's not too bad here either. The chicken was perfectly moist and tender without turning to mush, and the smokiness permeated right down to the bone. Each bite of wing and breast were bursting with flavor.



The meaty spare rib was also deeply smoky. A well formed, dark crust provided the initial umph in the flavor, while the rest of the tender meat and well rendered fat created a good smoky finish. A good brisket is available, but it pales a bit on the same plate as its competition. The meat was a bit dry with a well formed crust and smoke line. The flavor was good throughout, but it could have used more smoke, a bit more fat to moisten things up. Since I wasn't full enough, I had to top it all of with some blackberry cobbler and ice cream. The cobbler had a thick gooey crust, and the use of real Blue Bell ice cream was a nice touch when many joints might cheap out on a generic brand. Quality food like this isn't often found on a random stop along a busy highway, but I'll make a point to try this one again on my next road trip.

Rating ***