DALLAS: C T’s Real Deal Bar-B-Que 2901 S Lancaster Rd
Dallas, TX 75216
214-302-3000
Open Daily 7:00am-past midnight
Update 2009: I headed in for a quick to-go snack of smoked brisket on white bread. The slices were piled high with a thin layer of sauce applied over the meat. These buttery slices of beef had been cut on a severe bias resulting in abnormally large slices. Each piece had well perfectly seasoned meat, rendered fat throughout, and a dark smoky crust surrounding it all. A robust smoke flavor was evident in each bite. Needless to say, it was gone before I started the car.
At that point, I decided to run back in for a rib sandwich.
Again, meat was piled high between cheap white bread. The 100% hickory smoked meat had good smokiness, and the meat was tender with little unrendered fat under the crust. What was lacking was a good hearty bark, which may have disappeared after some generous sauce basting. Overall, these were good ribs, but the brisket was the real winner.
Rating ***
2008: South Lancaster Road Tour/2 of 4 - I had a joint called Hardeman's on my list, but 4 months ago, CT's Real Deal took over. In addition to BBQ they have a full menu of soul food...and two giant flat screens in the dining room. Also littering the dining room is paraphernalia from nearby Paul Quinn College. I ordered at the counter above the steam table, and service was friendly. Instead of the standard beans and slaw, I chose the broccoli rice casserole and the peas & carrots. They were delicious, but I was here for protein.
The meat came sauced, but I yanked an unsoiled slice from beneath the pile and got a wallop of smoke flavor. The well formed almost dry crust held incredible flavor and the smokiness permeated the meat. The slices were tender and flavorful, but a bit dry and stringy. The ribs were also smoky and flavorful. The meaty spare ribs were cut in half separating the bony end from the fatty end. They had a good crust and great flavor, and the well rendered fat gave the meat a moist and tender texture. This wasn't just good meat, but a great meal.
That's the best looking South Dallas brisket I've ever seen. Time to head down there.
ReplyDeleteThis place was a major dissapointment today (7/31/10). Everything was great from the building to the grease dripping off the pit smoke stacks. A nice scent of smoke was present as we entered the doors. On our plate was brisket and pork ribs. They came drowning in sauce, which was a flag. The brisket was dry, and there was not smokey flavor. The ribs were moist, but the sauce was too much. Not much of the meat flavor was present. It may not have been as bad had the sauce been acceptable. It was bland with no tang.
ReplyDelete