Trading Post BBQ

AZLE:Trading Post BBQ
101 S. Pearson Ln.
Azle, TX 76020
817-677-5640
Open Daily 11-8

Update: This joint is CLOSED.

2009: Owner Mark Langston (not the baseball player) caught me snapping a picture on my way in, and made sure I was going to tell my friends about this place. Once I ordered, this gregarious host took me to the back room to show me their huge barrel smoker that consumes only mesquite. Using purely mesquite to slow smoke brisket is a rare thing in North Texas, so I was anxious to try the fruits of his labor.

My three meat plate of brisket, ribs and sausage arrived in a styrofoam container piled high with meat. Mark is not stingy with his portions. The brisket's heavy rub still allowed a good smoky crust to form. A line of well rendered fat lined the bottom of each moist slice. The mesquite had noticeably altered the flavor of the meat from the normal hickory flavor, but it wasn't as harsh as expected. Ribs had a slightly dry interior with a firm outer crust. The same rub was that was used on the brisket was present here, and again a good smoky crust was standing strong. the fat was so well rendered that I even got the slightest flavor of crispy chicken skin that I hadn't seen since Prause Meat Market.

After those stellar meats, the sausage was an abomination. Overly fatty slices of standard grocery store grade sausage muddied an otherwise exceptional plate of 'cue. Each slice had a singular texture and pedestrian flavor that only the uniquely flavored sauce with a heavy vinegar tang could save it.

If your not paying attention, you could shoot right past this joint without noticing. It lies down an incline on the west side of the Jacksboro Highway just north of Azle. Now pay attention on your next trip to this area, because this joint's definitely worth a stop.

Rating ***