SAGINAW: Mark Dean’s Bar-B-Q
620 S Saginaw Blvd
Saginaw, TX 76179
817-847-4223
Open M-Thur 11-9, F-Sat 11-10
Update: This joint is CLOSED, but you can still enjoy the original in Azle, TX.
09/2009: Travelling out of Fort Worth along 287, you can't miss this joint with "B-B-Q" painted in big yellow letters on a solid red building. After some success in the original Azle location, Mark Dean's opened this joint up over a year ago. It was a bold move with a well established competitor Texas Pit BBQ just down the street, but this place can hold its own. While it may get just as many mentions for its CFS and fried catfish, oak smoked BBQ is the specialty here.
Orders are taken at the counter as you walk in, then a friendly server brings your tray to the table. Plate presentation was a big priority here with each item having its designated location on the plate, and a ladle full of sauce draped the meat just so. Sides were all passable if not memorable, but the meat was done quite well. Brisket had a substantial crust with a deep smoke ring. All the fat was sadly trimmed, but the meat still had decent moisture. Searching low on the pile, I found a nearly unsoiled slice and enjoyed the deep smokiness sans sauce.
Ribs were not as good. Yes, the tell tale smokeline was there along with a well formed crust, but the meat had little seasoning, and was starting to show its age from a long hot stay in a warming tray. The meat was still moist with a good texture, and fat was well rendered, but it just needed to be fresher. I'm certain that hitting this place at the start of the lunch or dinner rush could result in some real standouts.
Rating ***
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