Tuesday, March 16, 2010

El Paso BBQ


DALLAS: El Paso BBQ
2224 E. Airport Expressway

Irving, TX 75062

972-325-1072

Open Daily 8-10


Update: This joint is CLOSED.

2010: When "Now Serving BBQ" is printed on 11x17 paper and taped to the windows as advertising, you know that times might be rough. The empty dining room at 12:20 on a Monday was another sign. I noticed some coupons advertising their "Grand Opening" while I was ordering, and I inquired about the age of the business. They've been operating for over a year according to the meat cutter. I don't know how they've survived that long.



Neither meat assuaged my worries that a smoker might not exist on the premises. There was no smoke in the air when I arrived, and neither meat had any smoke flavor. The ribs were falling off the bone, but I don't think is from overcooking in the "smoker". They'd clearly been cooked either one or two days before, and the dry meat had simply given up and lost its grip on the bone. Brisket was simply fatty roast beef with a meager crust and poor flavor. Even the sweet (yes sweet) green beans and waterlogged potato salad were bad. I'm not sure who convinced these folks to churn out BBQ, but they should consider other food genres.

Rating*

El Paso BBQ on Urbanspoon

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DISCLAIMER:

Each joint is judged on the essence of Texas 'cue...sliced brisket and pork ribs. Sausage is only considered if house made. Sauce is good, but good meat needs no adornment to satisfy. Each review can only be based on specific cuts of meat on that particular day. Finally, if the place fries up catfish or serves a caesar salad, then chances are they aren't paying enough attention to the pits, so we mostly steered clear.

-THE PROPHETS OF SMOKED MEAT