TYLER: Bodacious Bar-B-Q 13069 Fm 14
Tyler, TX 75706
903-531-2306
Open Daily 10-9
I guess when three high school kids are working the counter "brisket" sounds like "turkey". I didn't know it until I got out to the car, and that look from my wife said we getting back on the road rather than bothering with a trip back inside. I settled for turkey.
We've reviewed several Bodacious locations on this blog, and as Smokemasterone puts it, its like playing three card monty. Every location seems to serve average 'cue, but every review is followed by comments telling us that the really good Bodacious location is in Longview, or McAllen, or Tyler, etc. I stopped at this location hoping that it might be one of the really good ones (if they or it really exists).
It wasn't anything special. Turkey had good salty flavor, but very little smoke. Being a partially processed turkey, it was no wonder where the flavor came from (salt injection at the factory) or how it got its mealy texture. Ribs had plenty of flavor as well, but that mainly came from a glaze which was way too heavily applied. All you could really taste was black pepper and brown sugar rather than pork or smoke. At least the potato salad was good. Needless to say, I have not yet encountered the mythical Bodacious holy grail.
Rating **
5 comments:
Hah! I personally preached the praises of the Granbury location (which had changed names from Bodacious to Chop'N'Block a couple years ago) for years. Sadly, it down a year or two ago, after the owner decided there was more money to be made in roofing than barbeque.
I've been to the Bodacious in Arlington - it was "fine".
I've been to several Bodacious BBQs in East Texas.
There ain't no mythical Bodacious holy grail.
I agree with it being a gamble. I've tried the gladewater location a long while ago, and was nothing special. I go rather frequently to the location in gilmer, and it is (to me) the holy grail. then again, that may well be simple nostalgia....
I know you've got to be sick of hearing it but you still haven't visited the right Bodacious. The only one really worth your visit is the South Mobberly location in Longview. There you can get excellent brisket still smoked and carved by Lil Roland, the man who started it all. It really is night and day from the rest of the chain. Check the hours before your visit because they don't stay open all day like the others.
Apparently none of you ever bothered to ask how Bodacious works. IT"S NOT A CHAIN.
The original store owner (South Longview) opens a store with a formula. He gets a distressed properly, old Dairy Queen, uses the same "old stuff" decor and get a 30something as an assistant. He runs the store with them for 6 months plus and then its their store.... with a little royalty.
Some stores learn more than others. Gladewater in particular has outstanding ribs and several have exceptional brisket
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