Riley's Bar-B-Q

BLANCO: Riley's Bar-B-Q
318 4th St
Blanco, TX 78606
830-833-4166
Open M-Sat 11-8, Sun 11-6
www.rileysbarbq.com

Update: This joint is CLOSED.

2010: The Southern Pride smoker is on display front and center while standing in line to order here. That always makes me suspicious, especially coupled with the fact that a trip to their Dripping Springs location (now closed) last year was a disappointment. Maybe it's just a case of exceeded expectations, but while gnawing on rib bones over the hood of my car in the parking lot, both myself and SmokeMaster1 agreed that this Riley's was putting out some good stuff on this day.



The only thing a bit lacking in both of the meats was robust smokiness. The ribs were well seasoned while still retaining a remarkable bark to provide a strong BBQ flavor. Bites of meat came clean from the bone without the meat falling off, and the meat was plenty moist. I would order these ribs anytime I was in town. Brisket was also well cooked, well seasoned and tender. It had a good crust and smokering, but not as much smokiness as you'd expect from the photo. The only other downfall was slightly dry meat. Otherwise this was solid brisket that just needed more smoke. While I have no idea the cause of the Dripping Springs closure, I can see why this is the location that has survived.

Rating ***