MIDLOTHIAN: Ellis County BBQ
700 Silken Crossing #300
Midlothian, TX 76065
972-775-7500
Open M,W-Thur 11-10, F-Sat 11-11, Sun 11-8
www.elliscountybbq.com
It was about 1:00 on a Saturday afternoon when I walked into the empty dining room to place my to-go order with one of the servers. There were a few guys seated at the the bar, but not a single tablecloth covered table was inhabited. Although the wide menu allows for your choices to wander towards salads and burgers, I stuck with the well named 'Daniel Plate' that had two meats and two sides.
As I lifted the boxes lid, the meat was laid out like a competition box with ribs and brisket slices all aligned. Ribs were tender and came easily off the bone, but the flavor tasted of liquid smoke. While the meat was moist and well cooked, I couldn't get past the odd flavor profile. Unlike competition brisket, these slices had no smokering and were missing a deep smoke flavor in bites that didn't include crust. The meat was overcooked, but not yet dry. This meant slices needed to be very thick just to stay together, and the three in this box were bordering on 1/2 pound of meat. A dip into the thick dark sauce that had some heat and sweet helped boost the flavor of the beef.
Rating **
This apparently tasted better than it looks.
ReplyDeleteI'm headed to Austin next week. That means a trip down I-35 to Railroad BBQ.
Photo is less than appetizing. Planning to try nearby Bar-B-Que Junction based on your review, when I can make the estimated 30-minute drive, but maybe I skip this place. Does Midlothian have any other joints besides these two?
ReplyDeleteYou should like Bar B Que Junction I think it is the best one around Midlothian.
ReplyDeleteThere is another one out on hwy 287 toward waxahachie beside the shell station
I do not care for it at all
Ellis County BQ is ok but have had better
IF you like baked potato the try the junction stuffed one it will fill you up
It amazes me that Ellis County stays in business. BBQ Junction burned down a year or so ago and now the only two places in town are Ellis County and the one at the Shell station. And Ellis County to me is the best of the two, but I ain't saying it's good, just better than the other.
ReplyDeleteI just ate at Ellis County BBQ for the first time today, and apparently things have not changed since your initial sampling. The ribs were definitely heavy with liquid smoke, but not even artificial smoke could be found in the brisket. Just awful.
ReplyDeletehttp://barbecuefiend.blogspot.com
If you are seeking real Texas BBQ... keep on driving. EC BBQ is just another run-of-the-mill BBQ restaurant. Iced tea was good. My waitress was prompt (there were only three other customers in the restaurant)
ReplyDeleteI should have read Full Gospel BBQ review of this place before going. Not doing so cost me $15.00 bucks.
Oh well, live and learn.