Sunday, January 9, 2011

Ellis County BBQ


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 **

Ellis County BBQ on Urbanspoon

6 comments:

DrillerAA09 said...

This apparently tasted better than it looks.
I'm headed to Austin next week. That means a trip down I-35 to Railroad BBQ.

MRL said...

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?

Doc said...

You should like Bar B Que Junction I think it is the best one around Midlothian.
There 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

The Impulsive Texan said...

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.

barbecuefiend said...

I 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.

http://barbecuefiend.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

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)

I 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.

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