Oak Cliff Barbeque

DALLAS: Oak Cliff Barbeque
842 East Jefferson Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75203
469-286-8114
Open Daily 10-10
www.que2you.com‎

Update: This joint is CLOSED. I heard from the owner of Oak Cliff Barbecue that the owner of Bair's did not renew the lease for OCB and are now smoking their own meat. OCB is now looking for a new location.

2011: A few years ago when driving by the corner of Eighth and Jefferson in Oak Cliff there was a tiny burger joint with a sign proclaiming "Best Burgers on Eighth and Jefferson". With so many places claiming to have the best this or that in Texas or even the world, it was refreshing to see the humble humor in that sign. Unfortunately, they went out of business and were replaced by Bair's Diner serving pizza, burgers and nachos. I no longer took note of that location until a reader told me they were selling BBQ at that same corner. Driving again by Bair's Diner I saw no mention of BBQ, so I confirmed the location with the reader, and made my way back to Oak Cliff for lunch where I found an offset smoker in the parking lot puffing away. Once inside, you can choose a table or head straight for the BBQ counter on the left to see the day's offerings on display.



I chose a combo plate of brisket and ribs which came in at an even $10. Back in the car I could smell the smoke as I opened the box. Glistening thick slices of tender brisket were well seasoned and flavorful. The meat had been kept on the warmer making it a bit too tender, but the nicely rendered lines of fat held those slices together well. Nothing was going to keep the rib meat on those bones. I couldn't even pick up the overcooked ribs by the bones, and had to resort to pinching and stuffing morsels of the meat into my pie-hole. The meat was still moist and well seasoned, but could have used some of the pecan smoke that made its way into the brisket. A dunk in the sauce brightened the rib meat right up, and together they would have made a great sandwich. Sides that were literally scooped right out of the half gallon supermarket tubs could use some work, but they have something going with the smoked meat. Now if they could just get up a sign that says BBQ, folks might believe me when I tell them they can get some decent brisket from this joint. They have the best you can find at Eighth and Jefferson.

Rating ***