Rattler's Pit

NAVASOTA: Rattler's Pit
1106 W. Washington Ave.
Navasota, TX 77868
936-825-7770
Open Tues-Thur 11-7, F-Sat 11-10, Sun 12-4

Update: This joint is CLOSED.

2012: The photos of the worn signs from Wyatt McSpadden's book on Texas BBQ made Ruthie's a joint that I sought out on two separate occasions. Neither time was it open. The first was the wrong day, and on the other try a passer-by told me that the owner was riding his horse in the woods, and might be back later. This was at noon on a Saturday. After these two experiences, it should not have been surprising to find the business gone on this latest try. While the sign along the road that reads "Ruthie's Pit Bar-B-Que" remains, all of those other hand painted wooden signs that hung on the building were gone. Inside the screen door was a small table with take home menus that read "Rattler's Pit".



In addition to barbecue, the Rattler's Pit also does fried foods. The fried ribs and wings were already gone, but there were plenty of gizzards left in the warming tray. I'd never tried these little delicacies, and the amount of effort that it took to chew them to a consistency that could be swallowed didn't convince me that I'd missed much.



A side of beans was well spiced and tasty, but the potato salad may have been from a bucket. Big thick and meaty spare ribs had a great crust and good smoke. The meat came off the bone a little too easily, but it was good and moist. The brisket, however, had been wrapped during smoking, so it was like soggy roast beef without any smokiness. A dip in the sauce didn't even help. Luckily, it was near the end of the day and we were no longer hungry anyway.

Rating **