HEARNE: Rucker's BBQ
601 Colbert St
Hearne, TX 77859
Phone: Probably not
Hours ?
Hearne is known as the Crossroads. The area got its name as a result of the crossing of two major rail lines when the Missouri Pacific and the Southern Pacific met in town. Along Highway 6 you'll see billboards for a couple BBQ joints, and you might also notice a building with flaking plaster almost touching the highway with "Shamrock" painted on the side. The building has probably had dozens of uses, but most recently it housed a bed & breakfast, then Shamrock Bar-B-Q. Several months ago it became Rucker's BBQ. This is only marked by some painted plywood next to the gravel driveway.
Smoking with a mix of pecan and oak out in front of the joint, the results are mixed. Sausage from Slovacek's has good smoke and great snap and the ribs are great. A rough, smoky, sweet exterior has moist and tender rib meat beneath. The rendered fat helps mix in all the flavors from the rub right into the meat. If only the brisket was smoked as thoughtfully. A pile of smokeless roast beef was soggy mush with strands of chewy fat that even an over-sweet sauce couldn't save. With competition in town from not one, but two cousins, this Rucker has some work to do.
Rating **
Looked at that in Google Streetview. That was a B&B?!? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteIt's true. Stopped in there this afternoon. Had ribs and brisket; they were incredible. Also tried the potato salad (unique, not sure I'm a fan), sauce (good, homemade, but I just ate enough to test it.), and the cobbler (do this!). The kids were a little slow to go in because of the looks, but they REALLY enjoyed the food. Talked a while with the owner (?), Raymie. Seems like a nice guy.
ReplyDeleteGreat BBQ on a visit around 8/15. Had a simple BBQ sandwich then and discovered today they are not open on Sundays. I was ready to ride back about 70 miles to get a sandwich despite having Louis Muellars just up the road. These were nice people I want to support plus they fed me well!
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