Smitty’s Pit Bar-B-Q

EL PASO: Smitty's Pit Bar-B-Q

6219 Airport Rd

El Paso, TX 79925

915-772-5876

Open M-Sat 10:30-9

Barbecue joints in El Paso can be commended for a couple of things - staying open late and serving beef ribs. We rolled into town late, but still made it to Smitty's and hour before closing time. I know that barbecue is at its best around lunchtime, but if you're going to be open late then you should make some provisions to be able to put out good food all day. I placed an order for three meats a la carte at the bar then went outside to dine on the trunk.

The blazing exterior lighting didn't do much to make the food look appetizing, but their wasn't much to enjoy. The brisket had the texture of a soaked sponge after hours under the heat lamp. Not a lick of the mesquite smoke was evident on the meat. I couldn't stomach more than one bite. The pork ribs were a workout. A heavily salty rub covered the super tough meat. These bones didn't want to be exposed. Beef back ribs are rarely cooked long enough to get the measly bit of meat between the bones to a pleasingly tender point, and Smitty's hasn't mastered these behemoths. Ripping a bite form the stringy beef was a chore without a payoff. I had literally taken a half dozen bites from this box and I was done. We left with the hope that some of El Paso's other late night options would prove more skilled with the mesquite smoke.

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