Thursday, January 10, 2013

Rockin’ Q Smokehouse


ODESSA: Rockin' Q Smokehouse
3812 Penbrook St
Odessa, TX 79762
432-552-7105
Open M-Sat 10:30-9, Sun 10:30-3


With it's cheery teenagers running the registers, the overtly spotless dining room and the order numbers being called out loudly, this seemed more like a fast-casual concept than a barbecue joint. The menu was also all about crowd-pleasing flavors.


Instead of allowing the smoke of the ribs to shine through, a sweet rub provided the most forward flavor. The meat itself was well cooked, but would have really shined with just salt and pepper. Lean slices of brisket were over-trimmed, a bit dry with barely a hint of smokiness despite its good looking black crust.


The pulled chicken would have been great if they'd stopped sort of drenching it in the sweet sauce. The skin-free meat had great smokiness and was moister than expected for white meat. The commercial sausage was decent, but nothing special. This was certainly a popular place, and would do in a pinch, but it's not barbecue worth traveling for.

Rating **

1 comment:

PM Summer said...

Sounds similar in approach to Granzin's Barbecue in New Braunfels. Different, but not better, outcome.

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