Friday, March 2, 2012

Bad Dog BBQ


COLUMBUS: Bad Dog BBQ
Hwy 71 & Schobel Rd.

Columbus, TX 78934

979-733-7824

Open 11:30-'til


Update: This joint is CLOSED.

2011: Roadside barbecue can be a great source for quality small batch smoked meats. It can also be a low overhead outlet for someone experimenting with a new smoker. Bad Dog barbecue is a small side building next to a larger gift shop. The big BBQ flag beckoned us in. I ordered a quarter pound of beef and sausage (no ribs were available), and the owner was surprised at the small amount in our order.



I was surprised at just how bad it was. The meat tasted of salty pot roast sitting in a pool of canned beef broth. It was awful. The sausage was overcooked with a dried and cracked casing and mealy meat inside. If you see this flag, just remember that you're in Central Texas, so good barbecue isn't far away.

Rating *

6 comments:

Texas2step said...

Just looking at this picture says it all! Oh well snob, thank you for taking one for the team!

Anonymous said...

That is surprising. Stopped by on March 18th for a brisket sandwich and it was VERY good!

AnonymousTexan said...

I disagree with your review altogether. For others who are considering eating there, I have been eating there for over a year, and have never had a bad meal. In response to the portion size, remember that he/she ordered a quarter of a pound of mixed meat and NOTHING else. That means the person ordered roughly the size of a McDonald's burger patty worth of food. A plate lunch there comes out to be a half pound of meat and two sides. The portion sizes are awesome, the prices are great, and as a Texan who has eaten BBQ his whole life, the grub ain't bad either!

BBQ Snob said...

I appreciate the feedback. Maybe I caught him on a bad day, but the soggy meat I got sittig in a pool of beef broth wasn't good, no matter the portion size.

Jenn said...

I come from a family of BBQ snobs since we feel like we can bbq, grill and smoke just about anything that we could eat out-better and a lot cheaper! However, sometimes you just have to go out :)

I was very surprised at this review, I have been eating this bbq since it opened and have never had a problem. Like another poster said, maybe you just came by the stand on a bad day (which I have never experienced, btw). Usually the owner is there and would not have allowed someone to go away this unhappy.

They use their own seasoning (I think you can even buy it-I asked for some and used it on ribs that I cooked at home and they turned out wonderfully)Their plate lunch portions are large, in fact my grandparents usually split the plate between the two of them and my papaw is not a light eater!

I was looking for Bad Dog's phone number and did an online search and this review is the only thing that comes up. Bad Dog's is a Mom and Pop (ok it is just a Pop-no mom) stand - they don't advertise much if at all. Word of mouth recommendations are probably their strongest form of marketing.

I would make a trip back down south and give this little place another try. How bad can it truly be- it is a little stand next to a friggin gas station and has managed to stay in business for a couple of years. You can't tell me that they have achieved that without repeat business and loyal customers.

Anonymous said...

I've never eatten one bad bite from Mike's [the owner] kitchen or BBQ stand. He takes pride in what he does and serves up some mean food! I look forward to picking up food to bring home to my family here in East Texas because they all love it as well! Maybe you should revisit because you are sadly mistaken!
P.S. try the cabbage!

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