Red Barn Bar-B-Que

COLLEYVILLE: Red Barn Bar-B-Que
4913 Colleyville Boulevard
Colleyville, TX 76034
817-788-4553
Open M-Sat 11-9
redbarnbbq.com

If you can believe it, this joint is housed in a red barn that looks a little out of place on this busy six-lane road. Entering the parking lot, I immediately smelled heavy smoke. At 2:30 in the afternoon, the place was empty. I noticed a sign advertising free beer, except for to-go orders, but I was in a rush so I did not partake. I got 1/4 pound each of brisket and ribs. These baby backs had great meat girth. They took just the right amount of tooth to come off the bone, but the flavor from the rub dominated any smoke flavor that may have existed. The rub gave these ribs a flavor that had hints of taco seasoning. It wasn't a bad flavor, just not what you'd expect of good 'cue. The brisket was monochromatically gray with all the crust peeled away before slicing. The slices were dry with little smoke flavor, and were just below mediocre. With the closure of Railhead in Colleyville, there are few choices around this part of DFW, but this place only works in a pinch.

Rating **

Feedstore BBQ

SOUTHLAKE: Feedstore BBQ and More
530 S White Chapel Blvd.
Southlake, TX 76092
817-488-1445
Open M-Thur 11-8:30, F-Sat 11-9, Sun 11-8
www.feedstorebbq.com/

Traveling along the winding roads of affluent Southlake past large gated homes with perfectly green St. Augustine, I thought I might be on the wrong road for a place with "Feedstore" in the title. But just around the bend I was happy to find this small joint which was once an actual feedstore in then rural Southlake. Orders are taken at the small counter after passing through the dining room containing orderly rows of long tables. After ordering, you can choose to sit in the main dining room or another room in the back. After your meal, feel free to get an ice cream cone for $.50. Just drop it in the tray next to the ice cream machine...honor system style.

The brisket here was mediocre at best. It took some effort to pull apart and was not moist enough. There was little smoke line, and barely a crust with little smoke flavor throughout. The ribs were small but meaty with a simple rub. They could have been more tender as well, but the flavor was good if lacking smokiness. I tried to pep up both meats with some of the spicy sauce, but its flavor did not marry well with the meat. The sides here were standout. Fried okra is floured and fried when ordered, and a great version of dirty rice is a rarity at any BBQ joint. If you have a chance, stop by this little joint and get a glimpse of what Southlake used to be before the ostentatious yuppies took over.

Rating **

Dat's Good Que

LEWISVILLE: Dat's Good Que
1168 W Main St.
Lewisville, TX 75067
972-219-2244
Open Tues-Thur 11-9, F-Sat 11-10
http://www.datsgoodque.com/

Their website declares that this joint is in old historic Lewisville. That's a stretch. From I-35, you must head west away from the old downtown into the strip mall row that is Main Street. The ghost of the name "Smokehouse Bar-B-Que" was still evident beneath the new title on the aged awning above the door. I walked in with four co-workers who agreed to take a detour with me from an unrelated field trip in order to try this joint. I ordered a two-meat plate with sliced beef and pork ribs. Along with the meat, a bevy of sides was available including yams, greens, mac & cheese, okra and other homecooked items. The thin ribs were sauced, dissolving any crust that had existed. The meat was on the tough side, but the salty rub gave it a good flavor that was flecked with smoke. The brisket also could have been more tender. The fat was not well rendered and had to be picked from the meat. The crust was well formed with a good smoke flavor. The flavor of the smoke barely made its way into the meat that was still a bit roast-beefy. Overall, this was just average meat.

Rating **