After six or seven gentle hints to get to Deer Creek, I finally made the journey to West Fort Worth. Heading down Camp Bowie, I had one thought: I've just used a half tank of gas travelling the 80 miles it takes to go down Camp Bowie - this place better be good. As my anticipation and hunger grew, I began to wonder what strip center BBQ would taste like. My last experience with strip center BBQ was Cousins and I wasn't a fan. But, one of my most frequent commentors has continuously praised it and he's been right before, so I was excited. Well, I have no validation yet. They were closed for pit maintenance (I'm picturing a hound licking the grates).
So now that I was out in Abilene or however far I was, I began the slow trip back into town, looking for lunch places. My stomach didn't give me the sign until I hit Henderson and White Settlement. There, across the street from Thai Tina's is The Pit BBQ. The Pit BBQ has been in this place for a long time. However, it masqueraded as a few other things for a while. Its back, and the menu says they've been there since the Trinity formed.
If you haven't been up this way in awhile (Henderson, north of Downtown), The Pit BBQ is a very casual place with an outdoor seating area, outdoor bathrooms, a front porch and a small interior seating area. They also play some good old country tunes that make you feel like you need some BBQ. According to the guy behind the bar, they are also adding a patio outside with some shade and an area for a band. This place has potential.
Without really reading the actual menu options I ordered a sliced beef sandwich, onion rings and potato salad. After ordering I realized that onion rings are nearly five bucks. That means one of two things: gold covered onion rings; or a pound of onion rings. It was the latter. But that's ok, especially when they're homemade onion rings. They have a batter similar to that used on long john silver's fish. Its not the super flaky, almost tempura batter you see at a lot of places and it was good. Plus, I tested this for you all. If you like onion rings but don't like onions, you can take a bite out of one, then completely pull the onion out of the opening.
The BBQ sandwich was great. The meat was piled high and was very tender. You have a choice of rye bread, Texas toast, or a regular bun. I stuck with the bun since I'm watching my weight. I also ordered the potato salad and it was good without too much of a sour taste. All in all - good food.
If you will all remember, I did a comprehensive BBBBQ review of the Fort's BBBBQ back in early April. Since then, I haven't been real hungry for any sort of slow cooked meats. But now that I've had the summer to get excited, I was craving it. The Pit BBQ met my need. My only complaints would be that the bigger onion rings were a bit undercooked and the food was not given to me for free. Other than that, I'll go back.
Another interesting thing - they have sliced watermelon on ice.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
14 comments:
Well, I'm sorry that your trip was in vain. I'm even sorrier that you'll never get to experience it... apparently the "maintenance" involved taking the pit away, along with the tables, the chairs, and (*sob*) the rub, ribs, brisket, etc. We went last night for dinner - and wound up eating elsewhere.
Yup, they're closed for good. Lockout notice and everything. Dammit. Which sucks - my fave BBQ is in Granbury, and driving 70+ minutes to get a BBQ fix isn't feasible with $1/quart gas.
Re: The Pit. You went and didn't get the beans? From what I gathered, that was the best thing there - which is praise for the beans, not denigration of the rest.
So, now the BBQ hunt continues. Mom's has a limited window, since I don't want to go when it's dark, cloudy, etc. Longoria's is 30+ minutes. We're going to Wilson's on Friday - I sincerely hope it's as good as you say, since I want good BBQ!
Try Robinsons on Berry St. sometime; you've probably seen the area on COPS. Go during the day but his ribs are fantastic.
Michael, I feel bad about this. I understand the power this blog wields and I apologize for not providing Deer Creek with its big media break. Plus, I was pretty excited about going when I showed up. I didn't get the beans at the Pit because I've usually found beans to be underwhelming. But since you recommend them, I'll get them next time.
A heads up if you go to Wilsons...you'll smell like BBQ all day. I noticed it more from here than anywhere else. Its very small and I think they cook it all in the back room. Let me know if you like it.
Brian, I haven't been to Robinsons yet but I'll put it on the list. Thanks for the recommendation and thanks for reading.
Sorry I missed the place.
Chow, Baby in the FWWeekly wrote about it last week or the week before, if I recall correctly.
While not the the FW area, I was over at Hard Eight in Coppell this week and the Q was good.
I tried this place and found virtually everything but the decor lacking. Service was slow, food tasteless. I entered the place at 11:10 and was only the 2nd lunch customer. I ordered the special (rib sandwich) and then waited for 15 or more minutes to be brought out. Considering smoking is not done 'on demand', what were they doing back in the kitchen? Fries? Sorry, that should only take about 3-5 minutes. It just so happens you can see the kitchen and what did I see?...the 2 'cooks', 'chefs', whatever they were, standing around talking and NOT serving their food. I also witnessed the next customers come in and order a BBQ sandwich to which the server's reply was, I'm sorry, the brisket isn't ready. What? Do they not know their own hours? Isn't the point of a restaurant to serve the food on their menu? I could understand it if it was late in the day, but lunch?
Lastly, got my food and hoped for the best, but no, completely tasteless and the side of sauce even more so. I smoke meats myself and for the life of me I don't know how someone could smoke food, even without seasonings and still make it come out bland.
Wilson's - well, I'll know tomorrow... and honestly, smelling like BBQ for the rest of the day isn't a bad thing, since it means you can lord it over the coworkers who decided not to go. :)
Anonymous - sorry for the bad experience. Maybe thats a big problem with BBQ joints. I know a lot of places that are real inconsistent. When I went my food was out in the time it took to fry my onion rings. And the meat was tender with plenty of taste. I was there at about 2 so maybe the brisket had a little longer to sit.
Its ridiculous that they didn't have brisket at 11 something though. Sorry that you didn't enjoy it. You seem to know whats good though - any suggestions?
Thanks for reading.
Michael, I hope it works out well for you. Let me know.
Cowboy Fan - Chow, Baby always seems to scoop me. I think she has an inside source. Or she's just better about this.
I'm glad to hear that the Coppell's Hard Eight is good but I think I'll still travel to Stephenville.
Thanks for reading. And I dig your hamburger reviews.
She does with some of them. ;)
Chow, Baby? You there?
Guess not. :)
Okay, so we went. I got the beef (brisket) plate. Overall, pretty durn good. Good smoky flavor, sauce was good but a bit (vinegar?)-y for me. I do wish they hadn't poured it over the food - makes it seem that the bbq has something to hide. That being said, yes, indeed, it was quite yummy.
Potato salad was good; though not amazing, it was home-made and yummy. Beans were pretty good, too. Bean-flavored, not bbq-flavored, but overall very good.
I'll definitely have to go back and try the ribs. Only oddity was the drink situation... I tend to get water (yes, I'm cheap), and having to pay $1.75 for it was irritating, as they only appeared to have it in bottles.
Oh, and why I'm posting now? I just coughed - and smelled smoke. Indeed, FWHITW, you do smell of smoke. Indeed.
Thanks for the comments. I enjoy writing about the various burger joints I visit.
Guess I need to get to Wilson's.
The wife said if the perfume people ever bottle that smoke smell, she will buy it.
I'm going to recommend, again, trying Mark Dean's in Azle. I know it's a long drive with our current gas prices, but it's oh so good.
Their chopped beef sammich is good and their Azle fries are pure loveliness (and full of fat). I used to get their smoked turkey breast, but they have all sorts of choices. Give it a try if you're out that way.
I previously posted as anonymous on this thread..oops. Anyway, it's funny how different visits by different people varied so much. As you said 'inconsistency' is often a problem at many places. One of my favs..and a little out of the way, is Loco Coyote on the SW side of Glen Rose, yet when reading their customer comments you get a wide range of likes and dislikes. If you haven't visited Loco Coyote yet, it's worth the drive. The food is great, portions HUGE, and the atmosphere is even better...just plan to go early, like 4-5pm or expect to wait a couple of hours. It's owned by THE Hammonds, the original owner of Hammonds BBQ in Glen Rose.
Zee, thanks for the recommendation up in Azle. The truth is that nothing is too far for good BBQ so I'll make a trip.
JDW, thanks for your recommendation. Y'all are going to make me OD on BBQ with all the great recommendations. Glen Rose would be a good day trip so swinging by for some delicious food wouldn't be a problem. I'll let you know if I get over there.
Thanks for reading.
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