Overrated: Sonny Bryan's

[couch 'em]

When someone brings up Sonny Bryan's, most people, myself included, chime in that it is pretty average. Then people tack on "except the original".

I had never been to the original, but since my office recently relocated off 35 in that area, I stopped by.

I think nostalgia is coloring everyone's preception. It's still average. It has good and bad points, but it's not amazing. Not bad, but not amazing. Though the classic interior is neat, I'd rather eat at Marshall's in Farmers Branch.

I think that everyone knows the food is average at all locations, but tack on the coda about the original location out of respect for this long-time institution.

Or perhaps the food just isn't as good as it used to be.

[PhantomPhi]

Pulled Pork sandwiches as good as it gets.

[jtstang]

I think he's talking about Texas barbecue.

[Bergermeister]

When someone brings up Sonny Bryan's, most people, myself included, chime in that it is pretty average. Then people tack on "except the original".

"The Original", over on Jefferson Ave. in Oak Cliff, is now a mexican food restaurant. If you are familiar with the location, you know that Sonny and his wife originally lived in the upstairs part of the building. However, the smoke smell inundated their living quarters, furniture, clothing, etc. and they moved into a house in Oak Cliff. THAT'S the original. Sonny's hasn't been the same since Sonny died. Then the family sold out, new owner quickly exanded, and it was straight downhill from there. I even quit going to Inwood. It's got the same ol' look but what they put on the plate is not even in the ballpark. If you want Sonny Bryan's Bar-B-Que, go to David's over on Park Row in Arlington. He is the only Bryan family member who is still serving the family bar-b-que. It'll bring back memories for those who had the "real stuff".

[ponytailgater]

Maybe growing up out in the 'sticks' makes me jaded when it comes to my barbecue preferences... but I've never been impressed with any of the Dallas BBQ chains, Sonny Bryan's and Dickey's included.

Rudy's, on the other hand, is a different story. Dallas could definitely use more of their stores.

[skyscraper]

We had a BBQ thread going, but it got killed, and then restarted into this
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=52260

As for the chains, Sonny Bryan's and Dickey's are OK. They aren't bad, but they aren't great either.

[CalallenStang]

Maybe growing up out in the 'sticks' makes me jaded when it comes to my barbecue preferences... but I've never been impressed with any of the Dallas BBQ chains, Sonny Bryan's and Dickey's included.

Rudy's, on the other hand, is a different story. Dallas could definitely use more of their stores.

+1

[RGV Pony]

Maybe growing up out in the 'sticks' makes me jaded when it comes to my barbecue preferences... but I've never been impressed with any of the Dallas BBQ chains, Sonny Bryan's and Dickey's included.

Rudy's, on the other hand, is a different story. Dallas could definitely use more of their stores.

+1

Speaking of 'sticks,' there is a Rudy's in Pharr.

[ponyboy]

My Midwestern stomach has never been able to make the transition to Texas BBQ.

Have you had real Texas BBQ? Dallas is not a hotspot -- gotta go south.

[CalallenStang]

Maybe growing up out in the 'sticks' makes me jaded when it comes to my barbecue preferences... but I've never been impressed with any of the Dallas BBQ chains, Sonny Bryan's and Dickey's included.

Rudy's, on the other hand, is a different story. Dallas could definitely use more of their stores.

+1

Speaking of 'sticks,' there is a Rudy's in Pharr.

Yeah...ate there a few years back. They've also opened locations in Laredo, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, and...wait for it...Del Rio in the past few years.

It's not Kreuz, Smitty's, or Louie Mueller's, but Rudy's is pretty darn good for a chain.

EDIT: Not sure if you're familiar with Joe Cotten's in Robstown, but that landmark burnt down a few months ago. I understand the owners are waiting on their insurance claim to be processed before they rebuild. Hopefully they rebuild soon...I was practically raised on that BBQ.

[RGV Pony]

yeah, heard about the fire....reading 'Cotten's' reminds me of another..whatever happened to Colter's? Seems like there were 50 of them in DFW in the early-mid 90s

[Bergermeister]

What about Underwood's Pit Barbeque? Anybody? (Luther's was the precursor to Colter's)

[White Helmet]

Also in the Inwood area, Mike Anderson's is pretty good stuff over by the medical center.

[CalallenStang]

yeah, heard about the fire....reading 'Cotten's' reminds me of another..whatever happened to Colter's? Seems like there were 50 of them in DFW in the early-mid 90s

Think there's a Colter's in Arlington near Cowboys Stadium.

[friarwolf]

Go to Meshack's in Garland. The best in the area.............