<p>My husband is flying into Houston (IAD) and driving to College Station tomorrow for one night; then he drives to Fort Worth for two nights before flying out of DFW on Thursday. I wanted to see what the locals would suggest for BBQ, or any other restaurants. BBQ is a must for a least one dinner, although he would be happy to eat it every night!</p>
<p>Monday night he could eat in College Station or somewhere between there and the airport. Tuesday night be doesn’t leave College Station until around 6:00pm, so I am thinking he might eat before getting on the road, although if there is some place great on the way to Fort Worth he might wait an hour or so. Wednesday night he is staying right by the Convention Center, but doesn’t mind driving elsewhere for dinner. I read about the Stockyard District, but didn’t know if the restaurants there were touristy; we like to eat local when visiting the area.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, he only has time for dinner in each area as he is in meeting from 8:00am-6:00pmish.</p>
<p>I lived in Bryan/College Station for several years but sad to say, both my favorite BBQ places are gone. Tom’s had what they called the “Aggie Special” which was sliced brisket, a hunk of cheese, an onion slice, and a pickle served on butcher paper. C&J Barbecue appears to be carrying on the tradition (an important word in Aggieland) of the Aggie Special, but I have no personal knowledge. </p>
<p>When passing through the area with S, we will typically stop at Chicken Oil Company in Bryan, which is possibly the best greasy burger in town (a compliment from me). It’s lost some of the ambiance from back in the day–the glass Coke bottles on ice are gone and I didn’t see anyone playing dominoes (or 42 as the case may be) last time we were there.</p>
<p>I’m not familiar with the College Station area, but I live near Fort Worth and can’t remember eating barbeque there! In Fort Worth, I would recommend Tex-Mex or steak. My favorite Tex-Mex is El Fenix on Camp Bowie Blvd which is a regional chain and very inexpensive. Some swear by Joe T Garcia’s on North Main St, but I have never understood what the fuss is about. (I hear their Margaritas pack some punch!) There are also lots of neat places in downtown Fort Worth in Sundance Square, including Del Frisco’s (steaks) which is pretty expensive.</p>
<p>Years ago, there was a very famous barbeque place in Ft. Worth called Angelo’s barbecue. I haven’t eaten there in years, but the last time I ate there, it was still very good.</p>
<p>We ate BBQ when we were in Houston, but I wouldn’t recommend it, I’ve had better in NYC. My nephew who was at Rice says the best BBQ is during the state fair. Luckily it sounds like you are headed where the pickings will be better. :)</p>
<p>It’s too bad your H isn’t headed over toward Austin. My most favorite BBQ place ever is there… The Salt Lick.</p>
<p>However, another BBQ mainstay in Texas, which originated in Austin is The County Line. There’s one in Houston, so your H could eat there. I ate at one of The County Lines in Austin back in late March and very much enjoyed it. </p>
<p>I’ve got family and friends all over Texas; if you’d like, I can put up a Facebook message and ask for some recommendations. I’ll bet before I get any, though, MOWC will chime in and add her two cents, which I would trust.</p>
<p>mathmom - Texas BBQ is very different than BBQ you’d find elsewhere in the country (or even in the rest of the South). And although you may not have enjoyed it, I’ve tried BBQ in many places, and much prefer Texas BBQ, which is generally not slathered in sauce. Rubs are the norm, as well as smoking as opposed to grilling. It’s all preference.</p>
<p>I have Fort Worth family, and on a recent visit I had barbecue at the Railhead (ribs for dinner) and Angelo’s (sliced brisket sandwich for lunch). Both were terrific. I think there are a couple of Railhead locations, but only one Angelo’s.</p>
<p>We have actually eaten at Salt Lick, but I think it was the one at the airport; although we might has also gone to the one in the city also. </p>
<p>My husband and son could eat BBQ every night; me, I would go with the southwest restaurants! I looked on Opentable for Ft. Worth and I found H3 Ranch for steaks and ribs, and Reata for southwest. He doesn’t have to have expensive food, good and cheap are preferred. That said, he might enjoy relaxing with a nice meal also.</p>
<p>I’m more of a Mexican food expert than barbecue. I am not very picky, but I would not go NEAR an El Fenix. During my 28 years in Dallas, El Fenix was sort of the joke of Mexican food. Everyone has their favorites. I have a Dallas friend who makes a monthly pilgrimage to Joe T Garcia’s in Ft Worth. My favorites in Dallas were Chuy’s and Mi Cocina.</p>
<p>If he comes up Highway 6 to Waco on his way to Fort Worth, Vitek’s Barbecue in Waco is great. Also, be sure to stop in West, just north of Waco, on Interstate 35—the Village Bakery is famous for kolaches, a wonderful Czech pastry. The meat market, Nemecek Bros., has wonderful sausage. Just up the highway is Abbott (Willie Nelson’s hometown) and “Up in Smoke”–another authentic barbecue joint. Locals are usually pretty honest about the out-of-the-way barbecue places…Feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Joe T. Garcia’s is my favorite Mexican food in the DFW Metroplex. My BFF had her wedding rehearsal dinner there! Their margaritas are to die for!</p>
<p>We love our local joint. [The</a> Feedstore BBQ | Welcome to the Feedstore](<a href=“http://www.feedstorebbq.com/]The”>http://www.feedstorebbq.com/). But it’s not a chain that many can access. And many are as good, we just like the folks there.
As far as the Tex Mex suggestions, El Fenix is junk, even Joe T 's and Mi Cocina are just chain restaurants. Look for local spots.</p>
<p>teriwitt, I like good Texas BBQ and can appreciate beef vs pork and rub vs. sauce. There’s some good Texas style BBQ in NY and I’ve had it at friend’s houses who smoke their own. I like Kansas City Style best, but I’ve eaten a lot of BBQ since Calvin first introduced me to it in 1978! The Houston place, just didn’t have much smoke or much rub. DH loves beef brisket and good beef ribs they are hard to find than either good Kansas City or Memphis style ones, but they do exist.</p>
<p>Cur- Hole in the wall restaurants are our kind of places!! Looks a bit like the place here at home we go to. We have a small place down the street for our house owned by a man that has a staff of 2 and himself. He conducts BBQ classes as well as compete in many BBQ events. What we hate about his place is that he closes so darn early-7:30 during the week, 8:00 on Friday and Saturdays and on Sundays he closes at 3:00. He likes to get home to his family and I guess doesn’t trust his BBQ to be handles by just anyone. Actually, his store hours are posted but it also says or when the BBQ runs out :)</p>
<p>I bet my husband will try Smokeys; thanks for the rec.</p>
<p>I think Railhead is fine. I admit that we usually get ribs at Sping Creek - they have good coupons. I grew up in southern Illinois and to me southern Illinois/southern Indiana bbq is bbq.</p>