Robert M.
Yelp
It is only fitting that I end my epic journey to try all of the Texas Monthly Top-50 BBQ of 2022 at Convenience West. It was so good! It really was the fitting ending and tribute to a year long journey. Without hesitation, this was a top 2 in my own personal assessment of the 50. And that's hard to do!
Since I only had one more to go, I wanted to cover my bases. I got there an hour early AND pre-ordered for 4:00. I got there early and waited. While I was waiting, I got to talk to most of the folks working there as well as the owners and I must say - they are my kind of people! Kind, friendly, quirky, cool, and totally into their profession. When I told them I was finishing by Top-50 with them, they seemed as happy as I was! Not only was I finishing here, but the food was EXCEPTIONAL. Read my reviews, I'm not a marsh mellow when reviewing. Yes, they certainly deserved it.
The place is cool, stylish and clean. The bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at a BBQ pit! Lots of seating outside under the shade, but I think most were like us and took it to go.
What I truly enjoy the most here was the food. Most great BBQ joints have incredible BBQ in one or two items. The pitmasters here nailed each and every item and we tried quite a few. After a while, all the BBQ started to meld so we also started to differentiate based on the sides. I have to say, whoever designed and cooked these sides is an absolute genius!! These weren't just great. They were also very unique and the attention to detail was brilliant. I haven't seen this good of a partnership since Batman & Robin. Well, ok. That was the 70's version of the TV show. These folks are just as campy and cool!
Let me go thru all the items we have while I'm sitting on this sofa groaning because I ate so much. It was my own fault to try to sample as much as I can. If I go into a meat coma, it was absolutely worth it.
We stared with the Dip Dip. I almost forgot to order it. It wasn't on-line, but you have GOT to start with it. It is frankly, hard to describe. Think of it as a sweet (honey? molasses?) pureed carrots with pumpkin seeds and cilantro on top. Accompanied by a mess of Fritos to dip into it. This was sublime!! It was the best app I've had at a BBQ joint. This could hold it's own in almost any restaurant of any caliber. Brilliant!! My only desire is if they had used larger chips like the Frito Scoops so I could gorge myself more with each bite.
After the appetizer, we started into the "meat course". First up was just a brilliant brisket. I have now had all of the Top-50. The bark on this was truly wonderful. I honestly think this is up there with Snow's, Franklins or Goldee's. I could not differentiate on this alone.
Next up were the ribs. My God!! Someone patent whatever rub they were using. Even my dinner partner raved about it. I love a good meaty rib and this was that. Wasn't all greasy, just well cooked pork wonderland. Truly the park was brilliant.
They were being kind to me. Well, I did tell them it was my birthday! Truly, it was. They gave me a couple slices of the most succulent, moist turkey. I loved it. I just can't wait to try the left overs tomorrow as breakfast tacos. I'm serious!! I ate so much I'm planning my next meal with the left overs.
Finally (yeah, there's a finally) we had the Sausage. It was a Poblano-cheese savory goodness. It was so succulent with a crisp skin. Wow. Just smack me right now so I can wake up and keep eating this. I'm not kidding - I loved each and every one of these in their own way. Kind of like my children.
If that weren't enough, we had to plow thru a few more sides. Like I wrote earlier. This was an absolute team event. The sides would have made a normal BBQ join good. These made Convenience West great. First up was the Sweet Potato Salad. Imagine a great, normal - nothing fancy, nothing crazy potato salad. The one your Aunt makes that you always eat. Now replace the pedestrian potatoes with fresh sweet potatoes. It was brilliant and good. Wasn't gooped up with added sweetness like most sweet potato fries. Not drowned out of flavor with mayonnaise. Just a brilliant simple sweet potato salad.
Finally (again), the side of Cajun beans. EVERYONE has a side of beans. I've tried them all. I must admit (hate me now) that I love southern style baked beans. Sweet & with bacon in them. Most Texas BBQ spots use Charro beans. It's a staple and many I adore. These were more southwest. Truly used red beans. Not the stewy, mushy mess of Cajun/red beans that have become ubiquitous these days. These were fresh. Clean. I could almost sense I was in the Davis mountains. It wasn't in there but I could imagine the sage country from these. You know when the food critic in Ratatouille cried at the end. I now know why.
Last, but not least - I warned you - we had the Tortilla Toffee as a dessert. I could only try two bites, but I assure you it is now guarded in my fridge! OMG this was the BEST birthday dessert ever.