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Arthur Bryant's original barbeque restaurant

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It's Serious Bar-B-Que

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Whenever I make the long drive to Abilene, I have to stop at Harold's for some of the best barbecue in the world. Harold's Pit Bar-B-Que is a little out-of-the-way joint that's not hard to find, but you don't just run across it while you're driving around town either.

It looks small from the outside, a little concrete-block building with a screen door and the smell of smoked pit barbecue thick in the air. Inside it's bigger than it looks with plenty of comfortable tables with red-checkered tablecloths. Huge bottles of Harold's world-famous barbecue sauce are on the tables. The sauce is also sold by the jar next to the cash register when you're standing in front of all that mouthwatering barbecue and your defenses are down.

I usually get a sack full of chopped or sliced brisket sandwiches to take home with me. But the excellent ribs, sausage, ham and chicken are highly recommended by Harold's customers. People also really like the potato salad and iced tea. And for goodness sake, if you get a plate full of barbecue, don't forget to try the hotwater cornbread, little football-shaped morsels that come sweet or jalapeno-spicy. And, of course, homemade cobbler for dessert.

But, you know, nothing is perfect. Harold's seems to be open only during lunchtime for the weekday lunch crowd, and only for a few hours on Saturday. While you might have to stand and wait most of the time, I guarantee you'll find there's an excellent reason for those lines.

Harold's even looks like the perfect barbecue joint. Old and saturated with smoke, off the beaten path, and filled with satisfied people too busy eating to chatter very much. If you're looking for a great barbecue place, they don't get any better than Harold's.

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The first time I ever went to Dozier's Meat Market was 40 years ago. It was way out in the country back then. Since those days Houston has expanded and inflated so much that the little town of Fulshear seems like it'll soon be swallowed up. Bikers and land yachts on weekend excursions still stop by the little country store/meat market/barbecue joint for some of the best barbecue you can find anywhere.

A big reason to go to Dozier's is to load up on pecan-smoked peppered bacon, pork sage sausage, and peppered ham slugs at the meat counter. Maybe it's just me, but a peppered ham slug is worth its weight in gold. (In fact, I think that's exactly what it costs.) The butcher would usually have to make a trip to the smokehouse to get one of the baseball-sized slugs of ham all black with a thick, thick coat of pepper. The butcher I remember most from when I was a kid, was missing his right index finger. Now that's devotion to your work.

After you get your smoked meats wrapped in butcher paper, go to the side counter of the meat market and order a sliced beef brisket sandwich. Or chopped beef, or ham, or smoked chicken quarters. Grab a bag of potato chips off the shelf and a Nehi from the cooler, and then eat inside at the little tables with vinyl checkered tablecloths, or sit outside at the picnic table under the oak tree. The meat is tender and excruciatingly flavorful, the sauce is perfection.

Lord Have Mercy, that's good barbecue.

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Est.(1919) Family owned/operated four generations in the Tavern and Food Business.

BBQ, Clambakes, Sauces, Recipes, Catering, Shuffleboard, and more. When you visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame you are only 5 minutes away from Hotz's. Some of the best BBQ in town.

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" What Good Friends Eat "

Big Guy's Catering, located next door to Hotz Cafe (est.1919), is family owned/operated by the same family members. Known for their unique home style cooking, recipes, sauces, bbq's, clambakes, onsite/offsite events & more, the popular Chef's menu selections, menu ideas & a caring family staff that treats every occasion like their own.

BBQ's, Catering, Sauces for sale, Gift Baskets,
Drop off's, Clambakes, Event planning & more.
"Let us do the work & you take the credit"

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The best ribs anywhere.

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The best ribs, period. Carolina style sauce that I'd kill to be able to make. It has to be tasted to be believed.

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Absolutely the best ribs in the area!!

Tradition in my house is to have their ribs every New Years Eve. They have a very rustic dining area and have a "to go" area too.

Located down the street from the Fox River, where they have tables and benches to eat at during the summer.

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This past Fourth of July week, the wife and I visited Branson, Missouri (as we usually do around our anniversary). Naturally, I was on the lookout for some BBQ. We had read some good reviews and heard some good things about Danna's. Their specialty is smoked meats, like sausage, pulled pork, pulled beef, ribs, and chicken.

Since I had already gathered some positive comments about Danna's BBQ, I was going in with some high expectations. I wasn't disappointed.

I decided to order the Big Big Pig. It's almost a half a pound of pulled pork served on grilled Texas toast with piece of sausage and french fries. My wife got the Beef Plate, consisting of pulled beef, french fries, baked beans and cole slaw.

Nothing could have been better. The service was fast and friendly. The meat and all the sides were delicious. Everything was very good and just as I had read about and was told.

One of the nice things that I really liked, was the fact that the meat (both pork and beef) was served without sauce. I like it when they give that choice of sauce or no sauce to the customer.

The meat was tender and perfect just as it was, which is how many people prefer it. But they also had some wonderful BBQ sauce at the table too.

It complimented the beef and pork very well. The sauce had a little sweetness and was a little tangy. I also noticed a hint of cayenne pepper. Not enough to make it hot, but enough to have that unique flavor present. I was impressed.

Since we only ate there the one time, I didn't get a chance to try their burgers (anther specialty, I hear) or the Catfish Sandwich, a local favorite. But if you find yourself in Branson, Missouri, I can definitely recommend Danna's Bar-B-Que & Burger Shop for their BBQ.

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It's at exit 57 on Hwy 57 (barbecue heaven). It's awesome food and the sauce is boss! I wish my homemade barbecue sauce was this good.