Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse - Dallas, TX

Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse
2202 Inwood Rd.
Dallas, TX 75235
http://www.sonnybryans.com/

Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse has long been one of my favorite BBQ spots in Dallas. Started in 1910, this is the original location has lots of good memories for many folks in Dallas.

They serve Hill Country Brisket, Classic Brisket, Sausage, Jalapeno Sausage, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Ham and Turkey.  They also have a Meat Potato, Frito Pie, Rib Sandwich, Po-Boy Plate and more. Their sides are Homemade BBQ Beans, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, French Fries and their world famous Onion Rings. (They really are good).

A few years ago, they added the 2nd dining room (to the left of the sign) and that was fine.  It expanded their dining capacity even if it didn't have the flavor of the original school desk seating.  It's the latest change that I was more disturbed by....24 hours, 7 days a week.  When I saw this, I thought...oh man...this can't be good.  But wait...this is Sonny Bryan's. It's still got to be some of the best around right?  Well...unfortunately, if you are trying to keep the meat fresh 24 hrs a day, you are not going to serve very good barbecue.  I was sorely disappointed in the quality of the meat that I got and I've been eating here for decades with nairy a complaint. 

I know the plate looks good. I had beef brisket, ribs and jalapeno sausage with sides of beans and fries. (the fresh roll is quite good). It's too bad that this 24 hr model doesn't work.  I'm sure they are likely selling more meat but the quality is not near as good as it used to be.  It's always been about starting the meat in the middle of the night and having it reach juicy perfection for lunch and then serving happy customers until you sold out.  Now they have expanded and expanded and expanded until it's 24/7 and barbecue just doesn't lend itself to this very well.

Progress is not always progress.

Whitt's Barbecue - Shelbyville, TN

Whitt's Barbecue
758 Madison St.
Shelbyville, TN
931.684.0235
http://www.whittsbarbecue.com/

A family owned Nashville tradition since 1978 cooks it's meat for 24 hrs over hickory smoke.  They have been voted "Best of Nashville" every year since the contest started in 1988.

The menu is typical for Nashville barbecue and includes pulled pork, beef brisket, turkey, chicken, and ribs.  For sides the offering stays with the basics of cole slaw, beans and potato salad.

As I was on the run, I just grabbed a quick pulled pork sandwich with potato salad and beans.

While the beans were ordinary, the potato salad was good and the sandwich was good clean pulled pork.  Nothing fancy but a solid sandwich. 

Whitt's Barbecue was a welcome stop on a long drive back to Nashville. 

Fat Boys BBQ - Nashville, TN

Fat Boys BBQ
2733 Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch, TN 37013
http://fatboysbbq.co

Family owned and operated, Fat Boys BBQ has a good local pitmaster in Tony Roney who grew up in Tennessee and promotes the Tennessee style of barbecue.

They serve Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Sliced Turkey, Beef Brisket, 4 Bone Rib, Catfish, Rib Tip and Smoked Sausage. Don't forget the Smoke Bologna sandwich.  They also have some unique items like the FB Highrise. This is cornbread piled high with pork and topped with slaw.  Additional items include BBQ Nachos Pork, Chicken or Brisket Nachos, Jumbo Stuffed Potato, and Brisket Quesadilla.

The pig on the outside tells you where the pig is on the inside.

The restaurant itself is simple and evokes that old school atmosphere where traditional barbecue often thrives.

 I ordered 3 meats and 2 sides with Rib Tips, Brisket and Pulled Pork. The sides were greens and corn on the cob.  And yes...that is a pancake that's on the plate.  This is the first time that I have ever been served a pancake as the bread item on a plate of barbecue.

First up, the pulled pork.  I found this to be straight up good.  Nothing fancy, just good pulled pork. The brisket was nice but not quite as preferred as the pulled pork.  This makes a bit of sense as the pork is more native to the region.  The rib tips were moist and flavorful.  Quite nice.   I wasn't really a fan of the pancake to go with barbecue.  Too corn meal based for my taste.


The corn and greens were quite good.  I'm a big fan of collard greens and they were done well here.  I didn't get a pic of the sauces.  They were fine.  Didn't really stand out but did the job.

So if you ever find yourself on the outskirts of Nashville and you see a high flying pig by the side of the road.  Stop by and you may find yourself with a plateful of barbecue and trying something new.