Black Board BBQ - Sisterdale, Texas - 1st Small Town Texas BBQ Review

Traveling through the 2nd (ahem) largest state according to land mass can be a daunting task whether you are on the Interstate going 110 miles per hour in an 85-mile per hour speed limit zone or driving the back roads which are sometimes seldom traveled or utilized by folks who drive their pickups like they are horse-drawn carriages after a Sunday at church.  There is a little stretch of road between Comfort and Sisterdale that fits the latter description. The pace here is much slower and deliberate. Stopping to smell the proverbial roses isn't just encouraged it is expected. If you really want to smell (as well as engage your other senses) one of the best places on this road right in the little town of Sisterdale is Black Board BBQ. I might not have come to this place had it not been for watching the Best BBQ Show on YouTube with Yoni Levin where he interviewed Chefs Jake Gandolfo and Joanne Irrizarry.  You can catch that interview here:  Best BBQ Show - Black Board BBQ Interview and be sure to catch Yoni's second portion right after that on YouTube.  

The weekend we traveled to Sisterdale we were actually on an important mission: find my wife a dress to wear to my daughter's wedding which was quickly approaching (so glad all that's over) but I figured we might as well enjoy some good Q on the way to San Antonio and Black Board was a place that had just got on the Texas Monthly Top 25 New joints. It came highly recommended wherever I read or watched anything about it so I knew I had to try it. Of course, I dragged the family along to partake of their delights. 

Black Board BAR B Q Texas Monthly Top 25 New List

We arrived late in the afternoon and the parking lot was more than half empty which was fine by me since I usually have to wait in a long line for BBQ at most places that are excellent.  The look and feel of the place was very rustic and down-home.  If there was a place that you could say felt and looked like Texas this would be the one.  Sisterdale is situated in the Texas Hill Country not far from Boerne and San Antonio - the best of both worlds with a small-town feel yet so close to the amenities that an urban center like the 'Tone has to offer. The decor on the outside porch beckons you to come in and set a spell.

Entry into Black Board Bar B Q - Very welcoming place.

As we walked in I noticed a sight that made me well up with pride: The Gonzales Come and Take it Flag from the Texas Revolution.  When I saw it I just took it to mean come and take the BBQ which I subsequently did and thoroughly enjoyed. 

The Gonzales Come and Take it Flag from the Texas Revolution - A Texas Tradition!

An excellent chalkboard artiste put up some great work and the menu for the day.  Can you say SKILLS?  

As much as the decor and artwork and Texas tradition had me by the heartstrings I had to get seated for a taste of the much anticipated Wagyu Brisket.  Wagyu beef is extremely marbled and melt-in-your-mouth delicious when prepared properly.  Black Board's is no different.  The picture below is displayed as large as possible so you can see the full marbling and gorgeous bark on their brisket.  It had a very well balanced rub and didn't require sauce so it fits the Texas idea of how brisket should be prepared and eaten: with the right amount of seasoning and the sauce complementary of said seasoning. Juices were oozing out right on to the platter and the flavors played well with the other meats and sides on the menu.  The peppery chicken had a great bite through the skin with the meat coming right away. 

Wagyu Brisket, Chicken, and Brussel Sprout Creamed Corn - WOW. 

Chicken Close up.  Look at that pepper!

The pork ribs were dry rubbed and succulent.  My first bite went through and pulled right away from the bone.  The juxtaposition of dry rub and the internal moisture gave an other-worldly mouth-feel experience.

Great bark, smoke ring, and moist pork ribs.

As good as all the BBQ was Chefs Jake and Joann were more than kind enough to speak with me at length about all things BBQ.  We talked about how BBQ was such a family thing and he mentioned how he was inspired by the times his family would do BBQ and he wanted to continue the tradition.  I relayed my own feelings about how I'd grown up with all these folks with loads of meat cooking in smokers every time we got together.  Chef Joann was so accommodating and sweet and had it not been for her letting Jake know about us we might not have gotten to talk to him. Their staff was also very welcoming and provided us with a great dining experience.  

I highly recommend this BBQ experience not just for the food but also for the hospitality, the true Texas feel of the restaurant, and the over all kindness of these great partners.  Go to Black Board BBQ  and check out what they have to offer including live music on the weekends.  The trip is relaxing, the food is amazing, and the people are even better!