Smokehouse BBQ - San Angelo, Texas - 5th Small Town Texas BBQ Review

 The first time I had Smokehouse Bar-B-Q I was in High School and we decided that we needed to have some Q for one of our Band functions out at LVHS.  At that time someone else was running the restaurant and I'm fairly certain Bob and Peggy Chandler were still working in the business world before they bought Mr. T's on Ave. J.

Fast forward almost 30 years and you'll see me at their drive-through on a sometimes twice a week basis.  I don't usually go in although today I made an exception because I wanted to feel the old benches and see how the building was holding up and get a chance to converse with my former bosses from Mr. T's.

San Angelo isn't well known for having a lot of great BBQ for the most part.  There are quite a few places here in town and some are good and some are just ok.  I was recently listening to a podcast by one of my favorite folks in the BBQ world at Best BBQ show that you can find here at Best BBQ Show and one of the things he mentioned was that he's not very critical of BBQ joints in general. He loves BBQ for what it is and the fact that someone put some very hard work and time into making something for others to enjoy and is really a labor of love.  Fact is (in my opinion) even poorly executed BBQ is better than many food establishment's fast-casual fare. Yoni is a kind individual and likes to extol the virtues of everything that is BBQ and I admire that about him and the folks that help with his show.  I truly feel he would enjoy the simplicity that Smokehouse Bar-B-Q is. He would take notice of the 1970ish paneling on the walls and the lost in time atmosphere of the place.  The only thing that tells you that you are in the twenty-teens is the flat-screen TV in the back.  Otherwise, everything is pretty much like it has been for the last 25 to 30 years.  The place is what we like to call old school and cafeteria-Esque to coin a word or phrase. When you walk in you go up and grab a tray and some utensils and they take your order right at the board.  Bob is very meticulous when cutting the brisket. He trims the fat off and makes sure before he weighs it that you are getting the most meat for your money. He wants to make sure you're getting his best and to be quite honest he's always been that way. 

When I worked with him in my 20s, I learned quite a few great recipes in his kitchen.  He watched over us to make sure that we did things correctly but was also very cognizant of his customers out in the dining area.  He got onto me a couple of times (rightfully so) for breaking some rules of the kitchen and all these years later I'm thankful for that.  In the short time I was there (at Mr. T's) I learned how to make chili, a special banana pudding, some great Reuben sandwiches, and a few other things but I'll never forget how Bob and Peggy were always working hard to make that place the best it could be. 

While I was standing there he asked me how things were going up at work and I let him know that I'd just gotten off a long conference call and he, of course, remembered those kinds of things from his past and wasn't eager to ever experience long meetings or calls again.  Slicing smoked meats was something he was very happy to be doing.  You could see it in his smile.  He's a kindred spirit and a foodie at heart.  Bob is a guy who just likes working with food and serving people. 


My typical go-to plate of food here is a large beef and sausage plate.  This will come with 2 sides and I usually ask for potato salad and beans and of course, I grab an unsweet tea to go (I can already hear my daughter going EWWWW) when I'm in the drive-through speaking of which many BBQ places do not have.  Since I work right up the street it is another great reason that I come here at least once or twice a week.  It is just really convenient to be able to order from my car and head back to work or to a nearby park to eat and take in the beauty and calming effects of nature. 

While I was there I asked Peggy if she remembered that I'd worked for them years ago and she did.  I let her know that I'm a BBQ FREAK and I eat BBQ almost daily.  In the course of the conversation, I'd mentioned that I had eaten a beef rib for breakfast that was leftover from a couple of nights ago.  I smoked some plate ribs and still had 3 left.  My wife asked if I wanted her to make me some eggs and I politely declined.  She didn't realize that I had my almost 2-inch thick rib in the oven warming up for my breakfast because microwaves just won't do them justice.  Peggy listened to my story and smiled and wished me a great rest of the day.  I mentioned that I come there at least once a week and sometimes twice a week to which she said, "You come over as much as you'd like!"  I can't say that I'll miss out on that invitation.  They make it easy to come back for more as do a couple of ladies they have working there with them.

As I was thinking about my lunch and how much I enjoyed the food I recalled some times long past when I'd seen Bob poring over books or recipes even though he'd been over them hundreds of times before.  He was always wanting to improve and provide the best possible experience for his customers.  No matter if it was King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Banana Pudding, Chili, Pinto Beans, or the various baked goods that were made Bob always studied and paid attention to the details and worked to be the best.

I've written all these things to say this one thing about the restaurants Bob and Peggy have owned and especially Smokehouse:  no matter what you eat if Bob and Peggy had anything to do with it, it is consistent.  Consistency is something that is lacking in so many businesses (BBQ Joints and otherwise) that the Chandlers have always maintained.  When I say consistency, I mean consistently good.  You can always count on the Brisket being tender, the beans being flavored perfectly, and that long-time favorite potato salad tasting just like it always did even before Bob and Peggy took the place over.  In some places from week to week, you don't know what you are going to get.  At Smokehouse you can count on getting excellent service with a smile, great BBQ, sauces that work well with the meat although they aren't necessary and sides and desserts that perfectly round out your meals.