RUDY'S COUNTRY STORE AND BAR-B-Q - San Antonio

Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q has 29 locations across Texas, Oklahoma & Colorado. Rudy's Country Store began in the 1800's in Leon Springs. Bar-B-Q was added in 1989. The large warehouse-like space features barnyard red walls with corrugated metal siding, 8-foot folding tables and wooden picnic tables covered in red & white gingham check table cloths. The eclectic ambiance and incredible food make for a fun dining experience.

Fran, Jim & and created our own "buffet". Our spread included pulled pork, brisket, turkey breast, homemade whole kernel creamed corn (AMAZING), coleslaw and slices of white bread (1/2 loaf for catching the bar-b-q left behind). Our entire meal was fantastic - juicy, smoky meats, slightly tangy coleslaw and over-the-top creamed corn. Dinner was served on a tray covered with white butcher paper and paper boats for the creamed corn and coleslaw. All meats are dry rubbed and smoked over a slow burning oak fire. Each table has several quart bottles of their signature 'sauses' - "Sissy Sause" and "Rudy's Original Bar-B-Q Sause". The sauces are similar but I found Rudy's Original to have a bit more zest!

Rudy's begins serving breakfast tacos at 7am and the fresh Bar-B-Q menu at 10am. "Group meal" and catering menus are also available.

The ordering & service queue is staffed by extremely friendly and efficient staff. The 20+ guests ahead of us were serviced in less than 6 minutes. This is truly some of the best smoked meat I've eaten!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q

$

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Entrée

$ 10

$$ 20

$$$ 30

$$$$ 40+

Staff

+ Stop bothering me!

++ Anyone here?

+++ Stopped when in the area.

++++ As needed and friendly.

+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall

& “One visit too many!”

&& “Convince me!”

&&& “I’ll be back!”

&&&& “Same table next week!”

LITTLE GRETEL - Boerne TX

Little Gretel, a 20 minute drive from San Antonio, is located on River Road across from a park bordering the Guadalupe River - alive with ducks and geese. Their small patio garden has 12 tables surrounded by potted, climbing roses. Fran and I took a break during our day of shopping the "Texas Hill Country" and had an incredible lunch at the very charming Little Gretel. Their menu has been featuring German and Czech cuisine since 1983.

I chose the Jaeger Schnitzel with Hunter Sauce. The very generous plate of schnitzel and homemade spatzle drizzled with a deep, earthy mushroom sauce and a side homemade sauerkraut was more than enough for lunch. Scrumptious!

The sleek and sexy interior dining room is a wonderful surprise of celery green walls, shiny black tables, black chairs with celery green leather seats, 12-foot ceilings, an obligatory cuckoo clock and a stunning copper & crystal boat chandelier as the focal point of the room.

Our very friendly server only added to the perfect lunch under the Texas sun!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Little Gretel

$$

++++

&&&

Entrée

$ 10

$$ 20

$$$ 30

$$$$ 40+

Staff

+ Stop bothering me!

++ Anyone here?

+++ Stopped when in the area.

++++ As needed and friendly.

+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall

& “One visit too many!”

&& “Convince me!”

&&& “I’ll be back!”

&&&& “Same table next week!”

CAP'S GRILLE - Minneapolis

Cap's Grille opened in 1988 in south Minneapolis at the 50th Street light rail train station. The unpretentious eatery excels at BBQ. The eatery seats approximately 50 diners in their cozy dining room. The open kitchen and service bar face the dining room hiding nothing from the legion of customers who've been eating here for years! In addition to BBQ'd options, Cap's also offers grilled burgers & chicken sandwiches and salads.

I have passed Cap's too many times over the years to count. David & Tim suggested we stop and have some of their favorite BBQ in the city. They were driving this evening so I couldn't say no.

I had the "Stacky" - a huge portion of thinly sliced, applewood smoked pork roast that is oven roasted for at least 6 hours. The succulent pork is bathed in Cap's special BBQ sauce. The slightly tangy & peppery sauce is outstanding... not too sweet. I also ordered the baked potato as my side. It was perfectly baked - fluffy on the inside and a chewy skin. The servings are so generous I could not finish my meal.

For dessert, we shared an apple cobbler. The mound of tender apple slices swam in a smooth brown sugar sauce with a hint of cinnamon. The delicious apple filling wrapped in the flakiest of crusts was topped with 3 dollops of vanilla ice cream. Yumm!

I had not been a fan of any meat with BBQ sauce. However, after this dining experience, I will be returning in the very near future! Cap's Grille is located across the street from Minnehaha Falls Park. Grab a lunch from the to-go menu and head to the park enjoying some of the best BBQ and one of the most beautiful parks in the City. Run, don't walk (or take the light rail), to Cap's Grille.

Mmm... Mmm...

Cap's Grille

$

++++

&&&

Entrée

$ 10

$$ 20

$$$ 30

$$$$ 40+

Staff

+ Stop bothering me!

++ Anyone here?

+++ Stopped when in the area.

++++ As needed and friendly.

+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall

& “One visit too many!”

&& “Convince me!”

&&& “I’ll be back!”

&&&& “Same table next week!”