Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

I really don't have anything good to say about this place anymore. A few years back it was a great place to go but now I wont even go there at all. The staff is rude, sloppy, and downright mean; they couldn't care less about the customers. Beyond that the food is very dry, seasonings are either way overdone or underdone as far as composition-for example we had beef that tasted like it was simmered in vinegar and served but beans that were cold, dry, and tasteless. The dining area was a mess, with paper plates and used napkins on the floor and overall it was perhaps the worst dining experience I have had in recent memory.

Pros: None

Cons: Food, Service, Staff

Posted 09/27/07

How in the world does this place deserve four and a half stars??? Maybe once upon a time, but surely not these days! God knows, I've eaten more than my share of GOOD bbq at many places in many states, including Texas, and this was HANDS (thumbs) DOWN the very worst that I've ever had. The beans were so plain that they truly had NO taste, whatsoever. The "spicy" sauce was anything but spicy to me... very bland, and the meat had some (small) raw spots. And yes, I know the difference between raw and "smoked pink". That being said, I actually thought the cornbread was pretty good, the berry cobbler was ok, and my girlfriend said the red velvet cake was "different, but good". All in all, however, the food was most definitely NOT WORTH THE PRICE PAID... $48.00 (plus three bucks in the "tip jar") for two 2 meat combos (we each got one smallish chicken breast and a five-rib "chunk"- can't use the proper term on this site- w/coleslaw and beans), one slice of cake, one berry cobbler, and one Coke. The service wasn't too bad (we were getting take-out, though), but the grub sure was... we won't be coming back for more.

Pros: Parking

Cons: Pricey, Bland food

Posted 08/20/07

What happened to this place? We have enjoyed it in the past, and we are from Texas and know good barbecue. We went the other night, though, and the food was literally inedible. The brisket sandwich I had was so dry I couldn't swallow it without the barbecue sauce, but unfortunately, the sauce was so bitter (too much cayenne?) that I couldn't swallow it, either. My husband had the three meat plate, he managed to eat his chicken and the (boiled) ribs, but his brisket was left uneaten. He didn't care for the his coleslaw or cornbread either, he especially complained about the amount of celery seed in the coleslaw. We left with a great deal of food left on both of our plates. I guess we should have complained to the manager, especially considering we spent almost thirty dollars for a sandwich and a plate!

We ended up going to Theno's Dairy for some pumpkin ice cream afterwards, so the evening wasn't a complete waste. I definitely recommend Vivian's Pride Pumpkin ice cream!

Posted 10/14/06

This is the worst barbeque my family and I have had anywhere in any state-bar none. The baby rib meat was red (not pink as the counter person insisted) and actually crunchy not to mention tough. Yet the surly staff insisted it was "just the way it should be..." The sides were hardly better. I guess I can say one good thing-the beer was cold but guess it would be hard to ruin bottled beer.
Because we heard the reaturant was under new ownership, this was our second trip to this establishment. There will be no third strike out.

Cons: bad food, poor customer service, apatheic staff

Posted 05/18/06

We didn't know what to expect and was a little surprised with what this restaurant was all about. This is not a table service restaurant, which didn't bother us. There was a lot of plates, but not a full blown menu. I guess that's what barbecue is all about! I got the baby back ribs and they were extremely tasty and not very messy. I thought the serving was small, but would probably have been the same value if we went to another rib restaurant and paid more.

Pros: Delicious Food

Cons: Parking

Posted 04/07/06

The food is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!The 3 guys working the counter were unfriendly and could have cared less they had customers in their otherwise empty restaurant. (Which of course should have been our first clue.) I lived in Texas and that is what BBQ is all about. TSH BBQ is some Washington wanna be with absolutely unedible food. The brisket was dry and tasteless. The beef ribs were fatty and dry. The corn bread was some dried up flour concoction. They have some gall dressing themselves up as Texas and calling this "Texas" Smokehouse. Save your money and time and seek another BBQ joint that would appreciate your business by delivering a palatable and friendly experience.

Pros: can't think of any

Cons: food, service

Posted 04/06/06

This place just has Great BBQ and fixins. The ambience is true Texas flavored. The interior is filled with texas momentos and has a certain down-home charm. I would highly recomment ANY of their BBQ offering and espeically the Texas Spud which is a large baked potatoe with all the usual fixings topped with cheese and a LOT of pullled BBQ meat. MMMMM-mmmm-good. You will not be able to fit any more in ya after that.

Pros: Texas Ambience, Extra Yummy BBQ, Fast Line

Cons: Strip-Mall Rustic, Away from Cities, No Table Service

Posted 02/26/06

We have eaten at BBQ joints all over the Seattle area and honestly have nothing positive to say about the food at Texas Smokehouse. The brisket was dried out and chewy, the beans tasted just like Van de Camps and the potato salad tasted like vinegar and pickles. A huge disappointment and not worth the money paid even with our half off coupon. The staff refused to answer questions about food and charged an arm and a log for 4 slices of a hot link which wasn't any good. Try Stan's in Issaquah!

Pros: Spacious Dining Area, Clean, Menu Variety

Cons: Food Quality, Food Temp, Service

Posted 03/27/05

Excellent BBQ. Decent surroundings; slightly better than average for a BBQ joint. I've eaten here and at Milt's in the past 2 weeks. This place is vastly better than Milt's on every level. Texas Smoke House had all the flavor I expect from BBQ. In contrast, I was astonished that Milt's ribs tasted like they had been baked in someone's home oven.

Pros: Authentic, Easy to find, Ample seating

Posted 01/01/05

Tried again... sorry, the food still stinks. At least the people working there were friendly!

Pros: friendly folks

Cons: poor food, overpriced

Posted 05/30/03

right up my alley - not too fancy or falutin'. good value, delicious.

Posted 05/11/03

My husband and I went here on a whim and immediately fell in love with the food. The beef brisket is so tender it falls apart when touched with a fork. The beef ribs are juicy with plenty of meat. We're not big meat eaters, but we've returned quite a few times for this treat!

Cons: Hard to Find, Side Dishes

Posted 02/06/03

being a native northwesterner, i cannot comment on how 'texan' the smokehouse is, but i can say that it is the best bbq i have ever had in this area. and don't forget the potato salad and cornbread which are unique and delicious!

Posted 01/25/03

I went there once with a friend who recommended it. I had the BBQ sandwich and it was not so good. The main problem was the sauce. It tasted like someone dumped a bottle of vinegar in it. This taste overwhelmed everything else. I couldn't even finish my sandwich. I am a BBQ fiend and everyone one knows the sauce should be the boss. If your sauce doesn't cut it then you won't either.
I would even take Kraft BBQ sauce over their's which should tell you something.
Maybe they should go into the pickle business.....

Pros: Hmmm

Cons: Bad BBQ Suace

Posted 01/20/03

Texas BBQ is true Texas style BBQ and could actually stay in business in my home state which is more than I can say for the others I have tried in the Pacific NW. Good tangy, full-bodied sauce. (My folks ran a barbecue restaurant when I was growing up.)

Being the hottest with chili peppers doesn't make good barbecue. It just makes something hot. It is beyong me that people find Dixie's so good when the one time I went, they didn't even offer brisket...just chopped beef.

Pros: excellent sauce, good value

Cons: too far from my house

Posted 12/22/02

Some of the best BBQ I've had anywhere - and I'm from Kansas City!

Pros: Cooked perfectly, Succulent

Posted 12/04/02

The first thing youll notice when you walk in is the scent of BBQ. Few places I have been to can prepare your senses this way. Ive only tried their chipped beef brisket and their pork loin, but they have ribs and other meats. They have two sauces (that I remember), regular and hot. Their hot is a great combination of a tangy hot sauce and a robust BBQ sauce. Not too hot like Dixies, but not overly flavorful like franchise outfits. Their beans arent the best Ive tasted, but complement the meat well. Their Spud is really good to. But if you get the spud, be sure you are really hungry. If you go for lunch, try Wednesdays Burnt Ends. But go early so you can get some, they can go fast. So far, this is the best BBQ that weve eaten in western Washington.

Pros: taste, large portions

Cons: out of the way, pricy

Posted 11/10/02

Ok, I am a BBQ fanatic. I smoke meats, ribs, etc.. over wood and coals for hours. Texas Smokehouse is as close to real BBQ than most of the others listed. Great meat flavors average portions, but what makes this place better than the rest is the sauce. Finally a BBQ place that doesn't try to burn your tounge off and kill the meat flavors. Try this place and you will definitely not be disappointed!

Pros: Meat flavors, SAUCE SAUCE SAUCE

Cons: Average Portions

Posted 10/25/02

NOT Texan . . . just recently moved here from Central Texas and been going through withdrawl. Saw the sign, the Lone Star Flag and Texas plates on the wall, so we thought we'd give it a try.
Lousy . . . lousy brisket (dry, bad sauce) lousy chicken, meager portions, lousy sides. Sauce . . . forget it. I had low expectations (this is not the Texas Hill Country after all), and I was still disappointed. Also, overpriced.
Not worth the time...

Cons: Lousy brisket, meager portions, overpriced

Posted 10/25/02

i give this place an AAA rating! best texas style bbq west of houston! ribs are awesome!

Pros: ribs, chicken, ribs

Posted 09/04/02

I've been eating barbecue all around the country for over 50 years, and this place stacks up woth the best. You won't find better brisket anywhere in the northwest. A classic barbecue joint.

Posted 08/20/02

You won't be disappointed, and that's a promise. I'd been looking for "real" BBQ since I moved up from Houston and Dixie's was.. OK, but Louisiana BBQ just won't cut a Texas craving. The Texas Smoke House certainly fills the bill. You know this is good BBQ from the smells of the smoking pits when you walk in. Everyone has to try it spicy. It's toned down for the NW taste, but enough kick to warm the taste buds and won't leave you frantically looking for your water glass. I love the chopped beef sandwich. It's all you need and then some. The Texas spud is another favorite. It'll stick to your ribs and won't empty your wallet. My family and I live in Auburn, and we feel this place is well worth the hours drive 3 or 4 times a month. I'm sure you will too. Boy Howdy!

Pros: Inexpensive, REAL BBQ!!!, Fresh brewed Ice Tea

Cons: only one location

Posted 07/28/02

The Texas Smoke House has the best Bar-B-Q in the city, much better than Dixie's. The food is awesome and the prices are great for lunch, and still not too bad for dinner. Well worth the drive to the North end.

Pros: Inexpensive, Great pork

Cons: Big Al

Posted 07/26/02

Best beef ribs and baby back ribs in the entire Pacific Northwest.

Posted 07/25/02

After all the hype, I had to try it. The ribs had a lot of meat but the sauce was OK. Dixie's and 3 Pigs still rule. The cornbread had a weird taste to it and it was kind of hard. Beans and potatoe salad were ordinary. The service was great. Really nice people!

Pros: Service

Posted 06/26/02

Having moved from Texas 4 years ago I have been searching for decent BBQ. The meat here is as good as any I had during my 30 plus years in Texas. The brisket is served as it should be, sliced not shredded. The sauce is OK but the meat really doesnt need it as it is smoked to perfection. The meat is tender and juicy. The potato salad and beans are a little bland and the cornbread needs to be sweeter. Sides aside For REAL Texas style smoked meat run over the Armadillo and head to the Texas Smoke house. Now if someone could just find me a decent Mexican restaurant.

Pros: Tender and Juicy meat, Great portions, Friendly Staff

Cons: Edge of town, Sides a little bland

Posted 06/19/02