James A.
Yelp
Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse BBQ opened in 1998, but the history of the Meyer family and meat processing in Elgin, TX goes back to the 1930's. My nephew and I had the chance to stop in soon after it opened at 10 am on a Friday. It has a very large dining area, fully air conditioned with different separate areas. There is a small counter selling Meyer's sausages and souvenirs. The main ordering area has the meats ready to carve once ordered. The friendly cashier told us a little about the choices, and we decided to sample.
You pay upfront, and then wait a little bit while the meat is carved and sides are put into cups. We got the two meat plate for $15.75, up charging to the brisket for additional $2.50 (no choice in getting either moist or lean...they gave us lean), and having the beef garlic sausage as the other choice. Sides were mashed potatoes and pinto beans. It all came on a styrofoam plate pretty quick.
There are self serve stations with huge amount of dill pickle spears, white onions, pickle slices, ketchup and cheddar cheese. Pickles and onions are a great addition to any rich and fatty meats, and these were cold and crispy.
I thought the food was just OK, with my favorite being the sausage and the crisp pickles. The sausage was flavorful, coarsely ground the way I like it, and definitely have a nice snap when you break through the casing. The brisket was OK, definitely had the smoke ring and it looks beautiful as it was being carved, but pretty plain when eaten as part of the two meat plate, and a bit dry. Reminded me of what you can get at a chain like Dickey's (where the brisket is reused from previous day if necessary), but maybe a bit even lower...definitely not as good as what you can get at a chain like Rudy's. Perhaps it would be better in a sandwich, stacked a bit higher. The pinto beans was enjoyed and the mashed potatoes were very simple, just potato with no cream/milk or cheese mixed in. All in all, the prices are very reasonable.
You self-bus, and we were in/out really quick, which we appreciated, giving us enough time to hit the next BBQ place.