Tiffany D.
Yelp
Taste of Texas Barbecue is a hole in the wall and unassuming restaurant located on the Byron Highway, it's definitely one of those unique places that a rad to come by in California. When looking for this place you might pass it up as the signage does not say Taste of Texas Barbecue but still says Byron Cafe which was previously here.
I've been on the hunt for some really good barbecue in the Bay Area, Central Valley and so on and I happened to find this place on Yelp. What really intrigued me was how they serve the barbecue and how it is very reminiscent of BBQ places in the Midwest and South. Upon walking in you get a Texas feel, there are cow hides on the wall, various horse statues, cowboy boots and newspaper articles showcasing their restaurant. The ambiance and decor really is on point. The customer service here is pretty good as well, the staff is very friendly and welcoming.
The menu is pretty small but packs a punch when it comes to the offerings. They have brisket, pulled pork, pork spareribs, beef ribs (Saturdays only), sausages, sandwiches, burritos and a big drink menu. Not only that but they have a nice variety of sides such as coleslaw, ranchero beans, potato salad, BBQ rice, mac n cheese and jalapeno cheddar grits. The one thing I do like is that when you order your brisket, sausage, pork, ribs that it's cut and chopped right in front of you and placed in butcher paper. I haven't seen another BBQ spot in the area that does this.
I've been here a couple of times and I'm a bit disappointed with the food. The brisket is juicy and tender but definitely too salty. If it wasn't so salty it would be amazing. The mac n cheese is ok, has a heavy pepper taste and could use more cheese. The BBQ rice is a huge let down, I think what throws it off for me is that they use jasmine rice instead of regular long grain rice. The jasmine rice just doesn't taste very good with the sausage and brisket that's in the rice and it also has a heavy pepper flavor. The brisket sandwich is ok, it's brisket, pickled onions and coleslaw on a bun. I just wish the bun held up better as it got soggy fast from the coleslaw.
Overall, the food is hit or miss but the brisket would be amazing if it wasn't so salty and I wish they had tri-tip. I probably won't be back which is a bummer and I will continue my hunt for the best BBQ in the area.