On our way down to Austin my wife and I had Uncle Dan's Barbecue in Waco. Faced with two options, Rudy's or Uncle Dan's, we decided to try the latter. It wasn't great. I thought I'd missed Rudy's for good because the odds of me rolling through Waco again are about as good as a snowball's chance in hell. To say I was surprised to hear there was a Rudy's in Laredo is an understatement. I had no idea Rudy's was a chain - a rather large chain apparently. And to have one here, in my temporary new home was a dream. Today I made that dream come true.
Not particularly hankering for barbecue, not any more than usual anyway, I thought what the hell why not? It's Sunday, a nice sunny day off from boot camp. Brandon and I walked in and lined up beside the trough of ice cold beer. You order barbecue by the 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4lb. You have a choice of the staples; sliced, chopped, moist or lean brisket, pulled pork, turkey breast, ribs and sausage. All the usual sides and deserts too. I settled on 1/4lb. of sliced brisket, 1/4lb. of pulled pork and coleslaw. Free white bread, jalapeños, pickles, onions and barbecue sause. Yes, sause.
Oh, what exceptional barbecue they sling down there at Rudy's! The brisket is salty, very smokey and fork tender. The fat melts in your mouth and the sweet, spicy rub stands along - but why not squart somma that thar sause on thar? It's also pretty damn good. The pulled pork was tender but I'd happily skip it to have a bit more brisket next time. The coleslaw was creamy, a little watery and not as nice as The Stockyards back home in Toronto. Again, come for the brisket and stay for the brisket.
If Rudy's is any indication of what good work is done in the business of barbecue down here I'm in for a long, delicious couple of months.
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