Barbecue in San Antonio: Smoking Prohibited

Serve-yourself barbecue joint with popular entrees such as pork ribs, brisket and sausage, which include two side orders.

Built in 1894, the historic building served as the Wetmore General Store and Post Office for eighty years before becoming a beer joint, pool hall, and finally a restaurant. As generations return to this historic location reflecting the legend and lifestyle of Texas, they will enjoy our family-friendly atmosphere and a chance to relax with the tastes and sounds of Texas. We offer our award-winning "slowest BBQ in Texas" and Texas Comfort Food made from scratch paired with the tradition of live music, playing host to a variety of San Antonio and South Texas' best acts.

Here's a truth to be reckoned with: Don't wait until near closing time to hit a popular barbecue joint. Arriving at Bob's a full hour before the alleged closing time on a Saturday, we were the last to be let in. "We had a blessed day," explained out erstwhile hostess. Translation: They had been slammed and were out of just about everything but pork ribs and sausage. Nothing to do but bar the door under such circumstances. - Ron Bechtol

Skeeter Miller's very own Texas-style barbeque.

An ethereally smoky, tender, and moist sliced brisket sandwich is served on white bread, the way God intended, and the sausage at this economically sized Eastside joint is no slouch, either. Save room for 7UP pound cake for dessert.

Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Que proclaims itself the "Worst Bar-B-Que in Texas." A primitive protest of my own is now in order: Unless the bellwether brisket improves markedly, this tongue-in-cheek claim is in danger of becoming more fact than ad-copy fiction. Dry, boring, and even visually unappealing, the purported pride of Texas "Q," came alive only with liberal lashings of Rudy's famous (and famously sweet-sour) "sause." - Ron Bechtol

St. Hedwig boasts of nothing that I could see except Texas Pride Barbeque, the only building by the road. And boy howdy, are they proud of that. At night, the neon lights of red and green outine the shack and light up the joint like a Christmas Tree. I didn't get a chance to sample the fare thoroughly on my first excursion, but I sidled up to the bar, sniffed the vittles, and made a friendly inquiry or two. I learned enough to know that it would be worth coming back. I've waited longer for a seat in a San Antonio restaurant than it took us to drive to Texas Pride, and adventure, as much as the meal, was worth the trip. The guy cutting ribs said lots of folks drive out from San Antonio, even for lunch. The draw must be the food, because it isn't St. Hedwig. - Retha Oliver

Tom's is a catholic establishment: There are many vehicles to salvation, some of which never even had feet. The meat sits squarely on the damn-good side of barbecue, and we really got off on the fried catfish. Tom's also features some of the best veggie side dishes available at a mainly meat joint. The sweet potato rules. One might even order a Caesar salad. There are three locations, and an expanded menu, and — while I can't speak directly to it — I am assured by other patrons that the ribs remain the same. - Jonathan Marcus

Tom's is a catholic establishment: There are many vehicles to salvation, some of which never even had feet. The meat sits squarely on the damn-good side of barbecue, and we really got off on the fried catfish. Tom's also features some of the best veggie side dishes available at a mainly meat joint. The sweet potato rules. One might even order a Caesar salad. There are three locations, and an expanded menu, and — while I can't speak directly to it — I am assured by other patrons that the ribs remain the same. - Jonathan Marcus