The Tiger’s Tummy Review of Augie’s Barbecue

photo by Jnewman

People's preference in barbecue in a lot of ways depends upon where they're from. North Carolina’s pulled pork vinegar based barbecue, for instance, is completely different from the wood grilled sauce drenched affair typically found in Memphis. Texas Barbecue is even more peculiar than most, to the point that other states don’t even consider Texas barbecue to be true barbecue (all of them being crazy northerners of course).

Augie's exemplifies this Texas style of barbecue where pork, brisket, turkey, or sausage is slowly cooked to perfection in a mesquite fire oven. First, the food in this ramshackle barbecue joint is simply fabulous. Every mouth watering bit you’ll savor. Even people from different cultural barbecue backgrounds will be able to appreciate the fair at Augie’s, it might just turn a few non believers onto the greatness of Texas barbecue.

photo by Jnewman

The joint is located just past the Bombay bicycle club off Mulberry Avenue on the other side of 281. The establishment boasts a front area for guest to wait in line for the lunchroom style service. After which patrons can either eat in the small cramped indoor dining room, or the much larger outdoor bar and garden in the back. The garden is the only serviceable part of the establishment. While some might argue that Augie’s is attempting to look ramshackle, it wins no point in my book for the attempt to look ugly.

So far, Augie's has received three paws for food, a half a tiger paw for the ambiance, and one paw for distance. Remaining are the judgments on the restaurants service and overall value.

Photo by Jnewman

Like many traditional barbecue joints instead of being seated and served, Augie's has you stand in line for your food. While some might again contribute this to a traditional barbecue picnic sort of feel I would surely argue against such an idea as services are simply not being provided. if I was to accept the notion of the barbecue picnic feel, Augie’s has serious rush issues due to the small serving area, thus one should expect long lines and delays in being served.

The last piece of my review looks at Augie’s barbecue as whole as to whether it has any economic value to college kids. Augie's basic barbecue sandwiches run from 5 to 7 dollars. While some might compare a cheaper price point at Bill Miller barbecue. I beg anyone who reads this to realize that B M barbecue simply cannot compare to the great savory well done mesquite taste you’ll find at Augie’s.

Overall I give Augie’s barbecue 7 and a half tiger paws. I have to comment, however, that all my gripes with Augie’s are simply cosmetic to the general restaurant. I believe that many however, will forget all about my misgivings once they have tasted the mesquite smoked brisket at Augie’s. If you like barbecue, then you’ll love Augie’s, it’s as simple as that.


Alamo cafe pics by John Newman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.