I don’t know how long the Patriotic Pig has been open, but I don’t know why I had never heard about it! My understanding is that they began as a food truck about 5 years ago, and have since moved into this brick and mortar. This is a veteran-owned business, and their stated mission is “to humbly serve top-quality BBQ while paying tribute to the greatest nation on the planet.”
As usual, I can’t contain myself when trying a new BBQ spot, so I tried the brisket, pork ribs, Black pepper and jalapeno cheddar sausages, burnt end beans, loaded smashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, and peach cobbler. I stopped in around lunch time, and the place was quite full, but it did clear out after 1pm.
As is typical of Texas BBQ restaurants, ordering is done at the counter, as you get to see most of your options as you move down the line, you pay at the register as you receive your food, and seat yourself.
Everything looked great, and I couldn’t wait to try everything! The brisket is super moist – may be a little fatty for some – but full of great beefy, smoky flavor. My pork ribs were good, not quite as tender as I’d like, and the top-end had a lot of cartilage. (pork ribs are notoriously inconsistent, and it may have just been the ribs I received. The flavor and the bark were very good!) Both sausages are good. The black pepper sausage is drier and nicely seasoned, while the jalapeno cheddar is an oilier sausage. Both were good, but I found the jalapeno chaddar to be very similar to that which I’ve had elsewhere, and the black pepper more unique.
As good as the meats are, I have to say that the sides are really what makes this place stand-out. Starting with the burnt end beans. If you like bbq beans, you have to try these. If you don’t normally like bbq beans, you have to try these! They are thick, rich, smoky and simply delicious. The loaded smashed potatoes have all the flavor of a great loaded potato that’s been smashed. I’m not a big mac-n-cheese fan, but this one is up there with some of the best tasting, and the peach cobbler? It was very good as well, but I don’t think I was able to enjoy it to it’s fullest after all the rest of the great food.
Along with offering meat by the pound and as part of 1, 2 or 3 meat plates with 2 sides, The Patriotic Pig also offers family meals, sandwiches, bowls, tacos and burgers, and besides the peach cobbler, they also have banana pudding, cheesecake and mini pies.
This is a serious addition to the local barbecue scene! I highly recommend giving Patriotic Pig a try. I know I’ll be back!
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