BBQ close to, or in, Dallas.

[Chow Baby]

I'll be at the W Hotel on March 1. It will be my first time in Texas.

Where can I find some good grub. I would love some BBQ.

I'll probably have a car.

[DeniseAV]

The original Sonny Bryan's on Inwood is to die for. You MUST go there. Skip Baby Back Shack unless you're not afraid to venture into a very dangerous part of town.

[gavlist]

I didn't feel like Baby Back Shak was in a dangerous part of town... but definitely not an "upscale" area by any stretch. However, I would encourage you to go to Sonny Bryan's instead, only because BBS is Memphis-style BBQ. Sonny Bryan's, while not the best example of what TX has to offer is still pretty tasty and is more typical of TX style BBQ.

[Scagnetti]

What do you get at Sonny' Bryan's that is to die for? They have at best mediocre bbq and the food at the Inwood location is no better than what's at their 9 other locations.

[DeniseAV]

Their ribs are the best ever! And their sauce is so good Dean Ferring uses it at his restaurant. Thety also have the best onion rings anywhere. They still do everything in the original pit and you can taste the difference. Don't knock it til you try it!

[Chow Baby]

Is Sonny Bryan's a walk from the hotel or should I get a cab?
Thanks, everyone?

[DFWGuy]

There is a Sonny Bryan's in the West End that you could walk to, but it is not worth the walk. If you are going to Sonny Bryans, go to the original on Inwood - you will either need a car or cab.

For what it is worth, while the atmosphere at the original Sonny Bryan's is worthy of a visit, there is much better BBQ to be had in Dallas.

I do think Baby Back Shak is one of the better choices in Dallas, and while not in the best part of Dallas, I wouldn't hesitate to send friends, family, etc. there. But as noted above, I believe it is still closed after a fire.

So, given that you will be at the W, my choices (atmosphere aside) would be either Big Al's or Sammy's. I think Big Al's is much better than Sammy's, but Sammy's is quite close to the W.

If you do choose Sonny Bryan's, make it an early lunch.

[Chow Baby]

Big Al's, the name, sounds like good BBQ.

Is this a solid recommendation then?

[luniz]

I've only had the beef ribs there. They were fine, but far from mind blowing. Very good value however since it was the special (Thursday night).

[Scagnetti]

I remember a time when the bbq was good, when Sonny his ownself did the carving, and the place was indeed a mecca of bbq in Dallas and if you got there any later 11:15 AM on weekdays, you were in for a extended wait, and you didn't worry about how good the bbq was just whether or not they'd run out of it before you got there.

But hey, what do I know, I've only lived in Dallas since 1972.

[Caroline1]

Sonny Bryan's is the only place in town that I know of that serves bbq beef ribs, and then ONLY on Mondays. Then it's all-you-can-eat to make up for not having it the rest of the time. If there's someplace else that serves beef ribs, please speak up!!!

[DFWGuy]

Caroline,

Beef ribs just happen to be my order of choice at Big Al's. While they are served every day, they are Thursday's special.

DFWGuy

[Caroline1]

Thanks, Guy! I spent several hours searching the web for bbq beef ribs one day, but I was limiting it to 20 miles from home. <sigh> Big Al's (apparently) only location is 25. I live way out near South Fork Ranch, if you know where that is. Guess I'll continue to make my own...

That's okay. Mine are really good! '-)

[DiRotiman]

Sammy's BBQ next to the Federal Reserve Building (Routh @ Woodall Roger's-ish...) Passes my critical mass for all things tender and smoked.

[planojim]

I tried to get to Baby Back Shak this weekend (2-9) and they said it would be 3-4 more weeks.

I hope it's open by the time you visit.

[bdunk11]

Does anyone know if Baby Back Shak has re-opened?

[michaela0416]

It has indeed: http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/...

[Dallas Alice]

I second Baby Back Shak. Get the ribs. Their sides are excellent, too.

[soulslinger]

Baby Back Shack.....might be closed though...had a fire recently. Should be the best place in Dallas to get great BBQ....just avoid the Brisket (not their specialty) ribs and chicken are awesome. Might call to see if they have opened yet. Other than that I have seen a post or two about Odom's in S. Dallas. Other than that the quest for que is pretty nil in Dallas. Other recs you will see are The Original Sonny Bryan's on Inwood at Harry Hines and Rudy's in Frisco or Denton

http://www.babybackshak.com/

http://eats.beloblog.com/archives/200....