Page 1 of 1

Collin County BBQ

Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:52 pm
by uttexas
Dallas and Collin County are shamefully low on quality BBQ joints.
However, I must say that Hutchins BBQ and Hank's are worth a visit.

http://www.hutchinsbbq.net/

http://www.hankstexasgrill.com/

Hutchins is a classic BBQ joint with sausage, brisket, chicken, rib plates + sides.

Hanks is more of a bar and grill, but they have expanded their smoked meat offerings.

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:08 pm
by uttexas
There's a new BBQ place in Collin County that might be better than Hutchins.
Went to Big Ray's BBQ on McDermott just east of 75. Had brisket, sausage, and pulled pork--all very good.
https://www.facebook.com/bigraysbbq?sk=wall

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:16 pm
by Papa Tom
The only decent BBQ I've had in Collin CO. is Rudy's on the tollway not that I've tried them all by any means. The first I went to was Randy White's that is bad news there. I am even tolerant of Spring Creek except the one in Frisco on Preston. Been to a couple other places over in the McKinney/Allen area but nothing memorable.
I'll have to check out your suggestions.

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 11:28 am
by Boots
I would second or third that Collin County is inexplicably one of barbecue dry holes of Texas. Not sure why that is since barbecue fanatacism here might only be second to Central Texas. It is an inexcusable tragedy, and if I ever win the Lottery, I will open a place and cure the problem forthwith.

I have had Hutchin's only once when they were back at the old location in Frisco on Main, many years ago, so I will preface my comments by saying my experience is way out of date and a lot has probably changed. I don't know if they still run the place sort of like a buffet deal, or if they have a lot of new equipment, gone more upscale, etc. (as you can tell, I am trying to edge my way gently into a bad review). But in short, at that time, in that place, and under what may now be a completely obsolete opinion, the barbecue was just awful. Just my opinion, judge for yourself of course, but some of the worst I have had. Hopefully it has gotten much better, or I just caught them on a bad week. And I admit to being in the lean brisket camp which calls for just enough marbling to add some flavor and then just cook it at low altitude for a really long time, but even still, I gotta say I would have had to use a microscope to find the meat amongst the fat on my plate that day, and it had all the flavor of day old chewing gum. I dumped it and walked out the door 1/4 of the way through my plate. NOW AGAIN, THAT MAY HAVE ALL CHANGED over the past 8 or 10 years, and I hope it has. But unless I hear differently from somebody I really trust, first impressions are important and I won't be back.

Same was true of Angelo's in Fort Worth if it is still there. It's was an icon, and I'd happily go over there for a cold schooner with my buddies, but I wouldn't eat the barbecue (again, based off of last eating there a long time ago). They were serving up flat that looked like point, and while I like mine tender, this had been overcooked to mush. They could have served it in a bowl as meat pudding, IF there had been some meat in it. Again, it may be way different now and this was many years ago, but I have voted with my feet ever since. The Railhead on Vickery (if still there) and Main Street in Euless were much better alternatives, though Main does a lot better job on its ribs than brisket, which is understandable since that's what they competed on and became famous for.

Rudy's makes a darn good spicy burnt end sandwich though they do drown the meat in sauce first and it runs just a bit greasy, but the brisket doesn't match up, I would rate it a bit above average (I am a really harsh critic on brisket because I cook it a lot myself, as probably comes out). I've had theirs at the store on the circle in Waco as well and the quality is as good, which tells me the New Braunfels folks are getting out and maitaining quality control on their stores.

A little known secret if you are in the west McKinney area on a Saturday, particularly during football season. There is a retired Okie and his wife that drive in his big Southern Yankee cooker to the parking lot of the Home Depot at Custer and Virginia Parkway and cooks up some really good brisket, sausage, burnt ends sammies, and sometimes ribs for the Home Depot crowd. I'd target between 10AM and 2PM to get there before he sells out. The guy uses Oklahoma oak and does a really nice job of it, and is just a very nice personable guy to talk to, that will jawbone on barbecue all day with you. His burnt ends sammich is one of the best ones I've had around here, and with no need to drown it in sauce first. It's good stuff. Crank open the truck window on a cool October day and when you get to within a half mile, you'll be able to smell your way to him.

As for Hank's I can't say though I should know, I live in town. But they do bring in a lot of great music (Max Stalling, etc.) and the parking lot is packed every weekend.

Have a carnivorous day.

-Boots :texas:

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:01 pm
by uttexas
Been back to Big Ray's on Main Street in Allen several times now. They've been consistently very good. Their brisket is the star: smokey, tender, with good bark. Tried some of their sides today---Cornbread salad is great. Had their bread pudding for desert---excellent. They are now my favorite BBQ place in Collin County.

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:08 pm
by BigDave
Yep, without a doubt Big Ray's in Allen is easily the best BBQ in Collin County!

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:32 pm
by threecreekranch
My family and I have eaten at Spring Creek BBQ for 20+ years and it's one of our favorites. The ribs, chicken, and sausage are excellent.

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:34 pm
by tex_toby
An old high school buddy of mine owns Hank's. I'll pass along the good word. ;)

Re: Collin County BBQ

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:24 am
by 66foxtrot
Ate at Ray's last week and have nothing but great things to say! The sliced brisket sandwich was moist and flavorful and they give you a heaping mound of it! I love their beans as the side! Ray's wife was there that day and is friendly as ever. Have made this my "close to home" spot.

Collin County BBQ

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:32 pm
by bsooner75
I ate at Big Rays last night. Brisket was a little dry, but flavor was not bad. Good hot link and spicy BBQ sauce.

Super nice people. I hope they make it. I will go back if we get up that way again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk