The best BLT of my life, a flavorful rack of ribs, an amazing Texas Philly, and a plate of smoked cream cheese.
That's what I got to taste when I took a trip back to Pioneer Brenham recently.
It was the last of the summer concert series for 2024 and the charming downtown was bustling with people. The streets were filled with vendors, the sounds of laughter, and the buzz of excitement. Country music tunes drifted in the air, along with the smell of Post Oak smoking, as I approached Pioneer Smokehouse, in Brenham, Texas.
I’ve been to Pioneer Smokehouse a few times now and I love the atmosphere. It’s got the vibe of hanging out at a friend’s barbeque; there’s some seating inside, and a lot of picnic tables to sit at out back under big oak trees. Grab a drink from the cooler, order at the counter, and then find a seat. In the winter, there’s a fire pit lit and often times live music up on the stage. This is a place to relax, enjoy slower times with old friends, and make some new ones.
Mark Renn, owner of Pioneer Smokehouse is a great guy; when you walk in, you feel like you’ve been buddies for years. I was happy to learn that things have been going well and they’ve recently added new sandwiches to their menu, a couple of which he invited me to try, and they were impressive!
I started the tasting with an order of smoked cream cheese. It has a beautiful smokey crust on the outside and a warm gooey inside. It was topped with a jalapeno jelly glaze for that perfect savory-sweet combo. A big ‘ole stack of Ritz crackers comes on the side to smear it on. Grab your gaggle of girlfriends, enjoy a cold beer, and share an order of this while you wait for the rest of your food to come out because it’s a big appetizer.
How do you even describe ribs that get better bite after bite? I’m not even sure, but these do. The flavor deepened, the smoke intensified, and meat pulled cleanly off the bones. The crust of the bark was the perfect opposite of the soft meat beneath. Grab a slab, and a couple sides and you’re eating good for a while!
When you think of a sandwich, these beasts are not what you’re thinking of. These are two hands required, kind of sandwiches. The kind where you almost have to take stuff off, just to prevent it from spilling out because it’s so stuffed.
Brown sugar smoked bacon is the star of the BLT at Pioneer. It’s a thick-cut, smoky, crisp bacon; perfectly balanced between salty and sweet. A soft roll was coated with a house-made spicy mayo, layered with crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and onions, and then piled up with that crispy bacon.
My favorite of the day was The Chopper, their version of a Texas cheesesteak. This was an enormous sandwich, and even when I cut it in thirds it was still a big sandwich for me. A soft roll, coated with their house-crafted sauce, a layer of gooey cheese, a mountain of chopped brisket, and sauteed peppers and onions. This is an indulgent and satisfying sandwich. You’d better make plans for a nap afterward.
If you’re looking for some good ‘ole Texas BBQ make sure you take the backroads on over to Brenham, Texas. Take a stroll around Downtown, and stop in at Pioneer Smokehouse for lunch. You’ll be glad you did!
309 S. Park St. Brenham, TX 77833
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