It was warm for January, so I was out running errands and taking care of business when I decided to stop at What’s Tha Deal Barbecue in Bryan, Texas. I’d never been and heard amazing things, so this was the day.
This isn’t one of my typical articles because I don’t know any of their backstory or have any details about how the restaurant came to be. This is just about my experience that afternoon, but the food was so phenomenal that I knew I had to put something out into the world for folks to read about it.
When I walked in, the spacious dining area had just two other tables occupied, and a group of four was making their selections in front of me. One by one, the gentleman behind the counter sliced meats and stacked them up, handing the cardboard serving boats to the customer.
The smooth aroma of smoke filled the air along with the sound of an Alicia Keys song lightly playing in the background. I grabbed a tray and slid it down the metal rails, as the gentleman asked what I’d have.
The brisket, moist please, and 2 sides.
The slices of brisket slid off his knife as he sliced through it time and again. One swoop picked up the slices and placed them into the cardboard serving boat. He handed it across the glass to me, and it almost felt as if it had just come off the pit. It was hot enough that I quickly put it down on my tray.
Another step down the line, I requested potato salad and macaroni and cheese. I know, I know, double carbs, but when I try a new place, I always choose my favorites - so I can judge it against all the other places that I love.
A fourth serving boat was handed to me with pickles, onions, and a plastic ramekin of sauce. Judging by the juice seeping out of the meat, that sauce would not be necessary.
I filled a cup with water, grabbed utensils, and found a booth by the window.
The brisket was exceedingly tender, with a thick fat cap. If that’s not your jam, you may want
to ask for lean, but I love the way it dissolved like cotton candy when it hit my tongue.
The potato salad had a hint of sweetness from the pickles, which was perfectly balanced by the zip of mustard.
The side of mac ‘n cheese was hot and gooey with a decadent cheese sauce, that was seasoned well. A layer of viscous cheese sauce was left in the bottom of the boat to remind me of how well-coated every elbow was.
That day I finished the mac ‘n cheese because I’m no punk. I did take home about half of the potato salad and more than half of the brisket for lunch the next day.
Overall, the quality was excellent, the flavor was fantastic, and the service was very kind. So, the next time you’re taking the backroads over in their area, make sure you stop in at What’s tha Deal and enjoy some great BBQ, you’ll be glad you did.
Also, if you own What’s tha Deal, and you would like a FREE full feature, please reach out to me. Y’all are a treasure and I would love to help promote you.
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