Lisa's Texas BBQ

Don't bother (and it is a bother - read on).

I seriously hope no one is depending on this place for their livelihood; a little background:

Because BBQ joints are spotty about hours (and days) of operation not to mention, if working from old references, continued existence, I try to call first - especially when the place is twenty minutes away (like Lisa's). So I first called about 3 weeks ago and asked if they were open for lunch.

"When are you coming?"

"Umm - for lunch."

"Well, I have a catering job today."

"OK. I'll try another day"

Today was the that other day - same routine:

"When are you coming?"

"For lunch - I thought about a quarter to 12."

"Well, I have to run to Sam's"

Two thoughts here:

1. Couldn't you do that earlier (or later)?
2. What kind of restaurant locks up for errands over the lunch hour?

After extracting the promise that they would be back by 11:45, I hopped in the car, picked up my friend Dan and headed for Lisa's. The location is a little out-of-the way: 125 Long Road, but good Q is worth the hunt. Some other folks must have thought so too as they pulled in when we did.

The door was locked. No one was there. After a five minute wait we were on the way back to the car when Lisa pulled up and apologized. We were ushered in to find a 'buffet' - essentially required to build our own sandwiches. Couldn't be bothered to show up, couldn't be bothered to serve . . .

Out of the two choices, sliced brisket and sliced pork, I went with the beef.

It tasted like my Mom's roast beef. Now don't get me wrong, I love my Mom's roast beef; a little gravy, a little Yorkshire pudding, I'm in heaven - but BBQ it's not. It may have been smoked, but I didn't taste it.

The sauce was passable, the sides and dessert were High School cafeteria all the way, but given the sad meat and just general lack of giving a damn, I feel no need to ever go back . . . even if they did bother to be open for lunch.