Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ

Founded in the 1800’s on the outskirts of San Antonio, Rudolph Aue opened a one-stop gas station and country store. Many decades later in the 1980’s BBQ was added to the menu and then word started to spread like flame through a log in the smoking pit. The country store was serving up some of the best BBQ around and sticking to the same recipes still to this day. Luckily the company started to expand so you don’t need to get to Leon Springs, Texas to sample some authentic Texas BBQ.

They have been using Oak since the beginning and they don’t have any interest in changing to the more common Mesquite wood that you find. Using their special dry rub recipe as well as the most important ingredient, time, they are serving up some of the most tasty BBQ meats around. The unique feel of the establishment also will help take you back to the simpler times of the world. Meals are sold by serving weight; you will not find any combo plates or meals on the menu. If you are unsure, let the counter person know it is your first time and you may be lucky enough to get a few samples of some of their offerings. They do have sandwich options, but I recommend ordering from the meat menu if you are looking to share with the table.

All meat options are served in half-pound options with the chicken being the exception as it is served as a half of a chicken instead. They have many options available so you may want to stand back and read over the menu board upon arrival as well. There are also many cold and warm sides available as well that you can pair with your meal. There is a selection of two sauces on every large picnic table as well as a great section with silverware and added toppings for additional flavor.

We started by ordering the half chicken ($6.49). It is a bone in half chicken that has been cooked to perfection. It is so well done that you may find even without sauce that it has tremendous flavor. The two sauce options that are available are Rudy’s BBQ Sause and Rudy’s Sissy Sause. One being slightly stronger with spice than the other, and that is their sauce spelling I promise. Both of the sauces are in large bottles and you may need to be patient waiting for them to pour out, but once the train starts it can empty on your plate quickly.

We also used some of the wax paper that is provided by the plastic cutlery, in order to get into the true spirit of authentic Texas BBQ grubbing. The next item we ordered was a half-pound of the lean Brisket ($7.69). It is sliced thinly and the Oak smoke flavor can be really detected on this cut of meat. When you add a little of their “Sause”, it is then taken to another level of flavor. The meat is very tender and it is easy to cut through even with just a plastic fork and knife.

Our next item we ordered was a side item, but it is a meal all by itself. The Jumbo Smoked Baked Potato with Meat ($7.49), is just as it is billed, a jumbo baked potato with your choice of any of their meats served on top. We decided to try it with their pulled pork, and we ordered the potato loaded which includes butter, cheese, and sour cream. Placed on top of all the toppings and cradled inside the split potato was a tremendous amount of pulled pork. The smoked potato on its own would have been delicious, but when you add any of their meats, it takes on a whole new dimension. This potato when served in this style can be eaten as a meal by one, or even possibly split by two. It is an amazing amount of food and one of the items I am most looking forward to ordering again, with the slight modification of ordering it with a rotation of meat options each time.

We also ordered on the side a small order of Cole Slaw ($2.29) and corn on the cob ($1.99). The Cole Slaw was well flavored and not with too much moisture as to allow it to become too loose. The corn is served on a wooden dowel and this make it much more convenient to eat. You also get to pick up slices of either white bread or wheat bread at the center island, in order to round out your meal.

The meal prices may vary as it is done by weight at time of ordering, so if you get a little less than a half-pound then the price would reflect the difference in weight as well. While eating I was hard pressed to remind myself that we had not driven out to Texas Hill Country. It is unlike other experiences that you may be accustomed to, and I recommend trying it at least once, especially if you enjoy the smell and taste of smoked cooking. So make a trip out to one of the two

Phoenix area locations (Goodyear and Chandler) and saddle up to some great BBQ, partner.

Location and Website:

845 N Litchfield Rd Goodyear, AZ 85338, https://rudysbbq.com