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AJ's Ranch Road Grill

3.5 (111 reviews)
InexpensiveBarbeque, Tex-Mex, Burgers
Closed • Closed

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AJ's Ranch Road Grill Photos

AJ'S RANCH ROAD GRILL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - AJ's Ranch Road Grill

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Reviews With Photos

David R.

Nice little hole in wall. We stopped here after dropping my son off at Texas State. Brisket quesadillas were on point. Good bbq sauce but need more of it. Good green chili ranch sauce. Fries were excellent! My son had pulled pork sandwich combo. Should be served with coleslaw and pickles and jalepenos on the sandwich. Quality of meat is great. Good smoke. They let you BYOB from liquor store next door, which I did. The folks were nice, service was good. My son will be going here often for good food at good price. He will like the brisket grilled cheese and brisket nachos... Check this place out next time you are in quaint San Marcos!

Brisket quesadillas and tots
Jeremiah G.

I've lived her for over 3 years and not only didn't know about this place but also never want. This place confuses the heck out of me. It's a bbq place, that doesn't look like a bbq place, that stays open till 3AM?!?! It just doesn't seem to make sense for San Marcos but guess what IT DOES!!! Now the only thing that I've actually only ever gotten here were the brisket quesadillas and the tots but boy oh boy it is amazing. If you are in the area and can't really decide what you want, options are limited in San Marcos, then I'd stop by. I'm not a huge fan or bbq but if you kinda are. Try them out.

Smoky roast beef.
Jimmy H.

I know my wife Amber gets tired of us eating so much barbecue. I try my best to accommodate her when I can. Happy wife, happy life, right? AJ's Ranch Road Grill is a restaurant located in San Marcos that serves mostly BBQ items but also has a few other non-BBQ items. When we pulled up to the joint on a Sunday, I could not detect a whiff of smoke. I know we were in trouble. Amber ordered the burger, and I got the Hungry Man's Combo. It came with 1/4 lb. brisket, 1/4 lb. sausage, and 1/4 lb. pork ribs. The plate came with two sides so I chose fries and macaroni and cheese. While we were waiting for our food, I had a bad feeling. When I got my plate, my fears were confirmed. The smoked meats were reheated. AJ's must smoke their meats some other day. The marbled brisket was dry and chewy. It was like eating a flavorless well-done steak. The pork rib was okay. The meat required some effort to come off the bone. It was smoky, but other than that it was boring. The sausage was decent. It tasted fine but was super greasy. The highlight of the meal was the sides. That is not positive sign if you are a BBQ restaurant. Amber was also not a fan of her burger. AJ's Ranch Road Grill is open till 3 AM in the morning. If you are drunk and hungry, bad food can still taste fine. That is coming from my experiences. Outside, the sign said that they had Tex-Mex as well. The Tex-Mex items were BBQ tacos and quesadillas. I am no expert, but I am pretty sure that is not Tex-Mex. Hays County BBQ is still the place to go to in San Marcos. Edit: So instead of addressing the issues for future customers, the owner questions my integrity publicly. Well there you go.

Specials

Ben and Alex went above and beyond packaging my stuff up for me, super dope employees will be back.

Stoner Mac

I went to Aj's last night for the first time and it was SO GOOD!!! I got stoner mac & cheese, fries & green beans and it all tasted amazing. I can't wait to go back for more!

Brisket sliders
Chiqui B.

Was looking for a snacky snack and drove past this place on my way to Zelicks. It's a tiny little grill with a drive through. I went in and it's all Texany and kitschy I love it. The girl offered some suggestions, from the menu but I just wanted something small. Lucky for me they were running a special for their sliders. Sweet! I got two brisket, and two pulled pork for cheap. The pulled pork was my favorite and the sweet jalapeño buns were a great complement. If their pulled pork is this good, their BBQ can't be too far off, right?

Clean lobby

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5 days ago

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

This is hands down the best place to have a pulled pork sandwich. Even the tea was amazing. Will be back for the Philly fries.

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Andrew N.

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4 years ago

Honestly the best brisket I've had to this date. Oh, and the brisket nachos are to die for.

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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13 years ago

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11 years ago

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

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13 years ago

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12 years ago

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12 years ago

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13 years ago

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11 years ago

Best thing ever at 2 in the morning. Easy going place with good ribs and great sweet tea

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4 years ago

Currently having the worst most liquid shi in my life bc I had 1/2 of their chopped brisket sandwich that wasn't even good.

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9 years ago

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6 years ago

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8 years ago

Only been here a couple times, but the food was great! Try the stoner Mac and bbq sandwiches!

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AJ's Ranch Road Grill - bbq - Updated October 2026

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