TEXAN here & frequent visitor to TX Top 50 BBQ (TX Monthly updates every 4 yrs), which as you know…read moreis the king of the cuisine. I'm certain I've the experience to know what good BBQ is & isn't.
And, boy howdy, this IS!
Without a doubt, if Old 76 were in TX, they'd easily be on that coveted list of world renowned BBQ joints. That's truthfully rare to find outside the state.
Situated exactly between Branson & West Branson, is this gem that's clean cut & the BBQ, sides too, is superbly executed. I'm not saying stuff to sound good. This is L E G I T, the real deal. They're pushing TRUE barbecue as it ought to be, not like some wannabe.
I dare you to try any other place & find the same superb quality for ALL aspects. Get there before opening because the line gets long fast & the ordering takes time. There's limited seating that fills up quickly. I only wish it were larger in space & had the capacity for more help in front than 1 person. But for modestly using the limited space adjacent to a gas station, it's tastefully & professionally decorated & comfortable, just right for what it is, as opposed to the tacky, out-dated & sparse, or overdone interior that one tends to see elsewhere. Waiting for BBQ is honestly an experience & you must be prepared to wait your turn. That's how it is in TX for all the joints, folks ordering FCFS after waiting patiently in line for hours until sell-out. It's worth waiting on & building camaraderie with those about you. After all, you're about to celebrate gastronomically, I promise!
Best sides: ALL of them but especially the corn casserole. You'd think it's vegetable bread pudding, it's so scrumptious!! Beans are no less than fantastic with bits of brisket - so warm & comforting. Potato salad is just a massive winner of full-mouthed goodness that's not typically mayo-ed down. Don't pass up the mighty fine coleslaw for topping your pulled-pork, pickles & bread for a highlight finish. Speaking of pickles, add more as a great acidic accompaniment.
The sauce here is on the sweet side. It's really not needed AT ALL except to occasionally boost the flavor kick if taking leftovers for later. The meat's simple pepper & salt crust is all you need.
& speaking of the Meats:
Truly the star of the show as they should be. See the platter photo for yourself. Pick of choice or prime brisket. Prime for us. We could've appreciated a little bit thicker of a smoke ring but it was there despite the fast cook it probably endured. It needed to be a little less done on the fatty side but it was awfully tender anyway. Absolutely a winner brisket done right, so I can sweat the small stuff. All said, the perfect seasoning & bark set the tone & to me for brisket, that is most important. 99% perfect.
Chicken: dark meat extra peppery & almost overdone but the white meat was super tender & nice to eat. It doesn't take away from the whole goodness of the platter though.
Bologna: these ain't no lame Oscar Meyer store bought flappers. Talk about thickly cut, juicy heaven! Wow is all I can say - absolutely YUMMY.
Pulled Pork: P I G G Y P E R F E C T. Don't even need sauce! Use the pillowy potato bread to die & go to taste bud heaven with rivers of salivation. This is so succulent, you might keep it all for yourself in a group setting.
Ribs: BEST OF SHOW. These are guaranteed to be the best ribs in MO. Perfect pull & bite. 2 stacks of the thick bone-in pig walls left me amazed after just seeing the miraculous color & cook on the exterior of these spares. Their taste & texture solidified that Old 76 Smokehouse is the most bona fide BBQ joint I've ever been to in the Midwest. These ribs aren't somewhat good enough, they are majestic. My only wish is they'd had a beef rib aka meat candy option too.
Desserts: both Bread Pudding & Key Lime Pie are highlights not to be missed. Stacked tall & the absolute righteous finish to seal the deal for such an experience.
I just can't say enough good things about Old 76. Loved it so much, our 5-guy party bought shirts & a hat to wear in TX & TN. If this was local for us, "O76S" would be a frequent stop. We're BIG fans now. Last but not least, the gentleman working the show & taking orders was kinder than Jesus. He treated us right, & that's a fact. Talk about hospitality to the Nth degree. Ain't nobody going to be sad about that & we'll remember this kindness in anticipation of being right back ASAP!
What we couldn't stuff ourselves above the gullet, we took home & all the girls promptly & heartily finished it off exclaiming how wonderful it was. They only missed out on the experience but not the tenderness & flavor!!
Visitors & locals alike, DO NOT MISS this opportunity to dine like a king!! You will have died & gone to Texas, I mean heaven!
One con & warning: if you don't have a truck with ample under-carriage space, avoid the furthest drive-way next to the fence. It is too steep & you WILL run aground, as we did. Enter & exit on the gas station side only.
