Ribs were great! I do not use BBQ sauce - and the ribs are meaty and tasteful - no need for bbq sauce. Potato salad and beans were also very good. Friendly service, very clean. There is also a lunch buffet - and the buffet is all you can eat! read more

Mikeska Barbeque - Rib Plate - with fixin's - Barbeque Near Me - El Campo, Texas

My wife and I have been eating at Mikeska's for many years. We primarily eat at Clem Mikeska's in Temple Tx., but always stop at the one in El Campo when we're heading that way in Texas. The last few times we've been there. It seems like the food has not been near as good as it used to be. We stopped there today on our way home from Port Aransas, Texas, then have never been so disappointed in the poor quality lack of taste and complete lack of Customer Service. When we walked in my wife heard a guy and a girl in the back arguing about which one had to come out and take our order and slice the brisket. The attitude didn't get any better throughout. The brisket was very tough hard to chew, and the ribs were only half cooked and almost all fat, basically inedible. I took it back to the counter and they really didn't care. The two people at the counter at that time just looked at me like don't come back if you don't like it. Well that's exactly what's gonna happen? I'm never going back as I said earlier the food has been getting less and less acceptable and they finally hit the limit on. Totally unacceptable. read more

Johnny in back was yelling in back, cussing and throwing a fit. Due to someone sending food back because it wasn't cooked properly.

I entered the establishment a little after 7 pm. The staff warmly greeted me l. I proceed to the brisket sliced sandwich. It had a decent flavor and a tender feel. The sandwich was likeable sandwich. The atmosphere is quiet and unique compared to anywhere I have been. read more

Mikeska Barbeque - The sliced brisket sandwich with onions, barbecue sauce, pickles, and jalapenos - Barbeque Near Me - El Campo, Texas

Me & my dad were craving a good BBQ spot and we found this one. We've been on the road for a good 5 hours & stopped by to try it out. We get there relaxed & ready to eat, mind you we got there an hour before they close, and my little happy self smiled at the girl at the register & she gives me a big ole stank face I was like ok long day huh. She begins to take our order & as soon as she picks up the ribs and places it on the cutting board she gets a call & answers it on the spot "WHAT?!" I understand people have bad days but that just looks bad on business. If you're reading this girl with pink stripes in her hair & pink nails, God bless you. The food was smack, fix up them attitudes & you'll get that 5 star read more

I used to stop at this place when truck driving for yrs. Wife and I thought it was some of the best brisket you could find.

While not on the Texas Monthly list, Mikeska's always delivers a great meal for a great price. My wife had the brisket plate. Was the "deluxe" portion if memory serves. Was a generous serving of brisket, with 3 sides for $12-13 dollars. In 2025. $12-$13 w 3 sides. I was there about 2 months ago. The next day I went to Rudy's in corpus; IMHO a step above Bill Miller's. If you know, you know, a half a pound of brisket and 2 tiny sides was about $20. All of these 3 star reviews, unless you know the City Market in Luling, Krutz (sp?), Blacks, Franklin's, Corkscrew, etc, don't leave a comment. If your an expert cause you eat at Pappas Brothers BBQ (Luther's, again if you know, you know) or any of the other franchises with more than 1-2 stores in Texas, either don't comment or tell us what your favorite BBQ restaurant is for frame of reference. What gives you the right to come on here and badmouth a place established by the family that Texas Monthly called "the first family of Texas Barbecue", This establishment has survived as a restaurant that I hate to say is generally in the middle of nowhere between Houston and PA / Corpus for 50 years. Forgive me for saying that the middle of nowhere residents of El Campo but it isn't sitting in downtown Houston and it's a great restaurant. 9 out of 10 restaurants go out of business in a year. 50 years. Like I said, if you are going to review post your favorite bbq spots and if you are going to complain; whatever it may be; address it with the staff if you happen to get a burned piece of meat or dried out or whatever phantom problem you have. Once you let them try to make you happy; though you don't know what you are talking about; please also post how they tried to make you happy, which will ultimately show the rest of us who know anything about true Texas BBQ just how ignorant you are about Texas BBQ. I try to stop by once every trip to the coast if at all possible and it's as great today as it was when I started going there decades ago. Thanks, Keenan Thanks Mikeska's. read more

They have really good food there I had them cater my wedding it was really good and that was like twenty five years ago very good food at that time read more

I've been a customer here since the 1960's. Very consistent, good value. The BBQ & sides are not wonderful but never bad. Some of their homemade cookies are excellent! Do try MIKESKA'S; it is a TEXAS institution! Rick . read more

We started not to stop because of a few of the reviews, but glad we did. As you can tell from the picture, the portions were very generous. The price was very good for the amount served. It is designed like a cafeteria. You select your meat & 3 sides and pay before being seated. There were many deer & animals mounted on the walls, a rustic feel. We will come back if in the area. read more

Mikeska Barbeque - Brisket, potato salad, beans, coleslaw, pickles & onions - Barbeque Near Me - El Campo, Texas

Staff members are very friendly and prices are very reasonable. Unfortunately, the BBQ itself was a little bland. Couldn't really taste the smoke in the brisket. Sausage was good and ribs are average. The potato salad was a little strange in my opinion. The main thing that I couldn't put my finger on was some crumbly ingredient that was very present throughout the potato salad. I didn't know what it was but it was the texture of a crumbly bleu cheese. It didn't enhance or bring down the flavor but it was just a bizzare texture in potato salad. read more

Eweee ewee ewee! Ummm. No. Absolutely horrible. We were there at 3pm.... baked potato tasted and looked like it was done a week ago. Ribs were decent. The sides were absolutely bland and just nasty. read more

Always a favorite for lunch Buffet style with chicken fried steak and fried chicken. Usually packed during weekdays with locals as well as travelers read more

The food used to be good here many years ago. On my most recent trip, the ribs were dry and flavorless, the brisket was very dry and lacked flavor, the potatoes were bland, dry and lumpy. The green beans tasted like they had just been poured out of a can and heated up. The only thing that was edible. The banana pudding was nothing but mush. When it comes to cutting meat, the servers just hacked it up. It was a waste of $60. read more

BBQ ribs taste ok. Sides really need some work-in. I had pea salad, green beans, and ranchero beans they all taste bland. The sweet tea taste good. Taxidermy in beast mode inside. read more

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I ordered a chopped beef sandwich and expected them to chop the beef in front of me like they sliced the beef for a sliced beef sandwich but instead they took an ice cream scooper and to put what looked like mush on a bun. I did try one bite before I threw it out. The sliced brisket looked dry and over cooked. The man had some difficulty cutting the meat. The restroom needed attention. One toilet was filled with toilet paper. There was an employee in there at the time but instead of taking care of the mess she was simply washing her hands before returning to work. *The only positive thing I saw. read more

Stoppin in on a whim last evening, and we were pleasantly surprised! It was near closing time and looked empty, but man are we glad we tried it! The 2 meat plate I had was juicy and wonderful with tri-tip and sausage, no bbq sauce for me. Every bite of everything we had was good. Beans were seasoned just right as were the green beans. The potato salad was great too. I even liked the sweet tea, not as overpoweringly sweet as some places. The price was nice too. Enjoyed it! Hope others will as well. read more

The only reason I am generous with the 2 star rating is the desserts were excellent. I've always passed the signs for this restaurant and wanted to try it. Hell, they have signs up and down the highway! Now to the food; I wanted a baked potato but they were "out". Umm ok. So I tried the 2 meat combo. I had ribs and brisket. Both were dry and chewy. The sauce was very watery but didn't have the consistency to stick to the meat. The okra was cold and the mashed potatoes lacked flavor. I am highly disappointed that this place didn't live up to the hype. I am also kind of appealed that the decor consisted of stuffed carcasses. Which I get, we are in Texas but they were dusty. It was not appropriate for a dining establishment. read more

This is a very reasonably priced barbecue joint just off the highway. The food isn't the best I've ever had, but they serve a darn good variety of food at cheap prices relative to a lot of their competitors, and their desserts aren't bad either when they're fresh. I'm a huge fan of their sausage and smoked chicken. Their brisket can be hit or miss, and their pork ribs are sometimes dry. Their potato salad and baked beans are pretty good, though. read more

The ribs are smoked over pecan and have an excellent flavor. Well worth the trip. Where can you find 1lb of delicious under $15?

Reasonable prices and the home cooked sides to meat plates. Very generous servings and friendly staff

The meats are were worth the stop. Tried the brisket, boneless pork and sausage, which all were tasty, The sides could use more seasoning for my taste, but probably accurate for the mixed crowd of locals and highway visitors. We tried the coleslaw which got the best reviews, beans were good, mashed potatoes were interesting, corn could used butter and salt though. And the price per plate is well worth a visit. Decor was interesting as in full taxidermy collection. read more

Stopped in on my way home from Houston just saw a barbecue place did not realize it was a buffet and had a menu. I ordered the buffet and was not disappointed. Good selection of meats and plenty of sides including dessert on the birthday as well as a salad bar. Had a good lunch on the way home I would recommend this good spot to stop in for a barbecue. read more

Not the worst BBQ I've had, but not worthy of Texas. You expect more in the Lone Star State, and this isn't it. Dry, flavorless brisket. Weak watery sauce. Weird pasty mashed potatoes with long onion skins. The green beans were good ... but that's not why I go to BBQ Restaurants. Staff is friendly, and the decor is interesting. Other than that: pass. read more

I've always eyed this joint on the road to Corpus but never had the timing down right enough to stop for a bite. The planets were aligned on this particular day, so in I went to this smoky, carnage oasis. The interior feels like every animal of the forest was slaughtered and taxidermied. This is true Texas folks! The brisket had some handsome looking smoke rings on it, so I had a sandwich and some ribs. My sandwich is one of the tastiest I've had in a while. Nice and smoky beef and the sauce here is pretty choice. The ribs are insane looking. That's a good thing! Their flavor matches their appearance. Delicious! My only gripe is that they were a little too fatty this day. This is a fabulous pit stop if you find yourself on the road and with appropriate timing. Nothing beats the feeling of eating in a place that feels like a wildlife museum! read more

Dear Mikeskas, You gave me some seriously raging food poisoning the other day with your rank macaroni and cheese. Just in time for Christmas. Thanks for that. -Lindsay read more

I've taken the road trip from Houston to Brownsville many times over my 33 years and have never had the time to stop and try any of the many BBQ joints along the way. We decided to stop at Mikeska's. I had chicken and my boyfriend had the sliced beef and must say the meats were good. The sides on the other hand were almost bland. The coleslaw was very grainy and the macaroni salad wasnt good either. The joint itself looked more like a cafeteria with many dead animals (taxidermy) staring at you. I don't think I'll be stopping here again, but now I'm on a quest to find a good BBQ joint off of Hwy 59. read more

The food is great. Super nice and friendly staff. Manager on Sunday night was very nice. Super clean reasonably priced.

If you just want to cut the crap and get some good barbecue come here. It looks like a dive, but it's because they are too busy making bomb food. From homemade desserts to smoked pork, beef, chicken and venison, they know how to do it all. And you can even get a sandwhich for 6 bucks, then add dessert for 2. read more

Mikeska serves up good (but not great) barbecue. Or, looking at it another way, Mikeska is the world's best barbecue restaurant located on the southbound side of highway 59 between Wharton and Victoria. If you are barreling down highway 59 looking for barbecue, Mikeska is certainly worth a stop. I'd stop there again. The kids (those low-center-of-gravity, sticky fools with deplorable personal hygiene habits making all that noise in your back seat) will enjoy all the stuffed animals they have on display in the dining room. read more

Met with the family to eat at their buffet. Very disappointed at their selection. The only thing they had left was their fried chicken and chicken tenders. When I inquired if they were going to bring more food out, they said no. What I saw was what I got and I should have been told so. NOT!! Their chicken tenders were good but the rest of the food was meh....No more Sunday dinners for us there. read more

If you haven't tried this place you're missing out. We have been eating bbq here for awhile and today I tried the chicken fried steak on the buffet. Outstanding CFS all the sides are great and the price is very reasonable. Buffet is on Thursday Friday and Sunday. Maybe I got all the days right read more

Mikeska's is an okay joint along 59. Comparing to all of the other great BBQ joints in the Great Republic of Texas, it is just an okay place. Seems to be more focused on tourist buses and the RV crowed. If you have the option, Heartz is a better option. But, that is not to say it is not good, because it is. I think they use Pecan wood which i find to be a little more mellow than what I like. read more

BBQ "buffet?" Warmed over food sitting under heat lamps all day never works. There's a good reason nearly all of the Mikeska BBQ places around the state have closed. Their BBQ is simply not good. Forty years ago they could still sell it because there weren't all that many BBQ places especially in small towns but now nearly every small Texas town has a decent if not really good BBQ place. If this one wasn't located on I-10 with a HUGE sign it would be emptier that it already is 90% of the time. A good restaurant in this location would be jam packed all day long every day. read more

On the way to Victoria, saw this place as well as a few more BBQ joints, so I chose Mikeska's on the way back.....most of the previous reviews are spot on. Should have read them prior to stopping in for lunch, as now I fell like I should chose one of the others. The place is as described...but I really don't care about your decor, it's the food that walk in for! With that said, the sweet tea was pretty good!! The rest of it, just Blah! Not bad, but not good either....Basically; Been there, Done that...Won't be back! Disappointed! read more

I've been eating the buffet here for years ,so I'm sure some of the personnel has changed in that time, which has left me dreaming about the old days....the fried chicken is OK ,chicken fried steak is OK ,hot wings were good ,but the sides that come with the buffet were pure prison food ..no salt ,no pepper, no butter ,no onion ,no garlic ,no bacon ,I don't know how you can cook anything without those items? read more

I used to eat here a lot. Back several years ago, the food was pretty good. It's basically garbage now. I thought I'd try one more time because they have their chopped beef sandwich on sale for $2.95. Bargain I thought. So I order one, chips and a drink. So I'm out the door for 8 bucks. 8 bucks? Yes, eight bucks. So I checked my receipt and lo and behold they charge three bucks for a 32 oz soft drink. Their bag of chips was a dollar, but it was only 1 oz. But my biggest "beef" was the slop that they called chopped beef. It looks like a mixture of about 1/8 chopped brisket and 7/8 ground something. It was swimming and fat, and pretty gross. $2.95 was definitely more than what it was worth. I mean, Super yuck. I frankly don't know what they're doing. Mikeska's used to have a pretty good name in the barbecue business. Not anymore in my opinion. The 295 for a sandwich followed by the three bucks for a Coke is a classic bait-and-switch. You're wasting your time and your money if you go in there. You will be disappointed. And did I mention that I found a hair in the barbecue? That's a little gross, but not as gross as the meat itself. Geez guys, I thought you guys were a little over-the-top when you started serving tri-tip as brisket. So whatever you're calling barbecue now is a disservice to the name of barbecue. I think that's the toughest review I've ever given, but believe me it's well deserved. read more

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Mikeskas catered our wedding reception. The food was delicious and they even provided a little extra. The catering folks were very professional, arrived on time and cleaned and boxed everything up. The cost per plate was very reasonable. We highly recommend Mikeska's for your catering needs. read more

Mikeska's is very mediocre at best. I truly would recommend not going here for BBQ, it's just not worth it. My first thoughts were about food safety. When you walk up to order, there is a meat storage area where every customer can lean over and look into the storage area. Secondly, the sausage was almost cold. Food must be stored at 140 degrees to prevent bacterial growth - it clearly is not. I had the sausage, not bad, not good either. I also had BBQ beef brisket. I know BBQ beef brisket - I've eaten it at almost 100 different BBQ joints in Texas. It's been a long time since I've eaten BBQ beef brisket like that served to me today at Mikeska's. Not only did it not taste like beef, it did not taste like it had been smoked. I asked the meat cutter to cut me some beef off the "point" where it's much more moist than beef of the "flat". It was dry and flavorless. I've personnally cooked hundreds of briskets over the last 25 years in offset and cabinet style smokers, and I've never tasted one as awful as that served today. It's a bit of a surprise, but clearly oversight and any QA on the food being prepared and served here has dropped off. Maybe because it was Friday, and the owner / operator was "lounging" - BTW that last bit is sheer speculation and conjecture on my part. Long story short, I predict Mikeska's won't be around in 5 years. Owner is clearly tired, not running the place appropriately any longer, so the market (customers) will speak. Based on what I ate today, not only can I not recommend it, I would say that I would use extreme caution based on how food is being stored and other food safety concerns. Of course, YMMV. read more

Skip buccees and stop here instead! Very reasonably priced and will fill you up! Definitely recommend the desserts, the pecan pie tasted like it was made from scratch. They have a large selection of breads/cakes- they all looked amazing. Don't forget to get the sausage or jerky on your way out! read more

Mikeska Barbeque - Yummy! - Barbeque Near Me - El Campo, Texas