I've asked the question before, but it bears repeating: "Is it even possible to get 'bad' barbecue…read morein the state of Texas?" Every time I'm back in the Lone Star state, I need to get my fix of 'cue since there is some essence that gets lost when the art of "slow and low smoking" of meats leaves the Southwest and migrates East and North of the Mississippi River. And for sure, it's difficult if not damn near impossible to find decent barbecue in the DC area. For an establishment that has been in business for over 15 years (since 2009), 492 BBQ has a criminally low review count. So allow me to add my ringing endorsement for some of the best 'cue you can find in the Rio Grande Valley. 492 is a not a fancy restaurant with tile flooring and multiple dining areas which have various seating configurations. But the place is clean and well lit, which is always appreciated. I was warmly greeted by the hostess and shown to a table, where my friendly server Christina suggested the three meat platter. Any good TX 'cue joint is judged on by one cut of meat and that is of course, brisket. The brisket at 492 is superior! There is a thick bark resulting from hours of slow cooking over mesquite wood coals. And you won't need any of the slightly sweet sauce on the table, since any good brisket can stand on it's own with just salt, pepper, and smoke. The ribs were also tasty, although I slightly preferred the pork vs. the beef short rib cut. Both the pork and beef ribs were "fall of the bone" tender, but perhaps I just like the texture and taste from the fattier pork. Both versions were still darn good. Sides were delicious...of course. The Mac and cheese was made in-house and from scratch ingredients. It was creamy, well seasoned, and didn't have that artificial taste or weird fluorescent color from box mixes. I'm glad I went with Christina's recommendation and tried the rice/beans combo. I've not sampled something like this, but the slow cooked pinto beans were added atop fluffy rice to make an almost "stew like" dish with pieces of meat mixed in. Really good! Service was attentive throughout the meal with water glasses being filled when empty, and take home boxes offered since there was waay too much food to be consumed at one sitting. My 3 meat sampler, with just water and no dessert, came to about $28 with tax and tip. A bargain really since I had the other half of the meal for lunch the next day.

I ordered to go. I ordered the baked potato with sliced brisket. It was a very large potato that I…read moredidn't get to finish. I was satisfied with the order. The service did take like 15 minutes on the wait. The place looks clean. Ambient is casual

Always pass by and decided to try it out; their Sausage taco was a hit for the kiddos. Got a…read moreBrisket taco and sandwhich which were great also. Prices are good service is great. Very quick and staff is super helpful.

A nice little family run restaurant that serves good portions of great tasting BBQ. The folks are…read morefriendly and make sure you are taken care of. This will definitely be on my list to stop at when I'm in McAllen. Thanks for providing such a good tasting and filling meal.

Of course this is located inside an HEB, with a nice little area to be able to sit and enjoy your…read morefood. You approach the counter to order on a kiosk. The worker was kind with her willingness to help me order since it was the first time. You order and pay on kiosk. You then receive a text of them receiving my order and then in a few minutes, I received a text that my order was ready for pick up. Because I didn't like the option drinks, I went to the store part and bought what I wanted. My husband ordered a stuffed potato with smoked turkey slices. My husband stated it was good but he removed some of the meat, it was over stuffed. I ordered a poblano & cheese sausage link sliced which came with 2 slices of bread, pickles, onions and bbq sauce; elote bowl and Serrano cornbread. The sausage was not spicy but with a little kick. The elote had pickled red onions on top and plenty of cotija cheese on top, with a lime wedge. The cornbread was not spicy but flavorful and moist. When I picked up my order, it was missing the trimmings for sausage but I walked over to the counter and let them know and they immediately made it right. We will be back to try more on the menu.

Brisket sandwich was cold and appeared to be old. Walked in around 115pm ordered via kiosk. Two…read morecustomers in front of me. Very slow service, my one sandwich took about 10-12 mins to make. Ordered and paid for jalapeños only to be told there wasn't any, which is ok it happens. My moist brisket was ok not great but I gotta say price was affordable. Only two workers might have played a roll in the poor customer service.

Menu is alacarte so it gets pricey but the BBQ is good. They need to put together a plate meal for…read moreribs and brisket.

I had family coming over and was planning to grab some pizza, but the prices were shocking! So I…read moredecided to Google restaurants nearby, and Bar-B-Cutie popped up. I checked out their family packages and headed to the drive-through, where Julio helped me pick the perfect Family Value Pack. He was incredibly helpful, answering all my questions--even about the new family pack, El Chapo. It made a huge difference to feel like I was actually being helped rather than just picking up generic food. And let me tell you--the brisket was awesome!! This was a real meal, not just cardboard-tasting fast food. I'll definitely be back for more!

First time stop in McAllen Texas and have been to a lot of great bbq places. If this restaurant…read morewere in Dallas or Austin not sure it would be rated the same. Regardless had a sampling of their brisket, pork ribs and chicken. In order of preference was the chicken, then the ribs and lastly the brisket. I will admit I am kind of a bbq snob. The chicken was moist and cooked very well full of flavor. The ribs were meaty, good flavor but not epic. The brisket needed more of a bark and should not have been sliced as thin as it was. Again good taste, good smoke taste, well priced and no regrets.

Excellent service the food was outstanding the catfish superb the waitress waiter with a beard was…read morephenomenal thank you for a great experience

So I ordered a big bag of BBQ to-go at the counter over the weekend. It didn't go well, several…read moremistakes were made, the worst of which was not sending us home with sauce. Dry brisket was saved by putting green chile stew on top. My wife called them and they actually sent an employees to our house with two bottles of sauce and dessert. My wife gave them the wrong address to our air-bnb and the dude called and got the package to us anyway. Monday morning the Rudy's Regional Director called me on the phone personally. Great service.

The burger was great! Great service too! I love smash burgers and this place knows how to do a good…read moreburger. I got the heart attack burger. Only get if you're really hungry

We arrived very hungry, the restaurant doesn't have a sign, but next to it, there is another cabana…read morethat does have a sign. Turns out that the sign is over the kitchen, and the kitchen is a separate building from the dining area that doesn't have any signs over it. We sat ourselves and ordered drinks. Without ordering our food, the waitress brought us each a bowl of beans, and a bowl of rice. In addition to cold chips, sliced limes, two salsa bottles, and a bowl of pico de gallo. Then we ordered a pound of beef fajitas, a whole chicken, a baked potato topped with beef fajita, and two grilled onions. The chicken was delicious and juicy, the beef fajitas were surprisingly very soft and melt in your mouth, the potato was good, the beans were not seasoned (could use some bacon), the rice was good, and the grilled onion was cooked tender. The bad, were all salt issues: -The chips were cold and salt less. -The pico de gallo had little or no lime, and definitely NO SALT. -The 2 grilled onions we ordered were served cut up in bite size pieces, topped with seasoning salt, (very salty seasoning salt). I prefer you serve the whole onion, (not cut up), for me to add whatever I want, possibly just lime and a light sprinkle of salt.

Good tasting chicken. Ribs were not as meaty but their rice and beans were good. Take cash…read more Credit they service charge.

The food was excellent, the atmosphere great, the service was decent!…read more The cheeseling fries, the Korean corn dogs, the cheese corn are must have appetizers! Portions are generous too! Highly recommended

The Chicken was very soft and filled with amazing flavor. The service could use some more work…read more The restaurant was somewhat empty and the young waitress was more focused on cleaning the restaurant than attending us for refills. We went around 8:45 PM and the Ambiance was nice and quiet. There was a strange odor. My main reason for the three stars is because it's so overly priced. It was a more one and done type of thing. Because to go again and pay those prices was just not it for me.

WOWWOW WOW!!! Amazing BBQ, came here after my first pick was a huge disappointment and these guys…read morewere so dang good I thought to myself it was supposed to happen like this. This Mexican BBQ master griller is hidden in a residential & business area by it's location and proximity to an auto mechanic you might just pass it on but man they can grill & Q. The owner came to my car and apologized cause they were almost out of meats but I was hangry after my gym and needed my protein!!! HUGE servings I got 1/2 lb of beef fajitas but I think she gave me a whole pound and a quarter chicken!Meats were so delicious and seasoned well very tender, came with in-house made corn tortillas, yes in-house made they are so soft and tender with the meats in them they were very delicious. Green hot sauce and tomato cilantro salsa kicked the whole thing up to the sky. Charro beans very juicy and a hint of heat, rice fluffy good! Service and attention to the customer make this place Awesome!!!!! Love the way my day turned out thanks

Man oh man oh man. Get your workout in before you hit this joint. Burn about five thousand calories…read moreand then go eat one of everything on the menu. The pollo asado, be ready to lick your fingers on that one. The fajitas (carne asada) come mixed with some sausage that gives your tacos a flavor that will make you want to smack your momma for not cooking this good. The frijoles a la charra have an awesome bold spice and the Mexican rice is the best I've had that isn't out of my mom's kitchen. I ordered enough food for eight people...eight BIG people and we ate till our bellies were full. They all took leftovers and I still had enough to eat a full lunch with still more pollito to spare. All for $62 bucks. Easily one of the best spots I've found in El Valle.

His place appears to have closed down. Went by there on a Tuesday and the place was deserted. I…read morehate that, their bbq was amazing!

Outstanding bbq! Friendly staff. Very accommodating . Down home atmosphere. Unassuming and…read more comfortable.