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    Van's Barbecue

    3.4 (130 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Van's Barbecue Photos

    VAN'S BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Brisket

    Nearly half of the brisket is fat on both plates that we ordered. This seems to happen every time we order take-out. If you like fatty brisket, this is the place to go. If not, I'd go somewhere else.

    Coleslaw and Mac & Cheese
    Donna G.

    Have not been to Van's barbecue in at least 5 years, and was truly looking forward to the awesome food I remembered....unfortunately I was very disappointed!!!! I ordered smoked turkey, and they were out of turkey. I opted for sausage plate with 2 sides. The sausage was the saving grace for the plate. I ordered cream corn & Mac & cheese, well the cream corn tasted weird. Come to find out it had bell peppers in it...yuck. So the waitress was kind and got me coleslaw which was just ok. The Mac & cheese was clumped and overcooked. My husband ordered the full chicken, and it was way overcooked, dry as a bone....what a shame. The wait staff was amazing they were so nice, and allowed my service dog in with us. I also loved the remodel job on the restaurant, but kinda missed the old vibe of the place.

    Debra M.

    We saw signs for Van's BBQ along Highway 37 South and decided to give it a go. It's apparently a chain but the first one that signs directed us to had been closed a long, LONG time. Like weeds in the windows long. We kept going and finally a viable Van's popped up so we drove in. We should have taken the handwritten sign on the door "Wanted Waitresses and Cooks" as a warning, but we were in the middle of a four hour drive from San Antonio and hungry. The door also read "Van's Kuntry Bar-B-Q" which almost stopped me. We were directed to sit anywhere, so we sat down at a wooden table and a server dropped menus on the table while informing us they only had meat. No fries, no sides, no sandwiches, no salads, no hamburgers. Just ... meat. We looked at the menu for a few minutes which gave her time to drop off enormous styrofoam cups of water with a lid and a straw. That's when we decided to leave. I very rarely walk into a restaurant and then just walk out, but we decided not to go with a mystery meat-only lunch.

    Melody C.

    Seen this place advertised each time we head down from SA to Corpus. Make sure you exit on mile marker 65. It's a new cute little place. We got there 45 mins until closing time, but they still had a good crowd. Our waitress was a young lady and was very sweet. She let us know what was still available on the menu. We ordered the two meat plate was had a good portion in it. I had the pork ribs and sausage (recommended by our waitress). My BF had turkey and sliced brisket (a little dry but good with bbq sauce). Each plate came with potato salad and beans (delicious since I'm not a fan), and of course the normal pickle, onions and jalapeños. Can't forget the sliced bread. Overall, it was very delicious. Nice little gem on our way down to the coast or on your way back home. As for the structure itself. We asked the waitress and she said it had so many issues it was sold and demolished for safety processes. So sorry peeps I'm sure the owners prefer the customers safety. Service was great and we can't complain. If your passing by, go ahead and stop by. We loved the Texas decore.

    Outside of building

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    9 days ago

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    3 days ago

    I got a brisket plate to go, sauce on the side with potato salad & cole slaw. Food was good & service was good. I'll definitely go back.

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Good food and nice service ..Out server was topnotch and real nice.. Will definitely be returning back when I can.....

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    This place is simply amazing! The food, the service, the decor...it's all A+++. It will now be a planned stop every trip to the coast!!!

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    2 years ago

    Took a 1/2lb turkey to go and i am coming back for more and more... lil side resto enroute to corpus and flavors are addicting!

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Delicious barbecue worth the stop on the way to Corpus Christi! Sausage and brisket sandwiches are the go to.

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    2 years ago

    I had the cheeseburger and it was hot and delicious! Service was great and the waiter was very friendly!

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food was good! Service and other stuff no go. We'll try another of the numerous BBQ joints along I-37.

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    4 years ago

    Really good barbecue and we were very happy. Wife had turkey and I had chopped beef. Great stop!?

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Really amazing food. Nice atmosphere. Great service. Definitely recommend. Our server was super friendly and didn't wait very long.

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    6 years ago

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    Smolik's Smokehouse - 1 Meat plate and 3 Meat Plate

    Smolik's Smokehouse

    4.0(206 reviews)
    29.2 mi
    $$

    After a work trip, we decided to stop by Smolick's Smokehouse after hearing good things about their…read morebarbecue. First impression--the place is big, with plenty of seating. When you walk in, there's a clear line leading up to the register, with menus posted along the way and a large menu board up front, which makes ordering pretty easy. They offer a wide variety of options. The day we went, they had a chopped beef sandwich combo with a drink and a side for around $10, which felt like a solid deal. For my sides, I tried the mashed potatoes, potato salad, creamed corn, and okra. The okra was a standout--fresh, crispy, and really well done. The potato salad was also very good and worth getting. The creamed corn was something I hadn't had before--it included bacon and had a really unique flavor. It might not be for everyone, but I personally couldn't stop eating it, so I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. As for the chopped beef sandwich, it wasn't my favorite. It was a bit dry, even after adding extra barbecue sauce, and I didn't find it especially flavorful. That said, others in my group actually thought it leaned on the sweeter side, so your experience may vary. One thing that really stood out was the service. The staff was super friendly, patient, and happy to answer questions and help with recommendations. Overall, I'd say it's worth stopping by if you're in the area. If you're up for comparing, there's another barbecue spot a few miles down the road--Choke Canyon--that I've also enjoyed, especially for their sandwiches. Makes for a fun side-by-side if you're a BBQ fan.

    Super nice staff. Design is exactly what you'd expect of a Texas BBQ place. Lots of fun stuff to…read morelook at on the walls and displayed in the rafters. Pretty expensive but you definitely get 2 meals worth of food. Good food too! I like all the available options for sides.

    Photos
    Smolik's Smokehouse - Interior

    Interior

    Smolik's Smokehouse - Two meat plate, marbled brisket and pulled pork w/ fried okra and mac n cheese

    Two meat plate, marbled brisket and pulled pork w/ fried okra and mac n cheese

    Smolik's Smokehouse - Front of building...

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    Front of building...

    Butter’s BBQ - Best sausage I've had in sometime

    Butter’s BBQ

    4.6(39 reviews)
    46.5 mi

    Great BBQ. Melt in your mouth brisket. Can't go wrong with the burnt ends sandwich. Pork ribs are…read moreperfect and fall off the bone. Sides are perfect. All good. Casual setting with picnic table inside. Service is great. Always welcoming.

    Review: Butter's BBQ - Deserving of the Top 50 Title…read more Stepping into Butters BBQ, a true brick-and-mortar establishment, the atmosphere immediately confirmed its reputation. With plenty of indoor seating and a genuine, welcoming BBQ joint vibe, the setting is as comfortable as the staff is enthusiastic. This is clearly a location where the team is passionate about their craft, and their helpfulness in guiding us through the menu was much appreciated. Having secured a coveted spot on the "Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ" awards list, the question was: did the food live up to the hype? The answer is a resounding yes. The Smoked Meats: A Masterclass in Fire and Smoke The menu offers a tight selection of Texas staples, all executed with precision: * Brisket: The star of the show delivered on nearly every front. It boasted a good tenderness and a beautifully defined smoke ring. While a few outer edges were slightly dry, the overall flavor profile was rich, deep, and satisfying, proving why the brisket is the cornerstone of any great Texas joint. * Pork Ribs: These were exceptionally tender, falling away from the bone without being mushy. The flavor balance was perfect--rich and meaty, thankfully avoiding the overly "hammy" note that can sometimes plague smoked ribs. A solid rib glaze complemented the excellent dry rub flavor, resulting in a perfectly balanced bite. * Jalapeño Cheese Sausage: A standout item. This double-grind sausage had a fantastic consistency and was heavily infused with a nice peppery flavor and well-integrated spices. While a minor note, a bit more cheese would have elevated it further, but the quality of the sausage itself was undeniable. * The Texas Twinkie: A true piece of barbecue artistry. This treat--a large jalapeño stuffed with tender brisket and cream cheese, then wrapped in thick-cut bacon--was executed flawlessly. The preparation was exactly as a Texas Twinkie should be, finished with a beautiful, savory glaze on the bacon that sealed the deal. Elevated Sides The sides were not an afterthought, featuring one truly memorable dish: * Mexican Elote: This was an excellent side dish and a clear elevation of the classic street corn. The careful mixture of flavors, topped with a solid amount of Cotija cheese and a generous squeeze of lime, made this a bright, tangy, and creamy complement to the heavy meats. * Brisket Charro Beans: A comforting and hearty offering. This was a pretty standard preparation of pinto beans, mixed expertly with brisket and onion--a reliable, staple side dish that did its job well. Final Verdict Butter's is very deserving of its "Texas Monthly Top 50" position. The meat quality, especially the ribs and the perfect Texas Twinkie, combined with the elevated Elote, solidifies its position as a very solid BBQ joint. We left feeling impressed not only by the food but by the genuinely passionate staff who run the operation. This is a must-visit for any serious Bbq enthusiast.

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    Butter’s BBQ
    Butter’s BBQ
    Butter’s BBQ

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    Gummies BBQ - Brisket Sandwich

    Gummies BBQ

    4.5(28 reviews)
    70.2 mi

    First of all, let me say that this place's greatest attribute is the customer service !…read more Their bbq was all so good but their sides could stand alone as entrees if they had to. We had brisket, turkey, chicken, ribs as meats. The sides we tried were beans, elote, potato salad, Mac n' cheese. First thing they did when we arrived was served my grandson a cup of Mac n' cheese before we even ordered. They somehow knew he was hungry and got him taken care of. This place is a must try for any visitors. Additionally, if the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce are reading; this place knows how to greet visitors to your city, take notice here! This is a place we will most definitely return to when visiting Rockport-Fulton !

    ** Normally I would've had pictures of everything but we ate a majority of what we ordered later on…read morefor dinner** If you have to eat gluten free like me make sure to ask for NO bread. They do not tell nor is it on the menu to show that each order comes with white bread, raw onions, and pickles on top. I would eat here again when we are stopping through Rockport. I had the Elote bowl and ribs with coleslaw. All of which was delicious. Ribs are best eaten immediately because when warm, they really do come off the bone. The elote bowl was better cold and eaten second day dare I say. My husband did find some of his food (Turkey and Mac & Cheese) to be a little bland. Sausage was decent to both of us! It's in a great location, especially when leaving Rockport for the afternoon. I see a lot of comments about the gentlemen (with the beard) behind the counter. No, he's not overtly friendly (which doesn't bother me) but he gets the orders right, gives HUGE portion sizes, and was friendly enough for us to enjoy the experience. They also have great decor and a huge outside seating area. We sat inside which can be tight for some as they did the best they could with a few tables given the space.

    Photos
    Gummies BBQ
    Gummies BBQ - Elote Bowl

    Elote Bowl

    Gummies BBQ - Smoked pork butt

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    Smoked pork butt

    Van's Barbecue - bbq - Updated May 2026

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