Carter’s Bar-B-Que

When an out of town West Coast kid like myself thinks about good BarBQue… Carters is what I think about. I don’t want a bbq joint to feel, look or act like a starbucks. An old gas station with a few people hollering at me from behind the counter is good by me. Country feel? Yes, long community style picnic tables? Yes… one big olé platter called the «Carters Special»? Hell Yes! If a BarBQue joint can toss beans, chopped pork, onions and sausage together in a pile and it still tastes good, you know they are doing something right!
My only regret is the degree to which this dish utterly filled me up. I wanted very much so to try some of their other offerings… but I guess that will have to wait until next time… by then I should have worked off my last meal at Carters, and people… that’s the way it should be!

On a recent trip to Longview, I asked my client where I could find the best BBQ in town… I was directed to Carter’s. If this is the best Longview has to offer, the bar must be set pretty low.
Absolutely pedestrian, run-​of-​the-​mill BBQ. I had sausage, sliced beef and ribs. The beef was pretty dry, the sausage pretty much like Hillshire Farms, and the ribs, very plain. Sorry, but true. The sauce was the standard, too sweet fare you get at most places.
The restaurant was neat as a pin. The service very quick and friendly.

Based on the reviews, it was a little disappointing. Not that it’s bad because it isn’t. In fact it is really more like 3.5 stars and if they used a type of ribs more to me liking they might be 4 stars but alas, 3 is the best I can do.

Where to start. I’m a bbq critic for sure and understand wood smoking meat. I ordered the basics… ribs and brisket. Ribs had a great flavor and were tender but had very little smoke color or flavor. The brisket was a complete disappointment. It barely had a visible smoke ring, no bark and tasted like crockpot roast beef.
The potato salad, coleslaw and beans were run of the mill grocery store deli counter food. Then plan for a nickel and dime bill. .54 cents for each water cup, .25 cent charge to use a debit card and not to mention kids running the place that didn’t seen very knowledgeable. Pretty sure this place doesn’t deserve 2 visits.

Restaurant is clean and country. The ribs were very small but tender and delicious. The brisket was blah. Not exactly full of flavor or tender. Potato salad and beans were also just blah. The sauce was also okay. It was very busy and I saw lots of hungry people coming in and out for takeout orders. I was passing through on my way back to Dallas and counted on Unilocal to guide me to BBQ heaven. This isn’t it. It’s good though. Nothing spectacular. It satisfied my hunger but I will not go out of my way to return.
WEIRD: $ 0.50 for tap water, $ 0.25 for using a credit card to pay. All pies are manufactured offsite commercially (Sara Lee, Oreo, Reese’s PB). WHAT?!?

Was in town from Chicago for work. As a native TX girl who misses BBQ, I was told to come here immediately. Had an amazing sliced beef sandwich… and they threw in some tastes of sausage and chicken on the house! Hospitable staff, great food (with very filling portions)…this hit the spot. I actually hope I have to comeback thru Longview so I can go back.

I was so excited to try Texas BBQ while visiting for San Diego, CA. Carter’s BBQ did not disappoint. My Daughter and I shared the brisket and pork ribs. Both were delicious and sauce was amazing. My son had the Sloppy Joe and he loved that too! Service was great and friendly, it was a perfect lunch. I will definitely be back when we come back to Longview.

Best Ribs, sliced Beef, Boudain. I’ve never been disappointed at Carters. I will drive 50 miles to eat at this place

BEST be in the area! have had guess and fed them Carter’s on more than one occasion. We love it !

Really great bbq; had the smoked boudain and was excellent.

Carter’s meat is still great. I downgraded because they’ve transitioned to prepackaged potato salad, etc.

Amazing sweet tea and way too much food for the price! Love it!!! Get there early lunch time they get crazy packed

I got the meat plate, which includes three meats, I went with the brisket, ribs and boudain… Smoke Boudain sausage was really good, The ribs were meaty and tasty, but I wasn’t a fan of the beef brisket! But I think that’s just me because I have yet to find and eat brisket that I have enjoyed but I would go back for the ribs and boudain.

Very good BBQ. Stopped for lunch on the way home to Dallas. Had the chopped beef sandwich. Friendly service and reasonable prices. Brisket was lean and moist, good depth to the smoke. Evenly seasoned and not too heavy in either salt or pepper. Coleslaw was ok, too creamy and probably made a day or two earlier. Opt for the beans that my wife had. I had hoped for chicken but not on the menu today. Clean and neat with a good flow of customers. Definitely a place we’ll stop in the future.

Despite getting there just before closing, the staff was friendly & informative as it was our first visit. Even though they were out of chicken, brisket, ribs & chicken we were shocked how good the jalapeño cheddar sausage, sloppy joe (chopped beef), coleslaw & potato salad were. On a return visit we will definitely try the brisket & ribs. If in Longview, don’t sleep on this spot, definitely worth it.

BBQ connoisseur here. This is a new MUST GO spot. Smoked boudin, ribs and brisket to die for. Fun to hang in. Feels so naturally old school. Even at 3 in the afternoon there was a steady flow of people coming in for the goodies. Hint there are no skinny folks working there! Eat up and take some home.
P.S.
When was the last time you had a cold Frostie Root Beer?

A few years back when I was an editor at a local newspaper, Texas Monthly magazine called me to see if they should consider/​review any local barbecue joints for its annual issue. — I told them about Carter’s.
When the annual ‘Best Barbecue’ edition came out a few months later, Carter’s had made the list.
Need I say more?

Very average BBQ that is no where close to the quality that you get at say Stanley’s in Tyler or Riverport in Jefferson or the Bodacious on Mobberly (Probably better than the other Bodacious’s in town but thats not saying much). You do get a good size portion for the price. The sauce is decent. Just go across town to the Bodacious on Mobberly. You won’t be sorry you did.

We love to eat local whenever possible. Anytime we can avoid a chain, we do. Simply put, this is the best BBQ in Longview and ranks among the best in Texas. We always choose an assortment of meats, load up on the sauce — which can make it or break it (makes it here) — and love their sides. Never had anything that wasn’t great.
Do call before you go. They take a month off mid-​year and tend to give their employees holidays at home. All reasons to support them — just call ahead so you won’t be disappointed!

Came for the smoked boudain sausage. Unique and different!
I like that this bbq joint operates out of renovated fuel station. Charming!