Cowboy’s Bar-Be-Que

I could have sworn I had already reviewed this place, but I don’t see my previous review in the list. I do know that I ate here before, but had forgotten that when my car instinctively braked at the sight of a BBQ sign from the road. Maybe it was senility, but when I walked in and ordered I felt a «deja-​vu «type feeling.
It was not until I sat down and looked around at the décor items that I remembered I had INDEED eaten here before. They have an old colt pistol and holster framed & mounted behind the service counter, and that triggered my memory. I knew before my first bite that I was not going to enjoy this food & I was correct.
Despite it being «prime» lunchtime, only two other customers were present. The ribs I ordered were tough, chewy, barely warm and the sides were plain & bland tasting like no effort had been made at all to season them. I had never intended to eat here again, and upon realizing where I was, thought to myself I can at least get credit for writing an «Update» review at Unilocal,lol.
I guess I was so annoyed by the waste of money on my first visit here that I forgot to review it after I ate here. So I have eaten here TWICE and hated it both times, and will not INTENTIONALLY ever stop here again ! lol.

Went there my second time passing through Salado. The brisket was very good and the pork ribs were outstanding. Sides were mew, but all-​n-​all a solid place. I love small business!

Green beans solid, mac n’ cheese off the hook, and BBQ to write home about.

Only reviewing the beef jerky. Maybe I’m sheltered but I have never bought freshly made beef jerky. Cowboy’s actually cures their own jerky on the premises. It was very flavorful, good with a little bit of spice.
Ask them to cut it in smaller pieces so it’s easier to eat. This isn’t like your typical hard to chew beef jerky. This one is so tender you can eat it all before you know it!
We’ll be back when we drive back through town!

My son and I were on our way to Harker Heights and left early to get some eats in. I saw this BBQ place on our exit up a backroad and pulled over whle my 10 year old just rolled his eyes «How many BBQ places are we going to stop at today dad?»
Stood in line and ordered a plate with brisket, pork ribs and turkey (my go to setup). My son asked for a piece of beef jerkey too.
Brisket — moist but not much flavor in the rub or the smoke, was more like a chewy roast beef than a brisket.
Ribs — They were cooked alright but were lacking any flavor from a rub or smoke.
I was getting bummed out.
Turkey — This was easily their best meat. I saw them cut it off the bone and it had tons of flavor and was very juicy.
This place has definitely been around here a while.
My son says 3 stars and I would have to agree.

It’s ok for a pit stop on the way to get somewhere but not worth a drive just to eat here. I tried the ribs, brisket, chopped beef sandwich and the chicken. Sides I tried were green beans, sour cream potatoes, potato salad, cream corn, pinto beans, baked beans and Mac n’ cheese. (I ate a little from each family members’ plate) the cream corn was good, green beans and baked beans tasted like they were from a can, pinto beans were bland, potato salad is heavy on the mustard, nothing spectacular about the macaroni, but the sour cream potatoes were really good. The staff is friendly and the entire facility was very clean.