If you're up for a drive, try the Meat Market in Giddings. Got to get there before noon on Saturday, though, or they'll have sold out.

The wait at Martin's wouldn't cause me to stop going there. Its just a little anoying to call, give them plenty of time and then still have to wait 30 minutes. Great BBQ though!

Martin's Chopped BBQ Sandwich because I'm poor as hell

Martins could do a million a year in business if they would run it like a business. Clean up, hire some help and keep regular hours instead of closing whenever you feel like it. I love the place, but, it makes me uncomfortable as a businessman, to see a place survive despite itself instead of because of itself. It could be a tourist attraction and a great place to grab a slice of BCS history!

^^ Don't spoil a good thing, Mad Greek. The day it becomes efficient is when the food quality will suffer.

Fargos - love their ribs and rib tips.

It is always interesting to see a place stay around a really long time when as my good friend put it, "They are visually annoyed by your being there." I guess part of the charm for some and good for them if it works. Not my personal cup of Joe.

I am a fan of both C&Js and J. Codys. Will be trying Fargos soon!

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The day it becomes efficient is when the food quality will suffer.

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Like... Rudy's.

Rudy's extra lean is good. Their BBQ sauce is the BEST. Atmosphere/efficiency is excellent. It is not local dive pit BBQ, that's a different style.

The food is already made, Stevie cooks the meat early, all they have to do is plate it up and bring it out. You've all been to C&J's it's the same process.

They need to be courteous, fast and friendly and not act like you are killing them by coming in. They could make a ton of money if they would do a few simple things. I would buy it if they would sell and if Stevie would stay on and cook. I'd have enough money to retire in a couple of years.

The bottom line is, most folks don't get a 2 hour lunch, nor do they want to spend over an hour grabbing some BBQ. Again, I love Martins and go there weekly, I just wish they would be a little more customer friendly.

Just take the 20 minute drive to Navasota and get some Mallet Bros....you can thank me later.

ah for the good ol days...Randy Sims and Buddy's bbq

Martin's has been awful purt near forever!
C&J's is good bbq...I just take issue w/their sauce.

The Cop Presence Factor -

Here's an idea ... You can judge a BBQ place by the number of cops present in the vicinity. Rudy's, pretty high ... at the location of an old RLC, plus TLIAC is always telling us cops are watching Harvey like a hawk. Martin's, pretty high. After all it's in Bryan. (just joking I love Bryan).

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Grab a beer, sit at the counter and visit with people there. It's what the place is all about.

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This.

If you go to Martin's for service, you're doing it wrong.

I went there on lunch break.

I dont think its too much to ask to not want to be there over an hour.

Wow...totally forgot about Randy Sims. I know Texas BBQ isn't about the sauce, but Sims had the best and most unusual sauce in town. Genuinely miss that place.

My vote goes to Martin's. Ate there yesterday and talked to the lady who runs the place now, very nice. Our service was slow, but I'm pretty laid back when it comes to interacting with nice people, and the lady who runs the thing was very nice to us. When you walk in it's like your stepping back into time, I love bbq joints like that.

"Anymore questions you wanna ask?"-John Wayne

Tom's

Fargo's and it's not even close. Don't listen to anyone who says otherwise, for they don't know good 'cue.

From some crazy BBQ experts who have been everywhere, if you don't believe me.

http://fcg-bbq.blogspot.com/2010/02/fargos-pit-bbq.html

The chicken is incredible too.

Further - I want to love Martin's, but the service is absolutely terrible. Love the smoke smell walking in from the parking lot and inside. You want to love it. The cue is very good (Fargo's is still better). But I'm not waiting 30 minutes for BBQ when there's only 2-3 other seated tables and I'm taking it to go (especially when Fargo's is better). Cant imagine if it were busy.

people who say "'cue"

+1 for Martins or J-Cody's

If you like really fatty beef with bbq sauce on it then go to Fargo's. Not my taste, but everyones different.

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"If you go to Martin's for service, you're doing it wrong."

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There is something inherently wrong with this attitude. God forbid you expect good food and NON-sh*tty service; why, that's just asking too much!

Did Martin's last weekend, then got takeout at Fargo's today. Consensus was the Ribs, chicken and potato salad better at Fargo's, sausage and beans better at Martin's. Brisket was a tie, some liked Martin's better and others liked Fargo's. Both places however are excellent.

[This message has been edited by dg77ag (edited 10/1/2011 11:27p).]

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"If you go to Martin's for service, you're doing it wrong."
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There is something inherently wrong with this attitude. God forbid you expect good food and NON-sh*tty service; why, that's just asking too much!

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If you mean by good service you mean fast service you are absolutely correct. Sometimes I feel like every one is in slow motion....but that is just fine with me as when I order takeout at Martin's, I order my meal and a Lone Star and then sit at the counter and visit with the few other locals there. Sometimes I go through two beers while I wait, but to me that is the beauty of it.

Life is short, sometimes it's good to go 10 mph rather than 150 mph!

I love Fargo's but I often drive by there at lunch time and can't get any as I seldom carry cash.

BTW, BBQ'ing done with the fat left on the meat is what gives BBQ the flavor and keeps it moist.

Has anyone ever asked the folks at Martin's why it takes them so long to make an order and why they can't seem to have call-in orders ready when the customer gets there? I'd be curious to know the reason they gave.

NO BBQ FOR YOU.....like the soup nazi guy.....

I was so put-out that I didn't bother asking. It was just offensive to walk into a place with 3 other customers, only to find out that they didn't have my to-go order ready. On top of that, everything was pre-made and all that was required was to put the food in a to-go box! Its not like anyone had to wait around for the food to be cooked! Despite all that, I still had to wait once I got there. It seemed to me like they didn't care at all that it wasn't ready on time and they did not bother to even offer a simple apology.

They do have great food, just lousy service. Maybe we'll try again sometime.

RIP 3-C and Mama Lois's pecan pie