Aggieland
Sponsored By

Fargos

5,524 Views | 51 Replies | Last: 6 days ago by Stupe
cypress-ag
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:20a, 9/8/23
AG
I hear the sponsorship adds on Texags Radio every morning and I decided to pop in yesterday driving back from the Brazos Country Offices. My goodness, how in the world were they ever included on the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ? This one some of the worst BBQ I've ever eaten. Absolutely zero flavor to the brisket, it seemed steamed, and the bark had no seasoning on it whatsoever. The dining room seemed like a repurposed Chinese restaurant.

The owners were super friendly but with the cost of BBQ these days, I don't see myself going back. Did I miss something because everyone can have an off day.
Reply Quote
6
texasaggie2015
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to cypress-ag • 8:31a, 9/8/23
AG
It's not as good as it used to be.. at least the last couple times I stopped by.
Reply Quote
6
Txmoe
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:33a, 9/8/23
Haven't been in a long time cuz it was just too unreliable. General consensus is that it's never been as good since they moved locations.
Reply Quote
15
cypress-ag
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:34a, 9/8/23
AG
I have a hard time believing it was ever good, folks that know how to bbq don't forget.
Reply Quote
5
halibut sinclair
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:57a, 9/8/23
It was awesome in the original location, good in the 2nd location and haven't been to the current spot.

Give What's tha Deal a try.
Reply Quote
6
1 edit
MyNameIsJeff
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:08a, 9/8/23
AG
Fargo's was probably my first experience with really good barbecue when I was a student in 2012ish. This is when it was located up by the Co-Op and was carry out only. I ate my first brisket and ribs sitting on the tailgate of my truck in the parking lot. It really spurred my interest in barbecue, and I've since gone out of my way to try to hit all the spots in the area.

They went downhill a little bit when they moved to their last location on the west side of Texas. Then they moved to the current location a few years ago, and quality took another hit. I don't go to barbecue places for atmosphere, but that place is very strange for a barbecue joint. And frankly, the amount of people I've seen in there the few times I've been made me wonder how long they'll stay open.

Sometime around then, it seems like the "craft" barbecue scene really took off. I think places like 1775 that have truly awesome barbecue now run circles around them, and Fargo's can't compete. I do still think they have the best pork ribs in town, as I like salt and pepper instead of sauce, but I've only gone to their new location 2-3 times.

So to answer your question, they used to be an awesome barbecue joint. But, in my opinion, they've gone downhill each time they've moved over the last decade.
Reply Quote
7
Rex Racer
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:20a, 9/8/23
AG
Their newest location WAS a Chinese buffet before Fargo's moved in there. So there's that.
Reply Quote
9
trouble
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Rex Racer • 9:33a, 9/8/23
AG
And it started life as a Western Sizzlin
Reply Quote
16
cypress-ag
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:41a, 9/8/23
AG
I always love a what was it before discussion, it drives my wife up the wall. Some places are too easy to guess like old Pizza Huts, Dairy Queens, KFC's but it's the others like a western sizzlin that I like to hear about. The old Bombay Bicycle Club on Texas has me confused, is that the Dennys now?
Reply Quote
3
Crawdaddy
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:49a, 9/8/23
AG
Sad to hear. Feel like bbq standards have been raised in recent years, and the prices along with them.

C&J has at least found that niche of really really good sides even if their bbq isn't as "craft" as 1775, Truth, etc.
Reply Quote
7
Rex Racer
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to trouble • 9:49a, 9/8/23
AG
trouble said:
And it started life as a Western Sizzlin

Yep. That's what it was when I moved here.
Reply Quote
1
trouble
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Rex Racer • 9:50a, 9/8/23
AG
Me too. Then it was Barnhills
Reply Quote
6
crbongos
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to cypress-ag • 9:59a, 9/8/23
AG
cypress-ag said:
I always love a what was it before discussion, it drives my wife up the wall. Some places are too easy to guess like old Pizza Huts, Dairy Queens, KFC's but it's the others like a western sizzlin that I like to hear about. The old Bombay Bicycle Club on Texas has me confused, is that the Dennys now?


I think it was. Used to be an old hotel with bar back in 70's I think.
CRBongo
Reply Quote
Mathguy64
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:06a, 9/8/23
AG
Places that cook for a lunch service 3 days a week are going to outperform a place open 11-9 6 days a week. Its hard to be consistent when you are timing things to constantly come off a pit all day long.

Fargos at the walk in shack was amazing. Alan's ribs were top 5 in the state.

Moving to the bigger place on Texas was a jump up. He was making a lot more product. But I thought the quality stayed up.

Moving to the old Barnhills place took a toll because he was open all day. That's a huge leap. He went from craft BBQ to mass market.
Reply Quote
17
BCSWguru
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:44a, 9/8/23
The time I went in, the dude behind the counter acted like he didn't want my money so I never went back.
Reply Quote
7
MyNameIsJeff
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BCSWguru • 11:43a, 9/8/23
AG
BCSWguru said:
The time I went in, the dude behind the counter acted like he didn't want my money so I never went back.


Yeah, they've been like that for me a time or two. Not Alan, but the younger guy.
Reply Quote
2
Jason86
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BCSWguru • 12:02p, 9/8/23
AG
BCSWguru said:
The time I went in, the dude behind the counter acted like he didn't want my money so I never went back.

I've had a similar experience before, when combined with high prices and stale location it does make it hard to return.
Reply Quote
1
FlyRod
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:23p, 9/8/23
Reminds me of Koppe Bridge. The BBQ scene, like the burger scene here has moved ahead, leaving those who won't adapt in the dust.
Reply Quote
4
trouble
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Crawdaddy • 12:39p, 9/8/23
AG
And C&J is good, consistent BBQ. It's not the best but for good BBQ and excellent sides that I can walk in and get any time, it's fantastic.
Reply Quote
18
RAM700BA
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mathguy64 • 12:47p, 9/8/23
AG
Mathguy64 said:
Places that cook for a lunch service 3 days a week are going to outperform a place open 11-9 6 days a week. Its hard to be consistent when you are timing things to constantly come off a pit all day long.

Fargos at the walk in shack was amazing. Alan's ribs were top 5 in the state.

Moving to the bigger place on Texas was a jump up. He was making a lot more product. But I thought the quality stayed up.

Moving to the old Barnhills place took a toll because he was open all day. That's a huge leap. He went from craft BBQ to mass market.


Terry Black's in Austin is open basically 10am-10pm 7 days a week and they are elite bbq regardless of when I go. So it's not impossible. It's just hard to do as a smaller operation. So if you want to tout yourself (at least on their TexAgs radio ad) as the best bbq in the world you should at least be good.
Reply Quote
13
1 edit
Mathguy64
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to RAM700BA • 12:49p, 9/8/23
AG
RAM700BA said:
Mathguy64 said:
Places that cook for a lunch service 3 days a week are going to outperform a place open 11-9 6 days a week. Its hard to be consistent when you are timing things to constantly come off a pit all day long.

Fargos at the walk in shack was amazing. Alan's ribs were top 5 in the state.

Moving to the bigger place on Texas was a jump up. He was making a lot more product. But I thought the quality stayed up.

Moving to the old Barnhills place took a toll because he was open all day. That's a huge leap. He went from craft BBQ to mass market.


Terry Black's in Austin is open basically 10am-10pm 7 days a week and they are elite bbq regardless of when I go. So it's not impossible. It's just hard to do as a smaller operation.
Yep. That's good stuff. And a massive operation.
Reply Quote
2
ElephantRider
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to halibut sinclair • 1:05p, 9/8/23
AG
halibut sinclair said:
It was awesome in the original location, good in the 2nd location and haven't been to the current spot.

Give What's tha Deal a try.


I tried it at the old location and was very unimpressed. Brisket was dry and bland.
Reply Quote
2
MyNameIsJeff
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to trouble • 1:35p, 9/8/23
AG
trouble said:
And C&J is good, consistent BBQ. It's not the best but for good BBQ and excellent sides that I can walk in and get any time, it's fantastic.
C&J's is great bang for your buck. Obviously not on par with 1775, Truth, Snow's etc (and I don't think they intend to be), but it's consistently good. I usually eat there once or twice a week.
Reply Quote
10
agfan2013
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:50p, 9/8/23
AG
As has been mentioned, the quality has gotten worse as the quantity increased as they moved locations multiple times. I worked at producers coop in college when fargos was in the original small building and it was great, the second place was still decent but you could tell the quality started to be more inconsistent. Finally this last place hasn't been great the 2-3 times I went. I haven't been since probably 2019 or so and have no intentions of going back.

As a previous pretty bad hater of C&Js, I will agree with the above that they've stepped their game up and improved a lot of their product. Gotta give props to them for that. It's still not 1775 quality, but significantly better than it was even just 2+ years ago. I know one of the original owner's kids have started taking over and two of them were at camp brisket when I attended a few years back so they've been working on bettering their offerings.
Reply Quote
3
2 edits
halibut sinclair
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ElephantRider • 1:56p, 9/8/23
ElephantRider said:
halibut sinclair said:
It was awesome in the original location, good in the 2nd location and haven't been to the current spot.

Give What's tha Deal a try.


I tried it at the old location and was very unimpressed. Brisket was dry and bland.


Sorry - it's always great when we go. (If you are referencing What's tha Deal)
Reply Quote
1 edit
13B
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to MyNameIsJeff • 3:24p, 9/8/23
MyNameIsJeff said:
Fargo's was probably my first experience with really good barbecue when I was a student in 2012ish. This is when it was located up by the Co-Op and was carry out only. I ate my first brisket and ribs sitting on the tailgate of my truck in the parking lot. It really spurred my interest in barbecue, and I've since gone out of my way to try to hit all the spots in the area.

They went downhill a little bit when they moved to their last location on the west side of Texas. Then they moved to the current location a few years ago, and quality took another hit. I don't go to barbecue places for atmosphere, but that place is very strange for a barbecue joint. And frankly, the amount of people I've seen in there the few times I've been made me wonder how long they'll stay open.

Sometime around then, it seems like the "craft" barbecue scene really took off. I think places like 1775 that have truly awesome barbecue now run circles around them, and Fargo's can't compete. I do still think they have the best pork ribs in town, as I like salt and pepper instead of sauce, but I've only gone to their new location 2-3 times.

So to answer your question, they used to be an awesome barbecue joint. But, in my opinion, they've gone downhill each time they've moved over the last decade.
Have you tried Moe's in Somerville? They have something called Brisket Fries (Krinkle Fries smothered in cheese, brisket and their very tasty BBQ sauce, Mmmmmmm!). Whenever I am in that area I try to swing by. They have a real good flavor to their BBQ also.
Reply Quote
1
ChampsAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:35p, 9/8/23
I have been a fan of Fargo's for ten years but I do agree that they are not as consistent as they used to be.

The walk-in location was my first experience as well. I worked on University and drove up to grab lunch. I got rib tips and sausage. The rib tips barely survived to Briarcrest. I had a couple of meals with friends on the tailgate of my truck.

I was excited when they moved and my coworkers and I ate there often. Cash only kept us from going more, which was a good thing! The pork chop special on Thursdays was one of my favorite days to go. Reminded me of my grandmom's cooking.

Then they got Top 50... To me the beginning of the decline. Had to cook more and begin taking credit cards to survive. Crowds got bigger and quality seemed to go down a little.

Allen and Reese are definitely a tad off putting at times. My mil and wife went in one evening and they were kind of rude until my wife told them who her husband was. I found it a little funny personally.

Not giving refills at the 2nd location and now again at the 3rd location is a turnoff but I can live with it. To me that's the cost of doing more business but they have to do what works for them.

I still think that the ribs and the rib tips are amazing. I don't get brisket often because I like the ribs.

That being said, I will still support a local business and get what I know is good from experience. 1775 is my go-to but not always the most convenient. BBQ has gotten so expensive that we don't eat out as much as we used to. I'll eat C&J when we have it for a meal at the in-laws and the brisket has gotten better.

Sorry for the ramble but I love me some BBQ
Reply Quote
3
Hornbeck
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:40p, 9/8/23
There's lots of C&J haters on here, but the yardbird and the sausage is great, IMHO. I've had better brisket, but it's consistent.
Reply Quote
6
trouble
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Hornbeck • 4:51p, 9/8/23
AG
That dang turkey is delicious as well. Only place I like better for it is 1775.
Reply Quote
5
ElephantRider
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to halibut sinclair • 5:29p, 9/8/23
AG
halibut sinclair said:
ElephantRider said:
halibut sinclair said:
It was awesome in the original location, good in the 2nd location and haven't been to the current spot.

Give What's tha Deal a try.


I tried it at the old location and was very unimpressed. Brisket was dry and bland.


Sorry - it's always great when we go. (If you are referencing What's tha Deal)

Talking about Fargo's
Reply Quote
1
Goose83
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:47p, 9/8/23
AG
Yeah the move out of North Bryan was the killer. Wasn't always perfect, but damn near.

Last time I went to the new location I couldn't finish the rib tips or the brisket. Made me very sad.
Reply Quote
halibut sinclair
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ElephantRider • 6:06p, 9/8/23
ElephantRider said:
halibut sinclair said:
ElephantRider said:
halibut sinclair said:
It was awesome in the original location, good in the 2nd location and haven't been to the current spot.

Give What's tha Deal a try.


I tried it at the old location and was very unimpressed. Brisket was dry and bland.


Sorry - it's always great when we go. (If you are referencing What's tha Deal)

Talking about Fargo's


The first old location or the second old location?
Reply Quote
MsDoubleD81
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to trouble • 8:50p, 9/8/23
AG
trouble said:
And C&J is good, consistent BBQ. It's not the best but for good BBQ and excellent sides that I can walk in and get any time, it's fantastic.


Yep! And all out of towers I take there feel the same. Once we were driving and passed Coopers and they were like "hey!". I said "nope!"
Reply Quote
6
wtr1975
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BCSWguru • 9:34p, 9/8/23
AG
BCSWguru said:
The time I went in, the dude behind the counter acted like he didn't want my money so I never went back.


Ditto: I was a regular at the old location when quality was up. Alan was great, but I encountered the same "You should feel privileged to simply walk in the door and be able to order our bbq attitude" from the son. The arrogance continued after they moved so I finally had enough and decided to go elsewhere.

1775 is the best around and the service is top notch. The family truly is glad when you come and they make sure that you know it.
Reply Quote
1
3 edits
Mathguy64
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:39p, 9/8/23
AG
Damnit. I hate this app. You can never yell what thread you are posting on.

Sorry.
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Page 1 of 2 ▼
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.