What I Ate: March 5, 2010 (Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q)

Dinner: We tried Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q (11570 Research Boulevard, Austin, TX‎ - (512) 418-9898‎) which was more like a Shell gas station / restaurant than a real country store. As far as barbecue places in Central Texas go, Rudy's had a lot more selection than the usual brisket, spare ribs, and rings. First timers get to have bite sized samples of whatever meats you want to try before you order. We tried a little of the turkey breast (lots of smoke flavor), lean brisket (beefy and smokey), moist brisket (decadently juicy and streaked with delicious fat), baby back ribs (a bit dry but nicely seasoned with a dry rub that isn't shy on the celery salt), sausage (finely ground texture and salty), cole slaw (sweet without being drowned in dressing), potato salad (not special - like supermarket potato salad), and creamed corn (very sweet).

Rudy's is worth going to just for the ultra-moist brisket - it's the best we've had so far. The rest of the BBQ is good, but not the best around. The baby back ribs at The Salt Lick are better and so are their sides.