Castroville Barbecue Company — Restaurant in Castroville

This will be a verbose review. To summarize it for quick reading: subpar BBQ with a volume-first approach and much too high prices.

On to the verbosity.

I have a two personal connections to Blu Lacy, motivating me to write this, my first Google review. The first is that I’m a BBQ chef and rarely eat BBQ that I or a friend do not make. This was my first restaurant visited in a long time. The second is that this restaurant is located in my ancestral home, as the building was built by my 3 times great grandfather Ferdinand Kilhorn I when he arrived to Castroville from Prussia. It was our family’s first home and first business (a Saloon in the 1890s), so I acknowledge that subconsciously I would judge the food maybe a little more because of these connections. I wanted to be sure and say as such.

My wife and I purchased two sliced brisket sandwiches and a small thing of pickles, totaling to rough the price of buying a small brisket. I suppose that should have been the first warning sign. The pickles themselves were clearly made in-house and very good. The brisket was also trimmed perfectly. Now unfortunately the positive aspects are gone, left only with disappointment and a lingering buyer’s regret.

The brisket wasn’t cooked nearly long enough, leaving a texture not unlike how one would imagine chewing boiled tire. The sauce was incredibly strange and did nothing to enhance the flavor, resembling cherry coke mixed with black pepper and sprinkled with essence of power steering fluid. The bread was dry, prepackaged, and very thick compared to the amount of meat provided. I also got a good look as I moved down the ordering line at the sausage and ribs; the sausage was large and dry (an unfavorable combination) and the ribs were catastrophically mistreated as though the pig’s ancestor had sinned greatly and all its descendants were in the midst of suffering retribution. (Forgive my colorful language, ribs are close to my heart literally and figuratively.)

I place no blame on the workers or entirely on the pit master. My simple diagnosis is that this restaurant prioritizes volume sales and high margins and rushes food out whilst cooking with subpar meats which do not reflect said prices.

In conclusion, two stars, given for the pickles. I can tell by them there is great talent behind the scenes and great potential if it was allowed the freedom to cook as pleased. I hope this review is taken as the well-meaning criticism it is so that I may return one day to add three stars to this review.

As stated before, I may be biased for the reasons stated above. I encourage you, the prospective buyer to save your money however, at least for...

From the moment I stepped through the doors at Blu Lacy, I knew I was about to embark on a remarkable culinary journey. This establishment has redefined what BBQ can be, delivering an experience that surpasses many I’ve had before.

The moment the brisket arrived, it was clear this was no ordinary BBQ. The meat was tender, moist, and infused with a smoky flavor that spoke to hours of meticulous preparation. Each bite was a perfect blend of savory spices and succulent beef, with a deliciously caramelized bark that provided an irresistible contrast in texture.

The turkey and sausage were top notch as was the BBQ sauce which had tangy, yet subtly sweet notes that balanced perfectly with the richness of the meat. Every component, from the seasoning to the sauce, was clearly crafted with an expert hand.

Accompanying the BBQ were sides that elevated the meal even further. The street corn was smoky, herbaceous, with a hint of sweetness that complemented the savory main dishes. The Mac n cheese was creamy and dense just like your momma makes it, providing a delightful variation that paired beautifully with the rich flavors of the BBQ. THE BEANS tasted like that had a family who loved them and provided for them and were given plenty of attention and not just plain horrible bbq joint beans. Full of wonderful flavors. What ranch style beans would taste like if they married a good looking Hispanic lady who knows how to cook.

Service was impeccable throughout. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive, ensuring that every aspect of the dining experience was seamless including making the BBQ platter look presentable enough for a magazine cover.

In a world full of BBQ joints, Blu Lacy stands out as a beacon of excellence. If you’re a BBQ aficionado or simply someone who appreciates extraordinary food, this is a place you absolutely must visit. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that will linger long after the last bite. Thank you for a wonderful meal.

Oh and they have stubborn brand sodas and a really awesome outdoor bar and play area next to outdoor seating. So awesome. All of it. Don’t forget to walk next door and get a pastry too. They...

I was very excited to try 2M BBQ #2 in Castroville, Tx which is actually called Blu Lacey Smokehouse. Arriving, I found plenty of parking in a huge parking lot across the street from the restaurant which was very convenient. Entering the restaurant I was impressed by the way it was modernized, but still had that old town feel to it. The building itself is historical and was very well preserved which was quite impressive. There isn't a lot of seating inside, but thankfully they also have a beautiful outside area that totally makes up for that, especially on beautiful days. Now, let's talk about the BBQ!!! It was a Tuesday afternoon and I was glad to see a 3 meat combo available during the week for $22 which includes sausage, brisket, and ribs along with 2 sides of your choice. The taste of the BBQ was fantastic, but the sides were just average which were the corn and mac & cheese. I was a bit disappointed with the BBQ sauce which was refrigerator cold and served only in little plastic sealed containers. I wish that they would've had squeeze bottles or pumps available, but it didn't really matter much because I truthfully didn't care much for the taste. If I could bring my own bbq sauce, I probably would. The BBQ sauce had a very strong vinegary taste to it which I didn't like, but in the end it didn't matter much because the bbq meats truly made up for it in every way. The brisket was outstanding, and the pork ribs were flavorful with plenty of meat, the jalapeno & cheese sausage was very spicy, but super tasty and thankfully not overly smoked . Why I gave Blu Lacy 5 stars was all based totally on the bbq meats. On my next visit I'll only stick to the meats because the sides weren't too impressive in my opinion. I do realize the restaurant is quite new, but I would suggest fresh brewed tea which in Texas is almost a must unless you're totally fastfood. Lastly, it would be great if the restaurant added another kind of BBQ sauce on the sweeter side that is hopefully room temperature and not refrigerator cold. Overall I do recommend you try Blu Lacey in beautiful Castroville, Tx. It's all about...