Red Barn Bar-B-Que — Restaurant in Colleyville

So I am on a very limited income and to eat out is a huge treat. I was excited when things worked out for me to get some bbq first time in DFW area. I recently moved here from Houston. I ended up here, near the house.

As I approached, I noticed the "Guns Are Welcome" sign on the front door. Being a 2nd amendment advocate myself, I was really prepared to love some North Texas BBQ from Red Barn. Being particularly hungry, I went with a baked potato with chopped beef and an unsweet tea.

I saw him get a huge scoop of the already chopped meat, then I saw the potato he was putting it on. I have gotten bigger in a 10# bag at Krogers. So I don't know about around here, but in Houston when you order a potato with meat, you get a meal for 2 or maybe 3. The meat qty was excellent, it's just that usually you can see the potato a bit after the meat is put on. I am used to a good independent bbq house having super large potatoes. Even enough that I am sure they must get first pick before anyone else. I chose spicy bbq sauce instead of sweet that was also offered and the girl behind the counter put some in a little cup. I chuckled and told her that I was going to need a lot more than that. She filled a second one and walked back to the register. Ok then.

So I scoot down to the register and order a tea. Only one size drink available and it was $2. Totaled up to just under $12. Usually when I get this it is almost right at $10 with a drink.

So this is one of the places that has condiments on a separate counter to get yourself, but personally, I hate that way. For example, I took my potato to the little counter got 2 little cups of real butter and 2 of cheese. Normally I would get more for sure but I guess that's with a real size potato. My problem is that the butter should go on first, to melt in the potato and then cheese for the heat as well, then the meat and sauce last. So obviously I can't just plop the chilled butter and cheese on top,so I cut and mix up all the food best I can. I don't always eat this meal like that. Myself and others I know eat some of the beefy potato with it not all blended like a plate of dog food.

So the food was absolutely delicious, minimal fat in the beef is a big plus. I am extremely picky about the sauce. To me, this makes or breaks bbq. I personally actually dislike the sweet sauces, and the spicier the better. This sauce ranks with some of the best I have ever had!!! I will not fault them for having the separate condiment bar. The tea was nice and strong.

I will return but probably get bulk order meat and sauce and...

I really wanted to like this place. I had not visited for a long time (over 10 years) and it was back when it was the previous owner. There is not a drive though so I did takeout. The place is really nice inside and it feels "country". There was only one family seated/eating and just me in the line. The very tall gentleman behind the counter didn't say anything so I started the conversation explaining that it had been a long while since I visited. No response except for a young lady jumping in to ask me what I would like. I sensed I was interrupting something so I told them a sliced beef sandwich please. Again, no response. The gentlemen dropped the bread into a machine and took out a hand-sized chunk of obviously dry brisket that he sliced super thin. As he placed the slices onto the bun it was not much more meat than what you would find on a Mcdonald's cheeseburger. I am sorry to tell you it was one of the worst sliced beef sandwiches I have ordered. The BBQ sauce helped, but paying $12 for a measly sandwich and some fries (no drink with the sandwich and 1-side combo) along with nothing more than "do you want your receipt", no thank you come again, etc. It was a poor choice. I feel bad for the owners in this case. Either they haven't trained their people well or there just isn't any passion or precision in ensuring quality and a pleasurable experience for the customer. Too bad. With such high prices and so many options, service and product like this, they won't be around much longer, especially with their location and limited parking. I...

This is a small restaurant, open since 2005. I grabbed a quick lunch of a brisket sandwich, no sides and water. The bill was a little over $7 bucks so a pretty good deal for barbecue these days. The sandwich bun was buttered and toasted and came with the “sweet” sauce. I loved the chopped brisket on the sandwich. Lots of times when you get a chopped brisket sandwich it is half chopped up fat, but this was full of meat with a nice char on. I really liked the flavor. The serving line was empty just after noon on a Wednesday, which surprised me. There were three other sets of people at tables when I sat down, so not full. The service was quick and friendly. The only downside to Red Barn is the self described rustic feel (from website). The floor had a pronounced hump in it and the flooring was chipped and tattered. It was clean and the food was good and it IS a barbecue joint so it didn’t bother me. I can see how some folks might be put off by it.

If you look around back you can see cut up logs to go in the pit, so it is authentic and that’s good for me. Also during the February 2021 freeze and power outage I got served some free beans from Red Barn at the Colleyville library info center while all the news deprived refugees huddled around a working TV for news on the end of the blackout. So they do their part to serve the community. Meat prices have sky rocketed lately, but their prices remain reasonable and the food is good, so I won’t ding them for the rustic charm. I will come back. It’s open 11-8 Monday through Friday....