Hank's Texas BBQ — Restaurant in Columbus

Having had BBQ from many of the Texas top 100 I honestly didn't have high hopes for BBQ from a place in Columbus Ohio and I was honestly just hoping that it would at least be edible. To my surprise it was FANTASTIC!! Easily as good or better than well known Texas places! When we arrived I immediately spotted a trailer with a large offset smoker in it and a smaller smoker outside in front of the trailer, both seemed well worn and smelled like nice, clean smoke, so of course I'm now even more hopeful for good food! The restaurant itself was very cool inside and seemed like a great place to hang out. There was what appeared to be a full bar with a bartender and I could see back into the kitchen off to the side of the bar. Definitely felt like a cool, hometown bar and BBQ joint, and they were even playing good music at a volume loud enough to hear and enjoy without being so loud you can't have a conversation. There's also a couple of big glass garage doors that I assume they open up when the weather is nice to allow open seating outside on the patio area. We were told to sit anywhere we'd like and once seated our very sweet and attentive waitress was over quickly to take our order. We started with a couple of appetizers, the fried cheese curds which come with homemade ranch, and the fried green tomatoes that come with house made pimento cheese and the chow chow which we got on the side. Both appetizers were simply amazing! The cheese curds were perfectly fried and that ranch, I could have just drank it straight out the little cup, it was the best ranch I think I've ever had! The green tomatoes were also perfectly fried and that pimento cheese and chow chow, wow is all I can say as both were absolutely delicious and perfect compliments to the fried green tomatoes. For our entree we ordered two of the 2 meat plates, both with ribs and brisket, plus the burnt ends baked beans, coleslaw and the cornbread. Our entrees arrived quickly, the plates looked beautiful and I could immediately smell the smoke on the meat (looked and smelled like actual old school Texas BBQ!) and while I can't confirm this, it smelled of a mild smoke like post oak, definitely not mesquite which gave me high hopes for good tasting ribs and brisket. Our waitress also described the sauces at the table, there was a white sauce, a mustard based sauce, a traditional BBQ sauce plus a peach habanero sauce, all made in house. All were delicious and while I normally don't go for specialty BBQ sauces, that peach habanero was my favorite and was great mixed with the traditional on a few bites of my brisket and ribs. We tried the meats without sauce, they were both extremely well seasoned which I prefer over traditional salt and pepper. The ribs were perfectly cooked, they had a nice bite, like a perfectly cooked rib should! They could have been a bit "meatier" but it's a baby-back which doesn't have a ton of meat but do have a great flavor so I wasn't disappointed at all. The brisket was also perfectly cooked and had just the right amount of pull, a great bite and was also perfectly seasoned, very juicy and had the perfect amount of fat and meat on each slice! I tried both meats with all the sauces and definitely a combo of the peach and house was my favorite, although the meat definitely didn't need sauce to be delicious. The sides were delicious, with the baked beans having a good amount of brisket burnt ends chunks in them. The coleslaw was flavorful and the cornbread tasted great, was moist and was obviously homemade. We were completely stuffed when our waitress came over and mentioned dessert but it sounded so good we ordered a key lime pie and banana cream pie to go. Later that night when we were ready for dessert and opened the containers we actually got blueberry cheesecake and what appeared to be more of a banana pudding than a cream pie, but neither disappointed as blueberry cheesecake is my favorite and the banana cream pie was delicious with tiny vanilla wafers on top that were still crunchy after being in the fridge for more...

Went there on Father's Day because my other BBq place was closed. We had a party of nine and I was happy we could get a table for a large party. The service was a little slow even taking a drink order which we had seven getting alcohol so was surprised when 6 of the 7 people were waiting to get a second drink. Then when we went to order they told us that they were out of ribs. I prepared myself for ribs all weekend so come Sunday I was bummed my first choice was closed and then they waited until we ordered food to tell us they had no ribs. I got the two meat platter with the brisket upcharge and pulled pork. The pulled pork was in a small dish was roughly the size I would expect for the platter but the brisket was one piece and mostly fat. I was with my father so I was trying to keep a good attitude and enjoy the family time. They brought our food out and told us that they were also out of the chicken nuggets that my child ordered so she just ordered Mac and cheese and french fries. Also they couldn't make a drink because they didn't have ingredients for a drink. I gave it a 3 star because the food was BBQ but I feel as a BBQ joint you should make it clear you don't have ribs and not wait 25 minutes after the drink order to let people know that you are out of ribs. The waitress heard my wife go all you wanted was ribs and I just smiled through it and said it was okay and then had a fatty piece of brisket and a small dish of pulled pork. I wish I spent half the money on a pulled pork sandwich because it would have been more meat for half the price. I am guessing they were worried about running out of other things so they were giving out less. That is why I am giving three stars. If they are not busy enjoy yourself. If they are busy you may want to consider...

Wanted the dust to settle on the opening of this new BBQ Restaurant before I checked it out. Today was the day, got seated and was greeted by Max my waiter. Super friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. Decided to order the brisket and pulled pork for meats. The brisket had a great bark and smoke ring to it. It felt dry on the outside but surprise, when you pulled it apart, it was super moist. The pulled pork was very moist and tasty. Good Stuff. On to the sides. I ordered a bunch. First the potato salad, it is a very light mayonnaise based salad, made with redskin potatoes that were cooked to almost tender which is totally different from everyone else's. Had just almost a crunch with them, add some chopped scallions on top and it is a very refreshing dish. The mac and cheese was made with large spiral noodles and a great deal of creamy cheese. Delicious!! Then there was the Corn Spoon Bread, super moist with tons of flavor and a slight sweetness to it, add the slight crunchiness of the corn, Yummy!!!!! The Burnt Ends Baked Beans were made with a firm sauce that went well the diced red peppers, pepper and the Burnt Ends. And lastly the Collard Green's, they were well cooked, mixing some tomatoes, onion, greens and pork. No heavy vinegar taste here. Nice and smooth. Service was excellent. Also had the opportunity to talk with Jessica Harkrider, one of the owner's. Her husband Brad is in charge of the Food Operation. He has the credentials also. Graduate of CSCC, worked at the Club at Tartan Fields and Executive Chef at the J.Liu Restaurants. He is using oak, cherry, and hickory to smoke his meats. Amazing being done by the couple and their staff. Check...