Buster's Texas Style Barbecue — Restaurant in Gladstone

For those of you in Portland looking for the Texas barbecue experience, steer far clear of this place. For an owner that is supposedly from Texas, I feel like they have never had good bbq in their life. Or, they need to give up their pit boss card if they ever had one.

This had to be some of the worst bbq that I have ever eaten and was the biggest waste of hard earned, precious money that I have ever spent. Money that I will never get back for a meal I could not even finish. Bright side is my dog still seemed to like it.

The brisket was mostly fat and what was not fatty was tough as rubber. Even their sauce could not save it. Then there was the ribs. If they were trying to make beef jerky, they nailed it. Well, not so much as I find even cheap beef jerky better than what they served.

The worst part is, I came at the beginning of dinner service and it was this bad. I feel horrible for anyone who orders during the middle or end of dinner service as I am sure they would be pining for the rubbery texture that we received as I am sure the meat would be more like bricks by then.

Just to be clear, I am not writing this because I am some bbq elitist, nor did I go in thinking this would rival some of the better places in Texas. I am also not writing this because I love writing bad reviews. This is actually the first ever review I have ever written. I truly feel that nobody should pay their hard earned money for this “food”. I truly wanted this to be good. I was so excited for this meal, just to be seriously let down.

Not only will I never eat there again, I will be sure to tell everyone I know to stay as far away...

I was absolutely giddy when I saw Buster's while driving down McLoughin. I'm from Texas, and I moved to Portland from Austin in February of this year, so I just had to try BBQ that advertised itself as "Texas Style." Boy howdy, does it deliver! I can honestly say the BBQ is top notch, in taste and quality. On my first visit the meat was a little dry (which is forgivable because it happens), but still tasty. I have been back three times and the meat has not been dry since. I love the hot BBQ sauce, so much so that I would drink it by itself (and I have, ha ha).

I don't get why people are saying it's pricey, I would say that their prices are pretty average for a BBQ joint. Portlanders must not be all that familiar with BBQ places, because in Texas they are a stone's throw away.

Anyway, Buster's is my go-to place for BBQ. The place is not dirty as some have suggested, and it's a relaxed atmosphere. My wife and I usually get away with a $30-35 bill. However, we went tonight and both got the two-meat sandwiches, each with a side, and shared a fountain drink, and I think our bill was $21 and change. You...

Great smoked meats, employees aren't very helpful, tables ALWAYS sticky. Btw NEVER ask for "texas sized" which is double the meat but $7 extra, tried to warn you! I always get the brisket poboy with fries and chipotle sauce. Fries obviously sit for hours at a time under the warning lamps and flavor wise remind me of a frozen bag of crinkle fries so don't get your hopes up. Sauces are decent, think A-1 steak sauce, most side items are on par with KFC sides. Ive visited numerous times, at varying times of day, and of those three times in the past month, there hasn't been fresh fries.

One thing I do want to address is an extremely nice couple of employees whom cut the meat right in the front. These men are polite and attentive, who listen and are there to actually serve the community. Not to mention both cut the meat very well, little bark, perfect fat, against the grain etc. These guys have been there for years and are the BACKBONE of this operation, from what I've seen. Also props to grillmaster. Keep up the great work!

Would recommend ONLY FOR THE MEATS. Will return, for...