Cooper's Original Pit Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Mason

Cooper's is good but not great "old-style" Texas bbq. I decided to stop in Mason as I had not been to this particular Cooper's location. I ordered a pound of brisket point and one of their in-house sausage links (about 1/2 of their link, about the size of supermarket link). The order came to $40; quite a lot for what I received. The brisket was good to very good, but it's not "elite" as you'll find a places like Truth, Franklins, Killens, etc. Their bark was very good, the interior of the brisket point was bland which tells me they either used a lower grade of beef, put the beef on the smoker directly out of the cooler or simply didn't "low & slow" it enough. However, with today's ('22) incredible prices due to Biden-flation, the fact that they don't weigh or even cut the slices in front of the customer irks me a bit (in Aaron Franklins book he suggests that not cutting in front of a customer is a sign to possibly avoid a place...I agree). I know how much I paid for, I don't know how much they actually gave me (ie, I've ordered many pounds of brisket before, I'm fairly certain they shorted me by a good 1/4 lb, 25%). The brisket, likely being shorted from what I paid aside, was worthy of 3.5 out of 5.0 stars; good but not near great. However, the reason I'm giving just two stars because of the sausage. The sausage link they charged me for cost $15 and I don't know how much (actual weight) they cut...I simply said I want "about this much" and didn't see things again until it was wrapped and paid for. I had arrived at about 2:30 p.m. so it was after any lunch hour rush so I know from experience, some will try and give you "leftovers", and this is what I got. The sausage was obviously a "leftover" from lunch and yet they charged me premium price. It was dry from being on their cooker/warmer throughout the lunch hour and was tasteless. I should have just handed them $15 and walked away without any food, it was that bad. I understand the economics of why a restaurant wants to "avoid" spoilage, but taking it out on customers is not good. I'm not sure why I'd go to a Coopers, any of them, again. Too many other "decent" bbq places that weigh and cut in front of you and don't pawn off...

WOW! My wife and I were passing through on our way to Abilene from San Antonio, initially I was just stopping at the Philips 66 to get gas when I noticed this place. I figured what the heck, might as well get some barbecue for the road. When I walked up I instantly got excited when I saw on the menu they had goat! My wife is from East Africa and loves goat but this is the only southern bbq joint I’ve been to that has had goat on the menu! I knew my wife would be thrilled! I also ordered chicken, brisket, both regular and jalapeño sausage and beef ribs. Everything was honestly amazing! Including the goat. I got some serious brownie points for that, but she also loved everything, but, especially the goat 😂 I also got some mac and cheese (my wife’s finishing it off as I write this) I’m not a huge fan but it was better than expected. I thought the macaroni was cooked perfectly, it had a great consistency. I got both black berry and peach cobbler, both were so good but my wife and I both agreed we preferred the black berry. I got some coleslaw, super good. I got a chocolate chip cookie and out-meal raisin, this is not hyperbole, both were some of the best cookies I’ve ever had, not baked at home! The beans were also nice. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the “thick bbq sauce” to me it was like some kind of “fancy ketchup” I actually ended up tossing that out. The other sauce was really nice, I enjoyed dipping the meat in it. Got 4 ears of corn on the cob, it did seem a bit over cooked and mushy but compared to everything else, no big deal. It is edible just not crisp like I prefer. Last but not least the staff were so pleasant and kind! The true definition of southern charm and hospitality. These people represent the quaint, small town of, Mason TX, incredibly well! While this location is a bit out of the way I’m hoping I find myself passing...

Stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner while visiting the Mason area. The meats that were in the smoker really didn't look that appetizing. But we were there and hungry enough. We got some brisket and sausage. Inside the cutter weighed it with his back to us. I'm fairly positive that we got shorted on the brisket but paid full price. We ordered the same amount we always order at other restaurants, but were still hungry when we left.

The flavor was only ok. We were hungry enough we at it all. The meat quality was also only ok. Nothing to brag about.

We finished our meal and went to the store next door to grab some items. The store was downwind of the Coopers smoker. The smoke coming from the smoker smelled awful. Not your typical bbq smoker that makes you want to run in and fill up on brisket. It was a chemical smell. Wish I had gone to the store first, then I would've known better than to go into Cooper's to eat. Definitely won't be going back. Theres better...