Bar-A-BBQ — Restaurant in Montgomery

Montgomery TX is more then just a small town, it's a town destined for greatness and prosperity.

Our visit to Bar A BBQ has been on my mind since their food truck days and with the constant quality they share on the gram, it has constantly enticed me for a taste of what they have to offer.

We arrived right before opening time and ordered the two meal plates with fatty brisket, pork ribs, turkey, and pulled pork. Side choices were their cheesy tater casserole, brisket dirty rice, mac & cheese, and the cucumber salad, also ordered all the desserts.

We dug straight into the food and started with the casserole, man exactly what i've been picturing. Similar to au gratin potatoes, the flavors were rich and creamy with a flavor packed bite that kept us wanting more! I was worried the potatoes wouldn't be tender enough, but they in fact were!

Onto the mac & cheese, super creamy and flavorful, notes of cream of mushroom and chicken with perfectly cooked pasta. Personally the cheese level was perfect, I dislike an overly cheesy mac, this was a solid mac!

The brisket dirty rice was a meal of it's own, with pieces of chopped running throughout the rice, it was the perfection side dish to accompany a plate of bbq, my wife's favorite in fact! My only note was that I wish it was more moist the rice itself, it lacked the proper texture for my liking.

The cucumber salad was a breath of fresh air, alleviating the palate and readying yourself for the next bite. The perfect dish to mellow out the heaviness of barbecue.

Pulled Pork was a solid pulled pork, just like any where! I did enjoy the barky texture and simplicity, if needed the bbq sauce was a beautiful addition giving savory and sweetness notes, mustard based for those against mustard!

The turkey breast was almost not ordered until I convinced my wife that we needed to try it since turkey is different everywhere but at times all similar. This was spot on turkey breast that was moist and tender with the slightest bite, and was seasoned perfectly yet simply. A slice of this with the casserole was my favorite bite!

And man, the pork ribs were something I had been yearning for. The glaze was phenomenal and the tenderness was perfect leaving the perfect bite. Simply perfection

The fatty brisket was of course perfect as well, text book brisket with an amazing fat render and texture. The seasoning level was perfect and blended well with all the sides, I personally ate it with the fresh sliced jalapeños for a bit of heat.

The half chicken was glazed with an awesome glaze that I wish I could have a side of just to dip the meats in, quite literally the perfect seasoned chicken. It's a must try when visiting!

And to finish, the desserts were all great!

The tallow chocolate chip oatmeal cookie was immensely soft and oatey which was such a pleasant twist, similar to a chick fil a cookie for reference!

The banana pudding had no bananas thankfully but did have the flavor of banana, with a light pudding and a ginger snap cookie crumble that tied in perfectly!

And lastly, my favorite dessert, the chocolate chip corn bread pudding! Served warm, the concept is a winner and provides an equally balanced experience. Man i'm honestly still pondering about every little flavor.

Overall, this establishment deserves every award/recognition they receive! Class family and class employees with the home style ambiance! Can't...

In the piney woods & heart of Montgomery county & the birthplace of the Texas flag sits a small & unassuming BBQ joint that punches well above its looks. (Never judge a book by its cover!)

Bar-A-BBQ landed on Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ joints, so of course I had to make the trek up to see what all the hubbub was about!

Line of 15 or more out the door, but moved at a decent pace. Menu at the counter is easy to read & prices are adjusted to market rate.

We ordered the Texan Plate to cover most of the proteins they serve & a few sweets, because why not!?

Both the moist & lean brisket are perfect. The bark is always a point of contention in BBQ, but I personally loved their bark, since it isn't overpowering the brisket itself, which means it can be eaten with the brisket without cutting out into smaller portions.

Pork ribs were also well executed! Not overcooked or undercooked. Perfectly smoked & easy off the bone bites. Moist not dry. (Should have ordered the Beef as well 🤦‍♂️)

House & Jalapeno Cheese Sausage. The House is a safe mild sausage as stated, but the Jalapeno Cheese is my fave. Great flavor with good cheese throughout. I would order more of this one for sure!

Sides:

Mac & Cheese: loved the creamy queso blanco & shells. It was very cheesy, but maybe a little on the bland side? Mac & Cheese is a staple in BBQ & the competition is stiff in the area, I know they can take this one up a notch to match their other sides.

Cucumber Salad: I'm not usually a salad or garnish guy, but this was perfect & I would eat this again. Wife loved it & said it was well seasoned!

Dirty Rice: My favorite & a pleasant surprise! This is obviously their own rendition & I love how moist & well seasoned it was. I will be coming back for more of this!

Desserts:

Pudding: with Oreo crumble was ok, I think we originally ordered the banana pudding, so we were expecting that.

Chocolate chip cornbread: a great rendition which was really good & would probably move the pickiest of children.

Honey cornbread: Hands down my favorite cornbread from any establishment period. It may have usurped our own home cornbread, but deathly stears from my wife have me pleading the 5th.

Well worth the drive if you're in Houston & a blessing if you live close by! Grab a beer, shoot the breeze, & come grab some Bar-A-BBQ. They did that thang 😋💯

P.S. guys the lil fans for the critters is genius. Quite a few were dead or dying during our visit. Could swap the energizers for some rechargeables batteries, to hot swap out during service. Already looking for one for...

On Memorial Day, fellow BBQ enthusiast, Alvaro Liendo and I visited Bar-A-BBQ in Montgomery, Texas to try the BBQ prepared by Cooper Abercrombie and his team.

The drive was fantastic! As a colorblind person, I saw new shades of green. We passed through La Grange, famous for ZZ Top, and the Shiner Brewery. Despite being a 6-hour drive from Laredo, it felt quick and enjoyable.

10:45am the doors opened, and the line started moving. First thing you notice is the smell of smoked BBQ that permeates the small yet quaint indoor dining area. We notice someone who looks almost exactly like Cooper on slicing duties. His brother, Shelby Abercrombie, offered suggestions on BBQ orders and talked with all the patrons. You could tell it was a family effort doing something they love!! The entire staff was outgoing and engaging, a credit to their love for the craft!!

As the rain drizzled down, the aroma of smoked meat wafted through the air, teasing our senses and building our anticipation. Once the doors opened, we were greeted by a rustic yet welcoming setup that felt like a slice of barbecue heaven. The counters displayed briskets glistening with a perfect bark, ribs with a deep, smoky hue, and an array of sides that beckoned us to indulge.

Cooper, despite the earlier hustle, took time to chat with us. His passion for barbecue was evident in his fervent speech. As we sampled the brisket, it was clear why people braved the rain for this experience—each bite was tender, smoky, and perfectly seasoned. Cooper's dedication to his family also stood out, showcasing a balance between family and BBQ. We were pleasantly surprised by his invitation to return and cook some BBQ, an offer we will accept in the future. We spent the afternoon soaking in the atmosphere, watching the staff work with precision and camaraderie. It was inspiring to see their dedication firsthand, and it reminded us why we made the journey. This wasn’t just about the food; it was about the stories, the people, and the shared love for a tradition that brings joy to so many. Wish I could post the pictures but I cant seem to get them...