Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Tucson

Rudy's was busy with the lunch rush when we came. 1st time visitors & a girl in the front could tell that right away. She guided us to the line & gave a quick run down on how to order. It was a little odd but manageable. A cafeteria style switchtback lomg counter queue with 5 or 6 csshiers. You pluck your drinks from an ice trough that serves as a divider, you get cold sides and desserts from a fridge, then you speak to a cashier to order any meats and hot sides. Meats are charged by weight with the standard expected serving size to be half pound. We ordered a stuffed smoked potato with pulled pork and moist brisket, a half sausage, .5 lb moist brisket, creamed corn, potato salad and a rice krispie treat. In the middle of working on our order a Spanish peaking customer came to the cashier next to us, but she didn't speak Spanish and our cashier did. Chaos ensued because he dropped us in the middle and put her on our order. When we got to our table we realized part of the order was missing. I went back for it but they claimed they didn't charge us for it so I'd have to pay. Frustrating since we declined a receipt. I asked for the receipt 1st just to confirm. They had a hard time tracking it down and my irritation was mild but showing (combo of a hard day and their chaos). She did find the rct for me and I hadn't been charged, I was ready to pay but they decided to comp me for the trouble. I appreciated that gesture & is why I gave 4 instead of 3 stars.

Picnic table seating. Diner style wall decor. A condiment island with pickles, peppers, onions, packaged condiments, cutlery and napkins. A drink station for fountain beverages. I had unsweetened tea. It was good and I am picky about tea. The moist brisket was the star of the order. (I don't understand the purpose of having brisket & moist brisket but I'll leave people to their wood chip style beef if they like it). Moist brisket was tender juicy melt in your mouth. Creamed corn was good, potato salad average, smoked sausage was mediocre (ulta fine grind reminded me of a jumped up hot dog). Took the krispie treat home and ate it later, very good. The baked potato was good, not too dry considering it was smoked. Pulled pork on potato was okay, no complaints but not a home run.

The staff was mostly friendly & the others were functional. The whole place was very clean. Upscale fast food bbq is my overall impression. We will return and feel it will be a smoother experience as we understand the process better & the brisket moist is very good (they put moist behind the word brisket for unknown reasons).

Missed food pics but here's the gooey krispie and their sauces. Sissy sause was too bland for us,...

This is a self service restaraunt. Go threw the line, grab your sides. order at the counter. We didn't know this and when we came in 2 employees stood their talking and just watched us. we though we had to be sat. The area to order is in the back so you have to come threw the little store. We never were greated. We finally figured it out. Went ordered our food. Pulled pork sandwitches. They were tasty and for lunch I was surprised they were so dead. But the service explained it. The condiment bar was impressive. I'm very happy I didn't have to ask any one for a 2 go bag because the employees seem they couldn't be bothered any ways. We went to leave and stopped in the store my husband wanted to get a rub. 11$ for seasoning seems crazy. We stood their at the counter for another 10-15 minutes and the same two employees watched us standing their. They just talked and laughed. Made eye contact but again couldn't be bothered. We we were getting ready to just leave with out the rub and the female cashier finally came to cash us out and she went from flirting and laughing with the male employee to giving us attitude. Sounding irritated when she said "is that it" She rang us up gave my husband the reciept and didn't say bye or anything just turned around and walked to the back. It's a shame to because the sandwitches are good. The restaurant seemed cleaned and they had a ton of employees for how slow it was. Probably wouldn't dine in again. MAYBE a togo order. But then again everyone seemed like they didn't want to be bothered. We stood for longer then we sat and ate. waiting for help or directions. It was embarrassing having never ate their before. Not hand cap friendly since they put the food in a big container you have to carry to the table. I had to have my husband Carry it. I think a to go order for the food is...

I've been to Texas and had BBQ dinners there and this is the closest I'm going to get to that without traveling to Dallas. The line is a bit slow as sometimes they only had one cashier. But they sliced the meat fresh and weigh it in front of you. If it's more than the half pound and you're willing to pay for it then go for it. Otherwise tell them you want as close to half pound as possible. The brisket has a flavorful bark on it. I got the most brisket which means it's a fattier cut and boy is it tender. I also ordered the jumbo potato with everything on it. Corn on the cob was a bit soggy for my taste but still delicious drenched in butter. Maybe they should keep it warm on a steamer instead of in water, which is what I think happened. The baby back ribs are tender and full of flavor. They season all of the meats just right and the smokey flavor comes through nicely. You don't have to drench it in sauce at the table, which is how BBQ should be. You can get your cold sides at the fridge as you walk through the line, as well as desserts so you don't have to wait in the long wait again. Grab a bucket and fill it with ice for your cold bottled drinks or buy a soda from the fountain with free refills. Picnic style seating, TV's with the game showing and lots of condiments at the self-serve bar and BBQ sauces are at the table. Don't turn away from the SISSY SAUCE! We found it to be more flavorful than the original. They serve your food in a milk crate covered in parchment paper, no plates, you know it's authentic when there's burger paper involved too. Great...