I have never eaten at Swadley’s Bar-B-Q, mostly because I’d rather spend my precious time writing about the small-town, country-based roadhouse smokehouses where mom and pop serve some of the best barbeque this side of the Red River. Patrick sent me one the other day I have to hit up soon.
It never fails, however, that as soon as a piece is posted, eventually some tasteless drone of popular opinion will invariably comment “Dude, you don’t know good ‘cue! You need to go to Swadley’s! They’ve got the best ‘cue in the state, brah!”
So I started to think…maybe they might have a point. I mean, Swadley’s has catered some of the biggest and best conservative events in Oklahoma over the past few years, culminating in last Saturday’s right-wing “Keep the Georgia Senate Red” shindig at Castle Falls, with such Okie politicos like Gov. Kevin Stitt, Senator James Lankford and Senator Jim Inhofe in attendance.
With people paying up to $5,000 a ticket, I figured this barbeque has got to be something special. The same Saturday of the Georgia event, I decided that it was time to go ahead and give Swadley’s a try, stopping by the restaurant at 2233 W. Memorial Road. It’s the one that has the large illuminated crucifix out front, a testament to the fact that Jesus would probably eat here, pork be damned.
I have to admit I was relieved when my ladyfriend and I scanned the cost-efficient menu upon entry, because I didn’t have $5,000 to purchase a plate of ribs. I mean, sure, our ribs might not be as good as the ones Stitt and his crew had munched on earlier in the day, but they’re the haves and I’m a have not, most of my life making do with the Two Rib Dinner ($12.99) plates of the world.
Even though our server brought me the wrong meal at first—an Oklahoma Sampler which, if I had kept my damned mouth shut, I could have (and should have) cost-effectively enjoyed—eventually we were brought our correct eats, with my ladyfriend dining on the Smoked Chicken ($11.99), which I found to be dryer than a fresh pair of Depends caressing Inhofe’s typically soaked loins.
And while I’m pretty sure that, to many manly right-wingers, chicken isn’t real barbeque—it’s not even real meat, you cuck-a-doodle-do—I felt sexually secure in my plate of hyper-masculine ribs, a duo of thick cuts of pure meat that, along with some sweet beans and spicy cream corn, will fill me up for a few hours, a cup of red sauce at the side ready to make these ribs great again.
Yet, as I bit down into the smoked flesh, while it looked like ribs and smelled like ribs and tasted like ribs, something important—something that defines what makes truly inspirational barbeque—seemed to be missing from the meats. I gnawed and suckled right down to the white bone looking for the lost ingredient.
“Soul…” my ladyfriend said. “This food’s got no soul.”
Soul. She was right. When I go to those home-grown barbeque joints out in the wilds of Oklahoma, there’s always a culinary passion that, like the thick smoke, sinks down into every layer of the blessed meats and you can taste it; here, at Swadley’s, it just wasn’t there. Instead, it was the ill-gotten taste of a teenage kid making minimum wage, mindlessly cranking out the meats, just waiting for that night shift to finally end.
But maybe that’s why Swadley’s catered this conservative event; I mean, does anyone truly see Stitt, Lankford or Inhofe asking for the hot barbeque sauce for their safe-as-milk meat treats? Anything besides ketchup, I’m sure, would be “too ethnic” for their dead tastebuds.
And while I’m sure this barbeque chain will continue to grow in Oklahoma—and good for them—it does leave me with this one burning question: with so many better places in town for good barbeque, places with actual soul smoked right into the meats, why waste your time with Swadley’s?
_
Follow Louis on Twitter at @LouisFowler and Instagram at @louisfowler78.
Support TLO (and, by proxy, Louis Fowler) by becoming an Ogle Mole…sign up here today!
While I agree with your assessment I do, or at least I did, still go there to get smoked turkey breast to go. I can’t imagine a “2 rib plate” … that’s like McDonalds offering an order of french fries with only like 3 fries. F*ck you and your measly 2 rib offering Swadley family.
Get the 4 rib dinner then. Geez
you miss the point entirely. BBQ is about getting too much food. offering a “2 rib plate” is a damn disgrace. i dont care if they hafta charge a ton more you just NEVER offer up a plate of 2 ribs. Texans have shot people for less.
When I hit the thumbs up and it 0s out the entire “rate this”, does that mean THEY know I didn’t fast? I’m assuming THEY probably already know I didn’t pray. And 15$ out the door is too much for a couple ribs.
I honestly don’t know of any chain restaurants with BBQ to write home about. The best you can hope for with them is that the food is passable as a quick lunch shop while you’re Christmas shopping or whatnot. Although, Swadley’s smoked sausage usually hits the spot on hot early fall afternoons at Owen Field in Norman.
Yeah, it’s like part of the corporate contract must be written in all the meat juices that are no longer in the bone dry meat that they serve once they become a big corporation.
I’ve been to Swadley’s many many times and the food and service are always fantastic. Perhaps the Demorats have drained all your soul that you in fact were drained of all soulfulness that you misinterpreted the lack of soul for your own lack of soul. You can look right down their cook line and won’t see one teenager in their kitchen so you are way off. Kind of weak of you.
Bedlam, Leo’s, Smokin’ Joes, Van’s Pig Stand, Butcher’s, Clark Crew, and Earl’s are all vastly better and don’t cost as much. Hell, I’d even take Billy Sims barbeque over Swadley’s. Swadley’s is the food equivalent of the plumber who has a Christian symbol on his business card. You know he’s trying to use your faith to compensate for his mediocrity. BTW, it wouldn’t hurt you to get out of Piedmont more often.
Earl’s and Van’s aren’t even close. Both have meats that are dry as hell. If I have to drown the meat in sauce it ain’t good BBQ. Now Swadley’s does have good sauce, but I sop that stuff up with my bread like gravy rather than ruin the meat with it.
I was there not a month ago – yes there are teens there. Not all who look 25 are actually 25…
I prefer “barbecue.” Bar-B-Q is OK. BBQ barely passable. Barbeque just strikes my eyes wrong — and spell check agrees.
If anyone knows of decent barbecue in SW Oklahoma, let me know.
Roy’s in Chickasha.
John and Cook’s just south of Lee on Sheridan in Lawton.
Val’s in Altus used to have good ribs.
Let me recommend SMOKIN’ JOES in Davis, Ok. Be prepared for large portions and fair prices.
You are so right. Smokin Joes in Davis is WORTH THE DRIVE!!
Heck, I’d hitchhike or walk to get to Smokin’ Joe’s. Smokin’ Joes ribs may be the single best food I’ve ever eaten. There’s no other barbeque that compares.
And for you “Oklahoma Standard” types, Smokin’ Joes is a family owned business and they’re VERY conservative Christians. They just don’t need to advertise the fact to get customers in the door.
Smokin Joe’s is really good
fatty ribs, not rendered
Tomato, tomahto. Both are right.
Personally, I prefer Rudy’s for a quick fix (with all of their endearing, hokey typos on the sauce bottles).
I agree with the assessment.. their BBQ sauce is also hideous.. there may be more than one flavor.. but the base sauce has more cinnamon than some coffee cakes I’ve had..
I get better BBQ at the old GFF storefront BBQ shop NW 12th & Santa Fe in Moore. The store has changed names, The barbecue is still great! You can get a slab of ribs on Saturday game day for under $15. Kick Swadley’s to the curb.
thats where I always got mine in the 90’s. also that grocery on 29th and I-35 next to idab bingo.
You mean 44th and I35, in the Buy For Less, right?
That lady used to have great smoked meats, then it went off the rails just before B4L went out of business.
The simile for dry chicken was a bit too much for this early in the morning.
I’m guessing that any “soul,” whether evil or delicious, that tries to enter Swadley’s gets hijacked by that garish cross outside. Maybe I’m part vampire – that kind of thing tends to repel me. Yeah, I know that I’m only part of a small minority in Swadley’s marketplace. (Showy MAGA regalia has the same effect on me.)
Did Patrick put up $5,000 to attend the Castle Falls event that boosted the Georgia candidacy of the “more conservative than Attila the Hun” lady? Did the food there come with a side of soul? That’s the kind of in-depth journalism we have come to expect at TLO!
That food looks delicious and that was 2 huge pork ribs not small beef ribs , Swadleys is too notch and a family place for anybody to love. Everybody had opinions but your missing out on great food great customer service and great hospitality.
If you didn’t enjoy the meal, you should have told management. Mida , the manager, would have given you the meal if you weren’t happy with it.
You need to try the Swadley’s in El Reno. I’ve eaten there more than I can count and their food and service is tremendous! Brent Swadley and his whole crew is more than happy to please. They continue to win the Reader’s Choice every year because of their great products and service. There are other great BBQ places, but Swadley’s is the best!
I disagree! I’ve been eating at Swadley’s for years and have always enjoyed my meal. Ribs, burnt ends…always delicious. Anytime I have family coming from out of state who wants good BBQ, I ALWAYS ORDER FROM SWADLEYS…
It never occurred to me that I could use Swadley’s to get rid of out of town guests. Thank you.
I totally disagree with your biased report !!!
I have ate their food for over 20 yrs
The time and thought they have put into each plate,
Not to mention the incredible atmosphere of each location
I feel you are completely OFF
Why don’t you report on the great services they offer ??
Why don’t you report on their SERT Operation that just helped Oklahomans get their power back restored by feeding all the OG&E workers
In a year of So much loss and distrust
Your ripping a in State business that was started HERE out of a trailer in grocery store parking lot
And is surviving through all the uncertainties
I would say that is Oklahoma SOUL and the Oklahoma Standard
SHAME ON YOU OGLE
Bryan uses grammar and capital letters in a way eerily similar to the Twitter account of a certain orange person who is familiar to most of us.
Hmmm……
One more line and you might have a sonnet there.
Their food is garbage and their pandering to the most gullible of the religious is disgusting.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1
I believe the word you’re looking for is “eaten”
“Bryan” wouldn’t know soul if came up and bit him on his lily white ass. And the “Oklahoma Standard” is a fucking joke, are you kidding me? Standard of what? Low on education and high on incarcerated woman, just for starters. There’s you “Oklahoma Standard”.
I tried Swadley’s once. it’s generic barbecue.
I’ve had it catered a few times. Maybe it’s better in the actual facility, but it did not travel well. So dry it was ridiculous.
Despite their politics, and I could really do without all the god bothering on their signs, I’ve always enjoyed their food. I recently tried Clark Crew, I couldn’t see what everyone was raving about, it was good enough, but no better than Swadley’s, certainly not worth the inflated price.
It’s a shame that someone can’t be objective when giving a food critique. It’s so obvious that this writer had their mind made up before pulling into the parking lot. By looking at the pictures posted, that food is prepared and presented excellently! You can see the moisture in the chicken and the care taken in the plating, as opposed to stuff just plopped on a plate, shows care and passion for their craft. Anyone actually wishing to have a dining experience in a restaurant, would have been pleased, I’m certain. Unfortunately, this person decided to go spend their money so they would have an excuse to blast a family owned company for their beliefs and values. How sad. Luckily the general public tend to recognize a troll when they see one.
“This person” has a name which is predominantly displayed at the beginning and end of the post.
Care taken in plating?? Hahahahaha
Everything is in little black cups.
My Spidey sense tells me that this review had nothing to do with food and service. It had everything to do with politics. If Swadley’s had recently catered a Democratic event, then something tells me that the food would have been fabulous, and the service would have been top-notch.
It’s been a while since I’ve read one of Louis’ articles. I got tired of hearing how his lot in life is everybody else’s fault. His parents’ fault, the Republicans’ fault, the rich peoples’ fault, his landlord’s fault, the hospital’s fault, OGE’s fault, the white mans’ fault, etc. Nothing is ever his fault. No accountability in his articles. I get it….one of the objectives of this site is to entertain. It’s entertaining when you say things to rile up the masses. Gets a lot of clicks and what-not. Hence, the food review that was more politics than food. I’m sure this post will rile up the masses even more. You’re welcome, TLO.
Louis is a smart guy. He seems extremely well read and somewhat well-traveled. He’s got a lot of great qualities. He has the potential and ability to do extraordinary and wonderful things in this world. But, if he doesn’t -and then he blames others…then, it just comes off as pathetic.
It is good to see that he’s expanding his palette beyond the gas station. So, there’s that.
You can certainly get gas at Swadley’s.
Blah, blah, blah, blah.. Their food sucks
My own Spidey sense tells me that Austin is feeling some pathetic victimhood of his own over the recent “stolen” election. There’s a lot of that going around.
Never mind that Louis chose to dine at Swadley’s exactly because of Swadley’s own very public participation in a political event, and the recent TLO article about it.
I get it – some people are offended by Louis usual left-leaning tone. But if Louis related tales of his life in the context of his having found Jesus and turned his life around, some of the same people who bash Louis would be his biggest fans.
Louis doesn’t lean left, He fell over hard. Yes, this is a hit job only because Swadley’s profess to be Christian and happen to be Republican leaning and everyone knows it. I’d hate to be so scared of a religion and a political group that I felt obligated to write an incompetent article. I guess it wasn’t good enough since it wasn’t cooked by an immigrant, over a trash barrel, in an alley.
Waaa – everyone picks on Christian Republicans! They’re so powerless!
Your own fear of lefties didn’t keep you from writing an incompetent comment , did it?
What does “immigrant” have to do with this anyway? You have something against immigrants or ethnic food?
Spot . . . . On
It’s palate, not palette. The former relates to taste. The latter is a board to hold paint.
Didn’t Louis give a good review to that Little Mike’s place that has pro-Republican and Birther memes on the wall?
I think this review is way off base! I have enjoyed Swadley’s BBQ in all their locations for years. Over a decade. I love the que. And I’m not alone, how else do you win endless awards year after year? And have had excellent service every time I’ve visited.
But for me what sets them aside is they pour back into the community with things like their CERT program. The Swadley’s team worked tirelessly through the last ice store feeding folks for weeks. I personally know some of those folks worked 27 plus hour days and more, for days on end to help the community. And they are not ashamed of their faith. For these reasons I am proud to support them. Thanks, Swadley’s!!
Not sure why all the hate in your review. But like a lot of things today we must tear down entire groups of the population with name calling and innuendo. Whether they cater any cause has nothing to do with a good food review, which this was not. Seems more like this was a hit piece on a political party than an honest food review. Disgusting.
Frankly the one without soul is this review.
Yeah, those 27 hour days can be a bitch.
dale you know brent makes millions off sert so he is helping swadley,,also he drives the employees to work till they drop or else!! nothing wrong with faith, but when a douche like Ronald uses it to his companies advantage considering how many times he has been sued for sexual harassment … all settled by the way……how he treats others with contempt……finds a way to get rid of employees that have health issues…….oh yes swadleys does not offer insurance to non management……..fires older workers that cant keep up any more! as far as the bbq, very mediocre at best…..the food most already made comes from ben e keith and not of a very good quality …….as far as kitchen staff all latino that works cheap for him again no health insurance for them and you better belive no gays trans or anyone not a Christian!!!!!!!!
Love Swadley’s! Great family owned operation. The BBQ is amazing as is the service. Seems to me your comments were politically driven. Soul and passion Swadley’s has it!! Great pricing, generous portions, and the best staff. Swadley’s is the REAL deal!!
The dozen or so tv’s all tuned to fox ruined my appitite.
Fox News is something both the extreme left and right can agree on these days. Chalk it up to 2020, I guess.
“Instead, it was the ill-gotten taste of a teenage kid making minimum wage, mindlessly cranking out the meats, just waiting for that night’s shift to finally end.”
Very accurate and befitting of spitting out my coffee… almost.
I hear you. You’re funny. Thanks for the heads up.
I find a place here and there with a decent smoked meat or two but crappy sides or vice versa. Generally once a place goes chain, mediocrity kicks in. Sounds like the case here.
If you like their food, skip the middle man & get your BBQ & sides at Sam’s… like they do
I’m Christian. Swadley’s is Christian. Their BBQ is trash.
I’ve eaten at Swadleys Barbecue and love it! I always get the Oklahoma plate it has everything, the ham melts in your mouth and the brisket is the best I’ve ever eaten don’t wanna even start on the burnt ends, AMAZING!!! Their customer service is top notch and the family friendly atmosphere is the best. Great place to take the whole family to eat!
Oh come on, the food is good and the service (in Bethany) is great. It’s an Oklahoma company and i prefer to support places that support our state. I’ve tasted ’cue with soul and love that too. The soul in Swadley’s food is there, just different as it is headed to heaven.
Sure, they have Jesus notes in different places but big deal. It’s not like they put tracts on the table with the handy wipes or have a baptism show every hour on the hour. Just like you can skim over mandarin on the menu at an Asian restaurant, you can skim over the blessing they’re offering at Swadley’s.
BTW- For our family we actually prefer Rudy’s and Bedlam because chicken on the bone is the only way. Guess I’ll have to ask their politics there so I can make sure I really like them. I hope I’m not disappointed.
And then there’s the Fox News on the TVs…
ray’s smokehouse in norman and moore. always busy, great food, less expensive than the one above.
Honestly, I have the same problem with Swadleys as I do with any chain barbecue. It’s great that they do stuff for the community and are an Oklahoma and yada yada yada. But barbecue really easily goes from great to mediocre. It does. Meat dries out quickly and when you’re cooking for hours and hours you don’t really get a redo if something goes bad.
So much of barbecue comes down to how good the pitmaster is, and when you’re chain, you lose that consistency. And no matter how hard you try, it’s really, really hard to maintain consistency in barbecue among a dozen locations, 7 days a week when you’re also trying to run a company and maximize profits.
So I don’t doubt that there are Swadley’s that are amazing (my favorite is Oklahoma Joes in KC), but if we have good Braums and bad Braums and they’re making things as simple as a burger and fries, then we’re going to have Swadleys that are honestly just not that good. It’s just the nature of chains.
6 days a week. They be closed to worship god on Sunday. I’ve ate at 3 Swadley’s locations, they were all meh.
Same with Chellinos. once they expanded all over the place quality very inconsistent.
Brought up on Hann’s, Glenn’s Hikry Inn, and Bob’s in Ada, I’ve not warmed up to a lot of places. For me Swadley’s, Earl’s, Rib Crib, and Rudy’s are overrated. Billy Sims’ ribs are surprisingly good. Leo’s, Ray’s, Steve’s Rib, and Van’s (only Norman, not the “original”) and sometimes Bedlam, can be pretty good though. I suppose everyone has a favorite.
I will say if you like beef, go to Lockhart or Llano TX and for pork try Arthur Bryant’s in KC.
Someone mentioned the Butcher and Smokin Joes, meh.
BTW- my review was about the food. Obviously Louis makes a larger point that just hits the nail on the head. Couldn’t have said it better.
BTW- my review was about the food. Obviously Louis makes a larger point that just hits the nail on the head. Couldn’t have said it better.
I have eaten there quite a few times and have always enjoyed the food and experience. Everyone is friendly and I love the environment. I don’t understand such hate for a single establishment. I think you’re too stuck on them being Christians, which is a good thing? Maybe judge it without having your own thoughts involved so heavily. It seems you’re bashing them just because you can.
The ribs in the pic look fatty and undercooked, just like the ribs I’ve received from Swadley’s over the years. I’ve given up on getting ribs at Swadley’s. I’ll occasionally get a pulled pork sandwich from them, but even then every meat they serve needs more smoke. There are so many better places for smoked meat in Oklahoma.
yep, and so were the ribs I got a Smokin Joes
Left a nice comment a little after noon today in defense of this great restaurant and it was never posted!!! 😳😳😳
Given how many responses his disagree with Louis’s review and are critical of him as a person, I think it’s safe to assume it was just a glitch
Underwoods on Lindsey street ; Norman in the 70’s
Chuck wagon style barbecue.
I tried the one on SW 89th in OKC years ago and found it wasn’t tasty enough to make me want to go back. I too prefer Van’s in Norman, especially their curly fries with their hot barbecue sauce.
I Personally eat all over the US…. As far as the Review, we all know your just wanting a debate bc u haven’t described Swadleys at all.. The place is a Family owned buisness big enough to serve the Community and small enough to know its customers… Food is Great and Consistent which is Huge in the restaurant buisness… They also have a Cert Team who feeds crews working in disaster relief in hard hit areas… My Family enjoys going there and the staff is always friendly!!!!
First, let me say I’m sorry that your Swadley’s experience wasn’t what you hoped it would be. I don’t work for Swadley’s. Never have. But I’ve been a customer since Brent Swadley was pulling a smoker behind his pickup to high school and college sporting events, long before opening his first restaurant. So I have some background to work with.
There’s really no point in a back-and-forth about what you thought of the food. Everyone’s taste is different. My taste is no better or more “right” than yours.
My concern is with other aspects of your post. Clearly, TLO must pay you by the inch. Because the substance of your post is about two sentences long: “Tried Swadley’s for the first time last weekend. Didn’t see what all the fuss is about.” By the inch, that doesn’t earn you much. But I guess if you pad your post with what is either a failed attempt at humor or an unprovoked, uncalled for attack on someone’s religious and political beliefs, maybe that earns you more. Who knows? I used to read TLO religiously. Not so much, anymore. Guess I grew out of it over time.
Brent is a political conservative. I’m not Elizabeth Warren, but I’m pretty far left of center politically. We’ve known this about each other for the 25 years we’ve been friends. Did I cringe a little when I saw the Swadley’s logo on the ad for the Georgia fundraiser? A bit. But here’s why I don’t feel like I need to call them out all over social media because of it: I’m an adult. So is he. We can disagree on politics and still be civil and friendly and supportive of each other. Society needs a whole lot more of that today. Besides, even Republicans deserve to eat well. And when Swadley’s caters your event, you eat very, very well.
What you saw outside the restaurant on Memorial is not a crucifix. It is a cross. There’s a difference. Google is your friend if you care to learn the difference. But I might suggest that if you’re going to belittle someone’s religious beliefs, it would be helpful to know at least a little bit about what you’re talking about.
But regarding Brent’s personal faith and the faith he expresses through his business, he’s a man who walks the walk. Not by preaching, but by serving. Time after time through the years when folks in the community have suffered tragedies and needed a hand, Swadley’s stepped up. There’s probably not a better corporate neighbor in Oklahoma City than Swadley’s. If you live in this community, you want businesses like Swadley’s to thrive, because they give back.
Why have I eaten at Swadley’s literally thousands of times in the last two-plus decades? Is it because I’m some kind of barbecue loving freak? No, not really, though I do like the food. I have an 87-year-old mother. She’s nearly blind, can’t walk without a walker or someone to hold onto. Her hands aren’t steady. She quickly loses her train of thought when she tries to make conversation. She’s a messy eater, to the point that she’s often embarrassed to go out to eat anymore, because she doesn’t want others to watch her struggle. We go to Swadley’s because that’s the one restaurant in Oklahoma City where we know before we walk in the door that she’ll be treated like a queen. They special prep her meal. The managers make a point to visit our table and greet her, and are incredibly patient and kind to her when she struggles to express herself in conversation. She doesn’t have to feel embarrassed there. They’re always glad she came. Beginning to end, there’s not a better total dining experience anywhere in OKC than the Swadley’s on Memorial. So we may leave the house thinking we’re getting some Italian from Olive Garden or some shrimp from Red Lobster, but invariably, we end up at Swadley’s. Money’s tight. If you’re gonna spend it eating out, you go where you know you’ll get your money’s worth.
Did you say anything to the manager on duty about your experience while you were there? Either Alex or Mayda would have done their best to make it right for you. Heck, go in this week, tell them you’re the guy from TLO and you want to give them another shot after your bad experience over the weekend. I bet they’ll make it right for you. I know this because they’re proud of what they do and work hard at it. And you’ll look long and hard to find better, kinder people than those two. Trust me on that one.
David Hartman
Edmond
I’ve lived in Oklahoma City for 13 years now, and, if I’m not mistaken, I’ve enjoyed the Lost Ogle’s tongue in cheek rhetoric all along. But at this point, I’m done. Too much politics, not enough clever wit. I see all the political b.s. I need on the news and on social media. Don’t need to dig for more hate-driven sarcasm. (and I enjoy sarcasm, just not of a partisan nature). So adios, Lost Ogle. I’ll find another resource for my chuckles going forward.
Oh, but I agree. Swadley’s is missing something.
This isn’t an airport. No need to announce your departure.
Used to be when you want to cause a controversy you would bring up religion or politics. Used to be you wanted to argue, in a civil manner, and when it was done the debate stopped and the two people would go on to normal life. But now you knew how the other person felt about something, and while you didn’t necessarily agree you didn’t cut all contact with them, and maybe you thought about what they were saying and became a bit more flexible in your opinion. After all opinions and attitudes change over time. You learn new things, maybe lose your job which makes you realize unemployment compensation isn’t a terrible socialist agenda when you were only paying into the system.
My take on restaurants, and I love to hear conflicting opinions as I tend to refine it frequently is some think service is more important, and some think the food is more important. Generally when the food is really good, service isn’t as strong, except in a really expensive place, especially in say New York City where you get both. If I am grabbing a meal by myself the food quality is more important than service.
On a business meal with clients naturally I want both good service and good food, but for only one option when trying to impress, you lean toward better service. Think about all the times you say, yeah Louie’s food is OK but man that waitstaff, let’s go there! Chains tend to be more service oriented as that is easier to duplicate all over the country than the slight regional differences in cooking flavors preferred by the public.
Now, BBQ is a religion, like which team you root for in sports. It defines you like which cheesesteak place in Philly you prefer. BBQ in Texas is brisket and tomato based sauce. In the Carolinas it is pulled pork with mustard base sauce.
Bottom line, enjoy it all, even enjoy other countries culture, and don’t let marketers shame you into not eating at Chick Fil-A because of their political beliefs. It’s also nice a chain donates food, it’s part of their advertising budget. The BBQ place in the old gas station might love to do that, but can’t afford to as it is one guy just trying to make a living selling ‘cue out of an old gas station. It’s probably pretty good, as that is what he wants to do for a living.
We need to be keeping an eye on our politicians instead of arguing about if Coke is better than Pepsi. When we worry about that instead of some legislation that cuts the taxes of the chief industry in Oklahoma, oil, the state runs out of money and roads, education and quality of life suffer. Fix things, don’t dwell on who is less corrupt than another. Best to vote out all the corrupt elected officials than allowing one because he used to be a good guy or came to your daughter’s soccer game.
I love to read about little hole in the wall restaurants, but we need to look at to the situation the country and state are in. You might want to take a few minutes away from what your sports team should do to become #1 and channel that into realizing who have your interests at heart. Not all Republicans are good, and not all are bad, and the same goes for Democrats, but there are a lot of very bad ones in both.
Might not be a bad idea to use some of the passion you have on BBQ toward politics, as while it requires some work, you can change things. I think the Lost Ogle had a lot to do with the quick dismissal of Melissa Crabtree. See what public intervention can do in politics?
None of the brisket, clod or “short” ribs in Lockhart or Llano TX have “tomato based sauce”.
Heck, they don’t even use it on the pork there.
Really good BBQ with good dry rub doesn’t need any sauce, as that seasoning and a long smoke is the ideal flavor. But not everyone makes it that way and a little sauce is needed. Always best to try what the pitmaster is most proud to serve.
As single malt scotch is an acquired taste, as is the mustard based sauce with pulled pork and hushpuppies. The more I am in the Carolinas the more I like their take on cue. But Texas does know brisket and California the smoked tri-tip.
When you have to travel a lot for business you might as well avoid the chains and learn about regional cooking.
Never ate there, and don’t intend to! Sounds like a joint where they’d stage a “Beer for Biafra” style gut-gorgin’ competition…..
featuring Bob Trumper Mills, the Mattress Brothers, Devon Shitt, Ralph Shorty and assorted OKC cable televangelists.
There’s nothing being smoked at the Swadleys’ locations.
That’s all you need to know.
Swadley’s lost me when I couldn’t get a beer with my overpriced oven-smoked BBQ.
Bible thumping bbq. I’ll just keep my liberal ass at home
How do you think swadleys started out?
Small town one store and built their way up.
You may have had a unpleasant experience 1 time as you said, only having gone that once.
I assure you swadleys is not how you portray them. Look at the hundreds of thousands of meals they provide to first responders in times of need, not only that but they employ some of the most polite and caring folks you will ever meet.
This is a bold statement for one person backed by a blog post. Unfortunately seems to be 100% bias for one reason or another. Shame on you
I have yet to understand why Oklahoma Barbeque joints can’t get brisket right. Sadly Rudy’s, a Texas chain, is the only one that comes close. I’ve tried and tried to find a home spun place that can get it right. I offered the manager at one local chain some tips, even offered to come in and show him, alas he was happy with their undercooked “roast”. Ribs are spot on at most places, but the hunt for good brisket continues…