MIKESKA'S BAR-B-Q
Doesn't Get The Respect It Deserves

Reminds me of 1960s Texas BBQ joint. Photo/Barbara Lynne

Rudy Mikeska's Bar-B-Q
300 W. 2nd St.
Taylor, TX 76574
(512) 365-3722; (800) 962-5706; www.mikeska.com

HOURS: Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm.

Rudy Mikeska, Sr. is a legend. He walked with presidents and governors. Rudy made everyone his friend. Loved far and wide throughout the state of Texas. The undisputed patriarch of the first family of Texas BBQ. Rudy's been gone since 1989 and he's still missed.

Mikeska's Bar-B-Q in Taylor has a long and storied history that can match any joint in the state. They have served Presidents Johnson, Ford, Reagan, Bush and Clinton. Governors Connelly, Smith, Briscoe, White, Clements, Richards, Bush and Perry.

Not to mention Prince Phillip and Prince Andrew, Clint Eastwood, Rip Torn, Dennis Hopper, Sissy Spacek and Kevin Costner.

The building was seen in the Don Johnson film, The Hot Spot.

The heir to Rudy Mikeska's is his son, Tim. A fair pit master himself. Tim was featured on Food Nation with Bobbie Flay.

OK, let's get to the food. Mikeska's Bar-B-Q doesn't get the respect they deserve.

They're a restaurant, catering and mail order business. When you cook for 21,000 folks like Rudy did for IBM's family day, send BBQ to soldiers in Kosavo, you can't expect world class BBQ every time.

Mikeska's Bar-B-Q is priced reasonably and the cost to quality ratio makes this a best buy in restaurant, catering or on-line items.

I like Mikeska's. It's fun and the restaurant is a comfortable '60s kind of Texas BBQ joint.

Several of the usual sides are offered and represent themselves well. The potato salad is old school and good.

BBQ ribs, sausage and pork loin are great choices. But unlike more traditional joints, this one offers great fried chicken, catfish, chicken fried steak, plus old style Diamond Inn hamburgers.

I always feel good when I leave. You can almost feel Rudy's gentle hand on your shoulder asking, “Everything OK folks?”

This place is underrated. Maybe not the best Texas has to offer, but better than good for the money and service. Besides, they serve a mean hamburger and Big Red in the bottle. What's not to like about this family owned BBQ empire?

I eat here a couple of times a year. I usually get fried chicken. The sides are homemade and not bad. This is a very casual place, comfortable like a lodge and cafeteria blend.

I have to admit, I'm partial. My husband and I know Tim. We ate at Mikeska's weekly for years when we were young and could not afford a $20 slab of ribs or $15 a pound for BBQ prime rib. My husband and I ate at Mikeska's on the cheap. Today a family of four can eat there for under $20 and still take food home.

I can't think of any one BBQ item on the menu that I can't recommend even though I can't think of one BBQ item that is good as the catfish or fried chicken.

Mikeska's is consistent, uses oak. The restaurant is clean. The BBQ is priced right and good.

Those are a few reasons why Mikeska's Bar-B-Q gets a big thumbs up from me for being a quality family restaurant. Try the large Family Pack for $19.95 – 1 lb. brisket, 1 lb. sausage and 3 pints of sides.

Now if you can overcome your BBQ Jones long enough, let me recommend what I think they do best. Fried chicken and fried catfish. Catfish is all you can eat for $7.95. Great catfish, some of the best I've eaten if you can get it right out of the pan.

Real hungry? Limited budget? This is perfect.

You can't go wrong with the bar-b-q ribs, sausage
and pork loin; all excellent choices. Photo/Barbara Lynne

I always feel good eating here, the food
is good and it's comfortable. Photo/Barbara Lynne

MENU: Brisket, Mikeska's spicy pork sausage, chicken, ham. In addition to BBQ; turkey, roast beef, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, fried catfish, choice steaks, beef and chicken fajitas, pit smoked boneless pork loin, Maui Sweet baby back ribs, beef sirloin smothered in wine sauce.

DON'T MISS: Farm raised fried catfish and fried chicken.

MAIL ORDER: Mikeska's General Store features BBQ online; smoked products, spices, sauces. This link opens in a new window; Mikeska's General Store

LOCATION: From downtown Austin it's about a 36 mile trip north and east. Take IH-35 north to Round Rock. Turn east on Hwy. 79, follow it into Taylor. If you want to avoid the intensity of IH-35 traffic, go east on Hwy 290 to just past Manor. Turn north on Hwy. 973 and follow it into Taylor. Nice scenic country road.

LINK: This goes directly to the home page and opens in a new window; Rudy Mikeska's Bar-B-Q

Artz Rib House, Austin :: Ben's Longbranch Barbecue, Austin :: Black's Barbecue, Lockhart :: Central Texas BBQ Assc., Austin :: City Market, Luling :: Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ, Llano :: County Line BBQ, Austin :: Crosstown BBQ, Elgin :: Green Mesquite Barbeque, Austin :: House Park BBQ, Austin :: Iron Works Barbecue, Austin :: Kreuz Market, Lockhart :: Mann's Smokehouse, Austin :: Louie Mueller's BBQ, Taylor :: Ruby's BBQ, Austin :: Rudy's Country Store & BBQ, Austin :: Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood :: Sam's BBQ, Austin :: Smitty's Market, Lockhart :: Stubb's, Austin

Leave MIKESKA'S BAR-B-Q and go to TEXAS BARBEQUE.

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