The Big Bib

Reviews 5

JE

Jeff Turpin

The Big Bib BBQ is better than most BBQ in San Antonio, but that’s not necessarily saying much since San Antonio lacks quality BBQ (or perhaps Austin’s Franklin’s has forever spoiled me). I ordered my usual "Trifecta" of meats: moist/fatty brisket, pork ribs, and sausage - no sauce. (My usual order ensures a consistent benchmark for comparing BBQ). First, the brisket was my least my favorite of the three. It lacked a proper depth of smokiness and was a bit dry. The bark was not crispy and lacked flavor. Still, it wasn’t terrible, and it was still better than most briskets in town. Second, the pork ribs were quite good. The meat was good quality and cooked well. It was neither dry nor tough. The pork and the spices had great flavor. There was no finishing sauce on these ribs - straight dry rub. Some of the better ribs I’ve had, especially in SA. Third, the sausage was one of the better sausages Ive eaten with a lot of spice, good snap, and decent juiciness. Fourth, the BBQ sauce is sweet and unique; a little goes a long way. Fifth, the sides were fairly good. The beans were no-frills and tasted pretty much what you would expect well-cooked beans to taste like. The mac n cheese was also simple and tasty. They are homestyle (cheese and pasta only), not gourmet, and probably not baked. In short, The Big Big BBQ was not to me what most reviews make it to be. In short, it’s a cut above average SA BBQ, but it’s not anywhere close to “great” or “the best” like some reviews would lead you to believe. The only other 2 BBQ places I can recommend in San Antonio remain: 1) Harmons BBQ (Cibolo) and 2) Auggies Barbed Wire. Go to Franklins BBQ in Austin for the best BBQ you will ever eat. Salt Lick is also very good as are The Big Three in Lockhart.

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DA

Daniel Earhart

Went in to order since I was told over the phone they "only take big Togo orders". Spent about 10 minutes in line, the place was not exceptionally busy but definitely a good crowd. Got my food in about 5-6 minutes though, which is a good indicator this is not made to order. I believe that they boasted some 16 hour smoke time on their meats, explains why the lean BBQ was good but the pulled pork was very dry. A lot of their deserts are prepackaged and I guess it speaks to their overall efficiency as a fast food BBQ joint. I wasnt blown away by the meal, it was definitely what I would consider good, but not really worth the rude employees over the phone and the wait time. Managers/owners, please consider allowing people to make orders over the phone or online...this is the 21st century, we dont need to come in and wait for something you can obviously have prepared for when we get here due to your efficient cafeteria style serving. This is a good way to lose business and alienate customers who dont have time to wait. The lady I spoke to on the phone was very short with me and kept insisting I come in to have ANY of my questions answered. Whats the point of having a business phone if you cant handle business over the phone? Please also consider alerting your customers that you dont take Togo orders under X amount over the phone on your website, its deceptive to otherwise assert your business is inline with the modern age. You have buzzers but no online que, makes no damn sense. All in all if youve got the time to idle, give these guys a shot; just be wary of customer service and abysmal portioning. And again Big Bib, think of your customers not just your pocket books. Your meat is good, but its no Hard 8.

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S.

s. clark

In what looks like an old shopping center from the 1950s sits this popular little bbq joint. I say little because the indoor seating capacity is not equal to the line that forms inside the door on a late Saturday afternoon. We managed to find seating at a table that was occupied by a couple waiting for their to-go food. We waited with them until their food was ready and they left. We then waited another 20 minutes and our pager finally went off. Lots of "scuse me, pardon mes" going on as well as chair bumping in the crowded dining room. There is also seating outside in a small courtyard. The food was worth the wait with tender pork ribs, fairly lean brisket ($2 extra if you ask for it trimmed lean), tasty sausage and sliced turkey. The mustard potato salad (like Mom used to make) was excellent and the pinto beans fair. Tried three of the 4 house bbq sauces though the meat stood on its own. The regular Bibb sauce was a winner for my taste. At $12 a lb for brisket, it is probably the least expensive in the city! Overall the diners I saw were bibless, but that did not seem to make any difference in the level of concentration on ingestion of bbq products. I was certainly one of them. If this was the stone age,all you would hear are satisfied grunts from the crowd in enjoyment of meatful pleasure and carnivores delight..

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BO

Boo

After planning three and half weeks in advance with manager Woody, I was ready with a Surprise casual evening of party 17 guests for whom I wished to offer dinner and drinks and dessert as the well known Big Bib. At first, no one informed me of an Event Center. On subsequent communications in anticipation of the party, I was told to create Dinner Tickets and Drink Tickets and was informed of the potentially crowded situation of the Big Bib on nights when live music is in the Event Center. Questioning whether or not the Big Big could handle 17 customers arriving , ordering, and eating over a period of an hour, I was assured this was a manageable entertainment. Wed be out prior to interference with the Event Center. In the proverbial eleventh hour, I was informed that credit card secured and suggested drink tickets or dinner tickets would be too much work" -- no dessert guaranteed with 3 Plus wks notice, etc Disgusted with the arrogance and last minute uncooperative attitude of the manager and owner, I cancelled the much anticipated evening with fury in my heart at the disorgainzed, rude, and unreasonable attitude of this restaurant which is obviously Big - WAY too big for its Britches!!! I urge AVOIDANCE due to intractable restaurant practices.

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CY

Cynthia Liddle

Just left Big Bibbs. Line wasnt bad at all, took our order quickly, 4 of us, but took a good 20 minutes to get the food. We had a variety so...fried catfish was great per hubby as was the potato salad like his Moms ( not mustard). Unsweetened tea was very tasty as well hubby said. Sweet potato casserole - mine - the Bomb! Sweet but not super sweet...just right. Jalapeño sausage - very tasty, this white girl was able to eat some without dying. Mild sausage was very flavorful, too (mine). Severalnof us had the mixed Brisket - cooked well, but no real flavor as a stand alone meat, unless you add sauce - our overall opinion. The Bib sauce was good as was the Tangy Gold sauce (has mustard base). Spicy sauce was pretty good Im told, but wasnt HOT Im being told. Pinto beans were bland as was the collard greens. Both need something added. Place smelled great walking in, got my mouth watering and I wanted to try everything on the menu! Staff were quick and kept the tables turned over as people left. Would I go again? Yes but maybe not anytime real soon. Im full, servings werent small...very filling.

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