When I moved from Texas to Maine, I never realized just how much I'd miss the wonderful food. It's been a lost cause to find anything resembling the tastes, textures and quality I had grown used to. That is, until I stopped at DJ's, off the side of the 202, on the way home today. I'd seen it many times, either while going to work in the morning (too early) or returning from work (too late) but had not stopped. Honestly, I was a trifle concerned, anyway, having been lulled into restaurants claiming they had "authentic Texas Burgers" or "Real Tex-Mex" or even "Down Home Texas Barbecue." It all was horrible, overpriced and not even a passing resemblance to Good ol' Texas food.
Today, I was luckier. I was driving past at 11AM, then turned around and pulled in. Don wasn't quite open, but the old world hospitality he possesses didn't allow him to chase me away. He promptly told me what was ready, and I got a good sample of his fare.
His Brisket is terrific. His combination of woods for the smoking is nearly perfect. The portions were generous, and the sauce was just sharp enough to excite the taste buds without shocking them unduly. (There was no honey or molasses sweetness in the sauce, so of that's what you desire, just get the brisket alone, and use your own.) The Potato salad and the beans were perfect accompaniments.
He also talked me into, not that it took much convincing, trying one of his hot links. He evidently concocts the ingredients himself and has the sausages made to his specifications. I sampled the hot variety, and I have to tell you it was wonderful. Just the right amount of pepper along with other spicy ingredients that made it perfect on its own, or dipped in the wonderful barbecue sauce. I didn't sample the mild version, as I like hot, but with that as an example, I'm sure it's just as great.
Sad to say, DJ's closes for winter, as of October 7th, so I'll miss it for a few months, and I only just discovered it. But I will be going back before he's done for the season, and I recommend anyone out there that truly loves bbq to do the same.