I had a free moment so I headed over to Davis Grocery & Bar-B-Q in Taylor, TX (the third of the three well-known BBQ joint here). It’s over some train tracks near the end of a very unassuming road dotted with what looked like run down businesses and residences. Then, out of what seems like nowhere, you see a nice parking lot and modern structure.

You enter to a small market stocked with incidentals, but right dead center is a large table with a BBQ warmer on it along with a cutting board and cash register. Owner and pitmaster James Davis Jr. greeted me and after a little back and forth I asked what should I order. He replied, “Everything.”

He then proceed to cut me a bit of brisket (which was much moister than the picture below depicts), beef sausage, sliced off chunks of pork rib, and mutton (which I was intending to order from the onset).

As I mentioned above, the brisket was very good. Not too smokey and cooked spot on. The pork ribs too were tasty. I wasn’t blown away by the sausage, however I believe they have that shipped in from Elgin, and sadly, the mutton didn’t do it for me. It was pretty game and had an unusual texture (now mind you this is my first taste of mutton and hopefully it’ll grow on me as I know a number of Texas BBQ Joints serve it). The sauce was smokey and slightly sweet, but complimented the brisket well.

What struck me was how nice everyone there was. Not only the small amount of staff, but the people at the tables. A woman sitting next to me with her eighty-two year old mother instantly struck up a conversation me about BBQ and Taylor. It takes me aback a bit as that doesn’t happen often in Los Angeles. It’s been that way throughout my almost two week Texas adventure.

I would definitely make Davis Grocery & BBQ one of your stops as you head out to Taylor. Really good BBQ in a warm setting.
You can visit it yourself here:
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