So I ate there once in Llano years ago and it was pretty good.

Wife and I go to Big Bend this past week and stop in Junction to try Coopers again. Ordered brisket - some of the worst BarBQ I have ever put into my mouth. Was totally overdone and dry - literally could not eat it because it was so tough and chewy - never again

Yeah Cooper's in Junction is absolutely trash. Shoulda took a left and went two miles to Lum's for top quality BBQ.

This^^

Coopers in Junction is like eating gas station sushi.

It’s well known for being crappy BBQ.

I never eat @ BBQ places just for this reason (except R&R BBQ a few times). I make my own and its damn good. Why someone would stand in line for hours and pay 30 plus bucks LB. for smoked brisket and 5 dollars each for a sides like beans, potato salad, slaw and mac and cheese is beyond me.

Yeah. 'Wish you woulda reached out. Llano is, or was, the original deal. Convoluted franchise/family arrangement since. Lum's is the go-to.

Junction...where ambition goes to die. Donut Palace is the best, cleanest place in Junction, and Gonzales Cafe, in front of the Lowe's grocery store is authentic and good Mexican for the area.

I concur!

That Lum's plate looks bucklin'

I've been eating at Lum's for many years and it's very good BBQ.

I'm usually passing thru at 80mph so a chopped beef sammich to go is my normal order.

Yep

This ^
The only reason they are still in business is because of the I10 traffic that will never pass this way again. Iv'e read here that this Coopers is not related to the one in Llano. Having been to both, that has to be true.

I could have saved you some money….go buy a jacks link at the chevron next door and eat it downwind of the pit. Same flavor, mas savings.


The coopers in llano and Mason are the same family. The one in junction is not the same owners. Shame because the building in Junction is cool.

Lums is the place to eat in Junction.

Hey lesson learned. Have not been through Junction in years. Louie Muellers in Taylor is still the best IMO

The one in fort worth sucks.

We ate at Louie Mueller’s a few months ago. I had heard how good it was, but I didn’t think it was so good. And brother, it was expensive. We much preferred Lum’s in Junction the time we ate there. The ribs at Lum’s were great.

Sorry you did not like it - it has ranked over many years as one of the best in Texas so some folks love it apparently including me - but of course it is a personal preference

Don’t stop at the one in College Station thinking it might be better, because it’s not.

I've have done okay at the Coopers in Junction. It isn't great, but it hasn't ever been terrible. Maybe I went on a good day.

Experienced the same in Llano. Went back once since and it was pretty good but not great.

IMO once BBQ places start expanding to multiple locations, the quality, precision, and service suffer immensely.

Same can be said about most restaurants.

We ate at Lum's last month. First time eating there. Jalapeno sausage was very good. Brisket and sides were OK. Nothing special but the price was high enough

When you’re headed home from a weeklong trip west of Stockton, Lum’s looks better than a Ruth’s Chris.

Their spicy spaghetti will get you

You think Junction is that bad, come spend some time with me in Rocksprings, or Freer.

I’ve become quite fond of Junction and it’s sister city, Menard.

tlk, I didn’t say I disliked Mueller’s. Maybe I was expecting it to be ‘the best’ because of all the reviews, and maybe I ordered the wrong things. We bought a lot of stuff, to the tune of about $250, so we had a wide sampling. It just didn’t impress me like 407 did a couple of years ago. The 407 BBQ absolutely partied in my mouth.

And, as you said, BBQ is certainly subjective.