a couple of new BBQ places in Abilene

Abilene has gotten a couple of new BBQ places this summer to add competition to Squares and Sharon's

One of them , Stillwater, is in the old Quiznos of S14th. Food is good but pricey.
A chopped sandwich will set you back $7 and that is just the sandwich. It is good and they do fix it right there in front of you with traditional sides available.

Another new place is Sweet Meat BBQ on S 1st. I won't call it a BBQ joint because it isn't. Its a restaurant that happens to serve BBQ. They have someone who seats you and takes your order. All you see is a menu. None of the food or meats are out where you can see them. Everything is back in the kitchen so you don't know what your the different meats look like until they show up at your table.
The place is sterile inside, just don't feel right.
I ordered my sides and got corn and baked potato salad only to be charged an extra $2 for the salad. Turns out that some of the sides are not included in the standard plate offering and they forgot to mention that when I ordered.

as far as I'm concerned if you are in Abilene and want BBQ, go to Sharon's on East Hwy 80

good candid reviews!!!

glad for the review- I miss Harold's

YES, Harold's and Turnerhill's were both first generation BBQ joints. Both of those guys were black and I only mention that because they both had a style of BBQ and sauce that was totally different from the other places in town like Joe Allen's. They were both great cooks and wonderful people to visit with. Harold would break out singing during the lunch rush. He had a great voice and he loved his customers.

the real shame is that neither of them had kids that were interested in learning the business and keeping it going.
Danny's was another old time BBQ joint that started out serving cue on butcher paper at a road side stop on hwy 351 just north of I20, then he took over that old gas station beside Bill Agnews Superette store.

lots of good BBQ joints have came and went over the years...

Harold's son tried to keep the place open after Harold haad bypass surgery- He did well for a while and I actually had my wedding rehearsal dinner there- and got food poisoning! Shortly after is when they closed for good. What I wouldn't give for some of that sauce ans hot water cornbread- most people don't even know what that is any more!!

Personally I think sweat meats is a dumb name for a restaurant but maybe my mind is just in the gutter.

Went to college in Abilene and we used to eat their weekly. Sad that it is gone!

you are right 100%. When you look at the sign closely, the full name of the place is "you can't beat my sweet meat"
when I noticed that I was kind of turned off as well and the restaurant experience just made it worse IMHO

I saw that to! totally turned me off to the place- that and your review- you won't find me there- even though it is just a few blocks from my office!

Sweet Meat (agree... worst name ever for a restaurant) actually served pretty good barbecue. However, it was pricy and the atmosphere was all wrong. I personally like a Coopers in Mason sort of feel where you can look right into the pit and see what you're getting.

I'm looking forward to trying Stillwater as everything I've heard is that it's good barbecue. Sharon's has earned the business here... it's consistent and delicious and the price is right. Not a lot of folks try the chicken thighs at Sharon's but they are excellent.

Betty Roses used to be a player in this market but the last couple of times I went the staff looked like zombies and I got as much fat as brisket in my sandwich. Disappointing.

*STRONGLY* suggest avoid Coopers in Junction. .....worst "BBQ" I have ever tried to eat.

Ha... sweet meat is my group name for when we do bbq cook-offs I like my ribs and pork buts with a little brown sugar, it don't hurt a brisket either.

New barbecue take-out restaurant in Merkel. Ely's Pit-Stop BBQ. It is good.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elys-Pit-Stop-BBQ/1508513419371327

And EXPENSIVE... sheesh

Stillwater has a brisket/sausage/pulled pork grilled cheese that will BLOW YOUR MIND...best thing I've ever put in my face.

Speaking of...I'm out.

Man that Sweet meats place just closed their doors without any warning- employees just showed up and they were locked up tight. Nice hu?

I tried the ribs at Sharon's a while back and they were horrible-greasy and little to no flavor, but some of their other stuff is ok. We usually go to either Joe Allens or Betty Rose's. My favorite place for ribs (besides Harold's) used to be either the Tye truck stop or a little hole in the wall in Hamlin called K&J barbecue, but the t/s doesn't do barbecue now (went chain) and K&J closed down. Squares is ok, Stillwater is overpriced, and Dickies is pretty good for a chain.

Squares is decent I eat there once in a while (the others mentioned I would eat Burger King) but if you want good bbq drive 20 minutes west to sweetwater and eat at big boys!! My office is in Merkel it's about the same distance either way but I usually eat at big boys once a week. Good grub,Good folks, and Good Service! Go in there with camo on or mention anything about hunting and I bet you end up visiting with the owner for a while, he's a good guy. I have eaten at the new Elys in Merkel and it's good just more of a lunch stop than a real deal bbq place.

That's what I figured would happen
They sucked


I ate again at Stillwater the other day, still darn good BBQ and sides. Pricey but very good food in there.