Name: The Green Mesquite BBQ
Date: 3/3/13
Location: 1400 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas
Order: 2 Meat Plate (Brisket and Pork Ribs) with sides of Cajun Rice and Fried Okra
Bill: $12

Rudy: It had been a while since I had eaten barbeque and The Green Mesquite BBQ was a place that I had driven by several times but had not had the chance to visit. Located just outside of Zilker Park, it has a great old timey feel to it with an enclosed outdoor courtyard where live bands can play. The inside looks like an old “meat and 3” restaurant from back home and has a pretty cool feel to it. Besides barbeque, the menu has lots of other options that looked pretty good. Great location and great atmosphere, there was so much potential. Heck even “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives” did a segment there (and who knows great dining better than Guy Fieri?). So much promise, and yet so little delivery.

Monk: Well sheesh. If we can’t trust Guy Fieri, then whom can we trust?

Rudy: I ordered the brisket and asked the waitress which she recommended between the sausage and the ribs, and she came strong with the rib recommendation. The waitress also said that they were running slow in the kitchen, so it may take a little time. I had no problem with this since it probably meant the food would be hot and fresh. When the food did come (it wasn’t much of a wait after all), the food that came was old and cold.

Monk: Old and cold. Worst. Porno. Ever.

Rudy: The first bite of the ribs was moist, but after that it got very dry. It felt to me that they had reheated meat from a few days earlier because almost all of the flavor and the tenderness were gone. The brisket was room temperature at best and got pretty close to cold before I got through it. Regardless of that, I could not tell much flavor to the meat and was thoroughly disappointed in all of it.

I used some of their sauce, which was tomato based and tasted like regular store bought sauce. As far as sides, they were pretty nondescript, but were not bad.

Monk: It’s too bad that the food was nothing to write home about because this place looks pretty great. Between the stage for live music and the courtyard, this place seems like it has the potential to be something special if it weren’t for the quality of the barbecue (or lack thereof) holding it back. 

Rudy: While the atmosphere is great and the rest of the menu looks promising, I don’t think I’m willing to give The Green Mesquite BBQ another chance, especially with all of the other better options in this city.

Ratings:
Atmosphere/Ambiance: 3 hogs
Ribs – 1.5 hogs
Brisket – 1 hog
Sides – 1.5 hogs
Overall – 2 hogs