Cotten's BBQ in Robstown? * UPDATE*

[Brisketexan]

I know, I know -- not the right board, but I wanted someplace where I would get actual opinions.

It's been at least 10 years since I've been. Heck, one of the last times I was there was the day old Joe Cotten passed away.

Is it still good? Am taking the family to Padre, and wonder if we can/should stop there for lunch (presuming we leave Austin around 8:00 a.m.).

Advice?

 

[pescado_rojo]

it was pretty good a year ago.

IIRC, the brisket was really good, the sausage was pretty good, and the ribs were so-so.

 

[pulque]

It is wonderful! Going to Corpus tomorrow and hope to have lunch there. I think the sausage is the best I have ever eaten...

 

[austintexas]

love that place.

 

[j.e.s.-U.S.]

Do it!

 

[Brisketexan]

Okay, we hit it on Thursday on the way down south.

Solid. Definitely solid.

Sausage was VERY good. Salty, almost reminded me of argentine sausage or brazilian linguica. Different than the norm, and tasty.

Ribs were good. My daughter heard they had ribs, and would have nothing but that. She ate 3, and I helped her finish the other 2. Mighty tasty, good crust, could have been a bit more tender.

Brisket was okay. The lean slices were tasty and well-smoked, but could have used more salt/rub. The "fatty" slice that I got was okay, but not tender enough, and they did something that I hate -- they just sliced the "point" end of the brisket across, without separating it from the flat and trimming it. So, I got this 4 inch tall piece of meat, with a big vein of fat in the middle. My son left some brisket slices that we took with us, though, and they made a very tasty snack.

Chopped beef -- my wife got the chop'd sammich, and it was among the best we've ever tasted. I remember picking up a pint of their frozen chop'd to take on fishing trips as a kid, and it was just as good.

The sauce -- it is a tomato based, almost salsa like sauce. Not sweet, not overwhelming. Perfect for dipping a sausage wrap into.

Sides -- cole slaw and potato salad were unremarkable. Beans were VERY good -- salty, and they brought some jalapenos to toss in, which made them perfect.

They also bring a cheddar cheese spread with crackers that was a big hit at our table -- I had forgotten all about that.

It was a bit pricey. Next time, I will probably just have everyone get a chop'd sammich, and maybe a couple of links of sausage. But we'll stop there again next time.

 

[chango]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad your family had a good experience.
I used to go there with my Grandfather on trips from Brownsville to Rockport years ago . .

 

[UTeric32]

grew up 20 miles away from Joe Cottons...had to stop last week when I went down for a visit. Still amazing!

 

[Damor]

Thanks for the validation.

I've always liked Cotten's -- I was taken there many times by my grandfather, who went to glory just yesterday.

But it is a different, south Texas style. I've recommended it to many who haven't had much good to say about it.

I think I'll just have to stop in there on the way to his funeral. Thanks so much for the reminder.

, Gramp.

 

[tx 3 putt]

Being an old A&I student, we'd sneak off for a lunch at Cotten's about once every other week.

Never failed to please.

 

[hornawj]

My wife's grandparents lived in Robstown for 70 years. Joe originally owned a bar and cooked bar-b-que on weekends. The grandparents supported him as did most of the locals and his busines eventually became what it is today. Joe was a great guy. He never forgot the locals who were so loyal to him. When the grandparents passed, Joe was there at the house both times with several employees and more food than a huge German family could consume. I sure miss ole Joe. His son is carrying on the tradition of great south Texas bar-b-que. Chopped sandwich is still my favorite.