I recently made my second visit to the Cyclone Coral Barbecue. This seasonal favorite is located east of Temple in a very rural portion of Bell County off of Highway 53. The open air pavilion is opens in April and closes in October. They are open on Friday and Saturday nights only. It is a great place to take groups - especially out-of-towners. They can't believe the drive to get from Waco to the Cyclone.
I have eaten Mikeska's Barbeque on many occasions. Texas Monthly Magazine calls them the "First Family of Texas Barbecue." That of course is mostly hype but they have several family members engaged in the trade throughout Texas. John, Clem, Mike, Jerry, Rudy, Louis, Maurice, Tim, Sam, and many other members of this Czechoslovakia family are scattered all over Texas cooking barbecue from Temple to El Campo.
Janell Mikeska runs this location and does a great job. She was all over the place directing staff the night we were there. The $12.50 all you can eat family style dinner is better that average food. It would have to be to get customers to drive 30 to 45 minutes to get there.
The brisket is served nicely sliced and is very lean. The pork spare ribs are very good - dark and smokey but not overdone. They have just the right amount of toothsome texture to let you know they have been recently prepared. The sausage has a peppery taste that makes it stand out from other milder stuff. Sauce is served warm in a little pitcher and is a good compliment to the meats.
The sides of corn on the cob, potato salad, beans, and home baked bread are all good. I really like the sweet vinegar slaw. It is special and had to be refilled several times. Peach cobbler is extra but is a welcome ending to the meal. Beer is served but I saw some tailgating in the parking lot as some waited a few minutes for tables.
It may be the middle of nowhere but the atmosphere and barbecue are great.
Janell Mikeska runs this location and does a great job. She was all over the place directing staff the night we were there. The $12.50 all you can eat family style dinner is better that average food. It would have to be to get customers to drive 30 to 45 minutes to get there.
The brisket is served nicely sliced and is very lean. The pork spare ribs are very good - dark and smokey but not overdone. They have just the right amount of toothsome texture to let you know they have been recently prepared. The sausage has a peppery taste that makes it stand out from other milder stuff. Sauce is served warm in a little pitcher and is a good compliment to the meats.
The sides of corn on the cob, potato salad, beans, and home baked bread are all good. I really like the sweet vinegar slaw. It is special and had to be refilled several times. Peach cobbler is extra but is a welcome ending to the meal. Beer is served but I saw some tailgating in the parking lot as some waited a few minutes for tables.
It may be the middle of nowhere but the atmosphere and barbecue are great.
1 comment:
This Mikeska IS NOT one of the famous Mikeska Family of Bar-B-Q Masters! They are just another group of wannabes that just happen to have the same name and took advantage of the real Mikeska Family. to see the real story go to www.mikeska.com
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