The M.O.
Born in Austin, Matthew left soon thereafter and finally made it back after years of paying his penance wandering the earth. Before coming to Austin360, Matthew co-edited Austinist.com, worked as an advertising copywriter and led tours of the Roman Forum, among other things.
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The entry titled "JR's Corner Bar-B-Que is from the old school."
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2010 > June > 28 > Entry
By Matthew Odam
| Monday, June 28, 2010, 04:30 PM
There’s no fancy A-list architect or designer attached to the building. The food isn’t served out of a vintage Airstream. And the only thing hip about the place is the owner’s surgically replaced one.
JR’s Corner Bar-B-Que is old school. Like, 1937 old school.
That’s how long the piece of property has been in the family of proprietor Ben Dukes, the 75 year-old grandfather figure behind the new-again old place in East Austin.
After hip problems forced Dukes to close his restaurant — housed in a former gas station and convenience store — he rented to several tenants over the years. His mobility fully restored, Dukes is back with his son-in-law, Louis Green, manning his barbecue pit.
From a walk-up window, J.R.’s serves sausage, brisket, chicken and pork ribs, smoked over pecan and post oak, along with sides of beans and potato salad. A chopped-beef sandwich at $2.25, a rib plate is $8.50 a three-meat combo is $9.75. Gospel music mingles with the smoke, serving equally divine purposes.
You can take the food to go or step inside the small dining room, which feels like part thrift store, part hunting lodge and part family museum — with mismatched furniture, mounted hunting trophies and photos of him with past Texas governors Dolph Briscoe, Ann Richards and George W. Bush sharing space with newspaper clippings and pictures of his daughter, state Rep. Dawnna Dukes.
JR’s Corner Bar-B-Que
1900 Rosewood Ave.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays
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By MJ
June 29, 2010 10:38 AM | Link to this
Yes, but how was the food?
By Odam
June 29, 2010 11:25 AM | Link to this
To answer MJ’s question in the comments: We don’t usually go too in-depth on discussing food at a place that has just opened, as it is not totally fair. However, I will say the food we tried was above average compared to other Austin BBQ places, whatever that says. The sausage was coarse and had good flavor. The brisket and chopped beef were flavorful with just enough fat, the ribs were moist and fell of the bone, though served around room temperature. There was no chicken ready when we got there. It merited a return trip.