texaztaste: Rudy's Country Store and BBQ

Imagine my joy when in 2012, Rudy's Country Store and BBQ opened its smokey, red doors in Chandler, AZ. Based in Leon Springs, Texas, just north of San Antonio, Rudy's smokes some of the most quintessential Texas barbeque that has been a staple in my diet for the last 25 years. Rudy's currently has two locations in the Valley of the Sun, the first being in Chandler, and the second one now in Goodyear. Now, why would you go all the way to Chandler or Goodyear for barbeque, you ask? Well, for example, I was in Costco the other day behind two guys from Honey Bear's BBQ who had two of those giant shopping carts filled with Costco rotisserie chickens. I am not saying it is a bad thing (as I too love Costco rotisserie chicken)...I'm just sayin'. So go ahead and fill up those gas tanks because I am about to convince to you make the trek down the I-10.

Leon Springs was founded in the mid 1800s by Max Aue. In 1929, Max's son, Rudolph "Rudy" Aue, opened a one-stop gas station, garage, and grocery store. Barbeque was added in 1989, and Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q was transformed into one of the most sought-after BBQ destinations in the San Antonio area. The meats are dry-rubbed (as opposed to being covered in sauce) and smoked in 100% oak-fired pits (as opposed to using mesquite). The theory being that this type of smoking produces the most tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicacies.

Pick out a soda from the large stainless tubs while you wait

Order at the counter from a wide variety of smoked meats, which can be purchased in increments: quarter-pound, half-pound, pound or more. Don't forget the sides. Most love the creamed corn, potato salad and coleslaw, while I save room for the beans.

Seating is family-style on wooden picnic tables surrounded by big screen tv's. There are condiment bars with jalapeños, pickles, onions, to name a few.

A typical meal features your choice of smoked meat wrapped in butcher paper, accompanied with bread slices (white bread is a must). My favorites are the brisket and the turkey, hands down. I also really love the "spicy chop with sause", where several of the smoked meats are all chopped up in Rudy's yummy barbeque sauce. The sauce, or sause, as they call it, is on the picnic tables, and here in AZ comes in two strengths – the original Rudy's Sause, which is big and peppery, and the more benign Sissy Sause, which you will be hard pressed to find at the original Leon Springs store (don't even ask for it as they may laugh you out of there).

If you have any room left, you can order from a fantastic variety of desserts that make me long for "home": banana pudding, pecan pie, chocolate pudding, buttermilk pie, Rice Krispy treats, Blue Bell ice cream and peach cobbler. If you have never had buttermilk pie, a trip to Rudy's is a must. They also have praline cookies! A praline is the perfect little bite-size bit touch of sweetness you need after a large, heavy meal. The sales gal had never tried them, so I bought one for her. You can't sell it if you haven't tried it!