I had always wanted to stop here for decades driving by. Today I finally did it. I ordered a two meat plate with three sides and for my spouse and I it was $30 which is a fabulous value in times like these. Portions were generous. Brisket was lean and lacked flavor to me. Sausage was straight forward and solid. The bbq sauce was a bit of an off texture to me with a sweet side I don't love. But the stars of my plate that got the 4th star were the potato salad and the banana pudding. Potato salad was glorious texture, temperature, just the right amount of tang from a mustard and pickle vinegar element, rustic with red potato rind, the right amount of cracked black pepper and I would have liked to have eaten on that for days!! The banana pudding was just right. Like straight from grandma's kitchen - perfect texture, flavor, a fresh banana slice buried inside, and a softened vanilla wafer garnish. I love that you could get it as a side with my plate. Also would have liked a Giant margarine container of that in the fridge to eat on all weekend. read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - Two meat plate - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

I was there on a Sunday when they had the turkey special... It was the moistest, most delicious turkey that I've ever had. But, what stood out was the carrots and potatoes that were not just add-ons, but delicious dishes on their own. The coleslaw which is always my favorite of any category was as good as it gets. Everyone is talking about how expensive barbecue is nowadays... this was very inexpensive and I carried some out. read more

We were on the road and decided to stop in. When we walked in, no one greeted us--just blank stares from the staff. That set the tone. We placed our order and went to get drinks, only to find there was no ice. When we asked if they had any in the back, the guy said yes, but instead of just filling our cups from the to-go line (which had ice), he went to the back, filled three large buckets, and finally refilled the dispenser. Once we got our drinks, I poured some sweet tea, took a sip, and nearly spit it out. It smelled and tasted like a wet dog--definitely a sign that something hadn't been cleaned properly. We ordered the three-meat plate with ribs, brisket, and sausage, and sides of green beans, macaroni pasta, and dirty rice. The dirty rice was the best part. The brisket was dry, the sausage lacked flavor, and the ribs were okay--nothing special. Green beans were bland, and the BBQ sauce had a strange orange color and a lumpy texture. My husband tried the pecan pie and was also disappointed--it tasted old and stale. Unfortunately, nothing stood out in a good way, and we won't be coming back. read more

Two meat plate with a drink and THREE sides for $17.29! What's not to like! I had brisk and sausage with coleslaw, green beans, and mixed vegetables. The meats and the sides were very good. It was not crowded and I am not sure why? Good food at a good price with good service . I would go back here . read more

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10/20/21 This is a knock your socks off kind of BBQ House! I was driving. Hubby had fallen asleep, so I quickly pulled off and went through the Drive through. We each ordered the 3 meat plate with 3 sides. BBQ CHICKEN, BRISKET & PORK RIBS. We got buttered potatoes, corn and banana pudding as our sides. Let me tell you! We BBQ all day long and get many compliments but this place wins. There's a huge parking lot that wraps around the restaurant for cars, and a dirt lot for Truckers and RV'ers. I really love this little restaurant. I don't think we have anything like it in California. We have about 1500 miles left of this road trip and enough leftovers for both me and my Husband. 5 Stars for this place. All the people involved in getting our meals together were efficient and kind. We paid $35 for 2-3 meat plates. Considering it will feed each of us twice.... That's a bargain. We will return some day. This is off the I-10 in or around Columbus, Tx. Great Place! Don't pass on the banana pudding!!! read more

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I want to start with positive: My husband and I really enjoy the food. I had the chicken fried steak and my husband had a two meat plate (sausage and brisket). I also wanted to say that the green beans were outstanding. Now for the negative: This was our first time at this restaurant and the staff acted like we were not welcome at all. I had ordered a baked potato with meat. There was a tall gentleman that snapped back "that they didn't have any". So I got the steak instead and was looking for sides "could not find on the board". So I looked at the sides themselves. There was absolutely no help offer at all. Now my husbands plate, he was a little more quick about his ordering. There was a women that snapped something about sauce on the meat (did not offer on the side). So through the whole process we did not feel welcome at all to say the least. Now this is the confusing part: there were three or four other families that came in after us and the whole staff was so friendly and joking with them. They were even acknowledging them by name (so I'm assuming they show up often) I would like to get some feedback on what we did wrong or is this restaurant only for family and friends? read more

A great stop for local and fresh BBQ right off I-10. It was our second time visiting and the staff was as friendly as ever, and food was great! I wouldn't recommend the peas in particular, but everything else was awesome and the bbq sauce complements the meat well, which was super tender and flavorful. Great establishment! read more

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Ok guys. Why? Why have I been driving to Houston once, twice a month and I've never stopped at this place? Good grief I'm slacking big time! The service thru the line is quick. Friendly even. They slice and plate your food as you order it. We tried the 3 meat plate with the ribs, sausage, beef, double potato salad and beans. Those ribs... literally fall off the bone yummy. I'm a sausage kind of girl and the flavor of their sausage is magnificent. The beef (brisket) was delish as well. The potato salad looks and tastes different but don't be discouraged. It's really good the beans were a bit too peppery for me but the hubs liked them so we are good there. I would definitely give this place an easy 10* out of 5*... read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - Decor... - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

Just OK and a little pricy. I'll go there only if Woods brothers in town is sold out. its way better.

Not good! Taste like meat cooked in oven and thrown on pit a lil. Did not follow my own rule of not stopping to eat bbq where I don't see smoke and it doesn't smell of smoke. read more

Unfortunately, my experience was not so good. The food was not so good...I had a half slab of ribs...which is only 3 bones. The sauce was good. The cucumber salad was good...the other sides were cold or tasteless. The banana pudding was simply banana flavored pudding...no cookies...the drinks were nasty as well. The customer service was good though. I just wouldn't recommend it to a friend. read more

This restaraunt has been here for decades. Im sad to write this review as the prevous owner was related to me. While he was the owner it was a tight ship and food quality was top priority. Upon taking care of some personal business in Columbus I decided to stop by and grab a sandwich or two to go. That was a mistake, I got the chopped beef and it didnt even taste like bbq..... It was more like roast with sauce. The present owner was an employee and purchased the business from the original owner. I'm only led to believe he was going to make his money off of the original owners good name and food quality. A sad dissapointment, avoid this restaraunt if at all possible. read more

I have been stopping here forever but last time was the last. I can't deal with the sandwich full of fat, so I ask for lean and pay extra for it. But 3-4 times now at the drive-thru, I have been given a sliced beef sandwich on a hard old bun. I check them now before driving off and have given them back several times to redo on fresh buns. It's no accident because once they split the hard bun between 2 sandwiches. Hard old top on one sandwich and hard old bottom bun on other sandwich. The time 2 sandwiches buns that were old, this time they tried to just hand us fresh buns out the window for us to fix in the car.... If they can't wrap up their buns better so they don't get hard, it's not my fault and I shouldn't have to ask every time for a fresh bun when I'm ordering. It's too bad because it's fast off and back on the highway and saves me time but I am tired of old hard buns! read more

A Texas original...and legend, Jerry Mikeskas cannot not be duplicated. The BBQ and ambiance is 100% authentic and original. Found this treasure on way back to San Antonio from Houston, right on I-10 in Columbus, Texas. The restaurant has over 200+/- taxidermy'd animals on the paneled walls which makes for lively conversation. We asked Jerry where he got all of them and he told us that he shot a few, but mostly he had bought them. There are also a ton of pictures of Jerry with miscellaneous famous people from Presidents, actors, astronauts and locals. After spending an hour in there, you feel like you really know the man. Imagine how surprised we were when he walked right out of the kitchen. The family got the Sunday buffet which was vast. There were 3-4 various salad items, 5-6 meats, starches, and 2-3 desserts all for just $10.95. read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - I feel honored to have met the legendary Jerry Mikeskas himself! He gave the kids and me silver dollars. - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

We came from Baton Rouge, LA for a wedding in Praha, TX. Never been out that way. I saw a sign on the interstate for a lunch buffet and decided to pop in on the way home. Great decision. I wish I had more room in my stomach so I could've tried everything. Brisket- on point. I could've eaten just brisket and been happy. Great bark and smoke ring. Really moist. Sausage- great flavor. Really good. Ribs- tender and flavorful. Turkey- thick cut breast, really good. Greens- soft and tasty. I just wanted too much bbq. Potato Salad- I enjoyed it, but I'm not a huge potato salad guy so that's a big compliment from me. Peach cobbler- phenomenal. Banana pudding- very very good. Most of these I only took one bite of off my fiancé's plate, or got just small portion because I wanted to try everything. If I went back, I'd load up on brisket and sausage and save room for more peach cobbler than the one bite I took. I've been on a diet for 7 weeks and went crazy for my cheat meal. Worth it. And only $12.95 on Sunday! read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - Brisket, turkey, a rib, and sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

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Stopped by at Mikeska's BBQ Restaurant when driving from Austin to Houston. Amazing BBQ! Absolutely loved it. Sides were freshly made and really good. Great food and nice atmosphere, highly recommended! read more

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On the way back from seeing my father in Schulenberg, Texas...my son and I really wanted to try some country cooking BBQ, so we found this place before heading off I-10 towards Houston because it was the weekend, and everyone and their dog is headed back from San Antonio or something! lol we decided on the All-You-Can-Eat because is there any other way to try road-side BBQ? lol - needless to say, I was a bit taken aback on the price for two people and soft drinks because it came out to almost around $40!! I'm not going to delve much into any of the foods or sides because I didn't think much of this place, but the brisket is definitely a great addition to their food bar, but if you hate your brisket being very fatty...you're not going to like it. read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

Bbq sauce was bussin brisket was very good, stop by when passing through you'll like it a lot.

They have sold off a lot of the taxidermy, I was disappointed that they had not put up more stuff to take its place (as that is part of the big draw). The staff was very friendly and helpful for all the questions I had. Yes, banana pudding counts as a side- and delicious!! The picture I have is too big to attach, but the food was amazing. The staff did tell me that they old taxidermy was old and worn and bought off by someone who repairs taxidermy. They said they had more that just hadn't been put up yet. read more

Our favorite Texas bbq for nearly twenty years. Columbus is a gateway to the Hill Country. No better introduction to real bbq than this. Our faves are ribs, sausage, brisket sandwich, & chicken-fried steak. Don't forget the sides. Thank you, Mikeska's. read more

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I stopped by to eat at Mikeskas BBQ today. I have ate here many times over the past several years. I consider myself a regular customer. So I stopped by to eat and ordered the brisket sandwich. Because of my past experience I really thought it was going to be great. I was disappointed that my sandwich was full of gristle and part of it was too difficult to chew or eat. There was about 60 percent of the sandwich that was good. After eating I stopped by the counter and showed the cutter what I had found in my sandwich. She really did not care. Never offered anything, like a apology or another couple slices of brisket. I simply left and drove to another BBQ restaurant. This location use to be a favorite. read more

Maybe the best brisket I've ever had! The ribs and sides were all fantastic also. I'm so glad I pulled off the 10 on my journey to Alabama for this great Texas BBQ! They are open for drive through and dinning room eating! read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - 2 meat plate with 3 sides. Brisket and pork ribs w/butter onion potatoes, green beans and coleslaw. - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

"Oooooooooh! Mikeska's!" That was my two college roommates and myself screaming out the car window as we approached Columbus, Texas during each trip to and from Austin (circa 2003-2005). It was force of habit. Each drive required a stop at Mikeska's for a pleasant sit-down dining experience followed by embarrassingly large to-go orders that we prayed would last through the week ... or however long as possible without making us sick. Just like Cory O's review says (which also beat me to this FTR by a few years!), every inch of the round building is covered in animal mounds ... deer, fishes, elk, rabbits, birds .... all once happily living in a forest somewhere and now there to watch and judge as we fat Americans stuff our chubby little faces with their furry friends. But in all honesty, the aroma of the smokey barbecue, sweet sauce and steaming sides sedate any saddened thoughts of Bambi's mother. I dunno how they do it, but it happens. I recommend going for the loaded baked potato with chopped beef. The chicken is also plump and juicy, so you can't go wrong there either. I can't give much feedback about the sausage 'cause I don't eat it, but from the looks of it piled high on patrons' plates, I'm sure it's a winner too. I remember once swinging by, perhaps it was a Saturday, and they had a huge buffet. You heard right: endless barbecue and all the fixins. If you ever head west on I10 for a trip to Austin, San Antonio or wherever else the way takes you, I highly suggest leaving the house hungry and stopping by Mikeska's. And please bring me a plate back upon your return. Please. read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

Not good , bbq sauce doesn't even taste like bbq sauce. Undercooked, Chicken still pink on the inside. Not too clean also , keep driving.

Lunch (January 8, 2011) - BBQ ribs- my type of BBQ (Memphis style, smokey, firm, full of flavor). Maybe just a wee bit less salt... The ribs I got was very meaty with very little fat, You will have to get use to all the animals on the walls looking at you while you eat! Well worth the trip from Tomball, TX to give it a try! read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

We stopped by on the way back to Katy. There was a long line inside, but a short one at the drive-up. We ordered sliced brisket sandwiches with onions and pickles. There was a nice smoke ring on the meat. The meat was a little drier than sliced brisket you would have ok a plate, but was appropriate for a sandwich. The sandwich was not overly sauced and was delicious. This is cheap barbecue. We spent less than $20 on three sliced brisket sandwiches. A chopped beef sandwich for only $2.50???? We also ordered a pint of banana pudding to take home. I didn't care for it...not much of a banana taste. My daughter did enjoy the pudding, though. read more

This is an old school Texas BBQ joint that also puts out some other good food and has some of the better sides to be foumd in all of the Texqs BBQ world. They have a Sunday buffet of their great food here for a cheaper price than many of the noted Austin BBQ joints charge just for a pound of their brisket. The ambiance is full on old Texas with the interior being a taxidermy shrine to hunting that would make most hunters in the world green with envy. Places like this are getting very hard to find in the world today and Texas should designate this a historic landmark to keep hipsters from destroying it but so far they seem to be doing a great old fashioned Texas job of doing just fine without any such government interference. Overall there are a few spots doing better brisket in Texas but there is no better real Texas ambiance to be found than in this establishment and they have good brisket and the rest of the food is also worthy of enjoying too. read more

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Love it...the meat is good, sides are very good, and sauce is insane. I usually stop if I am passing through.

We're from California and stopped on our way back. Had the brisket sandwich, meat was tender and flavorful. But the best part was their amazing pudding. Even took some to go it was so good. read more

I think my friend confused this with Mikeska's, the El Campo spot, when she insisted we eat here. We ordered and got dry brisket, chicken that was raw and undercooked, and my potato had an insect baked into it. Most of the food went into the trash. She liked the ribs. read more

Service was wonderful but the moist briscuit was just way too fatty. The beans were blah. The barbeque sauce was kinda strange. The chopped beef had a different taste to it. Regular Al ced beef was ok. Not great just ok. Pea salad was good. Green beans were plain. Spinach was great! read more

Worth the stop, competition quality brisket, the kids loved it. The loaded potato is enough for two--three Young kids. Friendly staff clean facility. A perfect representation of a good Texas BBQ. read more

Definitely not smoked brisket, liquid smoke used, ribs were salty, chicken tasted baked. Pudding was good.

A unique family business selling quality smoked meats and a delicious sauce. I recommend trying the brisket. The food is great and the staff is friendly. read more

Great food and very ready service. I am a traveler for work and my trips take me by this place. I will be continuing to stop and recommending Mikeska's to my friends and colleagues. read more

Food was very good. If you are going to Austin it would be better to stop here then Peters Bar B Q in Ellinger. This is just my opinion read more

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Had the two meat plate with sausage and beef. Beef was smoked deeply and tasted good.... Ot too much fat. The sausage had a good flavored but I personally enjoy it cooked a little more. The sides were good too... slaw was crisp and fresh, green beans flavorful, and potatoes were nice and buttery. Thankfully it wasn't very busy and there was plenty of space to sit and it was nice and quiet to enjoy the meal. read more

Second time stopping here and probably last. Wife had brisket, cold dry and no smoky flavor, side of red potatoes was lukewarm, same with my green beans. I had the ribs, warm, but not near the temperature meat should be held , moist but again lacking in the flavor department of having that smoky flavor. Last time here the sides were cold and the same with the meats not warm and lacking flavor, thought maybe I caught them at a bad time close to closing so tried again Nothing scares me more than cold food that should be warm and this is definitely something I shy away from and doubt I will come back read more

uh, YUM! Driving back from NOLA, this was a welcome stop on a long 1-10 Texas drive. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The sheer volume of animal heads adorning the walls was nothing if not campy fun. The service was very prompt, extremely friendly and hospitable. We had a bunch o' questions about the various meats, the sides, and all of the questions were answered in detail. We swooned at the first bite of delicious brisket, smoked and lean, accented with a just hot enough bbq sauce. The salads and sides are prepared on site- all of them served just right in terms of seasonings and temperatures. The pea salad was a delicious option; the bean salad extra cold and yummy, and green beans a standard good side dish. 5 stars for stellar food right off the interstate; for super friendly service, and for a unique dining room. If you are driving through and need a bite, definitely stop here, and enjoy the brisket! A postscript: I would love to know where they got all of the animals decorating the room. I surmise that many of these taxidermied specimins were donations from widows, happy to get these "decorations" off of their living room walls. read more

Jerry Mikeskas BBQ & Catering - Brisket, Green Beans, Bean Salad and Pea Salad... all AMAZING - Barbeque Near Me - Columbus, Texas

Passing by on our way to San Antonio. Ok for a little building off the interstate. I liked the dining room decor BUT maybe play some music. Could use a good cleaning and I felt that the pictures of who I think is/was the founder should be cleaned and arranged properly to honor him. Most pics were filthy and crooked. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Not a huge fan of the sauce. Served warm and was thick. Probably signature but not for me. None of the sides looked appealing to me so I went with the baked potato with brisket. Large potato (a little over cooked) with the fixings. Meat was flavorful. My daughter had pork ribs. They were good nothing special. read more