TLDR: If you're in the area, this is one of Hill Country's best hidden gems. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot. I eat a lot of BBQ, and you can look through my reviews to see how many places I've reviewed. Ronnie's is up there towards the top. Some of the reviews here puzzle me. I didn't detect any notes of 'coffee' in the spice rub - it's pretty much a close approximation of the classic Texas 'smoke, salt, and pepper'. Service was fast and friendly, and we ate at the location so it was hot upon hitting the table. The crown jewel of Texas bbq is, of course, the brisket - had a mix of the lean and fatty brisket, and it had a marvelous smoke ring and flavor (see the picture below, you'll see what I mean). The fatty brisket in particular was fork tender and all sorts of delish. The regular sausage was zippy and popped in the mouth; and the pork loin (a rarity on Texas BBQ menus) was delicious, only less moist and scrumptious then the brisket. Sides were decent - the pinto beans are excellent, the coleslaw forgettable. However, average it out and I'd give it 4.5 stars, round it up and you're looking at a high score on the CTJ scale, as noted below. 5 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Jesus good. Would be OK passing away after finishing a plate here. 4 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Mary good. Would be OK having a nosh here with Mother Mary. 3 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Joseph good. Would be OK having a beer here with Jesus' Dad. 2 out of 5 stars: Come-to-the-Apostles good. Meh. Wouldn't have my last supper here. 1 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Nobody good. I wouldn't have my penultimate supper here, either. read more

Ronnies Ice House - The two-meat combo: Smoked pork loin and a mix of fatty and lean brisket. All delish!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

You know you're at an authentic Texas barbecue joint when they serve you on metal trays and offer up their version(s) of barbecue sauce in squirt bottles. Ronnie's adds an unexpected twist: pizza! I didn't try the pizza, but the brisket is smoky, juicy and delicious. I enjoyed mine over a HUGE baked potato. I don't know where they get their cheddar cheese, but it was super melty and cheesy. So good! My table mates also got brisket. Tip: don't try to order healthy by getting chicken in a Texas barbecue place--get the beef. My dining partners also liked the ribs and the sausage. Macaroni-and-cheese side got rave reviews, the coleslaw was so-so. The sign out front says "Smoke and Pies." You're in the right place. Fast casual service was friendly and efficient. Tons of seating and natural light. read more

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$20 for a large chopped sandwich that isn't chopped but sliced into bite sized pieces of fat, bread and if lucky, meat. No real flavor and the sauce is clearly not authentic. Don't waste your hard earned money. Keep driving and fast! Clearly they don't know real bbq read more

The food was amazing - got the meat sampler and it did not disappoint. Plenty of food for 2 of us at lunchtime which didn't take very much time to get food and eat. read more

Ronnies Ice House - Meat sampler - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

Eight of us stopped in for lunch. The service was fast, the portions were sizable and the food was good! I'll come back! read more

Ronnies Ice House - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

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Pass! They had their meats, mixed and lumped together, sitting in a serving pan under heating lamps. Brisket touching Turkey touching Sausage and so on. Hard pass! Impatient service. They seemed annoyed we were looking over the menu while we were the only ones in line. Once again, hard pass! read more

ZERO STARS- Been driving for hours, searched restaurants in Johnson City. Decided on Ronnie's Bbq. Starving couldn't wait til we got there. Missed our turn and even drove back. Get there, the place is empty. The worker doesn't even say hello. We walk over to menu and he still doesn't greet us. I had to ask him how he was. Then still ... crickets. Asked what he recommends, he replied and that was it. My husband and granddaughter were not even wanting to be there at that point, we walked out and they lost a sale. Is it so hard to welcome your guest??? I see now why not a single soul was in the place other than staff. Husband couldn't believe bbq sandwich was $19 to top things off. ZERO stars given! It makes me give a star to post. read more

Brisket was bland and pork loin was cold! Sides were okay and they had no desserts!!! People at the counter were not very friendly and it seemed like they did not want to be there... read more

BBQ was fantastic! I saw the name of the business recently changed to Smoke & Pies, but that doesn't matter to me. All I care about was the portion was big, food was delicious (best turkey I've ever had), and the owner and staff were delightful. I'd highly recommend you try it out -- I will certainly be coming back. read more

We stopped to get a sandwich on our way home from Austin. Horrible rude service from two young women at the counter. Our sliced beef sandwich was inedible. The meat was dry, cold and old. It tasted spoiled so we spit it out and one of the women at the counter laughed at us. We got up and walked out. We are seriously wondering if they were deliberately trying to make us sick. read more

Ronnies Ice House - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

Wow!! The empty parking lot should have been an indicator to skip this establishment, unfortunately we attempted to give them a shot anyway. We were greeted, or I guess maybe I should say our existence was acknowledged by a rude young lady behind the counter. We immediately felt as though we were inconveniencing this lady by coming into the restaurant. We were treated with disrespect during the ordering process and finally decided to leave after we were given attitude for wanting to pay together. The young lady tossed the tray of food she made in our direction. My wife asked, have we done something to upset you? They lady said no, but her behavior suggested otherwise. Luckily Fat Boy Burgers was right down the road where we got a great meal (review to follow) and were treated as anyone would expect to be treated here in Texas. Do better. read more

We've been told to try to brisket at Ronnie's by a few different people. So, we decided to do just that. We made a trip from Fredericksburg where we were staying hoping that it was as good as what we were told. It was. The people were very friendly and the location very convenient. The brisket was very warm, had plenty of bark, tender and moist. What else can you ask for? It was delicious. We thought it definitely deserved a full 5 stars. While there the pitmaster brought over a piece of BBQ turkey for us to taste. Wow! I must say it's probably the best turkey I've ever had. We even bought extra brisket and extra turkey to go. This was definitely a good recommendation. I'm sure we'll be back when we again return to this area. read more

Ronnies Ice House - Yummy brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

This USED TO BE RONNIES WITH GREAT BAR B Q. Not anymore. It's Smoke & Pies now. Offering Bar B Q and wood oven pizza. If you want Bar b que go elsewhere. It's not the same as it was before. Pizzas look good but we didn't try one so I can't give a review. read more

Looking for a quick lunch stop in Johnson City. Ronnie's did not disappoint. Moist, delicious Turkey breast and tasty Mac and cheese. My niece and nephew devoured their food like the ravenous raptors they are and gave this place two thumbs up. read more

Ronnies Ice House - Turkey sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

Fellow Nebraskans, transplanted in the Lone Star State! The family combo (brisket and pork loin) comfortably fed a family of 6. The brisket is well smoked, tender and is perfectly complimented by the house BBQ sauce. Absolutely recommend! P.S. Go Big Reeeedddd! read more

We stopped to simply "sample" the bbq, since we like to try bbq whenever we're traveling. The four us couldn't stop ooohing and aaaaahing about the brisket and turkey! The brisket could easily be cut with your fork an the best any of us had anywhere. I didn't even want to taste the turkey, since turkey is usually dry and bland. But this turkey was unbelievable! Can not recommend Ronnie's enough and suggest you never drive to Fredricksburg without stopping at Ronnie's to eat or get take out. read more

Ronnies Ice House - a sign for ronnie's bbq - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

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Real pit bbq and heavily seasoned beans were awesome. Brisket turkey and ribs were excellent. Mustard potato salad was great. Nice folks too. read more

Great people working behind the rail, and really good BBQ. Brisket, ribs, sausage, and turkey were right on point. Green beans are ridiculously good as well as the other sides. No wait when we got there at open but joint got busy really quick. Good stuff...check em out! read more

Ordered chopped bbq sandwich. 70% bread, 20% fat, 10% actual meat. Don't bother. Move farther up the road for bbq

No longer the same place. Fatty brisket that should have been trimmed a bit before serving. Generally cold food all-around for all our plates at 1pm. Nothing noteworthy, but edible. read more

The food was amazing everything was on point and they were friendly enough to let us eat with our dogs inside so they wouldn't be hot will definitely be back and refer everyone I know read more

Ronnies Ice House - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

Barely heated up BBQ that you clearly did not cook yourself plus a curter that was unfriendly and didn't care whether or not we liked anything. The amount of meat on the sandwiches and frito pie was two small slices of brisket chopped up. It couldn't have been more than 1 or 2 oz. Won't be back. read more

The bark on the brisket is amazing. Ribs had really good flavor but too fatty. Potato salad wAs ok and the cOld corn medley is interesting enough that I Want to make it now. Now the sauce is sweet and tangy. Not my style at all. Partnered with a jalapeño it's ok but thankfully the meats alone carried themselves. I saw a lot of people getting the chopped beef sammie so that my be a way to go here. A lot of food on the plates. read more

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EVeryone seems to like this place and others with this strong coffee flavoring rubbed on the BBQ. I miss the old Texas BBQ with NOTHING rubbed on except some salt and pepper. Ronnie has a great sauce-unfortunately they didn't give us any with out last TO-Go order which pretty much ruined it. We have tried all the meats and all are marred by the strong coffee flavoring. The quality of the meat seems pretty good, it is just the flavoring. The potato salad is a mayo based thing and I hate mayo. The beans are okay. The Sausage is okay, Ribs-not much meat and too much spice Chicken was just okay Didn't care for Turkey and beef is marred by the strong spices. Didn't like cucumbers and tomatoes-again some strange spicing. Overall, if you are driving through Johnson City and starving it is decent place to eat if you are not turned off by the STRONG rub. But I would go elsewhere and won't drive from Dripping to eat there. read more

I was going to leave a thumbs down review, but I see a flock of folks have beat me to it. Had lunch there today. Been our meet-up place for me and my friend for a couple of years. Under the previous ownership, food was good. Today, the buns for sandwiches could be used for weapons in Ukraine. The sliced beef was tough and took more than the provided plastic knives to slice it. Business appeared way off, now I know why. Hope Ronnie got cash in this deal, cause the new owner won't make it with such poor quality servings. Oh, potato salad was good. read more

Worse barbecue I have ever had. This barbecue was not edible. Spent 80.00 on garbage. I would avoid this place if you want a clean edible meal. I will never eat here again. When we went to call them they would not pick up the phone. Worse ever. read more

Ronnies Ice House - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

Rating this place solely on food - I am born and bred in this area and have never eaten here. Not once. My mom, though, will bring home food from here, which always tastes amazing. I have had the brisket, ribs, and sausage as well as a couple of sides. Let me tell you this - I had some of their brisket which had been in my freezer since April and in my mom's freezer since well before that - heated it back up in June and it was AMAZING. Tender, juicy, smoky - everything you want in your brisket. My little lady and I ate and ate and ate until we weren't as little as we were before. Delicious Hill Country BBQ done the way barbecue should be. Try it! read more

Such a sad site to see what has become of Ronnie's Ice House and grocery. It's just not even in the same league as when Ronnie owned and ran the place before he sold it. I miss the tender ribs, the melt in your mouth chopped beef on a bun with Ronnie or his wife swirling that bbq sauce on the bun in a slow fashion. The pork sandwiches to die for. That's why he was sold out of meat by 1pm 20 years ago and was written up in Texas Monthly and many other magazines. What has now become of it is an insult to bbq. Pick your favorite bbq chain, not even a top notch mom and pop place, and it's better than Ronnie's now. Many summers as a kid working on the Straub ranch, we ate here everyday. The sheriff, his staff, and the local ranchers would clear this place out of food. That's why Ronnie made it to the top of Texas BBQ. Boy, I really wished the family took over the business. The chopped beef at lunch is as tough as bark. The ribs have no tenderness to them. The sides are just meh. I was really hoping the new owners took more pride in it, but you can get better bbq at a chain. And it's obvious Ronnie still has his secret sauce recipe. That sauce is legendary, and if the new owners have it, they are cutting corners, because nothing is the same. At 12:15 on a weekday, it was empty except for a group full of tourist that got out of a suburban behind us. It was always packed out the door with locals and tourists before Ronnie sold it. Prayers from our family to yours, Ronnie! You provided us with decades of the finest bbq. I'll try to get in touch with you through connections to see if I can buy a jar of your original sauce! read more

Incredibly bad barbecue, however the pickles, onions, and water were good. Jim S. San Antonio, Texas read more

Brisket was full of fat and all meats were cold. Bbq sauce was lame. The place did not look clean. Two guys literally carried a toilet thru the "dining room" while we were eating. read more

Brisket, turkey and jalapeño poppers are outstanding. They have two sauces (sweet and vinegar) to appeal to the masses. I was certain I would need a to go box...I didn't. They close early and run out of food so come early. The lady working behind the counter was the most friendly server I have encountered in some time. Eat here...you won't be disappointed! Oh...banana pudding...save room for that! read more

Food was delicious place is clean and although there was only one person working he was quick sweet patient it's a must stop!

So good! I'm glad we stopped here instead of a chain restaurant. The baked potatoes were huge and they added beans, something I've never seen before on a baked potato and it was delicious. read more

This little BBQ stop on 281 is worth the wait if you are headed north. The brisket is nicely scone with just the right amount of smoke. The pork ribs have the same care in smoking and just the right amount of seasoning complimenting and no masking the rib. The sides are also quite good which is rare for many small BBQ places. Prices were fair and we got good fast service. We will be back! read more

WOW, I just had the best BBQ of my life. Do yourself a favor and stop by this incredible place.

What a great place! The barbecue was very tasty and great consistency. Jalapeño sausage was not overwhelming with the jalapeño flavor. The staff were friendly and helpful. read more

Fantastic BBQ! Easy to find, Especially for Tesla owners. Just a short way from SuperCharger. Friendly service and great food! read more

Ronnies Ice House - BBQ Pit - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

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Outstanding!! Pork ribs were the biggest and best I've ever had. The sausage was great and the sweet sauce was excellent. Genuine Texas Pit BBQ. And Mac n Cheese that was magical. Stop by here leaving wine weekend and recover with all the protein. read more

Damn, this is TEXAS. Sometimes I forget, but places like this bring it back. Family-run business in Johnson City off of 281. Note that if you put the address into your GPS or smartphone, it'll send you about 5 miles south to the middle of nowhere. It's the kind of place where the customers who come in all know each other and are chattin' it up in true Southern style. Order at the front, from combo plates with 2 sides to specials to even a frito pie. I like that the classic brisket & sausage combo is literally spiced up by the option of choosing jalapeno sausage or regular. In particular, I'd like to give a shout out to the RIBS here, which were truly stand out. (I honestly would have liked my brisket to be a little more tender.) The sides here are something special as well, going beyond your typical potato salad and beans to include corn and sauerkraut salad. BBQ sauce on the table, drinks in the dining room. Truly great food, Texas style, from the classic meats to checkered tablecloths and deer heads on the wall. Happy eatin' y'all! read more

Ronnies Ice House - Dining area - Barbeque Near Me - Johnson City, Texas

Terrible service! The young girl behind the counter had nothing but attitude. Eye rolls when I couldn't hear her, throwing the tray at me, snappy responses when I asked about items. Ended up leaving prior to paying because of how rude she was. read more