This place has the look of a long well-managed business. I'd say it's even historic. Their loaded baked potato was good and stuffed with brisket. Clean. I loved the mural outside depicting my exact 1955 Chevy, my very first car. I have a warm spot in my heart for the founder of this place. Good for Willie! read more

Great food. Friendly staff & owners. Nice comfortable restaurant. Must go experience!

I arrived here 10 minutes before closing, Drove through rain and traffic for 45 minutes to get here and they locked their doors as they saw me walking up, when I asked this worker who was outside loading the car if he could please help me because I drove very far through rain for this food and he was extremely rude and just told me no. I also called ahead of time 30 minutes before they closed to place an order to go and nobody answered their phones. This was extremely disappointing. This second worker I spoke to who came outside after I asked to speak to the manager was also extremely rude. I am editing my review because I waited and The manager did come out and explain to me that she closed early due to running out of sides and she brought me a pound of brisket and refused to accept my card when I tried to pay her for it. She also admonished her employees for being rude and thanked me for thinking of them and coming out. Really appreciated her excellent customer service. The brisket was also soooo good! Wish I could have ordered more food read more

See all

The staff is great and very helpful the barbecue is very good when we are in the area we get a meal to eat there and then we get a go order to take back to the island read more

Bland food. Lots of food for the price which was cheap. So was the taste really. Lots of people go there and I don't know why. read more

Lately the loaded potatoe has lost it's touch. I've noticed food is bland, and the potatoes seem to be over cooked. Not my favorite.

Great barbecue! Amazingly enough, it's tough to find good bbq here in Donna. I get sliced brisket. It's tender & moist. The sauce is very good. Tomatoey. Don't get fries. Other sides are good. Fries limp. The drive through is good too. Only canned soda. Pricey. read more

Fantastic BBQ. The moist brisket is the best brisket I've ever eaten. The other meats are great also. Sides are good too. We eat here every time we're in the area. read more

Today was our daughter's B-Day . The food was good as usual. However, the issue was with the drink dispenser. We watched the staff re-fill the it. When they opened it , there was black all around the top . When I brought the issue up to the staff, there was no sense of urgency, to correct it. I informed a staff member that was warning a red ball cap, white shirt with red letters, and blue jeans. When I got done informing her about this issue , all she did took a step back and leaned up against the wall .......... read more

If you want good BBQ in the RGV make sure you visit Willies. This place is so so so so so so delicious. They make the most scrumptious loaded baked potato (you can add brisket) & it is huge & very filling. They also have amazing brisket sandwiches. That's basically all I have had to eat here since every time I visit I just want to potato!! I haven't done dine in here post COVID pandemic, but prior inside has a very country/cabin vibe inside. Love it. They did open up a drive through to facilitate when picking up food. It's awesome! read more

The Original Willies Bar-B-Q - Loaded baked potato with brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Alamo, Texas

Whenever I would come to Alamo, Willie's is a favorite must go to place to eat at while we are visiting here. Now we have a winter residence here so of course one of the first places we just had to go eat at was Willie's. We dined in and we both had the stuffed baked potato with brisket and with all the toppings. We were not disappointed. While we were there we saw that they were now doing drive-up ordering and pick-up. Today I decided to try their drive up and take home one of their (usually) delicious baked potato. Sadly my experience with their take out /drive through pick up meal was very disappointing. I live maybe eight to ten minutes from their restaurant and when I started eating I found the bake potato very dry and the sour cream looked like cottage cheese. I was really looking forward to this meal and sadly I ended up only being able to eat about half of it and throwing the other half away. I will not let this stop me from eating there again but I'll most likely eat in next time. The below pictures show my meal. read more

See all

I am a fan of this place. Especially my favorite, the stuff potato with brisket. Plus they have combo plates with chicken, sausage, fajita, etc. and also awesome homemade desserts. The only thing I wish is for longer operational hours. Sometimes my cravings are after 6PM And regretfully they are closed. But other than that it's a great place. Highly recommend. read more

While visiting family, we decided to try this restaurant as we were on the search for the best BBQ. This place was definitely it! While ordering, the workers assisted us in recommending sides as there were many to choose from. I had the potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and the sweet potato mash, all were extremely delicious. My mother had the coleslaw, which was sweeter than what she was used to but still very delicious. We ate inside and the decor was historical while being tasteful. I noticed some dust on the lampshades but otherwise the dining area was very clean. Along with my sides, I got the moist brisket which was the best brisket I've ever had. No fat or char on the pieces, which made the meat easy to pull apart and eat. The bbq sauce was homemade and paired well with the meat. I will definitely be returning to this establishment! Keep up the good work! read more

See all

Wow wow wow.......loaded baked potato!!!!! HUGE potato, properly cooked. Butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon bits, and Heavenly brisket. I love their BBQ sauce. Rustic interior complete with old soda refrigerators. Local or passing through u wanna try them. read more

3.5/10 - food was luke warm, Dry Brisket, Bland Turkey, Sausage taste store bought, BBQ sauce bland.Desserts taste store bought. They don't provide any bread, pickles, onions. Lots of room for improvement in the food, ambiance is cool rustic tho. read more

I guess today was my last attempt to try and support Willie B's Barbecue. I've had enough of them charging you for simple stuff like an extra slice of bread, onions, and jalapeños, while the competition gives them to you for free. I ordered a sliced brisket sandwich and decided to eat it in my office. When I bit into it, I kid you not and I have a coworker as a witness, I started to choke. The sandwich was dry (even with bbq sauce that I had poured on it) as heck. I opened the sandwich and noticed to my disappointment that it didn't have any smoke rings. My coworker who smokes briskets from time to time saw the meat and he stated that it was made in an oven. I searched other pics from previous Willi B's bbq and one from Rudy's BBQ and you can see the difference. Sorry but you lost me as a customer. read more

See all

Oh my where to start.... I love the pulled pork & the brisket. I had corn& potatoes. It was amazing!!!! We will be hitting this place up quite a bit to satisfy that BBQ need! The atmosphere here is really fun and authentic. read more

Food is good,service is good, the downside is that they close at 6pm. Ambiance is comfortable and interesting.

Consistently good. The last time we were there about 2 weeks ago I had the beef rib. It was tender and juicy with just the right amount of smoke. I almost never use sauce at Willies because the meat is too good to hide under BBQ sauce. read more

Dry brisket. Burnt ribs one tough one ok. Store bought bacon bits for loaded mashed potatoes. Sausage was good. Bbq sauce not good it has an off flavor. I asked for more raw onions and was told to pay at register. Place is nice but staff seem not to care. Also had chili it was ok. Will not come back. read more

The ambiance of the restaurant is very good, and the service they have is good I love the way they attend you there. The food I have no words too say it is a very highly satisfied I love the brisket it is my favorite. read more

I am a big fan of smoked BBQ and Willies hits the spot. The brisket was moist and flavorful, Their homemade sauce is sweet with a little zip, and prices are very reasonable for the portions. One "Hot" tip if you like a little spice, try their jalapeno sausage! Great flavor, with a bite. This is a must visit when I make it to the area. read more

These guys never disappoint talk about quality and great tasting food! Usually it isn't super full which is a good thing when you are in a rush. The reason it's not so full isn't because the food isn't good but it's because most people like picking up at this location. You always see the same people working so you know this is a family run business which means the quality always stays consistent. I recommend this place to anyone looking for some good BBQ! read more

The SIDES were AMAZING... good ole carrot salad and coleslaw. I also enjoyed the rice and beans.

Great food every time we go here. Service is great and they keep the dining room Very clean.

It was a very good food, and I was really pleased by the service I received, I would definitely recommend

Absolutely worth it! My grandparents are regulars here- and I can see why! You enter through the doors, and order via counter service. Menu is large with several entree and meat options. We ordered a loaded baked potato with brisket, and a cowboy bowl with chicken. Food was prepared quickly, and servings are hardy- enough for two people to share each entree, or save leftovers for lunch the next day. The BBQ sauce was good- sweet and tangy, not incredibly spicy like other BBQ joints have. Drinks are served bottled instead of fountain, unless you're getting iced or sweet tea. An ice machine and cups are provided if you want them. Atmosphere of the restaurant is rustic/western, with wonderful wooden farm tables to eat at. Would come here again to order one of their sandwiches or burgers. read more

The Original Willies Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Alamo, Texas

Some of the most delicious bbq I've ever had! We came in for potatoes only to find out they hadn't been cooked but the manager told us 20 min they would be done. So we waited with a side of mac n cheese and potatoe salad, yummy. Our potatoes were loaded with brisket, cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives with bbq sauce to pour over. You will think you've died and gone to heaven. The ribs were also fall off the bone tender. Super staff and nice, clean place to sit. A must stop if you're in the area! read more

See all

BBQ SANDWICH meltttssss in your mouth! love this place. great service. let us come in w out a mask!! awesome place a MUST visit.

Truly a gastronomic delight & worth the detour from my diet plan. Great as a special treat, but could easily become a meal "to die for!" read more

The Original Willies Bar-B-Q - Loaded baked potato with chopped brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Alamo, Texas

Definitely get the pecan cobler. Best thing I had there. Service and facility were fantastic. The BBQ was good but needed more acid to it, nothing a grip of hot sauce couldn't cure. Went in for lunch got the 2 meat 3 sides. Got brisket and a beef rib. For my sides I got the mac and cheese, potato salad and a cob of corn. Both beefs needed that hot sauce but the sides were great. read more

The Original Willies Bar-B-Q - Decent but not on point. - Barbeque Near Me - Alamo, Texas

What usually brings me to Willie B's? Their Papas! Their big potato's with sausage and brisket. I really like the barbecue sauce they give out as well, it's not so thick and sweet. If you're ever in Alamo, Texas then you should stop at Willies. read more

Disappointed. Ordered the brisket- was good but nothing to rave about. The order came with 3 sides and a slice of bread-awesome deal. However I didn't care for a single one. The mac and cheese was bland and overcooked, the coleslaw room temperature and sweet with cranberries, and the potato salad was loaded with what I'm guessing was a sweet relish? Maybe this is preferred by some but I couldn't eat it. I will be trying other places for bbq. I will say I think prices are reasonable, and the menu is easy. Also the service was friendly and quick, and there was plenty of seating. read more

Willie's is exactly what I had envisioned in my mind of what a Texas BBQ restaurant should be...parking lot full of workmen trucks and police/emergency response vehicles (locals who know the best lunch spots in any town), unassuming appearance, delicious smell of BBQ wafting from the pit out back, and a line of customers waiting to put in their order. Very cool that you can see the BBQ guys cutting up the brisket right in front of you, and the 5 gallon coolers of tea and lemonade right up front, both of which are delicious. I ordered the 3 meat combo (sausage/brisket/pulled pork) with coleslaw and beans. Food comes out quick on a tray with a slice of bread, pickles, and onions. Brisket was delicious, and the sausage was to die for. No offense to Texas or Willie's, but the folks in the Carolina's have you covered when it comes to pulled pork. The beans were the surprise treat for me, a side that is often underwhelming in many places, but no so at Willie's. The beans were tender, served hot, and loaded with flavor. I visit the Rio Grande Valley once every two years, and my first stop is at Willie's. read more

Willie's has its ups and downs - so if you know what to order you can get a pretty terrific meal. In my experience it was not uniformly good - but it was a solid place to get some smoked meat, especially with not a lot of competition around. I stopped in at the Original Willie's due to its inclusion on Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ joints. Willie's looks like a BBQ joint should look. The building looks like somebody's weekend project to build a shed. The floors are scraped everywhere by boots and chairs and are somewhat uneven, possibly even rotting through in places. There are about a million ways to trip or step in a hole and kill yourself. They put a sign up out front claiming they are not responsible for injuries, but good luck with that in court. The walls are a particle board with various cowboy kitsch nailed to it. I especially liked the wagon wheel chandeliers and the cedar log columns. It's kind of a cool vibe. The menu at Willie's is rather large and not restricted to BBQ. You can get burgers, sandwiches, and other nontraditional side items. I was here for one thing only - the BBQ. I ordered a deluxe 3 meat plate, with a beef rib, brisket and fajita meat ($13). The sides were mac & cheese, rice, and potato salad (which they forgot to put on my plate). The beef rib was terrific - possibly the best I've ever had. It was moist and tender - it fell off the bone upon lifting it up. The rib meat had been cooked perfectly to the point where the fat was so sweet and juicy that it was like candy. Unfortunately, the rib was criminally underseasoned. I don't know if they even use a rub at WIllie's - everything is so bland. In order to get any seasoning at all, you are forced to use their very sweet molasses BBQ sauce, which was good in its own right, but I would have loved to just eat that rib with just salt, pepper and spices. The meal started off very high, and then declined from there. The brisket was tender, but not very moist and again completely underseasoned. Can a brother get some salt and pepper in this joint? WTF? The few slices on my plate were mushed in a pile, and were devoid of much flavor without the addition of sauce. The fajita meat was so scorched and tough, it was inedible. The two sides that made it to my plate were mediocre - I was sad about the potato salad not being served, but I decided it wasn't worth fighting the line. One side note is that Willie's makes their own lemonade from scratch, and it's pretty damn good. They do gouge you $1 per refill, but their cups are so large that refills are likely not needed. Altogether, it was a decent to good meal. I don't think it was good enough to make the TX Top 50, but maybe Willie's was included because they had to have at least one place in South Texas. I'd come back, but I'd stick to the ribs. beef rib - 4.5 stars brisket - 2 stars fajita - 1 star sides - 2 stars sauce - 3 stars read more

I could've sworn I'd written a review already. I've been here a few times with family. It has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Their potatoes are mine and my sister's favorites. They're really big. The set up is almost cafeteria style, where you order your food from a line, pick it up and pay, then seat yourself. So, service is a bit different from other places. But I like it, so I keep going back. read more

Some of the best brisket! awesome. The brisket was so soft and the BBQ sauce is not overpowering. I love the outdoor seating. I do recommend the Stuffed Baked Potato. it's the special on Monday. read more

The Original Willies Bar-B-Q - Sliced brisket sandwich with pickles ans onions. Sweet tea! - Barbeque Near Me - Alamo, Texas

See all

This is the best BBQ in South Texas without a doubt. The food is amazing and the rustic design of the restaurant gives you that authentic BBQ feel. The prices are not bad either and they're definitely worth it. read more

Hello Ive been eating at Willies for around 15yrs I live in San Antonio now and still haven't been able to find a better BBQ place yet There selection of meats is superb Its just a great place to enjoy some great BBQ read more

Mr.: good solid all-around BBQ. Tender meat, falling-off-the-bone ribs, good flavor. Sausage, good flavor with medium texture. Brisket good flavor, falling apart, but a little on the dry side. Pinto beans were good and potato salad were good. Wouldn't make a special trip to go there but definitely would stop again if I were anywhere close. Ms.: one of the best all-around BBQ places I've had off of Texas Monthly's top 50 list in awhile now. Potato salad (mayonnaise) was good. Pinto beans tasted "authentic". Disagree with Texas Monthly's recommendation to skip the sausage. The brisket had a great smell (pecan-smoked) and was tender but a little on the dry side. The sauce was to my liking--not vinegary. The bread is buttered Texas toast. There was a lot of variety to the menu. Liked the atmosphere--wood floors and long wooden tables. Would definitely come back if I was in the area. After visiting several disappointing places, Original Willie's is refreshing. Nothing that I ate was bad. read more