Best food ever omg 3 meat po boy was so amazing The sausage taco was delicious Best potato salad also They have fresh spun honey and many canned items to choose from All around great place with friendly employees read more

I'm being generous with 2 stars only because the server was attentive and pleasant. The bbq was dry and flavorless. The sides were just as bad. I get more smoke taste with my pellet grill. It was like the meat was cooked in an oven. And slow does not even start to describe how long it took to do everything from ordering, to delivering food, to checking out. Definitely don't stop here if you are in a hurry to go anywhere. It's sad because the owner has poured some money into this place, but I don't see this place lasting more than a year. I know I won't be wasting my money here again. read more

Yesterday's BBQ at today's prices. Used to be a favorite stop in the area and havent been there in a few years. Stopped by there today and brisket and ribs were dry and re-heated - I had to cover it in sauce to be able to eat it. Told the manager and she didn't care - RIP VANS BBQ. read more

Service and atmosphere are fantastic! Pork ribs are to die for -- delicious! Worth the stop, for sure! Woman gave us seconds on everything - for free! So kind and so generous. We were served our food on wax paper which always adds to a bbq eating experience! Will stop here anytime it's possible, in the future! read more

Obscure roadside restaurants such as this used to scare the bejeezus out of me. That is....until Yelp. Yep, all the reviews about Van's are true! For those of you that beat a path down this stretch of hwy. to Corpus or to The Valley, you are all too aware of the dearth of dining choices along this trail. Fast. Food. Only. All very functional, but really nothing special. Van's BBQ is located in a remote town named Oakville on IH 37 btw SA and CC....and if you blink, you WILL miss it. Normally, I would be skeer'd. But now that this place is on the Yelp map - this place should get some love from fellow BBQ aficionados. For us, Van's is special because; - Terrific service; very friendly, proactive, and they check on your regularly - Decent prices = a good value, - Great food; Moist brisket and ribs. Homemade potato salad (you can taste the dill pickle juice!) is yummy, as is the sausage - The only BBQ place in the world where you can get seconds! Are you kidding me?!! - They are open 7AM to 7PM, 7 days per week?! So if you find yourself hungry on IH37 near Exit 65, NOW you know what you need to do! read more

What a nice surprise! on our way home from Rockport and working with the hurricane Harvey victims, we stopped here for dinner. Their new location is been opened only four days and is beautiful and the food is delish. Be sure to check it out. read more

Van's Barbecue - Vans new location! - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas

Van's has been here for years and believe me, it looks like it. Other than a new dining room in the back, I don't think the inside has been spruced up or painted for years. The BBQ in the past has been marginal, but based on all the glowing reviews of late, we thought we'd give it yet another try. Big mistake. Our order was taken promptly, but we sat for 30 minutes waiting for food. Finally the friendly waitress brought it but neither order had what we ordered! No matter, by that time, we just wanted to eat and head out the door. The brisket OK, but cold. The sausage was OK, but cold, and the ribs were OK, but colder. Even the beans were lukewarm. I've eaten BBQ all over the state of Texas and while this wasn't the worst, the only way we'd stop here again is if we were starving and couldn't wait to get to Corpus Christi (headed south) or San Antonio (headed north). read more

Wow! I haven't had BBQ this good in a long time. It was amazing. The potatoes salad the brisket, ribs, sausage, clowslaw and peach cobbler was of the chain. Keep up the good work. I can't wait to come back down, to eat again. read more

Can I give a half star for this place for customer service. A "must not stop at" place on a road trip. Regret stopping here. So sad for the cook, your food was great but the waitress failed when we asked for more bread to bring us what we wanted. Tight with the one thing your place is open for its food. If we were there to eat we were definitely not leaving without paying for what we came in for food. Rude waitress. Never again!! read more

This is about the Van's Barbecue in Oakville right on the highway. They close at 7pm every day so take note of that. We've driven by this place 100's of times over the years and never got the chance to try it. I looked at the reviews and we decided to make the time to try it. If you like anything beef, this is the place ! Prices are reasonable and they offer you seconds. They served enough in the initial plate that my spouse didn't even need seconds and we hadn't had breakfast either. I had just the potato salad and beans since they don't have turkey or chicken and they were both excellent !!! We will be coming by here again. This will be a favorite anytime we travel up to San Antonio from down south. read more

On our way back from Corpus today we decided to skip your typical road trip food (McDonalds). While hunting for a spot to sit down and eat, out of the corner of my eye I spotted the Van's bbq billboard. We concurred that bbq was what we needed to squash our starvation. We were the only dine in customers while we were there, through they did have a few Togo orders. Our waitress was awesome. She checked on us regularly. My 3 kids are fairly picky eaters and they all loved their food, which is very rare. I had the two meat plate with pork ribs, brisket, and I swapped out the beans that come with it for their Mac and cheese. Everything was delicious. Restaurant was clean and I like the atmosphere of the place. I would most definitely come back here. As I typed Vans bbq into my gps I noticed they didn't have a great overall rating. After lunch I just knew I had to write a review for them. Before I started writing this review I read some previously posted reviews. A lot were about wait times. If you decide to stop here, which you should!!, keep in mind that they are kinda out in the boondocks. No your not going to get your food as fast as the big bbq chains. I'm willing to bet they don't have a ton of daily customers so your food may take a little longer. Kick back, have a good conversation with your travel companions, and be patient the food is going to be worth it. read more

Haven't eaten here in years. Stopped on the way back from the coast. Surprised by the new building it was well done. Breakfast tacos were decent so were the pancakes. BBQ especially the sausage was a major let down and was cold. They were extremely slow. read more

Vans was my favorite I37 stop for 30 years. WAS--now its a shell of it's former self (really and figuratively). Reality: the food is lackluster, staff puts up with my order. Figuratively: you can look around the Oakville exit and see the previous iterations of Vans. Oakville looks like a Vans-dominated ghost town with one church, one under construction Vans and two deserted, run-down Vans. Alas...I'm holding my I-37 appetite now until I reach Smoliks... read more

NO LONGER OFFERS FREE SECONDS. Very disappointed with our service and more flies around our food than usually. We each bought plates, which are pricey to say the least, and in the past have always been offered seconds as part of their policy, but not this time. We normally stop here on our way back to SA, but will no longer. For some reason, maybe because the face our waitress made to a co-worker of hers after she took our order, we were told we had to pay for seconds. If you change your policy after so many years please make sure to clearly state it somewhere and reevaluate your prices. Portions were very small for the price per plate. $80 later we left not satisfied. Funny how the "no seconds on to go orders" was still posted, but why do you still need that sign if you stopped giving seconds in general??? read more

The food was dry and service was worse. Never again. Should of stopped in Robstown to eat. Lesson learned

I have been here before, but stopped by again today when we were meeting my nephew and picking up my five-year-old niece. Oakville is truly an amazing stop, and Van's Barbecue is excellent melt in your mouth delicious. They are closing down the original Van's and are going to open up a new Van's BQ. It is beautiful. Can't wait to visit again soon! The historic area where the jail is seems to be in the process of renovation. I saw things today that I missed last time. So interesting! I took lots of pictures of the original Van's as it will probably be torn down soon. read more

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This Bar B Que is great! Our family stopped by for lunch and it was delish... My husband and son had seconds for free.... The staff was friendly and very kind. The brisket is so tender.... yummy.... can't wait to go back read more

We stopped in on the way to the river for a quick bbq. Sandwich. We got there 20 minutes before closing time. 2 guys walked out and they locked the door on us and wouldn't respond and explain why they wouldn't let us in. Then a young man showed up and they let him in and re locked the door. Very rude. We will never stop there again. read more

Stubbled on this place on the highway 281 on the way back from McAllen. I think this is Van's # 2 not the one in Oakville but this one wasn't on yelp. Late lunch on a Friday afternoon. Only one table of the small ten table dining room was occupied. Lots of cool garb all over the walls and rustic old building. I ordered the 3 meat combo, ribs, brisket and sausage. Came out old school style on butcher paper with some white bread!!! Sweet! And get this it. ITS FREE SECONDS! ALL YOU CAN EAT! Never heard of that before at a BBQ place! The first serving was more than enough although the sweet waitress asked us probably 4 times if we wanted more. "Are you surrrrree darling" HA Everything was excellent, ribs, sausage, brisket and the sides, beans and potato salad. Really cool to just stop and get such a great meal sometimes! Might not ever be back in the area but if I am I will surely try this one again. read more

Van's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas

Had the chopped bbq sandwich and a sausage sandwich. Portions were good sized. Spices/seasoning on both meats were good and not overdone. Had a steady flow of traffic (even a couple of guys in suits and ties. read more

Van's Barbecue - Good prices - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas

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Worst BBQ I ever tried to eat. B.B.Q beef ribs were 2 large bones of mostly fat grissel and meat that had to be chiseled off the bone. Sausage was as flavorless as the beef. Nice restaurant af food. read more

Excellent chopped sandwich, served on paper. Excellent po boy (chopped and sausage on a roll). Beans as bland as Bill Miller. Ribs were about a 5/10. Desserts very good, including pecan pie and pecan brittle. read more

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I was very happy with my first experience at Vans BBQ! The staff was very courteous and welcoming not once did I run out of tea or need to ask for help. The wait for food was not long. When the food comes out on the traditional butcher paper you will enjoy. The brisket was very juicy and had a great smokey flavor, the sides I had where pinto beans and potato salad, the pinto beans where just like momma made them with great flavor. Potato salad had good taste and complemented the meal very well. I will definitely return or make this a family pit stop coming back from the coast. read more

Van's Barbecue - Brisket with all the fixings! The brisket had a good smoke and wasn't dried out, the sides where like momma made them! - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas

Extremely disappointed after calling to see if you'd be open on Easter Sunday and was told "yes, 7-7". Drove all the way from Port A to an empty parking lot and chains on the door. Maybe have someone who knows the holiday closures answering the phone. read more

Van's Barbecue - "Open", but really closed. - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas

This place is the tits !!!!! A few friends and I stopped by here on way back home from the coast. We were not disappointed they had amazing brisket, sausage, and ribs. The waitress was a sweet cute gal who was very welcoming. We will always be coming back here from our coastal trips read more

Van's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas

This was the best barbecue ever, to include the big ones in Luling and Lockhart. The meat was incredibly tender, not burnt but had an excellent smoke ring. We will definitely stop again. read more

This place is what I think about when I daydream of having Texas BBQ cozy and the food is great. Brisket was very good but the smoked Turkey was a very nice surprise. Will be coming back soon! read more

Great food in the middle of no where...We stopped here on Sunday at 5 pm on our way home from Corpus Christi. We started to order from the menu given to us and we were told that after 2 pm the only choice is barbecue or poboys. I tried to order half sweet half unsweetened tea and was told they are out of unsweetened tea. I ordered the chicken plate with beans and potato salad all of which were delicious. The food comes out on waxed butcher paper which is hard to use when the tables have slats that cause the paper to puncture through when cutting meat. The menu does not provide kid friendly options. Overall, great food and I would return again the next time I'm traveling to Corpus Christi. read more

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Visiting TR from Houston, I was so excited to be "back home" for some real BBQ...:( TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT! ) The customer service was the worst I have had ever! I completely understand we were a 12 top table with alot of kids but we were very easy in my opinion. When trying to order, every time we picked something, were told we don't serve that after 2... OK, PUT IT ON THE MENU!!!! They were out of everything we tried to order for kids (burgers) except sliced BBQ. No kids menu SMH. For the the price, I would expect better service and at least real silverware! You just lost a whole family of customers (local and out of towners) all from errors that could have been different with proper management. read more

Stop every time we come to Rockport from San Antonio. Remodeled since last time. Looks great. Food and sides awesome as always!

This is THE best bbq (especially the chop) on IH-37. Food is amazing and the staff is fast, attentive, and friendly.

Very disappointed. I used to look forward to stopping at Van's on my travels back an forth between Corpus and San Antonio. I hadn't been that way in many years, and decided to try it again this last weekend. Unfortunately they are not the great place that I remember. They have a nice, new building, but the food quality has gone downhill. Our brisket and ribs were very dry, and the portions were tiny. The potato salad was basically yellow mashed potatoes. The macaroni salad was absolutely tasteless. Literally tasteless boiled noodles. The old Van's used to be a lively fun place with friendly staff and great BBQ. I don'y know what happened to them, but it cost me $45 to feed 3 people, and I feel like I was ripped off. read more

Just OK. Ribs were decent. Brisket was average. Sausage was edible. Sauce was lackluster. Beans were the worst. Potato salad was OK. Service was non existent. Seemed like family owned so they're not too concerned if you like the service or not. Wouldn't do it again. Wouldn't recommend to others. Try Augies barb wired BBQ in San Antonio instead. read more

We stopped in for lunch at Van's yesterday on our way back from Port A to find that they had recently added nice new mens and womens restrooms and an additional dining room. So now lunch is no longer insanely crowded and the bathrooms are no longer scary - goooo Vans! The BBQ was as good as ever, tender smokey brisket and juicy sausage - the beans are usually a little bland which is why I have them hold the beans and get double potato salad instead... read more

My friends and I were coming from Corpus Christi back home to San Antonio and one of them said, "We should eat at Van's." I had never heard of this place but was willing to try somewhere new (even though I had my favorite barbeque place). The restaurant was old, had limited seating, but was packed!!! We sat down fairly quickly, got our drinks and placed our order. Within five minutes our meals were brought to us on butcher paper. My meal was the two meat plate, which consisted of pork ribs, sliced brisket, bread, onions, pickle, potato salad, beans and sauce. It was delicious!!!!!!! Now I have a new "favorite" barbeque place. Too bad the distance is too far for me to frequent more often. read more

Delicious. The pickles and onion made the chopped beef sandwich. They give free seconds here which is very cool, but I didn't partake in that offer. Fun "off the grid" find. read more

Ordered a brisket and ribs plate, I got leftover chopped brisket - terrible. Plate was 16 + dollars. Very disappointing, given it used to be very good. read more

This was definitely a spot that embarks the legends of Texas Barbeque, a spot I have forsaken for so many years! As a member and resident of Texas, and the culinary community, critique is most definitely on my mind when sitting down to a plate of freshly smoked Barbeque. And when needing to stretch my legs at the halfway point between San Antonio and Corpus Christi the Van's sign called to me like a beacon, like a voice from the heavens or my own personal burning bush! So pulling over the family unit for another episode of local dining we gave the Van's restaurant a shot, and my i say.....I have been to the mountain.....and it is good! Located 80 miles inside or outside both San Antonio and Corpus, on 37 (S/N) off the 65 exit lay an obscure town by the name of Oakville, TX, the kind of town you read about as the typical ghost town of a bygone era, is this small-medium sized smoke shack that basically has their own rules to the barbeque atmosphere and it is amazing! I mean what barbeque joint offers free seconds and thirds (if so desired)? Who does that, seriously who does that? That's irresponsible barbeque overdose just waiting to happen!!! The set up is a classic old world shop set up that has endured for over 4 decades (that speaks volumes, it really does). The walk up almost feels like a classic The Good, Bad, and the Ugly scene but you leave more content than the Earl's did after wiping out those Cowboys at the OK Corral! The photos I took don't do it as much justice but as the weekend approaches an 80 mile drive doesn't sound to difficult for good barbeque, so I will be definitely be returning for a full shoot! Good Eatin' yo! read more

Van's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas

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This place is a definite must if one is ever in the area. I stopped here and grabbed a poor boy sandwhich to go along with a bag of fritos and a Dr. Pepper. It was a very tasty sandwhich. I will defintely be stopping again next time I am in the area. read more

Knew it was a good sign when we drove up and the parking lot was full of law enforcement taking lunch. Cops and firemen know good food. Food was good, dessert was home made, service was wonderful. read more

Van's Barbecue - I knew the food would be good. Cops and firemen at a restaurant are always a good sign (they know good food). - Barbeque Near Me - Oakville, Texas