Holders Grill

    Texas being the land of BBQ it seems like there are Pitmasters around every corner claiming that their smoked meat reigns supreme above all others. So, you can imagine how hard it is to find the best of the best. I try to stay away from a chain type establishment because they usually do not have the unique experience that I'm looking for. On a ride to College Station, one day I stumbled upon Holders Grill in a one-stoplight town called Dobbin on Texas 105 West. What made me stop was a 20 feet tall caricature of the owner in his bib-overalls with a welcoming smile waving you in for lunch. 

    As I went into the little shack looking place you could smell the meat on the pit as you walked by. I was met with a smile by the hostess/waitress. She then asked me how my day was before even offering a table, and that made me smile. I sat inside because it was a little too cold to sit on the porch but she offered to start a fire in the pit for me as she pointed to a small flame thrower torch. The ambiance of this place was very unique and absolutely amazing. Mounted on the wall were a plethora of animal heads and unique horns that the owner had harvested on his many hunting trips around the country. If taxidermy is not your thing you can always focus on the old signs, pictures, and artifacts that went back into the early 1900s. If you look close you'll probably see something that your grandmother kept in her house. 

    My waitress brought me a menu and told me the special was a chopped beef bbq sandwich with onions, jalapenos, and pickles and served with fries and a drink. I didn't even need to look at the menu as told her to bring the special with a sweet tea. 

While I was waiting I saw a sign that said, "if you want your food fast then go get food somewhere else." I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the sign as I waited about 15-20 minutes and I had my food served to me piping hot. 

    The bbq sandwich was huge and served in brown butcher paper. I opened the paper and the first thing I noticed was the sauce leaking out the sides of a perfectly toasted bun. I picked up the sandwich and took a small bite but that soon turned into a bigger one. The bbq was perfectly smoked, juicy and the sauce didn't overpower the meat. The meat was not too fatty and had zero gristle. The combination of onions, jalapenos, and pickles was perfect. This is easily a top three bbq sandwich in my rankings and I've eaten bbq all over Texas and multiple other states. So if you're ever on Texas 105 just west of Lake Conroe you should stop in at Holders Grill for a delicious bbq sandwich that your taste buds are sure to remember.