Food Writing Sample (Belton, Texas)

 Best BBQ in Central Texas?  Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar-B Que

I can't say I care much for the parking, because there is that nasty little dip as you enter the tiny parking area. I find that this nuisance is well worth the quick hassle to my car's front end. My family would readily agree. In fact, the 'hump' before parking is a kind of signal to the very good eats ahead. It has become a sort of ritual for all of us, hump included, on Saturday evenings to head to Shoepf's.

The first thing anyone would notice is the smell. It is a delicious smoky mesquite smell from the huge BBQ pits underneath the covered porch outside, as well as the ones we can't see in the back. Usually a young man is just inside the swinging screen door, waiting for your order. The open pit beckons one with ribs, chicken, smoked sausages, chops and brisket. I always, without fail, order a pound to a pound and a half of the sliced brisket for the family. They offer a family pack of a pound and a half of your choice of meat plus two sides consisting of coleslaw and potato salad, cornbread or rolls, pickles, onions, and beans. Oh, and the sauce. If you like a slightly sweet and sour BBQ sauce, you'll like their sauce. It's one of my favorites, and I still try to recreate it at home.

 Back to the ritual. Let's say it is, as usual, a little crowded. There's almost always a line here. There's a large menu posted on the wall in plain view, as well as all the prices for whatever combo you care for. After you choose your meat, it is weighed, trimmed if needed, put into a piece of butcher's paper, and handed to you on a tray.

From there, you set your tray on the Luby's-like metal bars, someone will slice up your beef if you like, and then wrap your selection back in the butcher's paper, then to keep it hot, they will wrap it in foil. You then move your tray through the line, letting the person behind the counter know what else you'll be needing. Each pound of meat automatically comes with beans,cornbread,pickles,sauce, and onions, no extra charge. Family packs offer your sides of potato salad and cole slaw for a little extra. I can easily feed my family of four for under 20 bucks.

After you pay, you can sit at the quaint picnic-style tables and chairs that offer ample room for everyone. Sweet and unsweetened tea is provided, self serve, along with the usual choice of sodas. We generally prefer just getting everything to go, but occasionally enjoy sitting down at the roomy tables.

The staff here is friendly, and always offers great service, from the person managing the large outdoor pit, to the friendly folks on the inside that take care of all of your fixings.

Shoepf's is a must stop restaurant that is just off of southbound I-35 between Temple and Salado, in downtown Belton, Texas. Just take the Central Ave exit, and drive not even a quarter mile to one of central Texas' best and favorite barbecue.

Schoepf's Old Time Pit Bar B Que

702 E Central Ave

Belton, Tx