Woodshed Smokehouse

When friends and family visit Rebekah and I in Fort Worth, one of our favorite places to take them is the Woodshed Smokehouse.  However, it always comes with a disclaimer:  This is not your typical Texas Barbeque hole-in-the-wall.

On one occasion, my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bob traveled from Pennsylvania just to come to the Woodshed!  Well, maybe their trip also had something to do with my cousin (their daughter) Lynn, her husband Nick and their boys that live on the other side of the Metroplex.  Anyway, our whole group loved the meal, including my two young nephews, who nibbled the very last specks of corn off the leftover cobs.

Recently, Rebekah and I hoped to share a delicious dinner with Rebekah’s close friend, Mary Beth during her Fort Worth visit.  Again, the atmosphere, food and service (by our server Taylor) did not disappoint!

The Woodshed’s Woodshed

Actually, the Woodshed may not even be a Barbeque restaurant, with offerings as varied as bulgogi (Korean) beef tacos, red fish, 3 kale salad, and even paella, a Texan take on the traditional Spanish recipe, including mussels, clams, shrimp, rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, and game bird.  Nationally-known chef Tim Love takes a new perspective on Barbeque.  This is the only pit experience that comes complete with linen napkins!  But different can be equally delicious!  The Woodshed serves the barbeque staples:  brisket, sausage and ribs, each smoked with different woods (pecan, mesquite, oak and hickory), pairing the meat and wood perfectly.  As you can see, the Woodshed does not mess around with their food.

Atmosphere:  5  The Woodshed features a splendid location!  Situated adjacent to the Trinity River, the fun-loving eatery appears to spill into the river.  Direct access to Trinity Trails makes this restaurant a great rest stop on a long walk or bike ride.  The Woodshed is housed in a garage-like structure, with large glass garage doors perpetually open on most walls.  The inside is fairly small, and acts as an extension of the larger patio area, filled with picnic tables.  Giant fans and heaters provide any required temperature adjustments in this mostly outdoor venue.  Don’t miss the meat of the day spinning on a spit behind a glass window next to the hostess stand.  Bonus points for the large selection of craft beer on tap, including some great Texas craft beers.  You can order your favorite brew by the glass or the pitcher.  The Woodshed also features wines on tap, reminding me of house wines served in Italy.  All of these factors make the atmosphere a fun and inviting place!

The Butcher’s Sandwich

Brisket:  4  Brisket comes in many forms at the Woodshed.  I tried their moist and delicious brisket on the Butcher’s Sandwich ($9.50), complete with pulled pork and sausage of the day, topped with coleslaw, pickles and mustard.  The combination was great, but if you are a purist, I would recommend ordering the brisket by the pound ($5.25/pound), so you can enjoy the brisket’s flavor without the other competing flavors on the sandwich.  Rebekah ordered the equally appealing Brisket Stuffed Piquillo Peppers ($9.00).  This “Simple Plate” comes with three pepper from Northern Spain, paired perfectly with the smoked beef inside.  After our meal, I also noticed lamb brisket on the menu for $2.50/ounce.  Next time!

Sausage:  4  If you are feeling adventurous, order the Sausage of the Day, with choices such as rattlesnake or buffalo.  When we visited on Friday, boar sausage was the special.  A very small amount of this was on the Butcher’s Sandwich.  The boar tasted like really fresh pork sausage, which should not come as a surprise.  It included flavors normally associated with a good breakfast sausage.  Again, if you want to eat just sausage, try the “Simple Plate” Sausage of the Day, sold at market costs.  We have not tried the other sausages, but imagine good things for each day.

Pork Ribs and Mexican Corn

Ribs:  5  I love the Woodshed’s beef and pork ribs!  They are smoked with a heavy rub, and come with a side of delicious BBQ sauce.  This is definitely my favorite items on the menu.  While not a conventional Texas pit barbeque rib, I must say these are my favorite ribs in Texas.  So far.  The tender meat falls off the bone.  The beef ribs, smoked with oak wood, are sold by the pound ($14/pound).  The pork ribs, smoked with pecan wood, are sold by the half rack ($14).  This is one of the few pits that make equally-delicious beef and pork ribs.

Sauce:  5  Regardless of what you order, ask for a side of barbeque sauce.  The sauce is served hot, and compliments the flavors the meats have by themselves.  The color is deep red, as any good Texas barbeque sauce should be.  Flecks of black pepper float in the dark red sea of sauce.  The consistency is great, as it sticks to whatever you put it on.  The smell is of bold pepper and spices, stinging the nostrils.  You know there is some heat in there!  Taking a dab of the sauce on your figure, the taste is delicious!  No room for improvement.

Sides:  3  Most of the plates do not include sides.  Sides are sold a-la-cart ($5 each), or as “Snacks” (appetizers).  The sides are on the larger side and can be shared.  The Mexican corn is a tasty favorite, roasted on the cob, seasoned and then rolled in cheese.  We also ordered the delicious loaded baked potato, topped with melted cheddar cheese and chucks of bacon.  The traditional coleslaw that topped my Butcher’s Sandwich was good on the sandwich; however, I would not order it by itself.  A garnish of fresh chips are served with the sandwiches, or can be ordered separately.  I loved the texture and crunch of the chips, but the flavor was lacking.  I think they would be much better with a touch of salt and some additional seasonings.  Overall, sides are where the meal starts to get expensive.

The Daily Specials

Service:  5  The service is over the top.  Your server will carefully explain the meat, sausage and cobbler of the day, and answer any questions about the menu.  The waiters, not the kitchen, will even cut the Mexican corn off the cob for you!  This is above and beyond.

Other Noteworthy Items: Ordering can be intimidating, as the menu includes many words only familiar to true food connoisseurs.  However, turn the menu over for a glossary of terms.  This is most helpful.  If you are still in doubt, just ask your server. The house-made pickles are amazing, and add an additional dimension to the barbeque.

The Woodshed’s outdoor patio is dog-friendly.  If your pooch is hungry or needs a chew toy, ask for a Pup Menu.  For $4 to $7, you can buy your dog a rawhide bone, dipped in fat with a side of water.

For a complete guide to the Perfect Texas Barbeque Experience, refer to From Texas to Beyond’s Ideal Barbeque Pit.