Martin's BBQ, in Bryan, ......... Texas a Texas Tradition since 1925! Now A Historical landmark.
I don't know what is the oldest BBQ business in Texas , but I do know one of the oldest, best tasting, and most charming BBQ restaurants has definitely definitely got to be Martin's in Bryan , Texas. It represents a totally different era . When you enter the restaurant you know you are crossing a time and space configuration. I can't tell you when the first time I went to Martin's but I believe it was in the 1960's when we took a turkey in to be cooked for a holiday meal.
My Dad grew up in Bryan and told me in the 1930's my Grandfather would kill a chicken on Sunday mornings and take it to Martin's to be cooked and then picked up after church was over. I believe he said the cost was around a dollar.
The second time I visited the restaurant was in 1976 when I was a carpenter. Lots of tradesmen would go there for lunch. I remember it well. Laughing, tanned, wrinkled faced men usually missing a finger or two, enjoying a chopped beef , chips and a cold sweaty longneck Pearl Beer. And there were always a few old war veterans at the domino table in the corner with a cold one and a camel smoldering. ( no smoking allowed todaay other than the bbq pit). I continued to go to Martin's off and on through the years and still try to pay a visit every now and then, depending on my cholesterol level. A group from the office known as HAD (Husband's against Dieting) used to go religiously every Friday.
Not much has changed since the early days. Things look and sound pretty much the same at Martin's. That is what makes it so unique and enjoyable! Martin's BBQ is a quiet place where folks can actually visit and enjoy their meal . No loud music or boisterous folks, just respectful individuals from all walks of life enjoying a homestyle old fashion BBQ meal and a visit. Postmen, plumbers, Texas Aggie professors , Lawyers........you will find them all at Martin's when you go there... And Please do not get in a hurry . This is not FAST Food. This is classic barbeque at its finest . The waitress-cashier-hostess, Betty Meece will take good care of you until check out. And she does so with a bright and shining smile every time.
The standard BBQ fare is available, but one of my favorite sides are the "German potatoes." YummmmY! And the price. .....Well you can fill up big time for around $6.00 at lunch time.
Martin's Highlights
- Started By the Kapchinski Family in 1925 . ( the 3rd generation still runs it.)
- Current building built in 1939 (Same Year Aggies won the National College football championship)
- Registered by The Texas Historical commission.
- Located halfway between Downtown Bryan and Texas A&M University in College Station, on College Ave. at Sulphur Springs.
- See a A wonderful Video ! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1732211730515992530
If any of you are ever in Bryan/College Station call me and I will be glad to meet you at Martin's for Lunch! :0)
Trey 979-229-8465
Howdy Trey - If we ever get over your way we'll have to give Martin's a try. Sounds like Martin's is our kind of BBQ establishment. Good food, friendly folk, and at a reasonable price. What more could you ask for?
Nice blog.
How could I have never visited this joint while I was going to school? Thanks for the post! I need to make a visit the next time I'm in town.
Hi Trey... Do they have a lo-calorie diet plate??? <just joking>
I have a closing on a place down there for a client on Monday... now I wish we weren't cloing via FedEx! Martin's sounds GREAT. :(
Carl and Ceil
If you guys come...I'll buy!
Kim,
The building is very plain ...doesn't distract from the flavorful food, and super frienly service! Lots of folks pass it by but once they go, they tend to come back again, and again, like the one lady in the video for 40 years.
Steve,
You want I should Fed-X a plate to you? It can be done. ;)
Are you selling a home here?
Trey, It sounds wonderful! I love BBQ and if I get that way, we'll go get a sandwich together too.
Trey, I have got to check out Martin's next time I am in Bryan. I love BBQ. If you are FEDEXing plates I'm in too : )
Hi Trey, YEY ! You are the first entry in our, Best BBQ in Texas, contest...and you tagged it right! When you click on that tag it takes you to the page that will have all the entries so you can check out your competition. Right now it just has your post and mine about the contest. Good Luck, Liz
Thanks Liz
Everbody be sure and click on the video link in the blog . It is really fun and interesting. Over 80 years of history at Martin's!
Trey, You've done an excellent post on Martin's. I liked your write up and the video clip was added a lot also. Makes me hungry. Congrats on being first for getting your BBQ entry in. I'm still thinking about what to do mine on. Have a nice weekend.
Trey, I went back and viewed the video and am forwarding it and recommending it to all I know who pass through Bryan. I can smell the smoke of the barbequed ribs already. It is making me hungry.
Howdy Trey
Martin's sound like the kind of BBQ place, I liked to go to back home in Mo.
I like the video and your fine written post about Martin's.
I have only found one true good eating BBQ place up here, it's over in VT.
It ain't fancy at all, you set outside to eat which is fine with me. You walk up to an old school bus to order. They do all the cooken outside behind the bus. You get your order and go set at picnic table's.
The owner of it is a fine old Southern Gentleman. Cooken fine Southern BBQ.
How did I miss this place when I was in school?? Next time, I'm in town I'll be visiting this place!! Thanks for sharing.
Trey - had to come back for a second time; I missed the video the first time. Now I'm really hungary.
Trey, I remember Martin's very well. We used to take chickens there also. Haven't been in years. One day maybe the whole office ought to go have lunch there.
Sondra,
Lord knows..... you have a huge chice of BBQ places in this town to choose from. Just pick your favorite and go with it. Next time we go to Martin's , we will let you know, and you are welcome to join in the tasty, scrumptuos, smokey flavored, tender, moist, delectable, flavorful, savory-sweet, rich, delightful, elegant, classy, gratifying, luscious, yummy, mouth-watering, BBQ served at Martin's. (I wouldn't want to influence your selection at all... ;) )
Dale,
Do they put any of that good maple syrup in their BBQ sauce up there?
Kay, We are ready whenever you are! :)
Linda,
Martin's is a big pro-Aggie place. Hope you do make it down!
Oh, I forgot to mention they usually have a wonderful chiken fried steak along with those scrumptuous German potatoes on Fridays. Yummy...not BBQ...but still great.
Trey, It was so much fun just to read your post on Martin's BBQ and I could just taste it while reading. You did a very good job on this post.
Now this is my idea of a localism post. I judge civilation by local restaurants. I love BBQ!
Don,
Thank you my friend. As I told the others...if you are up this way holler and I'll buy a plate for you.
Trey, Hello again. I will sure take you up on the BBQ plate. I love BBQ and to share with friends would make it that much better.
Jim
Isn't localism great! I bet there are some good places in your neck of the woods also.
Oh... Please don't pass up viewing the video link in the post! It is worth the few minutes it takes to see it.
Trey,
Thanks for the information on the Texas Monthly article, I'm going to e-mail it to the group to hopefully get some more people involved. So far it's just you and Steve. Liz
Trey...
Congratulations you won 3rd place in the BBQ contest...500 points headed your way! Thanks for
entering, Liz
Congratulations Trey, You did great!
Congratulations Trey - If we ever get up your way we'll have to give it a try.
Thanks Liz, Ricki, and Carl & Ceil. Let's quit all the talking and get to eatin'! I'm hungry. Which BBQ joint will we meet at?
I really do appreciate it!
Trey
:)
Trey, Congratulations!!!! I thought yours was a great one.
I'll have to keep that in mind when I'm in bryan, thanks for the recommendation!
Oh wow, some great history here. The food sounds unreal. Congrats on your win.
Edward
If you do come through Bryan, let me know and i'll buy lunch!
Wendy
Thanks for the congrats. Hope all is well in Waco.