THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Texas Barn Burner Barbecue

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Texas Barn Burner Barbecue Restaurant Review:

Former rodeo cowboy and restaurateur Blair Salisbury---his family founded the original El Cholo in L.A.---is behind this authentic barn-sized Texas-style barbecue joint near his own El Cholo in Pasadena. The massive place seats 300, mostly at communal sturdy wooden tables, as country music twangs all around and Lone Ranger episodes play on the wall next to an enormous Texas flag. The generous portions of meat---brisket, baby-back ribs, hot links, chicken, tri-tip---are slowly cooked over applewood in a massive 2,000-pound smoker. We find the baby-back ribs, with nicely seasoned meat that pulls easily off the bone, to be far more flavorful than the brisket, a Texas barbecue staple. The baked beans and mac 'n' cheese, both of which seem soupy and timidly seasoned, disappoint. For dessert, cobblers are the popular choice.