Printed with the permission of the Alpine Avalanche

UPDATE: Sadly, this business is now closed. Glad we got to enjoy it while it was open!

After hearing rave reviews from several friends, we decided to check out the new barbecue place in Alpine following a trip to McCoy’s for building supplies. Located in what was once a gas station, Jamie Miranda brings a new twist to barbecue in Alpine with the opening of his restaurant, BB Fatz Smokehouse Sandwich Company, right across the highway from Sul Ross State University.

Jamie’s no stranger to the area. His family was in Alpine back in the days when Alpine was called Murphyville, and his great-grandfather is buried in the same cemetery in Lajitas that Pancho Villa is buried.

Eleven years ago, he returned to Alpine after serving for a decade in the Marine Corps and living in La Jolla, CA. His father had suffered a heart attack and Jamie came back to help take care of him, planning only to spend two years in Alpine. That was 11 years ago… and his father is well and Jimmy’s still in Alpine.
The business has been open for about four months, but a few weeks after opening, a car crashed into the side of his building, forcing him to focus on repairing his restaurant for a while. “This building was a bar for several years, and no one ever ran into it!” he said. It was recently known as the Eskimo Hut. Once everything was put back together, it was back to work, serving smoked meats in creative ways.

There’s plenty picnic-style seating both inside and outside of the restaurant. The menu features barbecued brisket, chicken, pork and sausage as your meat options in the uniquely different sandwiches and barbecue bowls offered. The distinctive twist on barbecue dishes comes from international travels with the Marine Corps.

My husband ordered the Classic BBQ Chicken Sandwich that was served on a big, soft bun and loaded with barbecued chicken, slaw and barbecue sauce. He also ordered a side of homemade potato salad, topped with green onions and bacon.

I opted for the Korean BBQ Bowl with Brisket, a bowl filled with rice and topped with fresh avocado slices, Asian slaw, kimchi and brisket, sprinkled with sesame seeds. The bright flavors melded perfectly and was filling and so tasty.

Don’t let the unassuming façade deter you – BB Fatz in Alpine is a real treat. Next time, I hope to save room for an order of BBQ Fries… waffle fries with barbecue sauce, cheeses, tangy cream sauce and pickle salsa, although I’m pretty sure I’ll still want the Korean BBQ Bowl, too.

Located at 1110 E. Holland and open from daily 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (noon-8 p.m. on Sundays), check out their Facebook page “BB FaTz” or give them a call at (432)837-4022 to phone in your order. Jamie Miranda and Chelsea Garcia are ready to serve you something delicious!

Questions or comments? Email johnskrysta@gmail.com

Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken
(inspired by the flavors of BB Fatz delicious barbecued chicken and for those of us not firing up the grill)
2 pounds of thawed chicken breasts
1 18 oz. bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce
1/4 cup of vinegar
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced

Mix together all ingredients but the chicken.

Put chicken in the crock pot and pour sauce mixture over it. Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours. Remove chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return chicken to cooker, stir, cover and continue cooking on low for 45 minutes. Serve chicken on your favorite bun, on top of rice, or inside of a baked potato.