IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE LOOMING SKYSCRAPERS SURROUNDING PINKERTON'S BBQ IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO, YOU MIGHT THINK YOU WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY!

Pinkerton’s Barbecue

107 W Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
210-983-0088

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥+    (8.5 Out of Ten Hearts)

 

Prologue…

The beginning of August, 2023, found Dorothy and I enduring one of the hottest and most depressing summers of our fast-fading memories.  It seemed like each day set a new record for consecutive days over 100 degrees, and we could not remember the last time we had any rain (I think it was back in early June!).  It has been a constant struggle to keep our yard alive, as we watch what little of our lake that remains dry up.  Dorothy had also endured some emotionally and physically draining days as her mother’s health has continued to decline and forced us to move her from her assisted living arrangement into a nursing home, so she could be provide the care she now needs.  It was against this sour backdrop that I hatched a plan to get us out of the house and take our minds off the unpleasantries of our daily existence: a BBQ excursion!

I TOOK THIS PICTURE OF OUR "LAKEFRONT" ON THE AFTERNOON OF SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023, UPON OUR RETURN FROM OUR BBQ LUNCH IN SAN ANTONIO. I SUSPECT THAT, IN SHORT ORDER, THE LAKE WILL BE COMPLETELY DRY.
BEFORE HEADING INTO SAN ANTONIO FOR A BBQ LUNCH, WE STOPPED AT KIRKWOOD NURSING HOME IN NEW BRAUNFELS TO VISIT DOROTHY'S MOM BETTY. WHILE IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HER IN WHAT APPEAR TO BE HER LAST DAYS, WE TAKE COMFORT THAT SHE APPEARS TO NOT BE IN ANY PAIN OR DISCOMFORT.

Pinkerton’s BBQ Brightens Our Day…


After our stop to visit Dorothy’s mom, we headed to Pinkerton’s Barbecue in downtown San Antonio so we could add another notch to our Barbeque Project tally.  I always find downtown San Antonio confusing and frustrating, but Pinkerton’s park-like setting was a welcome oasis, set in the hot summer urban concrete sprawl.  Pinkerton’s immediately got extra points in my book for their location and free parking.  We arrived shortly before noon, and I was pleasantly surprised to find no line and the dining room sparsely populated.  Pinkerton’s offers no plates (i.e., “two meat plate”, etc.) so Dorothy and I swept through the serving line in no time at all.  We ordered a side of cole slaw, a side of beans, a bread pudding, 4 ribs, and 4 slices of brisket.  The price ($74.80) seemed high, but, with the Democrats running amok in Washington, what doesn’t seem to be priced outrageouly high?  (Also, to be fair, the brisket was thick-sliced, and the ribs were large, so we had leftovers which provided another meal.)  Though we were a little shocked by the price of our lunch, those feelings were immediately soothed once we took our first bite of brisket.  It was lean, moist, tender, and very flavorable.  Dorothy and I immediately agreed that it was some the best brisket that we had ever tasted.  The ribs were excellent.  We also agreed that we would have to visit Pinkerton’s again!  The sides were fine, but nothing outstanding.  The only disappointment I experienced came with the bread pudding, which was called “Smoky Bread Pudding” on the menu.  It was ok, but not great, and not traditional bread pudding.  Pinkerton’s also got good marks for decor, clean rest rooms, paid parking, the fact that the BBQ is sliced in front of you, and ample seating indoor and out.  We decided that Pinkerton’s deserves 8 and a half hearts, the highest rating we have awarded so far. We highly recommend this place next time you find yourself in downtown San Antonio!

MY LOVELY DOROTHY SITTING DOWN TO SOME LOVELY BBQ AT PINKERTON'S.
SOME OF THE BEST BRISKET WE EVER SAT DOWN TO EAT!
I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE TYPE OF SAUCE ON OUR TABLE, BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY ADEQUATE.
PINKERTON'S IS ON THE EXPENSIVE END OF THE PRICE SPECTRUM, BUT, IN OUR HUMBLE ESTIMATION, WORTH EVERY PENNY.
DOROTHY LOVES PORK RIBS AND FANCIES HERSELF AN EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT.
THE MAIN DINING ROOM AT PINKERTON'S IS COMFORTABLE AND NICELY APPOINTED.
THE SERVING LINE AT PINKERTON'S.
AS YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED FROM SOME OF MY EARLIER POSTS, I WANT MY BBQ SLICED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!
I HAD DOROTHY SNAP THIS PHOTO SO I COULD PROVE I REALLY WAS THERE!

After I scarfed up my BBQ, Dorothy let me slip out so I could get in a little photography practice.  I walked a couple of miles and visited three old buildings in the Riverwalk area that are known for their gargoyles. I did a separate post on what I found and photographed, and you can see it here.