Welcome to the Green Mesquite BBQ at S. Lamar and Barton Springs. There's a lot of history in this colorful joint. From its origins as a watermelon and burger joint called Dunks in the 1940's to Jerry Jacobs Pit BBQ System and on to the current iteration as The Green Mesquite, this place has always been about fun, good food and value.

Current owner Tom Davis has the joint jumping, so much so that it was recently featured on the Food Network's popular "Joints and Dives" program. The Green Mesquite works at many levels. The appetizers and sandwiches/burgers are tasty, relatively inexpensive and they have, as Cactus Pryor might have said, "sticking power". I like the Mesquite Smoked Wings. They are crisp, have a deep mellow flavor imparted from the mesquite and go down very easily. The Cheeseburger is also a keeper. The roll is moist, and that classic cheeseburger flavor is pervasive through each bite. I like to add mushrooms to mine but either way, the burger works just fine. Another tasty sandwich is the Catfish Po Boy. This is basic comfort food: fried catfish with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and lots of tartar sauce on a fresh, toasted bun. Also, try the Green Mesquite's version of the classic Cheese Steak sandwich. The twist here is the adding of pico de gallo and a zesty horseradish mayo. It gives a slightly different and unusally tasty flavor to the sliced rib-eye, onions, mushrooms and melted cheese that one usually finds in a Cheese Steak sandwich. And since this is also a BBQ joint, I would be remiss if I did not recommend the Sausage Sandwich on a bun. This is a really fun offering and with a little mustard and BBQ sauce, it goes down very easily.

Now can we please move on to the various BBQ offerings at the Green Mesquite. You want to talk value? How about the all-you-can-eat plate for $14.59? You can have your pick, in unlimited amounts, of the brisket, the pork ribs, the sausage and the smoked chicken. You can also order smoked turkey or ham.Also add two sides to that.
Now let's break down each offering. The brisket is tender and has a very compelling flavor. Even without the tangy sauce, this holds up very well.

The pork ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and the first bite testifies to the stellar preparation and the innate flavors of these babies.

The sausage hits you right where it should: the casings are not tough (as can often be the case) and the slightly smoky flavor complements the firm texture. I like the sausage a lot here.

The smoked chicken is just what is should be: juicy, tender and full of that mellow flavor that should characterize this dish.

And if BBQ doesn't work for you, (I know, perish the thought!!!) there's more to choose from at the Green Mesquite.

The Chicken Fried Chicken is a servicable version of this southern favorite. The fried boneless breast of chicken is elevated by the tasty gravy. I also like the crunchy batter.
There's also a pretty interesting Jambalaya which I recently had as a low carb dish by deep sixing the rice. I'd like to see a little more sausage and a little less chicken in this dish 'cause the chicken can tend to dry it out. Fix that and you have a home run.

Do you have any room left? Try the Pecan Pie and the Fudge Pie. Very reasonably priced at $2.75 and both have unique and very comforting flavors. And The Green Mesquite also has live music in their courtyard. Rumor has it that a certain food writer and his daughter will be playing there on July 19th! So stop by the little iconic [there's that word again] joint at the corner of Barton Springs and S. Lamar. It's a place laden with history: but they continue to create history each day by dishing up some very cool eats.

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