Big Cat BBQ Update - New Review (Cedar Park, TX)

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James of Big Cat BBQ had contacted me on Twitter and asked if I would come give them another shot. It’s been about 5 months since I went, so it seemed like a good time to see what changes they had made. I originally indicated I’d go on 1/6, but my schedule freed up, so I snuck on in. I ordered a three meat plate: brisket, pulled pork, and venison/pork sausage. I also ended up placing a take-home order that included brisket, turkey, pork ribs, and the above mentioned sausage.

Turkey: The turkey has a very light smoke flavor and a peppery bite. It tastes good but is just a touch dry. 7.0/10.

Brisket: The smoke is definitely present in the brisket this time. it still looks beautiful, and has a light smoky flavor. It’s moist and tender, and the fat rendered nicely. I’d prefer a touch more pepper, but that’s a personal choice. 8.0/10.

Pulled Pork: The pulled pork also has a light smoky flavor, and a very nice sweetness that compliments the pork. There’s just a hint of pepper to give it a little bite. This is good stuff. 8.5/10.

 

Pork Ribs: The ribs are still tender without being overcooked, have a nice crust, and a good meat to bone ratio. The only change from last time is that there seems to be even more of a pepper bite in the rub, which I love. Call it 9.25/10.

 

Venison/pork Sausage: They’ve dramatically improved their sausage preparation, as this is tender and juicy, with just the right amount of snap in the casing. But even more important is the flavor of this particular sausage. It starts with just the right amount of sweetness, and finishes with a little burn from the spices. This sausage can hold its own with any of the big boys. Or to put it another way, “Bambi died for a noble cause”. 10/10.

When you visit a well-established BBQ place, your first impression may very well be valid. But when you visit a place that just opened, it’s always a good idea to check them out again after a few months to see if things have changed. In the case of Big Cat, those changes have occurred, and definitely for the better. They improved on the three items I tried previously (even on the rib, which was already excellent), and the two new items I tried did well also. They are definitely establishing a place in the local BBQ scene.

 

Is it worth a visit? Yes.

 

Is it worth a trip? Yes. They scored in the exceptional range on 4 out of 5 items, and even the 5th (turkey) scored a solid score. They are definitely worth checking out.  

-Tom