After the Round – Sammie’s Bar-B-Q
Texas has hundreds, if not thousands, of options for barbecue. They run the gamut from food truck to chain restaurants, to craft barbecue. Sam Gibbins was the owner of one of those options, the Smoke Pit, which sat just east of Downtown Fort Worth. Gibbins, while still overseeing operations at the Smoke Pit, saw an opportunity to breathe life into another Fort Worth barbecue staple, Sammie’s Bar-B-Q, which sits just down the road. When Sammie’s went up for sale, Gibbins knew the Smoke Pit would eventually be demolished to make way for an apartment building, so he bought Sammie’s, remodeled it, and reopened it in 2018.
Sammie’s Bar-B-Q originally opened way back in 1946, and became known for its ribs, sandwiches and cold beers. Gibbons wanted to keep that provenance and atmosphere that close to 75 years had molded, while adding some personality of his own. Since the renovation back in 2018, Gibbins has since retired and turned over the keys to his son, Sam Jr., who can be seen working the pits at Sammie’s or occasionally taking in a TCU basketball game with his father.
After the renovation, the inside of Sammie’s offers a great vibe, with a casual dining area that can play host to parties of almost any size, whether you are looking to have a birthday celebration, graduation party, or just join some work friends for lunch. Sammie’s also features a great bar area that is almost always buzzing with activity. Regulars pop in for lunch and one of the coldest beers in the city, served in a frozen schooner. A few TVs hang over the bar top, which makes this a cool post-round place to catch an afternoon ballgame or catch up on the latest news from the world of sports on ESPN.
Meat by the pound or half pound is available, with selections like brisket, ribs, hot links, turkey, ham, or even smoked bologna. I went for the two meat and two sides plate with brisket, ribs, potato salad and pinto beans. The brisket was moist and tender while still offering a little bite, just as a properly smoked brisket should be. The bark was nicely set with a deep depth of flavor and just a hint of the smoke flavor you want from great barbecue, without overpowering the flavor of the beef. The ribs also offered a great bite, bark and smoke-kissed zing you might expect from a well-executed rib. The potato salad was creamy and rich, with just enough zing to help cut the rich meats on the plate. The pinto beans are another star on the sides’ menu. They are a welcome and flavorful addition to any barbecue plate. The meat plates also come with some Texas toast and some great blistered jalapeños. As a pro tip, take a little potato salad, smear it on some of the Texas toast, add a slice of your meat of choice, top with some of the peppers and drizzle of sauce for a makeshift “Texas-style” toast-ada. It’s everything on the plate in one place.
The turkey at Sammie’s is also delicious, should you be in the mood for something a little lighter. Often times, smoked turkey can get a little dry or the delicate flavor of the bird can be overpowered by the smoke, but not at Sammie’s. This turkey is moist and delicious, but without too much of a smoke bite that takes away from the savory flavor of the meat. I highly recommend the turkey if you are looking for a lighter lunch option that won’t weigh you down, should you have to head back out on the job.
If you prefer your meats in sandwich form, all of Sammie’s meats come that way, from their brisket, which can be sliced or chopped, to their turkey or their sausage. If I can make one recommendation, try the smoked bologna sandwich. I know what you might be thinking … bologna? Really? But this isn’t your childhood bologna. This smoked version makes a fantastic sandwich and is definitely different from anything you will find in Fort Worth. Add some fries, tots or onion rings to make it a meal. Or, if you’re like me, and really want to take the bologna sandwich to the next level, order a side of the mac & cheese and add it onto the sandwich with a little barbecue sauce for maximum glory. You won’t regret it.
Sammie’s also low-key has one of the better burgers you will find in Funky Town, with a thick, juicy patty covered in American cheese. Ask for some grilled jalapenos (which come served with the meat plates) to top your burger, if you are like me and want a little spice. While Sammie’s has great ‘cue, the burger is top-of-the-food chain and is a nice change of pace if you are a frequent flyer and want something besides barbecue.
Sammie’s also features a dessert of the day, if you want a little something for your sweet tooth. On the day we popped by, it was a piping hot peach cobbler with a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream on top. The ice cream gets melty and mixes with the sweet cobbler for a sugar explosion that simply can’t be beat.
Daily specials are a staple at Sammie’s. Not only do these offer great value for your dining dollar, but they are all delicious and rib-sticking. Tuesday features some of Sammie’s ribs with a pair of sides for just $14.99. Wednesday is a pulled pork sandwich with fries at just $10.50, Thursday is a quarter or half chicken with two sides at $11.99 for the quarter and $14.99 for the half. Friday is a special day for those who enjoy a great pork chop. Sammie’s slings a 2-inch thick, brined chop on Fridays, with two sides for $18.99. Let me tell you, this might be the best chop in the whole city. Juicy and perfectly spiced, this monster is enough to split, but it’s so good you likely will want the whole thing to yourself. It’s outstanding, and at less than a sawbuck, it’s exceptional value. There is also a rotating Saturday special, so be sure to ask about it should you pop in to catch some TCU football on the tube.
The menu at Sammie’s is simple, but delicious. Bold rubs on their various meats add a tremendous, deep bark when smoked, making their selections as flavorful as any in Panther City. Deep mahogany colors greet your eyes as you prepare to indulge, and complex flavor profiles dazzle your palate with every bite. The staff is friendly, and many of the regulars will spin yarns of the old school days at Sammie’s while taking a long draw off their beer which looks more like a beer Slurpee they are so frosty. One of the things I circle back to when it comes to Sammie’s is the overall value. Good barbecue has become very expensive, but Sammie’s seems to have figured out a way to keep it affordable for all, and that is a testament to the ownership and their integrity for wanting to serve a quality product without taking too big a chunk out of their patrons’ pocketbooks. For overall flavor, quality and value, Sammie’s is right up there with the best Fort Worth has to offer. It should be noted that Sammie’s is more of a lunch and happy hour spot, as they are only open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10:30 to 5 and Thursday and Friday from 10:30 to 6. So, if you want your barbecue and cold beer fix, be sure to get there early. And, as with all great barbecue restaurants, they cook a limited amount of each item daily, so they can run out of certain popular meats.
There are a lot of options for great ‘cue in Fort Worth, but Sammie’s checks all the boxes. They have a great selection, each boasting great flavor, all at prices that seem to be inflation-proof. It’s a wonderful spot to belly up to the bar, shoot the breeze with friends and enjoy a great plate of food and an ice-cold beer.
Sammie’s Bar-B-Q
3801 E Belknap St Fort Worth, TX 76111
817-834-1822
www.sammmiesbbq.com