Llano Restaurant Guide

WELL, WHERE DO I START? KENNETH LAIRD HAS MANY YEARS AS A "BBQ PITMASTER". HE WAS THE PIT MASTER FOR "COOPERS BBQ" IN TOWN WHEN IT WAS FIRST STARTED IN THE LATE 70'S UNTIL THE DEATH OF THE OWNER. HE THEN WENT OUT ON HIS OWN IN A CONVERTED GARAGE BEHIND THE HOME OF HIS IN-LAWS IN LLANO. LATER, HE AND HIS WIFE ESTHER, PURCHASED A LARGER 2 STORY OLD HOME, REMODLED IT WITH THE HELP OF FRIENDS (CUSTOMERS FROM ARKANSAS) AND HAVE MORE ROOM NOW AND ARE "FULL" DURING THE LUNCH HOUR. THEY SERVE "REAL" TEXAS MESQUITE PIT COOKED (DON'T SAY SMOKED) MEATS,
TENDER BRISKET, CHICKEN, PORK STEAKS, FALLING OFF THE BONE RIBS, TASTY SAUSAGE, PORK LOIN ON A PLATE WITH HOMEMADE (BY ESTHER'S MOM AND HER RECIPES) POTATO SALAD AND BEANS, FRESH ONION SLICES, AND PICKLES AND BREAD SLICES. IF U WANT A SANDWICH "WET OR DRY", NO PROBLEM. CHIPS ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL AS COLD DRINKS FROM THE MACHINE ON THE COVERED DINING DECK OUT FRONT. "REAL TEXAS ICED TEA-SWEET OR UNSWEET, OR WATER" IS THE DRINK OF THE HOUSE. BYO BEER IS OK TOO. KEN'S OWN SECRET SAUCE FOR THE BBQ AND ANOTHER FOR THE RIBS COMES WITH EACH ORDER IN A DIPPING CUP. (KEN DOES NOT LIKE TO USE SAUCE, SAYS IT IS LIKE "KETCHUP ON A STEAK" BUT HAS A COUPLE OF REALLY GOOD ONES. ON FRIDAY AND SUNDAY, BE PREPARED FOR A SLICE OF HOMEMADE TEXAS TEA CAKE OR SLICE OF HOMEMADE PIE (NO CHARGE) TO COME WITH YOUR MEAL. FRIDAY NITES AND DURING DEER SEASON SATURDAY NITES TOO ARE "STEAK NITES". BIG BAKED POTATO, NICE SALAD, AND YOUR CHOICE OF SEVERAL SIZED SIRLOIN, T BONES, OR RIBEYE COOKED ON THE MESQUITE GRILL JUST LIKE THE BBQ TO ORDER ARE THE SPECIALTY. BBQ IS STILL AVAILABLE BUT THE STEAKS ARE TO DIE FOR AND THE BEST IN TOWN AND NOT MANY PLACES TO GET ONE. PIE, CAKES, ARE THE DESERT FOR THE EVENING.
HAND PAINTED OIL PAINTINGS DONE BY ESTHER ARE ON THE WALL AS WELL AS DEER PHOTOS AND SEVERAL DEER SHOULDER MOUNTS (INCLUDING A TROPHY 11- PT) TAKEN BY THE LAIRD'S YOUNG GRANDSON, BLAKE LAIRD.
THE "UPSTAIRS" IS AVAILABLE FOR OVERNIGHT(S) STAYS. HOMEMADE RUSTIC FURNITURE (THE ARKANSAS FRIENDS AGAIN WHO ALSO DID THE TABLES IN THE RESTAURANT) WITH COMFORTABLE MATTRESSES AND A NICE TV ROOM IS JUST THE PLACE TO "BED DOWN" FOR AN EVENING. ACCESS IS FROM OUTSIDE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THRU THE FOLKS EATING.
PLENTY OF PARKING FOR YOUR "HARLEY HOG", YOUR COMPACT CAR, OR "DEER HUNTER'S 4X4 PICKUP AND 4 WHEELER TRAILER, IS RIGHT ON SITE. PARK IN THE SHADE UNDER A TEXAS PECAN TREE.
IF U THINK I AM "JOSHING OR JUST EMBELISHING" MY REVIEW, THEN GO THRU THE ARCHIVES OF "TEXAS MONTHLY, SOUTHERN LIVING, TEXAS HIGHWAYS, AND OTHERS" (SEVERAL COPIES ARE ON THE WALL ON DISPLAY) AND SEE FOR YOURSELF THAT "LAIRD'S BBQ" IS THE "REAL DEAL". THERE IS ANOTHER "HUGE OPERATION OF BBQ" IN TOWN THAT PAYS TONS OF $$ FOR ADVERTISING IN THE VARIOUS MAGAZINES, HAS AN ONLINE ORDER DEPT. AND IS IN A MORE VISIBLE LOCATION. GO THERE AND YOU ARE A
NUMBER (NOT A CUSTOMER OR FRIEND). PATRONS ARE "HERDED LIKE CATTLE" THRU THE SERVING LINE. PAY, EAT, AND "OUT THE DOOR", SOMEONE ELSE IS NEEDING YOUR SEAT NOW, COULD BE THE MOTTO BUT IT IS THE NORM, IF U DO NOT COME BACK, THAT IS OK, SOMEONE ELSE WILL TAKE YOUR PLACE. "TOURISTS ARE A DIME A DOZEN" BUT AT LAIRD'S BBQ, YOU ARE A FRIEND FOREVER.
KENNETH AND ESTHER ARE CLOSED ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY( THEY NEED TIME TO CATCH UP ON PERSONAL STUFF TOO AND REST (REST IS RARE.)
THEY HAVE "NEVER MET A STRANGER" EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE BEFORE, YOU WILL LEAVE A FRIEND AND BE REMEMBERED WHEN YOU RETURN.
KENNETH ALSO HAS TO GO "CUT MESQUITE WOOD FOR THE PITS". HE HAS SEVERAL RANCHER FRIENDS WHO ARE "MORE THAN HAPPY" FOR HIM TO CUT THE MESQUITE'S DOWN AND USE IT TO COOK THE FINEST TEXAS HILL COUNTY BBQ YOU WILL EVER TASTE.
BE EARLY FOR LUNCH, THE LOCAL FOLKS AND REGULARS SEEM TO PACK THE PLACE AND ON THE WEEKENDS, THE "TAKE OUT" ORDERS ARE MANY AND LARGE. ESTHER ALSO DOES MANY CATERINGS THROUGHOUT THE AREA ALL YEAR LONG, NONE TOO SMALL OR TOO LARGE.
IF THERE WAS A PICTURE IN THE DICTIONARY UNDER THE WORD "HOSPITALITY", THEN PICTURE LAIRD'S BBQ RESTAURANT IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTY TOWN OF LLANO, WITH KENNETH, ESTHER, GINA, BEA, AND THE ENTIRE CREW. FOLKS, IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS, AT LEAST FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER FOUND IT AND COME TO THINK OF IT, DON'T CARE TO TRY. I'VE GONE AS FAR AS I THINK I NEED TO GO.