Stephen Montoya
One of the perks of living in the great state of Texas is the variety of awesome barbecue establishments it has to offer. Sure, there are the big-name restaurants that boast the best brisket emblazoned on giant neon signs, but that for me isn’t the real deal. I mean, if you have great barbecue in the Lone Star State, you don’t need to advertise it, the fans will find you by word of mouth. In fact, the best barbecue I have ever tasted, which was made in a tiny shack no bigger than a tuff shed in small town Cleburne, had no sign at all. I remember waiting in that line in almost a state of torture as the aroma of the brisket I was about to eat swirled through the air. I still get hungry just thinking about it. So, when my sister-in-law mentioned she had sampled some great brisket at a small barbecue joint in Alvarado, my ears immediately perked up.
The spot she was referring to is called Massey’s BBQ and its located at 201 N Parkway Drive in the aforementioned small Johnson County town of Alvarado. This red barn style eatery smokes about 500 pounds of meat daily. But this isn’t the only Massey’s locale. Barbecue fans wanting to try out Massey’s style of smoked meats can get their brisket fix at the Shell gas station located at 3714 N Main Street. And for those of you who don’t want to venture too far outside of Fort Worth, Massey’s BBQ is also available at the Cowtown Coliseum. Massey’s is and has been the main food vendor at the Cowtown Coliseum for six years.
After doing some research on this eatery, I had high hopes as I traveled to Alvarado with an empty belly and an open mind. After I parked, I thought it would be a good idea to begin my visit by taking some pictures of the outside of the restaurant before venturing inside. As I tested the light for a shot of the front sign, a man in a white van with a puzzled look on his face drove up and parked right next to me. He rolled down the driver’s side window and asked who I was and why I was taking pictures of the sign. I told him my name and the reason for my visit. After I was done with my introduction, he introduced himself as Todd Massey, the owner. We both shook hands as he accompanied me inside.
Stephen Montoya
This being my first visit, Massey gave me the lay of the land, introducing me to the staff as I picked up a laminated menu and a colored marker. The menu looked like a multiple-choice test, very much like the ones we had in high school. Each menu option had a series of boxes that I needed to check with the marker and then hand to the back-of-house staff to complete the order. The menu was simple, which included such offering as smoked bologna, pulled pork, and sides like baked beans or potato salad. I noticed an option that seemed unique in the middle of the menu called a Super Tater, so that’s what I chose. This giant spud comes with a choice of two meats, butter, cheese, sour cream, and a side. For my meats, I chose brisket and Massey’s spicey smoked sausage, and for my side I chose the barbecue baked beans. After I handed the menu to the meat cutter I watched as the staff, each with their own station, assembled the meaty mountain that I would soon call lunch. After the order was complete, I thank everyone for their hospitality and headed out.
When I finally opened my to go container to take in the awesome aroma that now permeated my car, my eyes were aghast with joy. All I saw was meat. As I dug in, I poured both the regular and spicey house-made barbecue sauces Massey’s offers with each meal over the top of the tater, almost making a replica of a volcano. The meat had a great smokey flavor and the sausage added to each bite with a hint of oak. The potato itself acted as a starchy cheese covered base to visit in between each bite of the powerfully smoked meats. All-in-all it was more than filling and worth the trip. So, if you find yourself in the Alvarado area during lunch time and you are a barbecue lover, I highly recommend Massey's BBQ.
Holes in the Fort Rating Scale
Ambiance: 4 out 5 (The welcoming atmosphere and family vibe add to the experience of ordering.)
Service: 5 out of 5 (Great service, speedy and helpful.)
Food: 5 out of 5 (The brisket was good, but the sausage was great.)
Price Point: 4 out 5 (Most plates are in the $10 range. Now if you order by the pound it can get a bit more expensive.)
Do: A pound of the sausage.
Don’t: forget to bring your thinking cap, because the menu is like a test. It can be a bit confusing on your first visit.
(Holes in the Fort is an ongoing series that highlights some of the city’s best local food spots.)
