Hill Country BBQ

It's one of those weeks where I somehow find myself with dinner plans every single night. I tell people that it's exhausting, but really I'm just excited about all the dinner reservations!

One of my dinners earlier this week was with a group of girlfriends from high school.  Actually, come to think of it, we all met when we were in the single digit age range!  And to celebrate, we decided to meet up at Hill Country for some BBQ!

Hill Country is a pretty big space filled with wooden tables and loud country (and sometimes Polka) music.  When you walk in, you definitely feel like you've left NYC and are eating somewhere where the BBQ is fabulous. 

As you are seated, each diner is handed a "meal ticket" which doubles as a menu and your order form for the evening (for those of you who have been to Katz Deli, this is similar to the ticket that you are handed as you walk in, including a potential $50 penalty for lost tickets).

While the waitress will take your drink order, you actually go up yourself to pick out your meats and sides - kind of like cafeteria style.  You take your "meal ticket" with you to each counter and after you order the servers will mark what you got on your "meal ticket" (see pic above).

The meats counter

Slicing the meat behind the counter

Sides counter - I love this guy!

The best part is that you get to pick your cuts of meat and order only what you want to eat (its by the pound, or in our case 1/4 and 1/2 pound!).  The sides are in either small, medium, or large.  This way, no one is stuck ordering a HUGE platter that you can't finish (or if you enjoy the platters, they have a couple options on the back of the "meal ticket" as well).  Also, you are given your food as you order it, so as long as there isn't a long line to get to the front of the counter, you can pretty much each right away!

I walked away with a quarter rotisserie chicken and a beef rib.  Let me tell you...the beef rib was HUGE!!  Almost as big as my arm!

Rotisserie chicken breast and beef rib

Look at my beef rib...I put it next to my arm to see which is bigger!

The chicken was moist and flavorful and that beef rib, while dinosaur sized, the meat melts right into my mouth.  Something about chewing on a huge bone is completely satisfying!

Pork ribs and briskets also found its way onto our table.  Both tasty and the brisket extremely moist and succulent (to quote my fellow diner).

Brisket and pork rib

For side dishes, we couldn't pass up on classics such as cornbread and mac & cheese!  But then some newbies such as the cucumber salad and the corn pudding also came for a ride at our table.

While the mac & cheese and cornbread tasted as expected, the cucumber salad was definitely a light and refreshing companion to an otherwise heavy meal.  But the clear winner of the side dish race?  The corn pudding!!  WOW this was unbelievable!  This was a delicious creamed corn type "pudding" and although I'm not sure whats in it (other than sweet sweeeeeet corn), I know that I can't wait to go back for more.

After all that food, if you have any more space in your tummy, they also have a large selection of desserts available.  Too lazy to wander over to the dessert counter?  No problem!  The waitress has an enticing tray that she can bring to you!

Overall, I had a fun experience at Hill Country and enjoyed the food and ambiance.  A second benefit?  The "meal tickets" allow for a seamless bill paying experience as everyone can request their own check and settle it without any headaches!  If you get a hankering for some tasty BBQ, definitely give Hill Country a try!

Piggy says Yes!

Thanks for reading - Piggy KK