Rudy’s “Country Store” & Bar-B-Q’s untrademarked slogan (not that anyone else will take it) is “Worst Bar-B-Q” in Texas.” Some think that Rudy’s is really good barbecue, while others think that the slogan really does apply. Rudy’s began as a gas station and grocery store in Leon Springs (outside of San Antonio) in 1929; Bar-B-Q was added in 1989. Rudy’s quickly expanded to several stores in Texas and in other states as well.
 
The “Worst Bar-B-Q in Texas” slogan does not appear on Rudy’s website and is, perhaps, being discontinued.
 
 
Rudy’s “Country Store” & Bar-B-Q
In the 1800’s, Max Aue developed the small community of Leon Springs, in the Texas Hill Country outside of San Antonio. In 1929, Max’s son, Rudolph, opened a gas station, garage and grocery store. In 1989, Bar-B-Q was added to the Country Store and Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q, was founded. Today, Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q, has expanded throughout the southwest with the same original recipes that made Rudy’s Leon Springs famous.
 
Rudy’s is a meat market that sells cooked meats. Our pits are 100% wood fired with oak, a slower burning wood as opposed to mesquite. Our meats are cooked in a dry spice, not in our “Sause” (we use it on the side). Our unique “Sause” is being shipped throughout the United States (and Texas, of course).
 
Dining Out with Rob Balon - Rudy’s
Rudy’s manufactured cornucopia of wierdness [the gas pumps, the picnic tables, their “Worst BBQ in Texas slogan] works because the BBQ is generally terrific. Their cooked meats are done over oak fires, as opposed to the more common mesquite. They use a dry rub with their infamous “sause” available on the side. And it sure as heck works for me. 
     
30 December 1994, Dallas (TX) Morning News:
SURELY THEY’RE RIBBING US: A new Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q, which bills itself as having the “Worst Bar-B-Q in Texas,” will open Feb. ...
 
11 September 1997, Austin (TX) American-Statesman, “Despite its formulaic setting Rudy’s barbecue is true to the…”:
Beneath the self-proclaiming slogan “Worst Bar-B-Q in Texas,’’ the hallowed past and possibly franchised future of Texas… Rudy’s the worst barbecue in Texas? Not by a long shot. 
 
BBQ Porch   
Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q
11570 Research Blvd.
Austin, TX
(512)418-9898
 
Meat 3
Sides 2.5
Sauce 3
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 3.5
 
Overall 3
 
Reviewer’s Comments: I decided to give ‘em one more chance. I got a 1/2 pound of lean brisket, a single of potato salad, and a Big Red. The best part was the Big Red. The brisket had a nice smoke ring, but it was dry as the Texas Hill Country in the drought of 1996. The sauce was needed, badly. My friend got the regular brisket, having tried the lean previously, and said it wasn’t too bad. The potato salad was your average take it or leave it stuff. They also offer turkey, sausage, pork ribs, and prime rib. Brisket was $4.49/half lb for lean. Their neat little slogan is “The worst BBQ in Texas.” Well it ain’t the worst, but darned if they ain’t close… I’ve learned my lesson. Like me and my friend tell everyone, “Nothing beats Cooper’s in Llano!” By the way, for some strange reason FOX7’s, the local FOX TV affiliate, viewers voted this place the best in Austin. Those folks need to get out more…
 
Reviewed by: Dave Clark ( .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ) on 6/4/98. 
   
Manhattan (KS) Mercury (October 25, 2000)
COLLEGE STATION, Tex. - The sign at Rudy’s advertises “the worst BBQ in Texas.” It is intended to be taken ironically, not literally. At Rudy’s, fun is as much a part of the menu as ribs.
 
4 October 2001, Austin (TX) American-Statesman:
Texas’ Worst Barbecue? Not Hardly 
 
Roadfood.com Forums- Rudy’s BBQ New Mexico
BigboyDan
Junior Burger
Posted - 04/22/2006 :  22:50:45  
 
Al,

“The Wurst Barbecue in Texas” is a play on the German word wurst which is a type of sausage. That slogan was introduced many years-ago by the origional 1929 Rudy’s Store in Leon Springs (San Antonio) - that area was settled by Germans in the mid-1850s. I’ve eaten at the Leon Springs Rudy’s since 1989 when they added BBQ to the menu, it’s exellent (they still use a pit). The Leon Springs store is considered a stand alone place, with the chain stores owned by several, non-family, franchisees.
 
The chain stores started in the early 1990s, and those stores use a rotisserie (required now for polution control) with real wood, but the beef is not as good as if it came from a pit. As I said, though, they do a good job with pork.
   
Yelp reviews - Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q
3 star rating
11/07/2006
Rudy’s jokes that they are the worst barbecue in Texas.  I don’t laugh at their slogan because I never thought Rudy’s stacks up against the other giants here in Central Texas.
 
True, it isn’t the worst barbecue.  It’s even pretty good.  There is a high bar set for these parts, however.  The food and sauce are really no better than average. 
 
Google Groups: alt.food.barbecue
Newsgroups: alt.food.barbecue
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Date: 13 Jan 2007 21:10:12 -0800
Local: Sun, Jan 14 2007 12:10 am
Subject: Re: BBQ excursion advice?
 
Someone pointed out Rudy’s BBQ. You can’t come to Texas and not try “the worst BBQ in TX”(slogan).
   
City-Data.com
Twinkle Toes
Dancing Queen  
11-30-2007, 07:49 PM
 
Um, not to start a “rib war” or anything, but I have to say I prefer Tony Roma’s ribs over County Line or Rudy’s any day! Rudy’s wasn’t kidding when they put up the slogan “The Worst Barbecue in Texas”. I like ribs that fall off the bone - not the kind where you practically break your front teeth off trying to pull the meat off and it still doesn’t come off.
     
(Trademark)
Word Mark RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE AND BAR-B-Q
Goods and Services IC 042. US 100. G & S: restaurant, delicatessen and catering services. FIRST USE: 19890815. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19890815
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74376622
Filing Date April 7, 1993
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition March 22, 1994
Registration Number 1850102
Registration Date August 16, 1994
Owner (REGISTRANT) Leon Springs Gas Co. CORPORATION TEXAS P.O. Box 691365 San Antonio TEXAS 78269
(LAST LISTED OWNER) RUDY’S TEXAS BAR-B-Q, L.L.C. LTD LIAB CO BY ASSIGNMENT TEXAS 1514 RANCH ROAD 620 SOUTH AUSTIN TEXAS 78734
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record JOHN J. ARNOTT
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “COUNTRY STORE” and “BAR-B-Q” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20040920.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 20040920
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
   
(Trademark)
Word Mark RUDY’S TEXAS BAR-B-Q
Goods and Services IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Restaurant, delicatessen and catering services. FIRST USE: 20000630. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20000630
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75639229
Filing Date February 8, 1999
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition October 30, 2001
Registration Number 2672476
Registration Date January 7, 2003
Owner (REGISTRANT) Rudy’s Texas Bar-B-Q, L.L.C. LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION TEXAS 1514 Ranch Road 620 South Austin TEXAS 787346210
Attorney of Record Gregory M. Howison
Prior Registrations 1850102
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “TEXAS BAR-B-Q” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Other Data The mark does not identify a living individual.
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE