It’s the weirdest thing. Back in June, my brother opened his burger and bbq joint, Rooster’s Roadhouse, in our hometown of Denton, while I was on the other side of the Atlantic, starting to teach Tex-Mex to other homesick ex-pats.
We didn’t plan it, or even discuss it with each other, but somehow, at almost the very same time, we both found ourselves in the kitchen, making food that we loved – and trying to make a go of it as a business.
Rooster’s menu is a hilarious reference to our small town, countryfied roots, with the Double Wide Salad, topped with Fritos, ground beef and Catalina; Steak-on-a-Stick; and Red Neck Sushi, a bbq brisket that’s rolled up, sliced and served all fancy-like.
But Rooster’s really makes its name with its quarter-pound burgers (the Chez Bubba Double Burger has truffle mayo and a fried egg and sounds suspiciously French) and pit bbq – smoked beef, pork, sausage, and turkey – all of which are served on two pieces of Texas toast (for those of you who aren’t from our great state, Texas toast is thick sliced white bread, toasted on a flat grill) and come with homemade potato chips (I opted for the fries with bleu frommage, below).
A few months ago, I told him that he was crazy to offer cheeseburgers and chopped brisket sandwiches for $4.95 (also with HPCs), but he didn’t listen. Then the country slipped deeper into a recession, and his business hasn’t fallen off one bit – in fact, he’s got a packed house at lunch and dinner for his burgers and his desserts-in-a-jar, a crazy-good concept from none other than his Charles-in-charge of all things cake and pie, Mansion on Turtle Creek alum Johnnny Law (yep, that’s his real name). I’m talking coconut pie, chocolate chip pie, pecan pie, and a banana pudding with loads of Nilla wafers…and cuter than hell in those little jars.
Don’t you agree? I’m off again in a few days, but I’m definitely thinking of trying a dessert or two in a jar – I already found some cool jars that I’m using to put my salsa in at BHV, so, ya know, pourquoi pas?
Rooster’s Roadhouse
113 Industrial St.
Denton, Texas
940-382-4BBQ
