2018 - Ovilla, Texas

Another day that ends in "Y".  Another great day for barbecue.  Here's my video from my adventure in Ovilla, Texas at Franks Holy Smoke Bar B Que.

My sister told me about a barbecue joint in Ovilla, Texas.  After visiting my 92 year old Dad in the DFW area, I figured I would check this place out on my way back to Austin.  Ovilla is a tiny speck of a town south of Dallas.  It might have a traffic light, but I didn’t see one as I drove through town.  However, they do have Franks Holy Smoke Bar B Que.  This is not to be confused with the Holy Smoke BBQ joint in the small Swedish town of Nyhamnsläge.

The Texas version of Holy Smoke is located at 705 West Main Street in what used to be a small general store. Abraham Franks started off selling barbecue next to a car wash in Ovilla.  He moved uphill to the current location after two other barbecue joints came and went.  I arrived there around lunch time.  Daughter Rhonda prepared my order of moist brisket and pork ribs and gave me a big helping of pickles and onions.  I got some iced tea and settled in to eat.

The brisket was a little fatty, but had a really good smoky flavor.  Tender, with a nice outer bark.  A lot of barbecue joints serve St. Louis style ribs where the outer flap of meat has been removed. Not here.  The outer flap was chewy and had a rich smoky flavor.  The meat on the bone was very tender and juicy.  Good ribs.  There was a squeeze bottle of sauce on the table.  A typical tomato based sauce with a nice savory taste, it went well with the meat.

A. D. Franks

After I ate, I had a chance to meet and talk with Mr. Franks, a big man with an easy smile.  He was kind enough to take me out back and showed off his big smoker.  He grew up in Lockhart and started barbecuing when he was a kid.  Like we do in central Texas, he uses post oak for smoking his meats.  He and his family are super people who love what they are doing.  Their pride shows through in the barbecue they serve.

When you drive through Ovilla, be sure not to blink or you might miss it.  Better yet, roll down the car windows and let the sweet smell of barbecue guide you in.  Frank’s Holy Smoke Bar B Que – good barbecue, great people.

I rate this barbecue one Hook ‘Em!