Don't be put off by the shabby exterior of this barbecue and catfish place. I have always been suspicious of clean-cut places like Spring Creek Barbecue, and can see that Hutchins has stood the test of time.\r
\r
The inside is scuffed, worn wood, and is comfortable and unpretentious. Service is at the counter.\r
\r
The menu covers what you might expect at a barbecue joint (including turkey, chicken, pork, as well as links and the inevitable Texas beef) and added fried catfish into the mix. Prices were in line with chain places around town.\r
\r
I went for lunch and tried the fried okra on the recommendation of other reviewers. Wow. An enormous serving of crisp okra without a hint of greasiness. I am not a huge fried okra fan, but these were good.\r
\r
The beef brisket was moist and tender. The hotlinks were, well, not particularly hot. The barbecue sauce you find on the line is also prety tame in the picante department, but there is a portable steam table in the self-serve condiments station that offers the Hot BBQ sauce as well. It wasn't ferocious either, but it was noticeably warmer than the original. I used it in place of the original. The Texas beans were pretty bland. Even after doctoring them a little, I finally gave up.\r
\r
I had work to do, so I found an electrical outlet. The staff came by and bussed my table, but I was otherwise free to stay for most of the afternoon, when the pretty good lunch crowd (weekday) dissipated and the place went darned quiet\r
\r
As I like to support independent restaurants, I plan to take my family soon. The food is just fine Texas barbecue, the atmosphere is delightfully shabby, and the vibe is good.
Pros: comfortable, genuine atmosphere; good barbecue
Cons: wish I could mix fried catfish with a BBQ plate
more