Shawnee Showdown- Van’s vs Robb’s

I apologize for my absence. Today’s post focuses on two joints in Shawnee OK. The first, Van’s Pig Stand, is an Oklahoma staple, enjoying tremendous success and expanded locations in Norman and Moore. The other is Robb’s Smokehouse, a true local establishment. The Van’s I went to is the establishment on Highland Street, just a few blocks away from Robb’s, so a comparison seems natural.

As I pulled up to the drive-thru at Robb’s, the smell of smoke permeated the air. Taking a look at the menu, I realized they had a fairly limited selection of meat, but maintained the staples of a BBQ joint, including brisket, ribs, and sausage. I decided on a half-pound of brisket, and a half-slab of ribs with a side of beans and potato salad.

The meats smelled amazing, and the workers packaged my purchase in foil, keeping the food warm and moist. I got to my friend’s house and unpacked my selection.

The rib meat was very tender, and it fell off the bone quite easily. There was enough smoke penetrating the meat to give a distinct flavor. They were a bit fatty, and inconsistent, leaving  my friend and I to label them as “backyard style.” In a quick pinch at tailgate event they would be fine. The price/value was really the best thing going for this joint. Next, I turned to the brisket.

Needless to say I was disappointed. Chopped brisket often masks the skill (or lack of there of) of the pitmaster. I wish I could say that they had well-rendered fat or delicious bark, but I will never know. They remove the fat and bark, and what’s left is fairly dry beef which tastes similar to roast. When we tried the meats with the sauce- which was good and tangy with a bit of a sweet kick- my friend and I came to the same conclusion- the beef was clearly meant to be used on sandwiches. Smothered in sauce, the beef transformed, slightly, into a familiar dish not unlike what you might eat at a potluck dinner.

The beans and potato salad were also good, if not exceptional. Again, I have to stress that the value is most impressive, as I ordered a half-pound of each meat plus two sides for around $20. All-in-all though, I would have to give the place a 4/10, but caution that I did not try the sausage. This would be truly tragic for the city of Shawnee, if not for another BBQ staple.

The first things you’ll notice when entering Van’s Pig Stand on Highland is that it FEELS like a BBQ joint. As I sauntered over to the menu, I realized that a fair comparison would be to get the rib and brisket combo. However, no stop at Van’s is complete without trying their famous pig sandwich and Vannized spud. First lets’ get to a quick comparison.

First, from a value standpoint, you do get more meat for your buck at Robb’s. But the quality of meat is miles away. You can see the bark on the brisket, and the smoke in the ribs. The fat on the brisket isn’t as well rendered as others I’ve tried, but the smoke and rub really break through the palate.

The ribs were also delicious, with ample rub on each side, with a good balance of sweet and savory. They didn’t quite fall of the bone as easily as Robb’s, but they were more uniform, less fatty, and infinitely more flavorful. As far as Oklahoma BBQ goes, both meats are pretty good, and would warrant my recommendation if you lived in Shawnee.

However, I would go further and say that it is worth actually travelling to the city JUST for this joint. Why? Because of their two specialties. The first is easily seen on the picture. The Vannized spud is a twice baked potato teeming with spices and flavor. Sometimes they can be a little dry, but if you squirt a smidgen of  BBQ sauce, you’ll be right as rain. The other item is the the Pig Sandwich.

The pork on the sandwich has a stewed texture, but that just allows the juices to really impregnate the meat. The smoke flavor is also prominent, and the whole sandwich is tender without being soggy. But the ingredient which ties it all together is the jalapeno relish. This not-too-spicy, vinegary, sweet condiment really transform this sandwich into something special, no sauce required.

Overall I’d give Van’s a 7.5/10, blowing Robb’s out of the water, and making Shawnee a delicious destination I recommend making the jaunt to.