Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q: The Best BBQ in Tyler, and Possibly All of Texas

     

Stanley's Famous Bar-B-Q

     I hear this statement far too often on campus at UT Tyler: “I have never eaten at Stanley’s.”  Every time some poor soul says this to me I get excited, because I know a great opportunity awaits them.  If you have never eaten at Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, let alone heard of it, drop everything and read the rest of this blog post.  You are about to be enlightened.

     

     My first experience at Stanley’s was in Mid-August of 2011, the day I moved to Tyler.  My debate coach told me all of his new students are required to eat at Stanley’s at least once while they attend UT Tyler, but after taking a bite of their ridiculously amazing barbecue, I knew that it would be a restaurant I would return to more than once.

The Giant Frito Pie.
Good luck finishing it in one sitting.

     

     Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q has been around for over 50 years in Tyler, but in the year 2000

Open Mic at Stanley's

Stanley's BBQ hosts a wide variety of musical acts every Wednesday and Friday night to help digest one of their brother-in-law sandwiches or brisket tacos. On Thursdays starting at 6 PM they host a unique kind of open mic night...Every Thursday at 6 PM the stage lights turn blue and people are invited to bring their guitars and play the blues in and open mic jam session. The one I attended just this past week featured The Texas Soul Shakers as the backing band for anyone ready to lay down some feels.

I Have a New Favorite Restaurant in Tyler

           This weekend the girlfriend and I went to this little diner in Tyler called The Diner located just past Buffalo Wild Wings on Broadway. I would have to say it's probably my new favorite restaurant in Tyler. Stanley's would easily be my favorite- if they had better hours. If you haven't had Stanley's yet then I highly recommend you go there ASAP, and make sure that you get there early.
             I had a sandwich called The Flatliner, and it definitely deserved the name. I could feel my arteries clogging just looking at it. It was a cheeseburger with two grilled cheese sandwiches in place of the buns. It was the most delicious hamburger that I have ever put in my mouth. Lory just got a chicken fried steak, but she says that it was phenomenal and easily in her top five places to get a chicken fried steak. So next time you're looking for a place to eat, give this place a try. You won't regret it.

P.S. If you're brave enough to try it they have a pancake eating challenge. Eat 15 buttermilk pancakes and it's free, and they'll even post your picture on the wall.