Rudy's BBQ

I discovered Rudy's BBQ over a year ago when I started having to travel to Waco, Texas a lot for work. Rudy's started around San Antonio in 1989 and the chain is a gas station, store, restaurant combo. This barbecue has fast become one of my favorites.
This is Texas-style barbecue, not Kansas City-style or Carolina-style, so it's on the spicy side, not sweet. They sell their meats by weight or in sandwiches. They have ribs, brisket (both moist and lean), pulled pork, pork loin, turkey, chop, pit ham (only at some places),  and sausage. I have had every kind of meat, all of which are excellent. My favorites are their pulled pork, their turkey which is really moist, and their brisket (lean). Their sides are excellent as well, my favorites being their new potatoes (extra butter) and Rudy's beans. Their sauce is famous, and awesome. They have regular and "sissy" sauce, but I don't think their regular is very hot at all, and I love it. The ordering system is like a cafeteria, where you order your food at the register and they get it all for you, put it in a tray along with slices of bread, white or wheat, and then you take your tray to the drink station. They also have a condiment station where you can get pickles, onions, pepperoncinis, or jalapenos.
Did I mention this place has a breakfast menu? Oh man the brisket breakfast burritos with Rudy's sauce is outstanding! I posted a breakfast menu below. The other pictures are a pulled pork sandwich with a half sausage and new potatoes, 1/2 pound of turkey with a pint of Rudy's beans, and 1/2 pound of pulled pork with a half jalapeno sausage and new potatoes. 
As I said before, I discovered Rudy's in Waco, Texas, but they are all over in Texas. I have since been to others, including one near Fort Worth in Arlington (which is the only one I have found "pit ham" at), and... a new one in Colorado Springs! I love that there is one so close to home now! If I had make one negative comment about Rudy's, it's that they don't offer a "sampler" platter so you can try all their meats at once, which are all amazing! I make it a point to go to Rudy's whenever I am near one. Five solid stars for this place!
Web site: http://www.rudys.com/

  

 

Beau Jo's Pizza

Beau Jo's pizza is a unique "Colorado Style" pizza, otherwise known as a "Mountain Pie". There are eight locations, seven of them in Colorado. The original one is in Idaho Springs, up the mountains West of Denver off I-70, on the way to the ski resorts up there. I like to make a stop through Idaho Springs when I have the time, to hit Beau Jo's. I admittedly have never had any of their menu items besides the Mountain Pie, which has a very big crust and traditionally you put honey on the crust after you eat the part of the pizza with the topping on it. I'm not really a huge fan of the big crust to be honest. I need to try one of their "Prairie Pies" which supposedly have a thinner crust. The topping part of the Mountain Pie is really good, though. They use premium ingredients, whole milk cheese (which I think makes a great flavor), and a distinct spice combination in their sauce. In the pictures you will see their "Little Sicily" specialty pie, which is pretty good. The prices, however, aren't very good in my opinion. A "medium" (2 pounder) will run you $18 to $20. The Idaho Springs restaurant does have a very cool feel to it, though. It's like a big log ski lodge. I suppose you are paying for the experience. It's a good pizza, but I have had much better for much less money. I recommend this place, but have to give it only 3 stars, maybe 3 1/2 on the taste itself. If you're craving honey on this crust, though, it's really good.
Web site: http://www.beaujos.com/