Shorty’s Texas Bar-B-Q Review – By The Forney Foodie
Tucked between Forney and Sunnyvale in an old roadside gas station, Shorty’s Texas Bar-B-Q looks the part. It’s got that classic Texas charm—faded signage, rustic vibes, and promises of smoked holiday hams and turkeys. I really wanted to love it. Unfortunately, what it delivered in atmosphere, it lacked in execution.
Let’s talk food.
We started with the ribs, which tasted like they may have been boiled rather than smoked—soft, but lacking that smoky bark or any real depth of flavor. The brisket was on the dry side and crumbled more than sliced, with little of the tenderness or moisture you hope for in a Texas staple. The sausage had the texture of lunch meat in a casing, and just didn’t bring much to the plate.
The sauce leaned heavily tomato-forward, more like a pasta sauce than a rich, smoky barbecue glaze. The beans were serviceable—not bad, not memorable. The standout, if I had to pick one, was the twice-baked potato, which was decent, if not exactly rave-worthy. Even the complimentary bread tasted a bit past its prime, and the drink options were off-brand, which felt like a small but noticeable miss.
As for service, we were the only guests during our visit, and though the staff was friendly, we had to repeat our order and remind them about a couple of missing items we’d already paid for. Nothing dramatic, just a little disorganized.
Final Scorecard:
Food: 1 out of 5
Service: 3 out of 5
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Overall: 2 out of 5
To be fair, we didn’t sample the entire menu—so it’s possible there are stronger items we didn’t try. I’d love to see Shorty’s lean into the potential that its location and concept offer. Good barbecue isn’t just about smoke—it’s about care, consistency, and flavor. And while this visit missed the mark, I’m rooting for them to turn it around.
— The Forney Foodie