Jay’s BBQ Shack - Barbecue restaurant in Abilene - 602 S 11th St, USA

Glad I waited for it to open while driving through Abilene. I ordered the three meat plate and the portions were huge! Great brisket (top five for me), New Mexico Christmas sausage was great and turkey was just ok. Will skip the turkey and try the ribs next time. The coleslaw was not sweet, which made me like it even more. Will definitely be back. If you plan on stopping, plan ahead. They get busy quick and the line wraps around the side.

To put it mildly, we would consider this restaurant not only worthy of a place in the vaunted Texas Monthly Magazine top fifty, but in the top thirty. It is that good-- and it was our 97th BBQ stop in Texas, and the 392nd in a nationwide BBQ pilgrimage. $49.25 purchased a meal that was stellar from start to finish. Outstanding “pig candy” (pork belly burnt ends) leads the way. A one meat (fatty brisket), two side (pinto beans, Hatch chile mac n' cheese) plate followed, with a pair of ribs and a jalapeno cheddar sausage complementing. The buttery smooth brisket featured good smoke and great flavor packed into the traditional central Texas rub. The sausage is superb. The tasty ribs, which were perfectly prepared, adhering to the bone while separating cleanly at the bite, were among the few that we have eaten in Texas that would hold their own in KC or Memphis. The pinto beans and mac 'n cheese were both top notch. We saved a pint of brisket elote and a banana pudding for the road, along with a bottle of the house made Cherry Chipotle sauce, which went well with the ribs, and will pair wonderfully with pulled pork. You really need to sample it. The brisket elote was interesting-- the peppery corn, with its hint of jalapeno, offering a second look at the brisket. The two worked well together. In turn, the pudding proved to be nice and light, and not excessively sweet. If you are dining in, it will make a pleasant finish. This is “destination 'cue” at its finest.

My first time on location here at Jays and it definitely exceeded expectations. I had the marbled brisket, chili con queso sausage, smoked turkey, a pork rib with hatch chili Mac & cheese and potato salad. And banana pudding for dessert. Everything was delicious. All the meats were moist and full of flavor. All seating is outside and it gets busy fast so best to show up early. Limited parking so most park on the street. Well worth the trip.

Honestly some of the leanest, and most flavorful chopped brisket I have had in a very long time. I had a chopped sandwich with no sides. Several different sauces to choose from. The original is yummy. The meat is so good, you really don't even need sauce. I will be back to try more.

I loved everything about this place! I’ve eaten some of the best BBQ Texas has to offer, I’m pretty darn picky and this is as good as it gets! The Pork tenderloin special was one of the best meals I’ve had in my life and the brisket was perfect. You will not be disappointed, it’s worth every penny!

I drove an hour and a half to have lunch here with a friend and boy, I'd drive farther for this food. Best barbecue ever.

This is what brisket is supposed to taste like. Very well cooked and seasoned. Sausage was good too. Ribs were well cooked but could use more meat. Candy bacon was tasty even though I ordered burnt ends (There is a difference I wish they would of told me). Everyone was friendly and line moved quickly.

Everything is amazing from food to service to atmosphere but the chicken thighs deserve a special spot in heaven. I know it’s BBQ so everyone is going to talk about brisket or ribs, and those are excellent, but I swear to you: the chicken thighs. I don’t know what y’all are doing to them, but please never stop.