Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q facts for kids
A Rudy’s in Austin, Texas
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Trade name
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Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q |
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| Privately held | |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Rudolph Aue |
| Headquarters | 1514 Ranch Road 620 South Lakeway, Texas 78734 |
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Number of locations
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50 |
| Products | Barbecue |
| Revenue | US$109.4 million (2024) |
| Owner | K&N Management |
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Number of employees
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1,000 (2024) |
Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q is a popular barbecue restaurant chain. It first opened in 1989 in Leon Springs, which is now part of San Antonio. Today, you can find Rudy's restaurants in several states, including Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Florida. They also sell their tasty products online.
Contents
The Story of Rudy's
Rudy's started a long time ago, in 1929. It was founded by Rudolph Aue in Leon Springs, Texas. Back then, it wasn't just a restaurant. It was a combination of different businesses. It had a filling station where cars could get gas. There was also an automobile repair shop to fix cars. And it had a grocery store where people could buy food.
How Barbecue Began at Rudy's
In 1989, Rudolph Aue decided to add something new: barbecue! He combined the grocery store with the new restaurant. This created the "country store" feeling that Rudy's is known for. Their special barbecue is cooked using 100% oak wood smoke. This is different from the usual Mesquite wood often used in Texas. They also use their own secret spices to make the meat taste amazing.
Rudy's Grows Across States
Over the years, Rudy's grew a lot. It now has about 50 locations. You can find them in states like Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. While it started as a country store, it's now more of a self-service restaurant. You pick up your food and find a seat. Each location usually still has a small corner that feels like a country store. The main offices for the company are in Spicewood, Texas.
What's on the Menu?
Rudy's is famous for its delicious barbecue. Their most popular item is the brisket. Brisket is a cut of beef that is slow-smoked until it's super tender.
Popular Meats and Sides
Besides brisket, Rudy's offers many other tasty meats. These include turkey, chicken, pork ribs, and sausage. You can also get chopped beef and pulled pork. Sometimes, they even have prime rib! To go with your meat, they have classic side dishes. These include coleslaw, creamy corn, and spicy pinto beans. You can also get new potatoes, potato salad, and bread.
Drinks and Breakfast
For drinks, Rudy's sells soda and beer. They often feature drinks from local companies. If you visit in the morning, you can try their breakfast tacos. You can order them just how you like, or grab a ready-made one from the country store section.
Awards and Praise
Many people love Rudy's barbecue, and it has received some great compliments.
What Experts Say
The Daily Meal, a well-known food website, says their favorite item at Rudy's is the "extra moist brisket." Even famous people have praised Rudy's. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who used to be the governor of California, called the Rudy's in Austin "the best of the best." In 2017, Daniel Vaughn from Texas Monthly magazine wrote that Rudy's is "the best statewide barbecue chain in Texas."
NASCAR Racing Sponsorship
Rudy's has also been involved in NASCAR racing. They sponsored a driver and a racing team.
Rudy's on the Race Track
Rudy's first supported NASCAR in 2009. They sponsored driver Brad Coleman and the Joe Gibbs Racing team. This was for three races in the Xfinity Series, which was called the Nationwide Series back then. Rudy's returned to NASCAR sponsorship in 2016. This time, they supported driver Garrett Smithley and the JD Motorsports team.
