Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q facts for kids
![]() A Rudy’s in Austin, Texas
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Privately held | |
Founded | 1989 |
Headquarters | 1514 Ranch Road 620 South Lakeway, Texas 78734 |
Number of locations
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50 |
Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q is a popular barbecue restaurant. It first opened in 1989 in Leon Springs. This area is now part of San Antonio, Texas. Rudy's has grown a lot since then. You can find their restaurants in many states. These include Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Florida. They also sell their tasty products online.
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The Story of Rudy's Barbecue
Rudy's was started by Rudolph Aue in 1929. It began as a small business in Leon Springs, Texas. Back then, it was a filling station and a grocery store. It also had a car repair shop.
In 1989, Rudolph decided to add barbecue to the menu. This made the place feel like a "country store." Rudy's barbecue is special. They use 100% oak wood to smoke their meats. Most Texas barbecue uses Mesquite wood. Rudy's also uses its own secret spices.
Where You Can Find Rudy's
Rudy's has grown to over 50 locations. You can find them in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Today, Rudy's is mostly a self-service restaurant. You order your food and find a seat. Each location still has a small "country store" section. Here you can buy some of their products. The main offices for the company are in Spicewood, Texas.
What's on the Menu
Rudy's is famous for its delicious meats. Their most popular item is the brisket. They also offer other tasty choices. These include turkey, chicken, and pork ribs. You can also get sausage, chopped beef, and pulled pork. Sometimes, they even have prime rib.
Sides and Drinks
Rudy's serves many classic side dishes. These include coleslaw, cream corn, and spicy pinto beans. They also have new potatoes and potato salad. Fresh bread is also available. For drinks, they sell soda and beer. They often feature local drinks from the area.
Breakfast at Rudy's
In the mornings, Rudy's serves breakfast tacos. You can order them just the way you like. Or, you can grab a quick one from their "grab-and-go" section. This is found in the country store part of the restaurant.
Awards and Praise for Rudy's
Many people love Rudy's barbecue. The Daily Meal magazine says their favorite item is the "extra moist brisket." Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, a famous actor and former governor, liked Rudy's. He called the Rudy's in Austin "the best of the best."
In 2017, a writer for Texas Monthly magazine, Daniel Vaughn, wrote about Rudy's. He said it is "the best statewide barbecue chain in Texas." This shows how much people enjoy their food.
Rudy's and NASCAR Racing
Rudy's has also been involved in NASCAR racing. They first sponsored a driver named Brad Coleman in 2009. He raced for the Joe Gibbs Racing team. This was for three races in the Xfinity Series. Rudy's used the name rudys.com for this sponsorship.
Rudy's returned to NASCAR in 2016. This time, they sponsored Garrett Smithley. He raced for the JD Motorsports team. They used the full name "Rudy's Country Store & BBQ" for this sponsorship.