Bandanas BBQ

I treated myself to Bandanas BBQ (2336 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City, MO 65109) yesterday.  It was the start of another semester, and I thought it was a good way to celebrate.  There was a time that I felt Bandanas was my favorite BBQ. At the time it was on Providence Road, close to I70 in northern Columbia.  The Columbia location has since changed to Clark Lane, (an area that I go to only under duress (or to get White Castle)).  I have gone to the Clark Lane location a couple of times, but the traffic path to and from is so horrendous that I usually choose to go somewhere else.  The Providence location was always busy and easy to get to.  I do not understand the decision to move.  I can’t believe that it would have the same level of business in its present location….but then they would be crazy to take my opinion on anything.

I guess I have eaten in Bandanas Restaurants in St. Peters, Lake Ozark, Columbia and Jefferson City.  Columbia was my favorite. I am amazed at how much variation there is between the different locations.  They cut the meat differently, and that or the smoking procedures result in considerable variation in the flavor of the meat.  I would have assumed that there would be more similarity enforced by the parent company. Each location has its own decor, while retaining a franchise atmosphere.  Each location had great service, friendly and very fast.  The sauces are the same, or at least the Original, which is my favorite, was available at each location.  It is by far the best BBQ sauce in my opinion.  It is a mustard base, and very flavorful.  I have bought bottles to bring home over the years.  I have tried to find others that I like more, and frankly have not found any that are close.  Yesterday they did not have the original on the table, I had to ask for it.  I was told it was kept in the “back” I assume because it is not as well liked as other types.  Goes to show my tastes are not in the mainstream….

As I said I was in the restaurant in Jefferson City yesterday.  I had the brisket and the sausage platter.  It was very good.  Very strong smoke flavor in the meat, to the point I did not really use very much sauce.  It was almost like they had used liquid smoke (I am sure they did not, or at least I hope they did not)  In the Jeff City location they cut the meat more in slabs.  It is not thinly sliced like most BBQ places, and it is not small pieces like the other Bandanas locations.  I just do not like the way they cut it.  At one time I liked the small pieces, but of recent I have gravitated toward the thinly sliced.  Still the service was excellent, the fries great and the slaw fresh.