Half Sauced BBQ

Yesterday I found myself with an appointment in Russellville in the morning and Eldon in the afternoon, and time in between go a few miles beyond Eldon to the Lake area.  I decided to try Half Sauced BBQ 4186 Osage Beach Parkway Osage Beach MO.  I do not know how long they have been at the lake, but it has to be getting close to 10 years.  During the first several years they were open I ate there several times, once with some other administrators, once with my wife, and a couple times on my own. None of these occasions really impressed me, so I have not been there for probably six years.  I decided it was time to give them another try.  My memory is suspect in issues like this, but I believe they have moved a couple buildings to the south from the last time I was there.  The setup of the restaurant is considerably different than I remember with the atmosphere more restaurant, less bar than when I was there before.  I do not know if there has been a change in ownership, or if they were able to purchase a building.  It is a very clean, very well run restaurant.  It is not as large as before, but more than large enough for all but the height of summer weekend business.  They had a couple of very nice waitresses, and the service was quick and pleasant. 

I had the brisket and sausage along with fries and slaw.  One of the first places that I have noticed offering two types of slaw at the same time, vinegar and creamy.  The vinegar coleslaw was the best I have had in a long time.  The fries were good.  The brisket was cut a little thicker than I like, but was excellent.  It had a strong smoke flavor, and was very tender.  The sausage had an odd after taste, that I do not believe was related to being smoked.  I expect it was a local/or limited production with some interesting spices added to give it a distinctive flavor.  They accomplished their goal, though I would have liked it a little less distinctive….by the last piece I had forgotten the aftertaste and enjoyed the smoke flavor.  Great portion, good price, delivered quickly, hard to beat!  I am going to move it back on to my must visit list, and try it again here in a couple weeks when I go back to the lake for the spring meetings.  

I was thrilled with the dogwood that was in bloom all around the lake.  This has to be a month earlier than normal.  I am sure it is going to but a kink in several communities traditional Dogwood Festival.  I guess global warming is going to make them move the date of the festival up a couple of weeks if they are going to have dogwoods in bloom when they have their festival.