Dear Readers: We at ELV planned on doing a CJ’s v. Salt Lick ‘cue smackdown, but on two recent occasions have been put off by Salt Lick’s emptiness and weird hours (opening at 2:00 PM on Saturdays?). It has all the signs of some place that’s not sticking around, so we decided to highlight the superior ‘cue at CJ’s.
Quite frankly, we’d forgotten how good CJ’s is. Moist, peppery brisket (that we wish was a bit more peppery and a bit smokier), perfect chicken and righteous ribs (all for $17 including one soft drink), only served to remind us what a rip-off RUB was (is).
Skip the thick, dark sauce (that could be used to frost cakes in a pinch), and dip your meat into the vinegary, hot stuff.
Added bonus: jalapeno cornbread that you’ll want to eat lots of, and brisket chili spiked with those same jalopy peppers that takes a back seat to no bowl in town.
And did we mention the whole kit and kaboodle came to $17.22?
CJ’s TEXAS BBQ
7865 West Sahara Ave. #104
Las Vegas, NV 89117
702.233.0190