Redland Ballfield BBQ: The Tale of Delicious Brisket
It started as just another Saturday down at Redland Ballfield—the kind of place where the bleachers are faded, the dust never really settles, and folks show up more for the company than the competition. But that all changed the day Big Ray rolled in with a rust-red smoker hitched to the back of his pickup and the smell of mesquite and magic trailing behind him.
Big Ray didn’t say much. He never did. Just nodded to the league commissioner, dropped the smoker legs, and got to work. The first whiff of that brisket hit somewhere around the second inning of the Peewee Panthers’ game, and by the fifth, folks were abandoning their folding chairs and drifting toward the outfield like moths to a flame.
They say Ray’s brisket was smoked low and slow for 16 hours, crusted in a peppery bark that crunched just right when your teeth sank in. Juicy, tender, and somehow both bold and mellow at the same time, like it had a story to tell but wasn’t in a rush. Rumor had it he used a secret rub passed down from his granddad, who used to cook for cattle drives in West Texas. Others swore it was the wood—he only used Redland post oak, seasoned three months to the day.
But no one really knew—and Ray wasn’t telling. All anyone knew was that after you tasted that brisket, the ballgame became background noise.
Kids started striking out because they could smell the meat from the dugout. Coaches were caught sneaking sandwiches between innings. One ump nearly passed out from meat sweats in the seventh. And by the end of the day, Redland Ballfield wasn’t known for baseball anymore.
It was Brisket Field now.
And every Saturday since, win or lose, folks came for the meat and stayed for the memories. Because legends aren’t always made in the big leagues. Sometimes, they’re smoked in a trailer behind third base.
Bernice T
My husband and I have passed this BBQ place many times going and coming from Tyler (about 7 years). Today we finally stopped and I am glad that we did. The service was friendly, the food was delicious and the price was fair. We both ordered brisket sandwiches and they were piled high with meat. They even put 2 slices of pound cake in with our order. 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ken Easley
Best bbq and nicest people. My favorite go to spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bruce Danvers
We always enjoy the excellent BBQ and friendly service. We take the food home, but they have experienced and nece sitting area outside. They also ha e a inside area, but we have never been in there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alvin Wells
I hear it's good, but never been there
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Kevin Schewe
Took to go was really good. Ate half for lunch will finish for
This place is awesome! Food is great and reasonable price
Tammy Chick
Do not get me wrong. I love this barbecue my only complaint is that you say you’re open till 6 o’clock. And right now it’s 3:45 And you’re closed. I actually have not seen many times where you are open till 6 o’clock.You have wonderful food wonderful people who are there and you’re doing a wonderful thing for the kids but I just feel if you say you’re going to be open till 6 o’clock you need to be open till 6 o’clock
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Melanie Raibon
I Love it one best BBQ place in East Texas.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Sliced Beef, One Meat Plate with Ribs, BBQ Baked Beans
pharris morgan
Best barbecue around!! I feel lucky to live so close to this restaurant!!
Parking: Lots of parking, easy to access
H. D. “Turtle” Holmes
Saw this in passing as I was leaving Tyler Tx today.OMG!! I pulled over to see what they had, when I opened my car door. The smell over took me. I was hoping it tasted as good as it smelled. And HONEY!!! DID IT EVER!! Best bbq I've had since I'm moved to Texas 8yrs ago from Memphis,Tn.If you are traveling to Tyler or through Tyler,TX area. It's a definite must stop and try. The people are nice and the food is wonderful. The place is cute.Turtle approval!!A Must try!!!
Redland Ballfield BBQ: The Tale of Delicious Brisket
It started as just another Saturday down at Redland Ballfield—the kind of place where the bleachers are faded, the dust never really settles, and folks show up more for the company than the competition. But that all changed the day Big Ray rolled in with a rust-red smoker hitched to the back of his pickup and the smell of mesquite and magic trailing behind him.
Big Ray didn’t say much. He never did. Just nodded to the league commissioner, dropped the smoker legs, and got to work. The first whiff of that brisket hit somewhere around the second inning of the Peewee Panthers’ game, and by the fifth, folks were abandoning their folding chairs and drifting toward the outfield like moths to a flame.
They say Ray’s brisket was smoked low and slow for 16 hours, crusted in a peppery bark that crunched just right when your teeth sank in. Juicy, tender, and somehow both bold and mellow at the same time, like it had a story to tell but wasn’t in a rush. Rumor had it he used a secret rub passed down from his granddad, who used to cook for cattle drives in West Texas. Others swore it was the wood—he only used Redland post oak, seasoned three months to the day.
But no one really knew—and Ray wasn’t telling. All anyone knew was that after you tasted that brisket, the ballgame became background noise.
Kids started striking out because they could smell the meat from the dugout. Coaches were caught sneaking sandwiches between innings. One ump nearly passed out from meat sweats in the seventh. And by the end of the day, Redland Ballfield wasn’t known for baseball anymore.
It was Brisket Field now.
And every Saturday since, win or lose, folks came for the meat and stayed for the memories. Because legends aren’t always made in the big leagues. Sometimes, they’re smoked in a trailer behind third base.
My husband and I have passed this BBQ place many times going and coming from Tyler (about 7 years). Today we finally stopped and I am glad that we did. The service was friendly, the food was delicious and the price was fair. We both ordered brisket sandwiches and they were piled high with meat. They even put 2 slices of pound cake in with our order. 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best bbq and nicest people. My favorite go to spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We always enjoy the excellent BBQ and friendly service. We take the food home, but they have experienced and nece sitting area outside. They also ha e a inside area, but we have never been in there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I hear it's good, but never been there
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Took to go was really good. Ate half for lunch will finish for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Sliced Beef, 2 Meat Plate, Pork Ribs, BBQ Baked Beans
Food and service is excellent
Stopped off on the highway on a whim, worth every penny.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice small roadside BBQ. Great people, great BBQ.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Please update hours if you’re going to close early.
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is awesome! Food is great and reasonable price
Do not get me wrong. I love this barbecue my only complaint is that you say you’re open till 6 o’clock. And right now it’s 3:45 And you’re closed. I actually have not seen many times where you are open till 6 o’clock.You have wonderful food wonderful people who are there and you’re doing a wonderful thing for the kids but I just feel if you say you’re going to be open till 6 o’clock you need to be open till 6 o’clock
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
I Love it one best BBQ place in East Texas.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Sliced Beef, One Meat Plate with Ribs, BBQ Baked Beans
Best barbecue around!! I feel lucky to live so close to this restaurant!!
Parking: Lots of parking, easy to access
Saw this in passing as I was leaving Tyler Tx today.OMG!! I pulled over to see what they had, when I opened my car door. The smell over took me. I was hoping it tasted as good as it smelled. And HONEY!!! DID IT EVER!! Best bbq I've had since I'm moved to Texas 8yrs ago from Memphis,Tn.If you are traveling to Tyler or through Tyler,TX area. It's a definite must stop and try. The people are nice and the food is wonderful. The place is cute.Turtle approval!!A Must try!!!
Loading...