Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue

Stanley's is the oldest operating Mom & Pop BBQ Joint in Tyler, Texas. Serving up true, pit smoked BBQ for over 50 years. Stanley himself has been off of the scene for more than a decade, but with a new owner and pit master, who took over the nearly 60 year-old-joint in 2000, has revived the quality of its barbecue--all the usual suspects plus ham and turkey--and spruced up the atmosphere: It's now a cross between a fifties diner and a rustic hunting lodge.  They also tinkered with the tangy house sauce, but the thick slices of lean brisket (smoked for 16+ hours) and juicy pork-and-beef sausage taste better left alone.  If you visit at lunch, consider a sandwich called the Brother-in-Law: hotlink, chopped beef, and cheese. Yes, cheese.  You'll wonder why it hasn't been a barbecue staple forever.