Spring Creek BBQ
This is a very popular and prolific chain BBQ restaurant in the Dallas area, and with good reason. Or should I say Reasons. My experience is mainly with the location in Plano, north of Dallas.
First, the food. The pork ribs are excellent with just the rub or with either of their sauces (mild/smoky). The chicken, brisket, and sausage are all quite tasty as well. The sides are many, and since you serve yourself in cafeteria style, you can choose from several options. None were outstanding, but most were edible.
12 Bones
This nondescript place, located in an industrial area seemingly far from anything, was crowded even before noon, and gives the impression that it is so daily. The interior is a real eclectic mix, with lots of stickers on the walls around old benches and tables. It looked like a BBQ place in a trendy neighborhood of a big city would look. The clientele ranged from college aged couples to old regulars, for there was truly something to please every palate and personality here.
Dan's Smokehouse
Another hole-in-the-wall place. Nothing fancy, but good solid food in a nice clean place with good atmosphere. Brisket was the best I ever had. Even without the sauce it was fantastic; very moist, lean and flavorful. With it, it was even better. Ribs were very tender, but were kinda fatty. Beans were ok, but had a sweet taste whose origin we couldn't identify. Deviled eggs were the other side, and the ham was very blah. Beef sausage was very average, kinda dry and nothing special flavor-wise.
Dreamland BBQ
Wow. At Dreamland, it's all about the sauce. This is the first place that had one sauce that worked with all things VERY well. The meat was good without it, but was GREAT with it.
The Chicken had a rub on it that added just enough spice to flavor up the chicken without overpowering it. Best chicken of the trip. This is a regional favorite for a reason. Desserts were Banana pudding with crushed up vanilla wafers and whipped cream, and an Apple cobbler ala mode, both of which were outstanding.