decent bbq. well, i know you texans are well justified in considering bakers just ordinary, but by this nycer's standards, bakers merits solid praise, mainly because we here in nyc have a dearth of edible bbq and to my small group, bakers was like manna from heaven.
on the way from dallas to mt. pleasant we encountered the most delightful of one of your dallas traffic jams. fortunately, we were right by the baker's exit and we figured this would be an opportune time to exit and get some grub while waiting for the jam to subside. good call!
one of our party was seriously lobbying for china buffet but was swiftly overridden by the rest in our car. good thing, too!
baker's was more than decent bbq (and i've had bbq in alabama, florida, georgia and the carolinas too). even though a dallas area mini-chain, these folk do a more than admirable job. you order from the front where there is a steam table full of tasty sides, the chef d'bbq in the back is churning out exquisite meats and a ditch full of multiple quality beers on ice greets you upon entry. staff brings out your food to the front once it's ready.
you choose from the menu posted above the food area. for me it was the rib plate: half rack, two sides, choice of bread. also, i grabbed a xx beer from the ice.
this meal was heaven to me. they pile your food onto a paper plate and you take it to your table. my ribs were tasty, not overly smoked out and tender too, just on the firm side of falling off the bone. good and meaty too. did not need sauce. sides were excellent. (see my couple of pix.)
laid back atmosphere with both yankee and texan alike enjoying themselves together in this amply stocked food trough.
i don't like chains, but i think this is just a dallas area mini chain with two more locations in dallas and others in mesquite, rowland and canton too, so it's alright by me in my book. local mini-chains all seem to be ok in my view just as long as they're not watered down nationalised versions of what they're supposed to be dishing out. i'm not a bbq greenhorn by any means either, so you can trust me on this one. mini chains, especially texas ones get a definite pass, steve m-wise .
when back in the area, i'd certainly return. just look for the big, lit up pink pig - that's what set off my bbq pheromones ;-)