Today the rainy weather brought me to Pete’s Fine Meats & Grill off Richmond Avenue because one of my followers told me they had a chopped beef sandwich for $2.39. I thought, there’s no way! So I had to go see for myself.
When I pulled up, the place was packed with people grabbing lunch. Walking in, I realized it’s not just a BBQ joint, it’s a meat market, deli, and grill all rolled into one. I looked at the menu, and sure enough, there it was… a $2.39 chopped beef sandwich. I ordered one along with a side of potato salad, a bag of chips, and a Coke.
I’ll definitely be back to try more of the menu, but today was all about that chopped beef Sandwich.
You see, chopped beef is a staple of Texas barbecue. Back in the day, pitmasters figured out a way to use every bit of brisket that didn’t make the slicing block. Chop it up, mix it with sauce, pile it on a bun, and you’ve got another great menu item. With brisket prices being what they are today, it still makes perfect business sense to maximize every piece of meat.
The sandwich was good and pretty much what you’d expect. Like a lot of chopped beef sandwiches, including Buc-ee’s, it’s chopped fine and mixed with plenty of sauce, giving it more of a Sloppy Joe texture than chunks of brisket. Nothing fancy, just simple comfort food that hits the spot.
The first bite took me back to high school. During the summers I’d work with my neighbor doing jobs out in Katy, and we’d always stop at Dozer’s BBQ for their buy-one-get-one-free chopped beef sandwiches. Funny how food can bring back memories from 30 years ago.
The potato salad was fresh, mustard-based, and honestly tasted just like my mom makes. That’s always a win in my book.
While I was paying, I asked the owner about the famous $2.39 sandwich. He told me his dad used to sell them for just 99 cents to keep people coming back. Like everyone else, they’ve had to raise prices because of the cost of food, but even at $2.39, it’s still one of the best lunch deals in Houston.
Before I left, he handed me two house-made cookies, one lemon and one chocolate chip. I wasn’t expecting that, but both were outstanding and a perfect way to finish the meal. The whole lunch came to right around $12 with tax, about what you’d spend at a fast-food drive-thru these days. The difference is you’re supporting a local family business that’s been serving its community for years.
This is exactly why I do these reviews. It’s not always about chasing the newest or most talked- about BBQ spot. Sometimes it’s about shining a light on the mom-and-pop places that have been quietly taking care of their customers for decades.
Have you ever eaten at Pete’s Fine Meats & Grill? If so, let me know what your favorite thing on the menu is,I know I’ll be back to try more and if there is a place you would like me to try and do a review on list it in the comments.
Smokin Willy T
