Are you feeling the need to satisfy your inner umami taste? Yes, we’re talking about barbecue, and Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q can help you with that. But if you’re vegan, do they have something for you? Let’s find out.
Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q is famous for its brisket, a cut from the breast or lower chest of beef. The majority of their dishes involve meat and dairy products, which are not an option for vegans. But their side dishes and a few desserts are worth checking out.
As a vegan, I understand how it feels to get stuck in a spot where there are zero to few plant-based options, especially when you’re starving. Still, it’s worth trying to see if restaurants like Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q have something to offer to plant-based eaters.
In this article, we will find out all the possibilities that we can do at Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q regarding their vegan options.
Table of Contents
A Brief History
Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q was founded in 1989 in Leon Springs, San Antonio, Texas, with almost 50 locations in Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Florida. They use oak, a slow-burning wood, to fire their pits and cook their own dry spice.
Known for their delicious brisket, Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q also offers chicken, turkey, pork ribs, chopped beef, sausage, prime rib, and pulled pork. They’re also famous for their very own sauce called Sause. This and their brisket have put them on the map.
Their menu, though, depends on what location you are in, but in most of their spots, they offer meat dishes such as brisket, pork loin, jalapeño sausages, sandwiches, breakfast tacos, desserts, and sides. So if you’re interested more in their dishes, let’s look at each one of them to find out if there’s something vegan for you in case you take a trip to one of their locations in the U.S.
Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q Vegan Options
Looking at their menu in Texas, where Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q is headquartered, it seems that there are only a few options in their side dishes and maybe in their desserts. Let’s check it out.
- Potato Salad. While this can be made with vegan mayonnaise, it’s worth asking Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q how it’s prepared. Some potato salads have chopped eggs or bacon, but you’ll never know unless you ask.
- Rudy’s Beans. There is no mention of what includes in this dish, but beans are vegan. You may ask them what else is involved in it to make sure you’re eating it vegan.
- Three Bean Salad. Here’s another bean salad you will have to verify from them to see if it’s something you can have as a plant-based or vegan eater.
- Cream Corn. This is mostly vegan despite that it’s called cream corn. More often than not, it doesn’t have to contain cream, as the milk and liquid from the corn cob and kernels are used to achieve the creamy consistency. Still, it’s worth asking Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q how it was prepared.
- Cole Slaw. Also called New England salad, this might be the dish that Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q offers that you don’t have to worry about if it’s vegan or not. The dressing is either mayonnaise or vinaigrette. The latter, though, is common as a healthier option. Rejoice, it’s vegan!
- New Potatoes. This one, too, is possibly vegan. You just have to ask how it was prepared and what’s involved.
- Corn-On-The-Cob. Here’s another dish that we’re certain that’s vegan. Definitely one of everyone’s favorite side dishes!
- Jumbo Smoked Potato. This can be vegan, too, as they have the same dish with a meat option. Just ask.
- Banana Pudding. Puddings include vanilla wafers, which may contain dairy. But you can ask how it was made to ensure you’re eating it vegan.
- Chocolate Pudding. While this can be made vegan, most chocolate puddings also include dairy. You may ask Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q about it.
- Peach Cobbler. This includes batter, pie crust, biscuit, and fruit filling. The process depends on how the ingredients were made, although it’s mostly vegan. You know the drill. Ask.
- Rice Krispie Treats. These are similar to rice cakes that are either vegan or non-vegan. It’s still safe to ask how they were prepared.
- Breakfast Tacos. Almost all of the taco flavors on this menu contain meat. There’s one labeled as Breakfast Bowl, and you can ask if you can have it modified in case it includes meat.
So there you have it. Most locations have the same dishes, although there are add-ons and some that are not in other spots.
Vegan Barbecue Restaurants
Since Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q mainly offer dishes with meat and dairy products, we have checked some of the best vegan barbecue restaurants in the U.S. that you can consider next time. So if you plan to trip to one of these spots, know that you’re in the right place.
- Brothers BBQ with several locations in Colorado
- Boss ChickNBeer in Cleveland, Ohio
- Compton Vegan in Los Angeles
- Imagine Vegan Cafe in Memphis, Tennessee
- Grass VBQ Joint in Atlanta
- Kale My Name in Chicago, Illinois
- Lovin’ Spoonfuls in Tucson, Arizona
- Homegrown Smoker in Portland, Oregon
- Monks Meats in Brooklyn, New York
- Seitan’s Realm in Columbus, Ohio
- Southern Fried Vegan with several locations but based in San Diego, California
- The Southern V in Nashville, Tennessee
- Vegan Mob in Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, California
- Veggie Grill with multiple locations
- The Acre in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- BBQ4Life in Boise, Idaho
- Big Belly Que in Smithtown, New York
There’s still a way to enjoy barbecues without the need to slaughter animals. America already has plenty of vegan enthusiasts passionate about saving pigs, chickens, cows, and all others. Also, you get to reduce your carbon footprint, which is great for the earth.
So the next time your umami taste bothers you, feel free to check out one of these vegan barbecue restaurants wherever you may be in the U.S. They’re heaven-sent!
How Healthy Are Vegan Barbecue?
A study suggests that vegan barbecues are 43% healthier than regular ones. Yes, we mean meat. According to the research, the calories for meat barbecues produce 369, while the vegan ones only give an average of 208. Its fat also contains 20 g, while the vegan barbecue only gives 9 g and is richer in fiber.
Vegan barbecues are also faster and easier to prepare, with only about 20 minutes to make, while meat takes about an hour.
However, vegan barbecues are higher in carbs and sugar than meat. Falafel burgers, pulled jackfruit, and avocado Panzanella are among the popular replacements for meat barbecues.
Top Vegan Barbecue Recipes
Grilling season doesn’t mean vegans can’t enjoy. While meat is dominant in barbecues, many vegans have been hard at work in creating plant-based and cruelty-free grill dishes to satisfy our inner umami taste.
So we also checked some of the best vegan barbecue recipes to pair with your other plant-based dishes as soon as the alfresco cooking sets in. Let’s show the world that vegans can also pull it through during the barbecue season!
On to the list.
- Tofu Peanut Satay and Cucumber Skewers
- Vegan Barbecue Ribs
- Grilled Stuffed Zucchini Boats Topped With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
- Homemade Burgers
- Grilled Sweet Potato Steaks Drizzled With Cilantro Garlic
- Barbecue Tofu
- Banana, Pineapple, Strawberry Skewers Drizzled With Salted Chocolate
- Cauliflower Steak
- Grilled Chili Corn With Coconut Lime Cream
- Grilled Aubergine
- Cauliflower “Wing” Skewers Topped With Sesame Seeds
- Potato Salad
- Grilled Cabbage Steaks Drizzled With Maple Mustard Balsamic
- Veggie Kebabs
- Coconut-Crusted Tempeh Skewers Paired With Mango Salsa
- Baked Pineapple
- Candied Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprout Skewers And Red Onion
- Grilled Broccoli Steaks Topped With Dukkah
- Beetroot Burger
- Mediterranean Grilled Avocados Topped With Tahini and Chickpeas
- Creamy Vegan Queso
- BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches With Tasty Avocado Slaw
- Grilled Umeboshi Tempeh and Pineapple Kebabs
- Teriyaki Grilled Aubergines
- Filled Portobello Mushrooms
- Grilled Corn, Cabbage, Potatoes, and Asparagus
- Cilantro and Peanut Grilled Veggie Skewers
- Avocado Pasta Salad
- Portobello Mushroom Bruschetta
- California Pasta Salad
- Grilled Potatoes With Rosemary
- Spicy Grilled Tofu Salad
- Grilled Corn Salad Bowl
- Hawaiian Seitan Skewers
- Grilled Corn-on-the-Cob Dressed With Creamy Avocado Dill
- Grilled Sweet and Spicy Black Bean Burger Topped With Mango Habanero Cream
- Grillable Summer Vegetables with Apple Mustard Sauce
- Grilled Romaine & Radicchio Salad Dressed With Charred Carrot
- Vegan Lentil Burger Topped With Basil Mayonnaise
The Bottom Line
Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q is not a vegan-friendly spot, but they have a few ones that you can ask to modify. If you set foot in one of their locations, always ask for a dish that we have listed above and see if they can have it customized. Otherwise, you can either visit other vegan locations or make one for yourself. Homemade is always the best option.
Also, always opt for healthier ingredients, especially when it comes to barbecue. There are so many selections of vegan barbecue recipes that we’ve also provided if you choose to make one at home during the grilling season. Health is wealth!