2625 Old Denton Rd, #700
Carrollton, TX 75006
(972) 483-3600

It didn’t bode well when I discovered that Cobb Switch BBQ occupied the space vacated by another barbecue restaurant. I felt the same concern for the future of that restaurant as much as I felt for Cobb Switch when I walked in on a quiet Tuesday evening after 7pm. I expected a bigger crowd since Cobb Switch is the lone Anglo destination (aside from IHOP) on the corner of Old Denton that is quickly being encroached upon by Asian strip malls and eateries. But what I suspected to be mediocre barbecue turned out to be just that.

I took home the dynamic duo of Texas barbecue meats: brisket and ribs in a two-meat dinner box. The counter staff was courteous and accommodating, even pleased to hear that I wanted crust on my brisket. However, when asked if I wanted barbecue sauce, I made the mistake of answering yes, not realizing they meant to ladle it over my meats. (I realized this too late when I opened my dinner after arriving home.) The counter appeared well stocked with sides that appeared freshly made and inviting; I chose the potato casserole and skillet corn.

There’s something about a barbecue establishment that ought to reek of smoke…sadly I detected none of that, in either the restaurant or the food. I suppose if the sauce hadn’t drowned the meat I might have detected more flavors, but I had already decided that I disagreed with their tomato sauce even more. Yes, I said tomato sauce..and it was more tomatoey than any barbecue sauce I had ever tasted. I considered it a crime to have doused the meat with it. Tender and moist though the brisket or the ribs may have been, I can’t be sure of blaming the cooking method or the sauce. Either way, neither the meats nor the sauce could rise to the occasion and overturn what had become a disappointing and ultimately forgettable experience. (And where was the crusty brisket I ordered?)

Too bad, I rather enjoyed their buttery spicy skillet corn and their potato casserole. Their dinner roll wasn’t half bad either. But if I went just by meat alone–since this is the restaurant’s driving force–then I’m not persuaded to revisit Cobb Switch again. Maybe if they reformulated the sauce, I’d give it a try again.

1630 Valwood Pkwy
Carrollton, TX 75006
(972) 247-7754

Buz’s doesn’t have too many items on their menu to flub up. I have ordered their caesar salad twice and found their dressing too runny. Their chicken cutlet was tough and just too flavorless. But I suppose that’s not what people should be ordering at a spud place. The biggest draw here are their potatoes and wraps, and the lunchtime crowds seem to agree. Buz’s offers a decent selection of both and they never fail to satisfy. On occasion they will post specials on the board, and the friendly staff seems always eager to advertise this. This is also the only shop in the food mall to offer smoothie teas…though I have yet to try them. A safe bet for cheap satisfying lunches if you’re in the area.