I'd heard the buzz around Bill Miller's, known far and wide for its budget-friendly BBQ plates and tantalizing sandwiches stuffed with barbecued or smoked meats. I felt thrilled-- as a confessed southern carnivore, it was a place that was already on my must-visit list for quite some time. And given their multiple locations across Texas, it wasn't too difficult to set my foot in there too. Quite smart of them, I'd say!
Open from the crack of dawn at 5-6 am and shutting shop only as late as 9 pm, I was intrigued to sample their breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings.
The journey of the humble Bill Miller's lit a spark of admiration in me. Its transformation from a humble poultry and egg business, born from a personal loan of $500 back in the early 1950s, to a fried chicken hub and ultimately the BBQ mecca it is today, in 1953 is astonishing. Locals initially thought Bill Miller (the founder and CEO himself) had lost direction and was scrambling to save a faltering business. Boy, were they mistaken! With 76 associated locations across Texas since 1953, Bill Miller's BBQ's growth is nothing less than triumphant.
You can get more insights into Bill Miller's fascinating journey and story by hitting this link.
Why does Bill Miller's BBQ stand out?
I could instantly see why Bill Miller's BBQ has its own massive fan base. They've stood the test of time by being pioneers in the 'whip-it-up-in-five-minutes' quick service restaurant space, long before the concept became commonplace. It's refreshing how they've managed to continually up the ante on their food quality and service, without compromising on their speed of service or hiking up prices. Their industrial-sized BBQ pits are a tribute to their capability to churn out massive quantities of genuine Texas BBQ at rapid speed.
How can they afford to keep their prices wallet-friendly?
While I marvelled at their low prices, I realized how their utilization of large BBQ pits and industrial smokers allowed them to cut down on staff and operational costs. Also, by sourcing their meat responsibly from local suppliers and farms, they not only guarantee quality and freshness, but also bring down their transportation costs. I found myself therefore doubting the rumor that Bill Miller's BBQ wasn’t making a large profit due to their bargain prices. Their loyal customer base and ongoing expansion do make an argument to the contrary.
Veggie lover's delight?
For vegetarians, Bill Miller's BBQ may disappoint slightly like most BBQ joints. However, they do offer a few substantial veggie options like their well-loved baked potatoes and lip-smacking bean and cheese tacos. Plus, sides like slaw and cream corn also provide decent choices for vegetarians and vegans alike.
Alcohol scene?
Well, Bill Miller's BBQ bills itself as a dry restaurant, no alcohol here. Also, no soft drinks are on the menu at this classic southern joint. They serve just sweet iced tea which, honestly, is the perfect accompaniment for good BBQ.
Why do they open so early?
To cook good BBQ can be an all-day process. The early morning opening does justice to the slow cooking process that good BBQ demands. Just remember though, their breakfast stops serving at 11 am.
Real deal Texas BBQ?
Being smoked meats of diverse cuts seasoned to perfection, Texas BBQ has historical deep roots in German and Czech cooking. Over the years, Texas BBQ has become a cuisine in its own right, with smoked sausages, brisket, and pork ribs being power players. And Bill Miller's BBQ having been in the business for over 70 years, it's fair to say they've picked up a trick or two along the way!
Are there any Bill Miller's BBQ branches outside of Texas?
All of Bill Miller's 70 + locations are rooted in Texan soil. This is probably because they source all their ingredients locally and adhere to local cuisines strongly. Although it's a downer that we don't see more Bill Miller's BBQ outside Texas, part of its charm lies in their unyielding adherence to local sourcing and cuisine.
In a bootstrap 5 card, with the card-body class, I'd list a few things that stuck with me during the visit:
Pros
- Quality food at bargain prices
- Quick service
- Authentic Texas BBQ
- Variety in menu
- Local sourcing of ingredients
Cons
- Limited vegetarian choices
- No alcohol or soft drinks
- Breakfast timings a bit inconvenient
- Not spread out beyond Texas