Thorpie’s Barbeque & Catering

FEATURED RESTAURANT

BY MIKE PUCKETT

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Thorpie’s Barbecue and Catering is located about a mile South of Interstate 10 in the small West Texas town of Sonora. Come to find out, there’s not much out in these parts of Texas and after spending an afternoon with the locals… I understand that is exactly how they like it.

Thorpie’s Barbecue is a food truck featuring authentic Texas BBQ. It’s currently parked next to Gypsy Chix off US HWY 277 and they are only open on Wednesday and Friday. I suggest you call before you visit, just to make sure they are all set-up.

The Thorps are no amateurs at the BBQ thing. Steve Thorp and daughter Kelly have been serving it up to the locals for about 20 years. This family-owned and operated Barbecue truck is as GOOD as it gets!

Thorpie’s specializes in catering private functions. They have been competing nationally for over 8 years and during that time competed in over 50 events. Finally, they decided to start the food truck. I am so happy they did.

West Texas in August is no joke. The sun was at its hottest around noon when we showed up. It was time for some shade and a large glass of the Thorp Homemade Lemonade. Yep, that did the trick!

We let Kelly pick out the items we needed to try and it turned out to be a little bit of everything. That put a smile on my face. She said they prepare everything with a little Thorp family love. No doubt about that!

First up came “La Bomba”! This mound of Fritos was smothered with pinto beans, chopped brisket, sausage, cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, pickles, onion and mounds of BBQ sauce. Is THAT something you would be interested in? I almost lost my balance, it was the first time I had ever eaten anything like it. The saltiness of the Fritos worked well with the sweet BBQ sauce and the jalapeños gave it that West Texas kick that I like. On a funny side note, my buddy Hunt was in a conversation with owner Steve and when he turned back around I had finished it all off. They were shocked. Oops…

The 3-Meat Combo showed up next. Here was our chance to see if all those competition cook-offs had paid off. I had my answer the second I tasted the perfectly-smoked ribs. Yes! We also enjoyed the brisket which had a wonderful bark flavor and a gorgeous smoke ring. The home-made jalapeño sausage finished off the trio and boy, was it nice and spicy! This combo is off the charts.

Since everything at Thorpie’s is hand-crafted, I couldn’t wait to taste their Loaded Baked Potato Salad made with potatoes, cheese, green onion, sour cream and mayo. You gotta try this! It’s even better than a whole baked potato – you can eat just a scoop, but it tastes just the same. Wonderful!

Another go-to side you need to try at Thorpie’s Barbecue is K.L.’s Cream Corn. It’s so sweet it could be dessert. Fresh yellow kernels of Thorpie Love. I LIKE THAT!

Home-made Banana Pudding, anyone? Yes, please. This bread pudding was stuffed in a small cup and kind of looked like a mess as you can see in the photography. But let me tell you, if it’s not the best banana pudding I have ever enjoyed, it ranks among the top 2 (Hi Mom). Way to go, guys!

I am not sure what I enjoyed the most about Thorpie’s Barbecue – the world-class West Texas BBQ or the world-class West Texas locals here in Sonora. These proud Texans are doing it right out here and it shows. I promise you I will rearrange my schedule to make sure I get my Thorpie’s fix every time I pass through. Texas LOVE.

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Drinks

Lemonade

Mains

La Bomba

Bed of corn chips on pinto beans, chopped brisket, sausage, cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, pickles, onion and mounds of BBQ sauce.

3 Meat Combo

Smoked brisket, ribs and jalapeno sausage

Sides

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Potatoes, cheese, green onion, sour cream and mayo

K.L.’s Cream Corn