text: I am torn on this one I had tried Rudys in NYC during the BBQ fest a few different times and remembered liking it so I was stoked to learn they had a location outside of Austin Some aspects of this place are fabulous but some make me want to run away and never return BF and I ordered food to take home from here after a trip to IKEA we both needed a reward for surviving that place on a Sunday We ordered potato wMoist Brisket side of stew pulled pork bbq sandwich a side of beans and one fountain drink nnThe way you order food is the same for here and togo kind of like Joes Real BBQ in Gilbert which I will just tell you right now is FAR AND AWAY x better than this place overall They even have the troughs of sodas and beers to choose fromI am fairly certain the bottled Coke is of the Mexican variety though as you will learn in a moment I did not opt for the bottled soda If you are debating between bottle and fountain soda GET THE BOTTLE I can not stress this enoughnnWhy you may ask is it so vitally important that one not order a fountain soda Well my friends Rudys sadly does not filter their water The ice cubes were revolting which was my first clueas I popped one in my mouth I was immediately repulsed but for some reason I decided to chance it with the soda which duh is made with the same nonfiltered water syrup BAD IDEA Grossest soda everrr And I love fountain sodas From places that actually filter their water that is I wish Phoenix water was better maybe I am just spoiled from my time in NYC where I could drink tap water with no weird taste but BF agreed that the water was definitely funky Sadly this problem affects other aspects of the food causing anything that was steamed by the water to have a weird taste at least I am guessing that is why What is interesting is their sweet tea which is unbelievably sweet and is much more palatable when mixed with the unsweetened conveniently located directly next to it is delish I am chalking that up to the water being boiled first in order to make the tea nnOn to the foodmy moist brisket was moist as promised but was comprised mostly of fat I know I have had brisket that is both moist and not fatty before so maybe it was just a oneoff The potato did not taste like a baked potato probably because it is roasted and not baked but it was not at all crispy skinned like I was hoping I will take the blame for that one The pulled pork was moist and juicy and the sandwich bread was perfect for it The beans not so greattoo runny and had a flavor I was not a fan of cannot put my finger on it which I realize is not that helpful nnThe stew was the highlight by farit is a pork stew with what I believe was green chilis and potatoes and had a really unique and tasty flavor that had both me and the BF craving more I recommend pairing it with corn chips nnThe prices were definitely greatwe got out of there for under for a ton of stuff We also snagged some of the togo sauces so we can experiment with the tangy bbq on other foods at home The staff were friendly and definitely do a LOT of workwhen you place your order at the counter the cashier is the one who puts all of your food together including assembling sandwiches I would come back to try some of the other menu items but if it is brisket I am craving I am heading to Joes next time