Words and photos by Steven Ehle
My wife, Lu, and I enjoy exploring Texas’s scenic backroads on our motorcycle. We often discover hidden gems along the way. Our trips are simple: we choose a charming town two to four hours away and look forward to finding great restaurants, local boutiques, museums, and gift shops. Last week, J. Cody’s Steak and Barbecue in Bryan called to us because of its spotlight on the PBS syndicated show, the Texas Bucket List.
Our GPS guided us north from Round Rock along Texas Highway 79, past the occasional farmstead surrounded by fields and old oak trees. We spotted wildflowers bursting with color and horses grazing lazily on the outskirts of quaint towns. Along the way, we were fortunate to glimpse exotic wild game, including majestic axis deer and blackbuck antelope in the fields.
When we reached J. Cody’s Steak and Barbecue, the hickory smoke and grilled meat aromas whetted our appetites. The eclectic décor, featuring stuffed wild game, such as mule deer, elk, bobcats, and ducks, gave the restaurant a unique character that reflected the rugged spirit of Texas. This barbecue restaurant is one-of-a-kind, with no additional locations or franchises.
When our meals arrived, the brisket was perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful, while the barbecue featured a heavenly blend of spices and smoke. J. Cody’s menu includes barbecue brisket, turkey, chicken, hamburgers, chicken-fried steak, and ribeye steaks. All barbecue plates are accompanied by two veggie servings, with a choice of corn, potato salad, coleslaw, pinto beans, cabbage, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, okra and tomatoes, or fried okra.
After our meal, we headed to College Station, excited to visit the Texas Bucket List Store & Studio of PBS fame. The show and store are a tribute to everything you want to do, see, and experience in the state. They feature a variety of merchandise, including shirts, hoodies, hats, flags, pint glasses, coffee mugs, hat pins, Texas cookbooks, and the official Texas Bucket List galvanized bucket.
As the day came to an end, Lu and I felt satisfied returning home from Bryan-College Station, which had embraced us with great food and cherished experiences. We’ll be sure to return to J. Cody’s and the Texas Bucket List Store. As the name implies, both the store and the barbecue are not-to-be-missed.
