If you’re in the mood for a unique dining experience, you’re in luck because Arizona has plenty of themed restaurants to choose from. Each stands out for different reasons but today we’re going to take a look at one restaurant with one unique building.
Big Tex Bar-B-Que, located in the middle of small town Willcox, is one such example. Situated inside an old 1929 train dining car, the restaurant lures diners with mouthwatering smells of meat being smoked on premises.
Dining cars acted as a full-scale restaurant for train passengers and Big Tex continues this tradition nearly 90 years later in a historical spot. Just down the street from the restaurant is the Willcox City Hall, which once was the town’s train station for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Also within eyeshot is the railroad and the Historic Railroad Avenue Park.
In an interview with the Arizona Daily Star, the restaurant’s owner, Jeff Willey, explained that the idea for opening a barbeque restaurant in his hometown came from spending a few years in Texas and clearly falling in love with the food. The restaurant initially started as a food truck and eventually made its way to the current location inside the train car.
The restaurant specializes in Texas-style barbeque, serving a variety of meats smoked over mesquite wood with a homemade barbeque sauce. Of course, it wouldn’t be a barbeque restaurant without generous portions and sides like cole slaw and beans.
For the strange people who don’t want to eat up a plate of juicy ribs, Big Tex also serves sandwiches, burgers, and plenty of fried meals and appetizers. Big Tex Bar-B-Que is located at 130 East Maley Street in Willcox, just a short drive off of Interstate 10. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a .m. to 8 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open until 9 p.m.
Want to find some other small town eateries around the state? You’ll want to read our article 11 Small Town Diners In Arizona With Meals To Die For.
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