Come to Ruston, LA, for the Best Barbecue

The Loaded Smoked Potato at Dowling’s Smokehouse‎, 1313 Cooktown Road, Ruston, LA 71270 (318- 513-9966) has the kind of culinary experience that is impossible to forget. Here’s what the owner says about it: “slow smoked for several hours until tender and full of smoky flavor. Served with cheese, butter, sour cream, and chopped brisket, ham, turkey, or sausage.” I had one with chopped brisket.

Tonight I thought I’d try a potato with sausage, but the college student in front of me in line ordered a Scatterload. Here’s what the owner says about the Scatterload: “very popular sandwich made of minced ham, turkey, hot link, sausage, brisket, and cheese all mixed together to make a delicious meal.” Since the young man from LA Tech ordered with confidence in his selection, I decided to try it. I ordered extra cheddar and requested a sour dough bun.

When the sandwich arrived, it was full of finely cubed bits of a variety of barbecued meat. The server suggested I might like extra barbecue sauce. Oh, what sauce! I don’t know when I’ve had a tastier sandwich.

I’ve eaten barbecue in a dozen places in Texas, some of them famous. Last week I ate barbecue in a well-known place in Mississippi. Nowhere have I eaten better barbecue than at Dowling’s right here at home.

The employees did not stop at being courteous . . . they were friendly. The barbecue at Dowling’s is the product of generations of cooks who know what they are doing. Kristen and Jeremy Telford are honoring their family with an amazing restaurant.

For their story visit Dowlingsbbqu.com