Biographical information courtesy of the Austin Chronicle.
See below for Austin Chronicle BBQ Links.

Rudy Mikeskas Bar-B-Q, Inc

300 W. Second, Taylor, 512/365-3722, 800/962-5706

Mon-Sat, 10am- 8pm; Sun, 10am- 2pm

Located one door over from Louie Mueller's, Rudy Mikeska's seems eternally fated to being the known as the other place in Taylor. Yet the Mikeskas have nevertheless carved a comfortable niche for themselves in the pantheon of Texas barbecue all-stars. All five of Rudy Mikeska's brothers have opened barbecue joints of their own in other parts of Texas. Called the "first family of Texas barbecue," the Mikeskas, like their neighbors the Muellers, have been serving reliable barbecue for almost 50 years, passing the torch from one generation to the next. If you're having a party and want some barbecue, then Rudy Mikeska's is your place. They cater barbecue to over a half-million people a year, serving food as effortlessly to gubernatorial inaugurations as to small-town weddings. At the cafeteria-style restaurant in Taylor, Rudy Mikeska's offers the standard round of barbecue fare, plus a few extras, such as smoked mutton, roast beef, and smoked ham. For catered events, they also serve fried catfish, steaks, and even fajitas. What makes Rudy Mikeska's stand apart from other barbecue joints is the nontraditional sides they serve. In their warming table, corn on the cob, hot buttered potatoes, and creamed green beans jostle for space beside the usual barbecue sentinels: coleslaw, potato salad, and beans. An efficient drive-through window around back makes Rudy's especially convenient for those who are just passing through and want to pick up a hearty snack for home consumption. --R.F.