Poke In Da Eye BBQ

From time to time I’ll do a Google search to see if any new BBQ offerings are available near me. On one such occasion I stumbled upon Poke In Da Eye BBQ on HWY 64 between Tyler and Chapel Hill, Texas. We decided to try it out on a Sunday after church for lunch. It’s an interesting little place that not only serves up BBQ but also live music on Friday nights. 

The Pitmaster, Joseph Koricanek began his BBQ journey with his wife competing in competitions in the Houston area. Over the years he has competed all across America including the American Royal in Kansas City. To learn more about his career in BBQ check out his website by clicking here.

Arriving at 1:00 PM we managed to miss the larger lunch crowd but that also meant they were out of a few things like ribs. I ended up trying the sliced brisket and sausage and my wife had her usual chopped beef sandwich. The sliced brisket was tender and juicy with a nice hickory smoked flavor. I can eat sausage like potato chips and I enjoyed the snap on this sausage. They serve three kinds of sausage, regular, pepper jack cheese and hot links. 

Watch out for the BBQ Sauce before you pour it on your meat or plate. My wife picked up the closest bottle and covered the brisket on her sandwich. She got lit up like a Christmas tree, she had grabbed the spicy hot bottle. When presented with more than one bottle of sauce I taste a small bit before I pour it on my cue. My routine paid off today.

Unlike most BBQ shacks in East Texas, Poke In Da Eye doesn’t serve Pulled Pork. You can get a smoked tenderloin but you won’t find a traditional pork butt. Also, their beef is Certified Hereford which made me think of my Uncle Doc. Growing up I spent a lot of time on my Uncle’s farm where he raised Hereford cattle, watermelons, tomatos, beans and potatos for miles it seemed. 

Just the Meats

• Brisket – Sliced or Chopped
• Pork Ribs
• Chicken
• Pork Tenderloin
• Sausage – Regular or Pepper Jack Cheese
• Hot Links
• Turkey
• Ham

Side Items

• New Potatos
• Baked Potatos
• Pinto Beans
• Mac and Cheese
• Mixed Veggies
• Corn and Corn on the Cob
• Green Beans
• Potato Salad
• Coleslaw – Sweet and Creamy or Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette

If you still have room for desert Poke In Da Eye serves up pies, cobblers, cakes and banana pudding. You won’t find the same desert every day as the lineup changes often. You can also buy whole pies and cakes to take home and enjoy later.

The atmosphere here is typical for a family owned BBQ shack offering indoor and outdoor dining options. The decor feels like a BBQ joint and they have found a way to incorporate some cool seating and design elements. You’ll have to check it out when you visit.