from June 2007 issue of MetroFamily

Let’s Eat Restaurant Review: Billy Sims Barbecue

Don’t let the unpretentious appearance of Billy Sims Barbecue restaurant stop you from visiting. Once inside, the aroma of smoked meats will greet your nose and the sound of the sports on five televisions will be music to your man’s ears.
 
My husband, Joe, was a willing party when I asked him to help me check out this new barbecue restaurant. After all, smoked meats mean Joe’s a happy diner. The Billy Sims drive thru window makes it easy to dine at home, if that’s your preference. Whether eating in or out, your meal will be enjoyable.
 
Billy Sims Barbecue pays tribute to more than University of Oklahoma football and players. They also offer a Bevo Plate (beef brisket), Arkansas Steak (bologna), and Smoked Jayhawk (smoked chicken breast), among others.
 
As you stand in line studying the menu board, you’ll notice how carefully they handle their meats. The staff wraps slabs of ribs to prevent them from drying out.
 
We read the menu, tried not to drool, and finally decided on our selections. Joe ordered the Sooner Magic combo plate ($8.99) from the Touchdown Dinners. All Touchdown Dinners are served with two choices of sideliners, Okie toast, pepper, red onion, and pickle spear. The Sooner Magic combo plate also comes with two meats. Joe decided on the two ribs and pulled pork and chose Sooner Slaw-ter cole slaw and Billy BBQ Beans for his two sideliners. The Okie toast looked yummy; extra slices are tempting at just 49¢ each. Joe thought the ribs were moist and meaty, not at all greasy. The pulled pork was also good.
 
Though the smoked bologna was enticing (it reminded me of childhood days when my dad would smoke big logs of bologna on the weekend), I ordered a smoked chicken Sooner Sandwich ($5.49). Sooner Sandwiches are served with the choice of one sideliner, pepper, red onion, and pickle spear. Since Joe had ordered the Billy BBQ beans, I had potato salad for my sideliner. I think it’s important for the side dishes to be as pleasing as the entree, and these were. The beans were excellent—so good, that we’ll get an extra order next time. The potato salad was good, though I had to add salt and pepper. The chicken sandwich contained lots of moist, smoky, sliced chicken.
 
At Billy Sims, every table has a roll of paper towels on it—a good idea, because you certainly need them as you relish your meal. Each table is also equipped with large squeeze bottles of mild and hot barbecue sauces. Surprisingly, I preferred the mild as it seemed to be more flavorful than the hot. We used plenty to come to this scientific decision.
 
Meat is offered by the pound and ribs by the half and full rack. The half rack contains six ribs ($8.99) and they offer add-a-rib as a sideliner for $1.99. Having a picnic or party? Try the Game Day Pack ($22.99) for three or four people or the Tailgater Pack ($45.99) for six to eight people.
 
Annie’s Restaurant Rating
4 of 4 forks
Billy Sims Barbecue
924 W Edmond Rd, Edmond
405-562-1330
BillySimsBBQ.com
(also in Tulsa and Broken Arrow)
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11am–10pm
Prices: $3.49-$45.99; children’s menu $2.99 and $3.99
 
Have a recipe or restaurant to recommend? MFM’s Food Editor, Annie Nashert, would love to add it to her review list. Contact her at FoodEditor@MetroFamilyMagazine.com.