T & R Taste of Texas opened on Broadway near 36th Street in late October, and Chef Rodney Ray said he thinks the barbecue restaurant will be able to last in the spot that has seen several businesses come and go in past years. “It’s simple, good, home-cooked food,” he said Wednesday. “It’s great barbecue, and we don’t grill it – we smoke it.” All meats are smoked a minimum of five hours in an on-site smoker, and four types of wood are used: apple, hickory, mesquite and cherry, Ray said. Meats... Brandon Patris comment-61684 2011-12-27T19:01:59Z 2011-12-27T19:01:59Z Every place can be said to have it's share of problems, and it is not isolated to that location. Lots of great people and businesses thrive along the Broadway corridor of Oak Park and there's a great new positive energy sweeping through the community. Broadway even has its own private security patrol--the neighborhood is making great strides.. Patris 2011-12-27T19:01:59Z Randy Balzarano comment-61657 2011-12-26T18:26:22Z 2011-12-26T18:26:22Z Yes I have, I hang out there and get some work done on a regular basis. Oak Park is ok and getting better all the time. Randy Balzarano 2011-12-26T18:26:22Z Susan Arroyo comment-61644 2011-12-24T00:07:40Z 2011-12-24T00:07:40Z Have you guys not visited old soul on Broadway and 35th. It is not far from this BBQ place and there is all sorts of people going to this coffee shop at all hours of the day and evening. North oak park is a pretty ok place to be. It can only get better if the support is there. Susan Arroyo 2011-12-24T00:07:40Z Randy Balzarano comment-61642 2011-12-23T23:28:47Z 2011-12-23T23:28:47Z Thank you Rhys02 for the comment, it's spot on. Great food and great service. These people have the courage to open a business, let's give our local, small businesses support. The area is not bad and has several new businesses. There is life outside the grid. Randy Balzarano 2011-12-23T23:28:47Z TWRL comment-61633 2011-12-23T15:39:17Z 2011-12-23T15:39:17Z I will strap up and head on down... TWRL 2011-12-23T15:39:17Z Rhys02 comment-61624 2011-12-23T01:06:00Z 2011-12-23T01:06:00Z Might recognize the harm words can cause. I live down the street and I think this is the first business in this location that has a real chance of making it. For one thing their customers are as diverse as the neighborhood(could never be said for anything Kevin Johnson did in O.P.). They put out a hell of good product at a price point the neighborhood can afford. I suspect you haven't been in the actual neighborhood for 20 years or maybe you sage advice is based on what you see on TV. The area is a safe as any other neighborhood, I walk around at 10:30PM without any problem. All that said.. while one should go there for great barbeque it is their sides that rock!! They don't brag about having the best tater tots for nothing!! Rhys02 2011-12-23T01:06:00Z hurricane comment-61616 2011-12-22T20:39:16Z 2011-12-22T20:39:16Z There have been several barbeque establishments in this location, none lasted very long, very bad location and dangerous, watch your back on this corner, I would not open anything in this spot and expect to last in this economy! Good luck. hurricane 2011-12-22T20:39:16Z