Kenny Bowers turns out one of the best burgers in Texas. At Kenny’s Smoke House, he sets out to show he has the same deft skill with BBQ

<img class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-17621″ src=”http://escapehatchdallas.com/wp-content/uploads/kennys-smokehouse-beef-ribs.jpg” alt=”kennys-smokehouse-beef-ribs” width=”640″ height=”427″/>It’s taken me three years to try chef Kenny Bowers’ Kenny’s Smoke House, at the Shops at Legacy in Plano, but having fallen for his excellent burgers (which made the cut for Texas Monthly’s 50 Greatest Burgers in Texas list this year), I figured the talented chef had a smokey trick or two worth checking out. Indeed he does.

Bowers low-and-slows brisket, pork ribs and pork shoulder that will satisfy most weekend barbecue fans, even those pesky friends from out-of-town who want to eat “authentic Texas barbecue.” He smokes over hardwoods, glazes the meats with a sweet, vinegary, tomato-based sauce that’s appealing to sauce freaks, and pays attention to the sides, like a craveable loaf of cornmeal and thyme-spiked mac and cheese.

If you’re on the hunt for big, meaty beef ribs, Kenny’s Smoke House should be on your dance card.

What to wash it all down with? Your waiter will suggest an Old Fashioned cocktail, constructed with house-smoked Makers Mark bourbon. You should trust him.

You should also trust him when he tells you the chicken tenders are best-in-town delicious, and that the jalapeño-and-cheddar sausages are worth the fuss of trucking them in from Southside Market in Elgin, Texas — the sausage capital of Texas.

photos: Kenny’s Smoke House