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SAN BENITO — Pappasito’s Smokehouse And Then Some sits on the corner of East Stenger Street and East Milam Street in a building that for many years housed the Diamond G Food Store, a staple for many San Benitians throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Gone are the aisles that once provided locals with groceries, beer, produce and other home goods. The smell of popcorn and hot dogs have been replaced by the smell of burning wood and smoked meats.
Pappasito’s Smokehouse, which opened its doors in February, offers barbecue, burgers, Tex-Mex… and then some. I’m here for the and then some.
Well, I’m here for breakfast.
During an impromptu trip to the Resaca City, my dad and I decided to stop by and try their breakfast, which is served all day, according to one of the workers.
We were seated at a booth, and served coffee by a waitress who affectionately referred to us both as “papa.” So much so that I begin to wonder if I’m secretly the namesake for this establishment.
All jokes aside, the entire staff was ridiculously friendly and accommodating. Classic San Benito hospitality.
“What would you like to order, papa?” she asked me. I asked her how big the breakfast tacos are. The brisket and egg taco immediately caught my attention, but for $5.99 I need a bit of reassurance.
She informed me that they are roughly eight inches in length, but large enough for two tacos.
My dad ordered the sausage and egg taco, priced at $4.95.
We snacked on some chips and salsa while we waited for our food to arrive.
I grew a bit discouraged by their selection of country music playing through the restaurant’s speakers. We were forced to listen to such songs like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” by Trace Adkins and Kane Brown’s “I Love Country Music,” which ironically made me hate country music.
I just wanted to hear some Willie and Waylon. Perhaps some Charley Crockett or Freddy Fender?
When the food arrived, I couldn’t have been more pleased with what lay on my plate. The flour tortillas looked to be homemade, but it was the eggs and the brisket that really warmed my heart.
The eggs were perfectly cooked, at least to my liking. I was a bit concerned that the brisket could end up being overcooked in the eggs, but it was in fact very moist and tender and smokey.
I asked for extra salsa, which I then added to the taco along with a serving of refried beans.
The meal was divine, to say the least.
My dad’s taco came with barbecue sausage mixed in with the eggs instead of the more traditional breakfast sausage that usually comes served with breakfast tacos.
I asked my dad what he thought of his taco. “It was good,” he said. Anyone who knows my dad knows that this is one of the highest compliments coming from him.
Aside from what we ordered, Pappasitos also offers bean and egg, bacon and egg, potato and egg, and bean and bacon tacos, as well as breakfast plates which come with beans and potatoes.
If you find yourself in San Benito, Pappasitos Smokehouse And Then Some is definitely worth a try. They are open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
