While I tend to stray toward restaurants with a massive cocktail list, a wide menu, and flattering lighting, sometimes it’s the biggest hole in the wall joints that hit the spot. After visiting my boyfriend’s family in Eastern Oklahoma, we turned off Highway 59 near Sallisaw, Oklahoma to stop by a barbecue joint that I was told we couldn’t miss, Wild Horse Mountain.
Their building is a cross between your crazy uncle’s cabin and the setting for a horror movie set in a forest somewhere. But somehow, it works.
You’re greeted inside by signed pictures of Oklahoma’s finest rodeo queens. If it’s good enough for a queen, it’s good enough for me.
Their menu is simple, no fancy slaws or salads like I’m used to at a barbecue joint. Just meat – beef, pork, and chicken, and beans.
We went for the beef plate and a quarter chicken, with the medium sauce (I’m no baby! But also not a fan of barbecue sauce that “hurts”.) We got our food to go as we had our dog in the car and it was Oklahoma in July, so pardon the styrofoam packaging.
Like I said before, nothing fancy. But MAN, those beans. I’m not particularly a fan of barbecue beans, and slaw is usually my side of choice, but these were something else. They were spicy and rich, with a chili type kick at the end. I can see why they don’t offer any other sides. They clearly have this one down.
The sliced beef was a little dry, but luckily the barbecue sauce that was with it was delicious, so we were drowning it in sauce anyway. The ribs were fall off the bone tender. But my favorite meat?
That chicken. The skin was crispy, smokey, and flavorful, just like barbecued chicken should be.
The meat inside was perfectly smoked and juicy, and paired perfect with the barbecue sauce. I would probably opt for two of these and pass on the beef next time. It was that good.
Next time you’re heading east out of Oklahoma (or whatever reason you may find yourself near Sallisaw) stop in to Wild Horse Mountain Barbecue and get a little taste of what this part of the state has to offer. You won’t find any mason jar drinks or pretty plating, but you will find some damn good barbecue.
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