AJ's Ranch Road Grill

Usually a fan, today was A-ok.I'd seen their $3 specials menu available Tuesday/Thursday and finally got my act together to try it. Good variety to choose from, I opted for a sausage wrap and a chicken taco. Added a potato salad and a coke from the fridge, bringing it to just over $10 after tax and before tip.Now this is the budget menu--don't be expecting fancy toppings on your taco. You're getting carb and meat. The sausage is short but fat, has good flavor and one wrap would do me for lunch. The chicken taco was not enormous, but generous with the chicken. It was well seasoned if on the dry side; both sausage and pollo were hot, smoky, and grilled tasty.So no onion/chiles, lettuce/tomato, no problem. Here's where it got weird. When I went to open the included standard shots of condiments, the bbq sauce was watery and my beloved jalapeño ranch....wasn't ranch. I think it was jalapeño mayo? Glad they came on the side, as I chose not to use them. An unusual glitch in smooth service for a year but I have to report honestly. If you're taking it home or carry Yellowbird sauce in your purse or car, you'll be fine. As it is, I was glad I'd ordered the potato salad to help that taco go down.Despite the off condiments, I'm happy with my budget items and I'll gladly try everything else on that $3 list outside of the corn dog. My usual caveat: I don't do big plates of carne here, just snacks and thick sandwiches. Love their late night hours, tons of parking, 95% friendly service. Their pork sliders are a solid bargain, and I'm a sucker for their Texas tots, stoner mac, and usually excellent jalapeño ranch.

This evening, I opted for my AJ's favorite, the bacon and fried egg cheeseburger. I wanted a pretzel bun, and although they were out of pretzel buns, the sourdough bun -- toasted, natch -- was absolutely delicious. The burger was great: the meat was tasty, and the fried egg and bacon added just the right amount of flavor. Also, I got lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles to take away. There could have been more lettuce, but that is a minor nitpick. Fries were quite tasty, and all told, it hit the spot.I shared the burger and fries with Mrs. R. because as a forty-four-year-old who still wants to fit in his pants, I can't eat the full burger and fries.As always, great place, open late, and tasty.

This is hands down the best place to have a pulled pork sandwich. Even the tea was amazing. Will be back for the Philly fries.

Honestly the best brisket I've had to this date. Oh, and the brisket nachos are to die for.

Nice little hole in wall. We stopped here after dropping my son off at Texas State. Brisket quesadillas were on point. Good bbq sauce but need more of it. Good green chili ranch sauce. Fries were excellent! My son had pulled pork sandwich combo. Should be served with coleslaw and pickles and jalepenos on the sandwich. Quality of meat is great. Good smoke. They let you BYOB from liquor store next door, which I did. The folks were nice, service was good. My son will be going here often for good food at good price. He will like the brisket grilled cheese and brisket nachos... Check this place out next time you are in quaint San Marcos!

Great hole in the wall barbecue place and the hungry man deal is at incredible value. Open somewhat late as well which is super convenient. The food is always incredible thought the sausage can be a bit inconsistent but suppliers do be like that though. Not worth losing a star for such a minor issue, and staff is always helpful when providing sauce/silverware/etc.

I've lived her for over 3 years and not only didn't know about this place but also never want. This place confuses the heck out of me. It's a bbq place, that doesn't look like a bbq place, that stays open till 3AM?!?! It just doesn't seem to make sense for San Marcos but guess what IT DOES!!! Now the only thing that I've actually only ever gotten here were the brisket quesadillas and the tots but boy oh boy it is amazing. If you are in the area and can't really decide what you want, options are limited in San Marcos, then I'd stop by. I'm not a huge fan or bbq but if you kinda are. Try them out.

Probably time to spread the word about AJ's it's one of my favorite places to eat. When it comes to skidmarkus Texas this place here has some of the best bbq and comfort food in town. It's sort of a hidden gem kind of place nobody seems to notice as much as the ones around town bbq wise. I think it's as good if not better than the rest myself. The samiches the brisket and sausage and chicken love it all nachos and grilled cheese all of its good. Well totaled my new truck outside back in November don't go across traffic with college kids around they are dumb as fork. Lol

Ben and Alex went above and beyond packaging my stuff up for me, super dope employees will be back.

I got a rib platter DoorDash'ed and it was still super good and fresh, despite it being somewhat late at night. Rib quality was there and it was a great size. Fries were damn good too. Will definitely be back