Unexpectedly back in my hometown of Tyler, Texas recently, I had a chance to do some exploring. While my mother was in the hospital I missed her home cooking, and the hospital meals left much to be desired. Needing something satisfying, I set out to find Paleo-friendly food in East Texas. I told my mom I was going to a barbecue place I had visited almost 15 years earlier. When I returned she asked if I’d found it. Instead of answering, I leaned down so she could smell my smoky hair. She immediately smiled and said, “Yes, you sure did!”
Pat Gee’s is more than a barbecue joint—it’s an experience.
A few miles east of Tyler and tucked into the Piney Woods, Pat Gee’s Barbecue sits off the beaten path. This isn’t a place you discover from highway signs; you have to know it’s there. A brother-in-law told me about it years ago, and I was eager to return to see if it still matched my fond memory and its long-standing reputation.
Pulling up to the modest wood-frame building, I noticed little had changed since my last visit—not even the outhouse out back. One big change: Pat passed away in 1999, but his family has continued the barbecue tradition for more than 30 years.
Refrigerator inside Pat Gee’s
Inside, near the front door, a fridge invites you to grab your own cold drink. Fly swatters hang from the counter. The windows are screened to let smoke out and fresh air in, and fans move the air around. Bare lightbulbs reveal blackened framing lumber stained by decades of rich wood smoke.
The menu posted on the wall laid out my choices. I had ribs on my mind, having missed them the day before at another spot that sold out by early afternoon. My Paleo rules meant skipping beans and potato salad, but that was no problem—Pat Gee’s is about the meat and the atmosphere.
This is not haute cuisine; it’s straightforward, expert barbecue. The interior is utilitarian with screens for windows and large shared tables that invite conversation. I spent most of my visit talking with the proprietress, Ms. Vera. Her warmth and encouragement about my mother’s recovery made the visit even more welcoming.
The pound of pork ribs I ordered came lightly sauced and served simply. I devoured them with gusto—proof that great barbecue doesn’t need fuss. The meal hit the spot, and the company and conversation revitalized my spirit as much as the food did. Ms. Vera told me, “I’m just really enjoying you,” and the feeling was mutual.
Pat Gee’s continues to operate from its longtime location. They are open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until the meat runs out. If you’re seeking authentic East Texas barbecue in a genuine, down-to-earth setting, Pat Gee’s delivers both flavor and hospitality in equal measure.
Address: 17547 Jamestown Rd., Tyler, Texas. Open Fri–Sun 11 a.m. until the meat runs out.