For 25 years, what many customers feel is the best barbecue in Texas has been available in Decatur. The name on the restaurant offering this mouthwatering barbecue may have changed over the years, but there has never been any reason to tamper with the recipe for success.

Sean Maynard has been in the business of serving delicious barbecue in Decatur for five years and now the restaurant on U.S. 81/287 in Decatur bears his name, Sean’s Mesquite Pit BBQ.

One step inside the spacious restaurant on the southbound side of the highway and you know you’re in a real barbecue joint. There’s a roll of paper towels on every table, right next to a bottle of honey. They’re both considered a necessity when you eat the hot, fresh-baked rolls that generously appear at your table at just the time you’re ready for another one.

Plenty of cedar accents and tin siding give the place a rustic, comfortable feel. You can’t get through the door before you’re greeted warmly by one of the many friendly employees. Between the dining areas, with seating for about 100, is a salad and baked potato bar, with all the fixins’. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can enjoy all you can eat salad.

The cafeteria-style line will soon be a thing of the past. Sean is adding waitstaff to provide better customer service. The serving line will become the take-out area and diners will be seated and served at their tables. The menu will be expanded but Sean won’t change anything on the barbecue menu that has pleased customers for a quarter of a century.

There will still be plenty of tasty brisket, sausage, ham, chicken, ribs and pulled pork. Sides include potato salad, coleslaw, two types of beans, two styles of sauce, corn on the cob, stew, everyone’s favorite shells and cheese, pickles and peppers. And you’ll want to save room for the cool banana pudding and hot cobbler, including peach, blackberry, cherry, strawberry, apple and every once in awhile, pecan.

With full service dining will come the addition to the menu of steaks, fried foods, hot dogs and corny dogs. He’ll keep bringing back his very popular “all you can eat ribs” special.

Ceramic plates will replace the paper variety, plastic cups will replace styrofoam and silverware will replace plastic utensils.

“The food should stay hotter longer on the ceramic plates,” said Sean.

Sean will continue to smoke all his meat on site and will continue to offer catering service and the convenience of a drive-up window for to-go orders. Custom smoking is available for 75-cents per pound with free slicing.

A new sign, drawing attention to the restaurant from the highway, will soon be erected. Despite the many changes on the horizon, two things will remain constant: good food and friendly staff.

“We take pride in having the best customer service,” said Sean. “Our staff is very friendly, polite and courteous. Our job here is to serve the public great barbecue with a smile.”

Sean’s Mesquite Pit BBQ is open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for fresh rolls and coffee. Lunch and dinner are served Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sean has applied for a liquor license and once that is in place, hours will be extended and the staff will be increased.

To have Sean cater your next event or to place an order to-go, call (940) 627-7227.