Follow your nose to the smoky goodness of Rafter J in Iowa Park
This story is part of Times Record News "Worth the Drive" restaurant series. Iowa Park is about 15 minutes northwest of Wichita Falls.
Head northwest of Wichita Falls on US 287 and follow the oak and pecan wood smoke to Rafter J BBQ & Cajun Eats, 507 SW Access Road in Iowa Park.
The scent doesn’t lie. It isn’t easy to choose between artfully smoked brisket, ham, turkey, Memphis ribs, sausage, hot links or some moist and tender pulled pork.
Any of these can be served stuffed in a meal-size baked potato.
Delicious as these are, the Cajun cooking may be irresistible. Have Cajun-fried shrimp and crawfish with homemade sides or in a Po’Boy sandwich on a French roll. Try New Orleans-style Tchoupitoulas Gumbo or start the meal with chargrilled Gulf Coast oysters.
Rafter J has a rustic, slightly rusty Texas cookhouse feel. Depending on the table you may dine with John Wayne’s portrait. The rafters display a collection of football jerseys and flags while chair rails hold old license plates from Texas to Wyoming, Iowa, Maryland and beyond.
Families gather, working men come, travelers pull off the interstate and on one day, the side dining room was filled with airmen and women from Sheppard Air Force Base.
The servers are polite, thoughtful, deliver orders smoothly and take time to check back with customers to make sure they’re happy. Generous portions please everybody.
Rafter J is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday; and from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Closed on Mondays.
Dine-in and take out available; check the menu at rafterjbbw.com. It’s clearly posted that “prices are subject to change without notice.” Call 940-592-4913.
Some other good reasons to make the drive to Iowa Park:
Park Fest: The first Saturday in May (this year May 7) is a spring favorite with good food, a car show, vendor booths, a bounce house and more.
July 2nd Fireworks at Gordon Lake– “One of the best!” especially for a small town, has been said many times. The reflection on the lake is amazing. Arrive before sunset.
Whoop-T-Do – Scheduled for September on homecoming weekend, the date is set by high school football coaches. For an update check for Whoop-T-Do on Facebook.
Iowa Park Highway Grill – Looking for homestyle breakfast and lunch good enough to come back for dinner? Highway Grill has it made from scratch. 501 E Hwy St., Iowa Park. Open 6 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. Order takeout by calling 940-592-0020. Learn more on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Follow your nose to the smoky goodness of Rafter J in Iowa Park
