One of Fort Worth’s best BBQ stands is open again. For sausage, this is the place

Bud Kennedy
·2 min read

One of Fort Worth’s all-time best barbecue restaurants is back.

And also back to basics.

The Sausage Shoppe, a 30-year legend known for fresh-made beef, pork and blended sausage, has returned to east Fort Worth and its barbecue-menu roots.

Alandres Chambers’ newest Sausage Shoppe is just off Interstate 30 at 6513 Brentwood Stair Road, a half-block west of Loop 820.

Alandres Chambers serves a customer at the Sausage Shoppe in Fort Worth April 25, 2023.
Alandres Chambers serves a customer at the Sausage Shoppe in Fort Worth April 25, 2023.

Ir’s his fourth location after two tries as full-service restaurants in south Fort Worth.

The newest location is more like the original Sausage Shoppe on East Seminary Drive. Back when the Shoppe opened in 1994, it was a simple walk-up counter serving barbecue plates, flame-grilled chicken and homemade sausage by the pound.

At lunch one day this week, the tiny parking lot was full and cars and trucks lined up around the 45-year-old barbecue drive-thru, formerly home to Wllson’s BBQ and Big Boyz.

The Sausage Shoppe is a 30-year Fort Worth restaurant now in its fourth location, pictured April 25, 2003.
The Sausage Shoppe is a 30-year Fort Worth restaurant now in its fourth location, pictured April 25, 2003.

Inside, Chambers was staffing both the counter and the window, greeting each customer like a long-lost friend.

“The first week here, people were lined up at 9 a.m.,” he said. “This is what I wanted to do — just barbecue. I wanted to go plain and simple this go-round.”

“Plain and simple” isn’t that simple at the Sausage Shoppe, beginning with the three blends of house-made sausage ($8 sandwich, $12 pound, $15 plate) that crumbles easily out of the soft casing.

Chicken and a sausage link with baked beans and green beans at the Sausage Shoppe April 25, 2023.
Chicken and a sausage link with baked beans and green beans at the Sausage Shoppe April 25, 2023.

The chicken ($12 half-chicken) is stunningly smoky and juicy, flaked with just a hint of red pepper.

The Shoppe also serves brisket and pork ribs with the Chambers’ sweet sauce.

Don’t miss the fried bologna sandwich ($7), a homestyle specialty.

Sides include green beans with plenty of black pepper and seasoning, and baked beans that actually taste fresh-made.

Alandres Chambers at the Sausage Shoppe in Fort Worth April 25, 2023.
Alandres Chambers at the Sausage Shoppe in Fort Worth April 25, 2023.

Dinner plates start at $15 and run up to a three-meat combination plate for $25.

Late founder Ivy Chambers was born in East Texas but moved here from Midland. A brother was the head cook there in the 1960s and ‘70s at a popular restaurant named The Spot. He also made sausage for his own restaurant, Chambers Barbecue.

The Sausage Shoppe is open for lunch and early dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays; 682-256-5540.