Finding Great BBQ

Houston has been home for more than a decade, and when I arrived, I realized how serious BBQ is here. I love everything about it. The technique, the beautiful days of fresh air mixed with the burning of post oak wood, the family aspect, and of course the taste! Plus, it's something left in our society that slows us down from the pace of life. Even when you're just showing up to a restaurant, BBQ is the kind of meal you make time for. And you don't eat it alone. There is calm in the calamity with BBQ. 

So I'm headed all over Houston to try the best spots with my BBQ expert friend Jeremy. I met him at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's BBQ Cook-off where we both judged brisket. Since then, we've become fast friends in slow paced environments. 

Below I'll list the places in case you're looking for recommendations and give some very unofficial scores as well. But I'll tell you, I haven't tried a bad place yet down here. Hope this helps you in your search!

 

Killen's BBQ (25618 Northwest Fwy #3B, Cypress, TX 77433) 

(Picture from the Houston Chronicle)

Killen's BBQ isn't just one location anymore, though I still need to visit the original in Pearland. I visited the Cypress location, and wow I don't know how they bring that much quality to multiple locations. Often in BBQ, it's one location where the expert does his or her thing. It has to be a huge venture to make it this good elsewhere. While the atmosphere wasn't like your typical hole in the wall, the location is very conveniently located off 290. I've also been to the one in The Woodlands, and it's VERY quiet in there.

In smoking meat, it can be hard to accomplish complete consistently. Every brisket for example is going to be a little different each time. Sizes of the brisket, the exact cooker temp, and even the temp/humidity outside can affect the cook. All that to say, we got a GOOD day and it was delicious. At The Woodlands location (where the pics are from), there was a LOT of unrendered fat on the brisket. Good flavor, but a lot to discard. The ribs have great flavor with a bit of a sweet heat, but I wouldn't call them "fall off the bone". The sides were great, particularly the corn casserole!

 

• Brisket: 8.6 out of 10
• Sides: 8.9 out of 10 
• Ribs: 8 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 7 out of 10

 

Brisket & Rice (13111 FM 529, Houston, TX 77041)

(Picture from the Houston Chronicle)

Brisket & Rice is a place that has really burst on the scene in the last few years, and recently received a Michelin star. Not bad for a place connected to a gas station! It's probably the most unique BBQ menu I've ever seen, as they blend flavors and cultures!

While I usually get about the same thing every place (brisket and sausage/ribs with potato salad or mac and cheese) I could not pass up the "Brisket & Rice" plate, and wow I was not disappointed:

The fried rice was as good as any restaurant you'd get Asian food from, and the loaded potato salad didn't hurt my feelings one bit! The parking is hard, but the vibe is fun. Kind of feels like an old diner, though they are moving to a new location soon. 

• Brisket: 8.5 out of 10
• Sides: 8 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 8.5 out of 10

 

Corkscrew BBQ (26608 Keith St, Spring, TX 77373)

My family went with me to Corkscrew, and this one is near and dear to my heart. I used to live very close to it and made some great memories there. It's a great vibe in Old Town Spring, and it's what introduced me to how great Texas BBQ is. The lines are long most days, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, and they will sell out of popular items on busy days. The brisket you can cut with a plastic fork. It's that tender. 

• Brisket: 9.6 out of 10
• Sides: 7 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 9.5 out of 10

 

Tejas Chocolate + BBQ (200 N Elm St, Tomball, TX 77375)

Scott, Austin and the staff are very friendly, and I've been coming here a long time as well. They have one of the fullest menu's I've seen at a BBQ restaurant and man is it all good.

First to the BBQ. As you can see, the brisket is done so well. Plus, with the full menu I mentioned, it's not just meats and sandwiches. They'll do things like this BBQ stuffed baked potato. And then there is my favorite thing on the whole menu: the pork belly.

There is so much flavor in just one little bite of this pork belly. On a plate like I got, or in a sandwich; either way you can't go wrong. It's rare for me to like something on the menu more than brisket, but this pork is just so good. They know what they're doing with BBQ, plus family recipe sides (definitely try the carrot soufflé as seen below). 

They also offer something no other BBQ place does: chocolate. Yes, you can get chocolate truffles for dessert! It's another great atmosphere in downtown Tomball. One where you'll forget life's worries and just enjoy some great food with some great friends. 

• Brisket: 9 out of 10
• Sides: 9.5 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 9.5 out of 10

Truth BBQ (110 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007)

One I've heard about for a long time and FINALLY got to is Truth BBQ. Originally in Brenham, they added this location to the Heights in recent years. I was a little nervous about parking and the line, but at 11 am on a Tuesday it wasn't bad at all. They have a big parking lot for being in that area, and only a few people were ahead of us. But you get a show while you wait! Yes you can see them trim the meat!

Plus something I'd never seen before: free samples! Usually you have to put the sweat in with the person smoking the meat to get a taste before dinner, but they graciously offered it for waiting in line.

As for the BBQ: WOW. They aren't messing around. The brisket was top notch, and the sides were some of the best I've had. This may have been the best potato salad I've ever had. It was good in and of itself. But right when they get it on your tray, they offer crumbled bacon and fresh dill. I also tried the tater tot casserole, which was excellent as well. Ribs were fall off the bone. This was as good of a BBQ experience as you will get anywhere. 

• Brisket: 9.3 out of 10
• Sides: 9.9 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 8.5 out of 10

Fire Craft BBQ (2665 Royal Forest Dr Suite B10, Kingwood, TX 77339)

My boss invited me to a place in Kingwood that I actually hadn't even heard of. Fire Craft proved to be a worthy stop!

When I order, I know typically what I'm going to get if I haven't been there before. I know it's brisket, what any good Texas BBQ place is judged on; and I'll usually end up getting sausage or ribs. So when the person taking my order suggested their smoked salmon, I had to decline. It sounded great, and may try it in the future. But on this day, it had to be the traditional BBQ meal. So brisket and sausage it was, along with potato salad and something they suggested called "jalapeno corn spoonbread". The spoonbread rocked my world. More on that later. First the BBQ:

The brisket was solid! Not quiet as much pepper flavor as I like on the bark (the crusty part), but really tender and a good amount of rendered fat. The sausage didn't present as well, but the flavor was great!

As for the sides, the potato salad wasn't great. It tasted like something you'd get at a grocery store. After a while, I just didn't want to use the shrinking room in my stomach for it. But this spoonbread... wow. I would go here for this alone. I was shocked how it could be so crunch on the outside, yet so moist on the inside. The jalapeno flavor was phenomenal. 

• Brisket: 7.8 out of 10
• Sides: 8 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 8 out of 10

Pinkerton's Barbecue (1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009)

Pinkerton's is one on just about everybody's list, with another location in San Antonio and a second location in Houston coming soon. 

It's the type of place where, even if you had never heard of it, you'd feel confident you were in the right place for good BBQ. The menu is written on butcher paper. If that ain't Texas Q, I don't know what is. 

If you look closely at the menu, you'll see an option for glaze on the ribs called "candy paint". If there's one thing you take away from this review of Pinkerton's: get the candy paint, I repeat, get the candy paint. Rarely, if ever, have I walked away thinking the ribs might be as good as the brisket. This was that time. Growing up closer to Kansas City than Houston, saucy ribs was an unexpected treat for me. In Texas, sauce is usually just an option for the consumer to put on afterwards. In Kansas City it's slathered on, and in my humble opinion, I think that's usually the better option. Now, Kansas City has NOTHING on Texas when it comes to beef. But glazed pork ribs are amazing, and Pinkerton's brings the best of both worlds: these ribs and that Texas brisket. 

The ribs, brisket, and sausage link were incredible. The sides (potato salad and jalapeno cheese rice) were solid. We got there right after it opened on a Thursday and only had to wait a few minutes, though there were some gathered before it opened. It really picked up by 11:30 am or noon, but by no means was the line wrapped around the building. I'm sure it's a different story on a Saturday, but even then this food makes a wait worth while. 

• Brisket: 9.2 out of 10
• Ribs: 9.9 out of 10
• Sides: 9 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 8.8 out of 10

Gatlin's BBQ (3510 Ella Blvd Bldg C Ste A, Houston, TX 77018) 

(Picture from ABC7)

Gatlin's has been a BBQ staple in Houston for 15 years now. They started it in a tiny home, and eventually moved to the wonderful space they have now. It still has that BBQ feel you want for an atmosphere, but modern enough that you don't feel cramped. In all these stops, I'm usually with my BBQ buddy Jeremy. This has long been near the top of his list, and I can see why.

The brisket and potato salad were solid, but it was the other 2 items I got that made it for me.

The ribs were fall off the bone and a side that I hadn't seen on the BBQ scene yet was finally ready to order: okra! I'm not sure what it is, but most places I go to in Houston don't have okra. Growing up in Oklahoma, it was a staple. But I had it at Gatlin's and they did it right! One note: I did also try the sausage and it had a very unique flavor I've never had before. It was one of those times where you take multiple bites trying to figure out if you like it or not. If you go, try it and let me know what you think!

• Brisket: 8 out of 10
• Ribs: 9 out of 10
• Sides: 9 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 8.5 out of 10

True Texas BBQ (20017 Bridgeland Creek Pkwy, Cypress, TX 77433)

(Picture from Lone Star Live)

Earlier this year, my friend says, "You're going to think I'm crazy, but I think one of my new favs is inside H-E-B". We at this point had visited many craft places, and continued to visit hole-in-the-wall places until he finally convinced me to try it. Boy, I'm glad he did. I can safely say this is the best chain restaurant BBQ I've ever had. 

Some how I went to a second place in a row that had okra, and WOW was it good. Potato salad and turkey were solid. And oh the brisket:

This wasn't at the VERY top, but it was up there. And beats others on my list. I can't believe it was this good. Plus, I tried something my buddy never had here; burnt ends:

Definitely give those a try if you're there. Overall, good food and a good atmosphere. It looks like a chain and not your typical old school look but it also was a chill vibe because it's overlooked. No one knows the goodness inside. Plus, you can get some shopping at H-E-B done afterwards! And let me tell you, at some of these places it can be close to $100 for both of us. We both ate for $45, as my buddy graciously bought my meal. 

• Brisket: 8.9 out of 10
• Sides: 9.4 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 8.8 out of 10

Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q (2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd, Spring, TX 77386) 

You are going to get the full Texas BBQ experience at Rosemeyer. It's a true BBQ stand, so the only options are to get it to-go, or sit at the picnic tables and bump elbows with a stranger. Fortunately, I went on a beautiful day so I didn't mind taking my time. And a big heads up: I was there a total of 2 hours. Arrived around 11:45 and stood in line for close to an hour, and this was on a Thursday. They are open Friday and Saturday as well. Godspeed if you get there too late on a Fri or Sat lol. I would recommend getting there early if you want to have the full menu available. More on that later. Let's start with the spread:

Wow was it worth the wait. I tried the "Big Boy Box", which came with 2 meats, a sausage link, and 2 sides. All this and a drink was just under $40, which I was decently happy with. BBQ has really gotten expensive over the last few years, but there are other places that would have been $50 for less food. 

Wow these ribs. I think they are my favorite that I've tried. At the very least, these are up there with Pinkerton's. But they might have even surpassed. There were clean bones after I finished these, and all that rib meat fell right off very easy. 

The brisket was also amazing. As I tasted everything, I realized each item is at or near the top of my ratings. This made me tell my friends: Rosemeyer is my new favorite place overall. 

The potato salad was excellent. It was a "dill" potato salad, and was by far my favorite side I tried. 

And here is why you arrive earlier than I did. They cross it off when they run out. Fortunately, I got potato salad. I was the LAST one. And this after the buddy I was with let me order first. So I shared a little with him, and he shared some mac and cheese with me. 

I ordered okra. I thought it was going to be fried. It was not. This was the one disappointment. Though, this still had GREAT flavor. It's just not something I normally would have ordered. 

They also had run out of jalapeño sausage. Fortunately, as I walked up they just pulled more off the pit. So I was very fortunate when I ordered. This, and the potato salad were close calls. 

And it's really cool that the pit is right there by where you stand in line. So you can watch them at work while you wait. Overall, it was an amazing experience and there is more on the menu I'd love to try. Bonus: the bread pudding was the best I've ever had. I never get dessert at BBQ places because I'm so full, but I won't leave this place without bread pudding for the rest of my life. Wow was it good!

• Brisket: 9.3 out of 10
• Sides: 9.6 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 9.8 out of 10 (but it was 75 degrees and GORGEOUS outside)
• Ribs: 9.9 out of 10
• Bread pudding: 10 out of 10

The Meating Place (41902 FM 1774, Magnolia, TX 77355)

When I've asked listeners, "where should I go next?", MANY have responded with "The Meating Place!". I finally got a change to get up to Magnolia, and believe me: it's worth the drive. We were already glad to have our KSBJ tent in the parking lot, as they graciously hosted us. So I thought it would be a great time to take my son and get some Q. Wow were we impressed!

We sampled brisket, ribs, chicken and turkey. Everything was EXCELLENT. The turkey and chicken was as good as any I've had. The ribs had a wonderful balance of tangy and sweet. It was such a blast of flavor, I fell for a joke from the owner. Buddy told me it was "Himalayan pork". He then said, "we found him a layin' by the side of the road". Excellent humor, and wonderful hospitality. He even gave my son 50 cents to play a claw machine game! I could tell Buddy cares about his community, and just making sure people have a wholesome place to go for some good food. 

It's a really neat spot, with a small town feel. And plenty of seating too. As for the sides, we both loved them. My son especially loved the green beans! Solid potato salad, cheesy mac and cheese, and that corn had a kick!

We also got dessert to go. May I suggest something? GET THE DESSERT. The Oreo pie, pecan cobbler, and chocolate eruption were all wonderful. The chocolate eruption has cheesecake chunks in it. My goodness. 

Overall, it's already a special memory for me. I took my son on Father's Day weekend, so it was a great bonding moment, and I'm showing him how well Houston does BBQ. Plus, Buddy and the gang were SO hospitable. He even prayed over us before we dug in. I highly recommend going and seeing the goodness for yourself!

• Brisket: 9.5 out of 10
• Sides: 8.8 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 10 out of 10
• Ribs: 9.5 out of 10
• Desserts: 10 out of 10

J-Bar-M Barbecue (2201 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003) 

J-Bar-M might be the most centrally located place I've visited. So accessible, from all sides of town right off of 59 and 45 in the shadow of downtown. Plus, plenty of parking. My BBQ buddy Jeremy and I went and had great conversations with Hafy, and the pit master Arash. They were so hospitable, and even let us see the pits. We even saw a celebrity. More on that later. First the most important thing. The Q:

The price was amazing. I got a 3 meat plate (it includes 2 sides) for $38. The portions are a little smaller than other places, but you're still getting plenty of food. Especially on those sides. 

Of all the meat, the ribs were my favorite. I don't have them rated quite as high as Pinkerton's or Rosemeyer, but dang these were good. So tender and flavorful. 

The brisket was solid. You can see at the top, those portions with that crunchy bark and juicy fat were amazing. I think that piece at the bottom just wasn't the best piece, so that's why I preferred the ribs on this particular outing. 

The sides were awesome, and the sausage was solid too. 

Overall, I had a great time! It's a place I've been wanting to get to for a while. I would like to go back on a cooler day. They have a GREAT patio space, so this is a place you hang at for a game, or just to eat outdoors. They also do live music. It's not your typical place that closes when they sell out, so it's there's more flexibility for your schedule. Plus, the dining room is huge and if there is a long line, you're still inside in the AC on hot days!

I also love the history. It's relatively new, but the owner just celebrated his 98th birthday. There's a lot he's seen in Houston, and even has a mural dedicated to some of the original BBQ places. 

Now about that celebrity. My buddy Jeremy is an A&M grad. I am from the state of Oklahoma. So it's probably a good thing we didn't tell that to: UT legend VINCE YOUNG. Yes he walked in to grab some BBQ. In all seriousness, he was with family so we didn't get a chance to talk to him. We did wave bye in the parking lot, and both he and his mom waved. Such a small town Texas feel. That's what BBQ does. 

• Brisket: 8.5 out of 10
• Sides: 8.8 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 9 out of 10
• Ribs: 9.5 out of 10

The Pit Room (10301 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024)

I was very excited to get to the Pit Room! Pending on what side of town you're coming from (and whether it's Houston rush hour or not), it's very easy to get to! Right near Memorial City mall and RIGHT off the I-10 feeder near the Beltway. They also have another location in Montrose. 

It was a great spot to hang! Plenty of tables, and even when the line got long, it seemed to move fast. But enough talk. Now time for the food. 

Overall I loved the presentation. The plate is so colorful! Now, I am the one that added the pickled onions, but it was from a self serve bar where you could add jalapenos, pickles etc. That's also where I got the sauce you see on the plate on the left and the top. Both are special BBQ sauces they make. The dark one on the left was a coffee bourbon, and the yellow one at the top was a mango habanero. Both were amazing, and that mango habanero has a KICK. 

The brisket had good flavor, but wasn't as moist as I expected. I honestly think they may have given me lean, as my buddy Jeremy gave me a bit of his, and it was more in line with what I expected. 

The rib was probably my favorite! Such great flavor, and fell off the bone. Wouldn't rate it as high as Pinkerton's or Rosemeyer, but it was solid. 

Sides were great! Definitely would recommend the mac and cheese and potato salad!

• Brisket: 7 out of 10
• Sides: 8 out of 10
• Atmosphere: 9 out of 10
• Ribs: 8.8 out of 10