Houston's BBQ Scene

Everyone associates Texas with good barbecue. Unfortunately, most of that association stems from famous joints in the Texas hill country around Austin and over towards Dallas-Fort Worth. Until recently, Houston has been lagging behind other areas of this great state when it comes to barbecue worth talking about. However, I am here to tell you that Houston's barbecue scene is now alive and kicking! Everyone knows about signature spots like Goode Company BBQ, Demeris Bar-B-Q, and Rudy's which have been around for a while. Don't get me wrong, those places hit the spot when feeling a craving for some good ol' fashioned Texas barbecue. But to get really outstanding barbecue, I suggest trying some of our newer options. Here are some of the newest top barbecue spots around the Houston area that I have been fortunate enough to try:

1. Corkscrew BBQ:  This former trailer turned brick and mortar restaurant in old town Spring is my very favorite barbecue spot in the Houston area. As I mentioned in a previous post, Corkscrew is my favorite spot to get lunch if I am up in Spring for work. Their moist brisket and ribs are gloriously tender and smoky, as expected from a superior barbecue restaurant you might have to wait in line for. However, what makes Corkscrew stand out among the rest is the pairing of their delicious fatty brisket with their homemade green chili ranch sauce and fresh pico de gallo on a bun. No ordinary sandwich, the Bobert from Corkscrew is easily one of my top 5 dishes in Houston. Creamy mac and cheese compliments the spiciness in the sandwich perfectly, and their seasonal cobblers are a gloriously delicious way to end a meal... if you have room! 
   
2. Roegels Barbecue Co.: I had the honor of trying this great spot just last week while taking my in-laws around town. After a morning of shopping in Highland Village, we decided to give this Houston Top 100 Restaurant a try. It did not disappoint! I ordered a 2 meat plate with brisket and pulled pork, with sides of loaded mashed potatoes and Texas pinto beans. Although the pork was tasty, the brisket stole the show with its beautifully rendered fat making it super moist and delicious. The sides were both pretty good. I enjoyed the loaded mashed potatoes, mainly because that is not a common option amount barbecue restaurants. The beans were lovely and loaded with even more meat! Also, I am kind of picky about barbecue sauce, often finding it too sweet, too vinegary, or too tomatoey, but I really enjoyed Roegel's sauce. Well done, Mr. and Mrs. Roegels!
   
3. Blood Bros. BBQ: This small operation does not have its own restaurant, but pops up at different bars and tailgates around town. I was lucky enough to catch Blood Bros. while watching a Texans game at one of our favorite beer bars The Hay Merchant. Their special that day was a 3 meat plate consisting of pork ribs, boudin, and sausage with creamed corn as the side. Neither the boudin nor the sausage was all that exceptional IMO, but the pork ribs and creamed corn were out of this world good. The pork ribs were everything you wanted in a rib: perfectly spiced crust and fall-off-the-bone tender. As to the creamed corn, it tasted super fresh and had a nice spicy kick to it. I can't wait to catch Blood Bros. BBQ again and try some of their other dishes in the future!
4. Pappa Charlie's Barbeque : Not unlike Blood Bros. BBQ, I first caught Pappa Charlie's in a pop-up at a local bar. Since that first encounter, Pappa Charlie's now has their own brick and mortar restaurant east of downtown (EaDo). If you have not yet ventured to try their barbecue, I urge you to go ASAP! Their food is stellar, and the hype hasn't hit, so you don't even have to wait in a long line like at Corkscrew or Killen's! Their meats are super smoky and delicious, and the sides are pretty great too. Try the mac and cheese loaded with brisket; you won't regret it! 
   
   
   
   
5. Jackson Street BBQ: One of the newer hot barbecue spots in town, Jackson Street BBQ is literally across the street from Minute Maid Park. I found my way there before an Astros game this past season. Unlike the others on this list, I was not overly impressed by Jackson Street BBQ. However, it was still pretty good, just not the excellence I had expected from such a hyped establishment. If you are in the area for a baseball game, it certainly makes a good pit stop!
6. Killen's Barbecue: Last but certainly not least is the Houston foodie pick for best barbecue around. Killen's has consistently long lines of people waiting for good 'cue, and for good reason! Here is where you'd find some of the best smoked meats in the area with incredible sides that shine just as much! After waiting in line for about 2 hours one weekend, I intended to try everything I could, so that is exactly what I did. I tried brisket, sausage, a Flinstones-sized beef rib, creamed corn, beans, and fried mac and cheese (don't judge- it was on special that day). The brisket was just as I have come to expect from exemplary Texas barbecue, the sausage was delicious if a bit more loosely packed that I am used too, and the massive beef rib was tender and smokey. As to the sides, I honestly don't even remember the beans or the fried mac and cheese. But that creamed corn... I have dreams about that creamed corn! I could tell that fresh sweet corn was used to make it, and I detected a hint of spice which made it stand out even more.  
   

As you can see, we Texans are pretty passionate about our barbecue. I hope I have shown how Houston is no different from other great barbecue cities, and that we can stand up to the other hot-spots in the state. I might have missed a few spots, as there are so many food places to try in this great city of ours, but I hope you enjoyed this guide of our growing local barbecue scene! Brooks Place in Cypress and Gatlin's in the Heights are next on my list. Are there any other top-notch barbecue spots you think I should check out?