The Houston BBQ Trail
The best BBQ in town is always a subject for debate. There are many different Texas BBQ styles found within Houston city limits. Here are a few—there many more!—examples.
East Texas African-American Barbecue - Thelma's
This little red house at Lamar and Live Oak is getting awfully famous. Thelma's brisket sandwich was featured in a PBS documentary called Sandwiches You Will Like. And she's also turning up in the pages of Texas Monthly and in Steven Raichlen's recently released tome on regional American barbecue, BBQ USA. Let's just hope all this fame doesn't cause Thelma to hurry up and ruin the brisket.
Mexican Barbacoa - El Hidalguense
When you walk in the front door here, the scent of mutton commands your attention. Or is it goat? The restaurant's specialties are barbacoa de borrego estilo Hidalgo (Hidalgo-style lamb "barbecued" in maguey leaves) and chivito asado al pastor (charcoal-roasted goat). On weekends, this humble Mexican establishment becomes an impromptu social club where people from the region eat Hidalgo-style cooking, listen to Huatecan music and hang out with their homies.
Cowboy Barbecue - Pizzitola's
The comfortable dining room of faux-wood paneling, vinyl chairs and Formica tabletops is plastered with gimme caps and fishing trophies. Interspersed throughout are photos of loyal customers. But the distinct smell of smoke gives away its true calling: slow-cooked barbecue, which is still produced in the original pit. Famous for its fork-tender brisket, Pizzitola's also serves up admirable smoked chickens and dry-rubbed ribs. Don't miss the coconut cake for dessert.
Hill Country Czech-style Barbecue - Goode Co. BBQ
Somebody ought to give Jim Goode a medal, so well does this guru of Texas pop cuisine feed a grateful public. His carefully art-directed barbecue joint smokes high-caliber links, duck, chicken and ribs, and a stirring sauce adds to the fun. The brisket sandwich on jalapeño cheese bread has no equal.
Green Houston 
