19 Awesome BBQ Spots in Houston

Houston is home to some of the country’s best barbecue. Known for our briskets, sausage, and ribs, Htown pit masters serve up generous portions of perfectly smoked meats daily. We couldn’t bring ourselves to make a top 5 or even top 10 list because they’re all so good! 

For a more expansive list, see all of our Houston BBQ listings.

Burns BBQ

Take a little drive up I-45 north, just beyond downtown, to Burns BBQ and Catering. This diamond in the rough off of N. Shepard is serving up some tasty old-school pit barbecue accompanied by their signature sweet and tangy sauce.

What to order: The three-meat dinner is a popular menu item that lets you have a taste of almost everything.

Corkscrew

Corkscrew BBQ has a devoted following among Spring, TX residents (just north of downtown). Owners Will and Nichole Buckman specialize in serving the most perfect cuts of meat with every order.

What to order: The brisket and “dino” beef ribs are to die for.

Demeris Bar B Q

Demeris is a family-owned-and-operated business that's been serving up traditional Texas barbecue in Houston since 1964.

What to order: Tender baby back ribs, jalapeno sausage and beans.

The Pit Room

The Pit Room's hand-crafted barbeque is served up in two Houston locations: one in Memorial and one in Montrose. Breakfast lovers will be glad to hear they are open early serving breakfast tacos from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

What to order: The brikset calls a lot of names, often served with elote and/or mac and cheese.

Fainmous BBQ

Since 2004, the Fain's have been serving their version of Tennessee barbecue to friends and family with its hickory smoke and savory vinegar base sauces.

What to order: Their moist pulled pork and tender brisket that can be eaten with or without sauce.

Gatlin's Barbecue

This Houston BBQ staple offers amazing barbecue in a small family atmosphere in the Heights. It was even named one of the 50 best BBQ restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly (2013).

What to order: From ribs to brisket, Cajun-style sausage to pulled pork, this place has what it takes to satisfy your 'que cravings.

Feges BBQ

Husband/wife team Erin Smith and Patrick Feges opened Feges BBQ in 2018. With their combined fine dining experience and Patrick's barbecue expertise, Feges BBQ offers a new approach to barbecue combining traditional flavors and modern interpretations of classics. 

What to order: Smoked Brisket, Sweet & Spicy Brussel Sprouts, Hog Fat Cornbread and Loaded Potato Salad.

Goode Company Texas Bar-B-Q

The first Goode Co. Texas Bar-B-Que restaurant opened in 1977. Even though Goode has since added burgers and seafood to his lineup, barbecue remains the company's mainstay.

What to order: Slow-cooked for 16 hours, try their expertly smoked brisket with jalapeno bread. Finish off with a slice of Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie.

Gyu-Kaku

Gyu-Kaku recently made its way into the Houston market, bringing with it a style of barbecue most Texans aren’t accustomed to but can surely appreciate: Japanese style.

What to order: Choose between marinades including miso, sweet soy, garlic, shio white soy, basil or tuzu. Once the meat arrives, the cooking begins on personal built-in charcoal grills right at the table.

Killen's Barbecue

Chef Ronnie Killen has too many accolades to name. The pitmaster’s BBQ joint has been named the #2 best BBQ in the nation by the Food Network. The much-anticipated Killen’s Barbecue experience is very Central Texas-like, with barbecue served cafeteria-style on freezer paper and cut to order.

What to order: Don’t let yourself leave without trying the amazingly tender beef ribs or fatty brisket.

Lenox Barbecue

This East End mainstay has been feeding hungry Houstonians lunch for over 60 years. Located at Mendel’s Ice House, the bbq joint was named one of Houston’s best by Zagat.

What to order: The bbq chicken with a side of sausage and potato salad is exactly what you need.

Luling City Market

Make no mistake, this centrally located BBQ joint is not related to the legendary City Market in Luling, TX. Though, for hungry Houstonians that don’t feel like driving two and a half hours to grab dinner at the original, Luling City Market makes for a convenient and tasty alternative.

What to order: Grab a tray and load up on brisket, ribs, chicken and home-made sausage links, all cooked over post oak wood.

Pappas Bar-B-Q

Pappas Bar-B-Q is a favorite for slow-smoked, lean and juicy Texas barbeque with all the trimmings. Chris and Harris Pappas, having learned from their grandfather, H.D. Pappas, know the secret to good food was quality.

What to order: Try their slow smoky brisket with warm homemade bbq sauce on the side.

Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue

Opened in 1934 by pit master legend, John Davis, and continued since 1983 by Jerry Pizzitola, some of Houston's finest ribs, brisket, chicken and links are hickory smoked on Mr. Davis' original "open pits.

What to order: Get the spare ribs! But also consider the sampler plate for a little bit of everything.

J-Bar-M Barbecue

Serving up world-class barbeque, live music and a beer garden, J-Bar-M has the recipe for a perfect BBQ experience. This restaurant was founded based on a true love of food, especially barbeque, so you know you're getting a soulful recipe with each order. If you wake up wanting barbeque, you're in luck. J-Bar-M offers brunch as well.

What to order: Definitely a meat plate, preferably a 3 or 4 so you can try more. Choose from brisket, pork ribs, turkey, pulled pork, chicken, house made sausage and jalapeño cheddar sausage. Plus 2 sides!

Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack

The family-owned business has been dishing out hickory-smoked meats by the pound in South Houston since 1985. Co-owner and official ‘pittmaster’ Rayford “Ray” Busch retired his Harris County Sheriff’s badge for an apron in order to share the old-fashioned cooking they grew up with in Houston.

What to order: You can’t go wrong with their sliced brisket. Don’t let yourself leave without trying some amazing homemade desserts like peach cobbler.

Pinkerton's

This barbeque joint serves BBQ every day til they run out — that's how you know it's good stuff. They choose high quality meats and they're all gluten-free. This special place is in Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ places list, so it's a must-try. Grant Pinkerton brings the hill country to Houston, family style.

What to order: Beef ribs, chopped pork, jalapeno sausage, glazed pork ribs and more are all offered, and diners can't get enough. Sides include jalapeño cheese rice, Grant’s potato salad, tangy coleslaw, South Texas beans, rosemary bacon mac & cheese, and duck & sausage jambalaya.

Virgie's Bar-B-Que

What started as a burger joint in the mid-1960s and later became a community grocery store is now Virgie’s Bar-B-Que, a tiny but formidable smoke shack off Highway 290.

What to order: The brisket and ribs and loaded baked potatoes are regarded as some of the best in Southeast Texas

Truth BBQ

Dishing out central Texas style barbequed prepared "the hard way," Truth BBQ is something special. Visit this popular spot in the Heights to experience a true Texas vibe and meal.

What to order: Truth is probably best known for their brisket, but don't sleep on the fried chicken. Just come hungry, and try it all.

Honorable Mention: Houston Sauce Pit

Vegan? No problem. Houston Sauce Pit offers vegan BBQ options that will blow your mind. This food truck offers most everything you see on a normal BBQ menu, but vegan: smoked links, burgers, brisket Mac, tacos and more, all without any animal products. The sides are just as mouthwatering: BBQ baked beans, potato salad, Mac and cheese, Brussel sprouts, and elote. 

Pro-Tip: Cool down after a Texas-sized BBQ feast

Find your sweet tooth: Houston's Favorite Frozen Treats