Houston is home to some of the best barbecue joints in the country, offering a wide variety of delicious smoked meats and traditional Southern sides. From classic brisket and ribs to unique blends of flavors and sauces, there’s something for every barbecue lover in this Texas city. Here are the top 10 barbecue joints in Houston that you won’t want to miss.

The Pit Room

Brisket, pork ribs, sausage and sides at The Pit Room

The Pit Room is a standout barbecue spot in Houston, known for their unique approach to smoking their meats. Using a combination of wood and gas, they are able to achieve a perfectly balanced and flavorful result. Their menu features classic barbecue favorites like brisket, sausage, and ribs, as well as a selection of sandwiches and burgers. The Pit Room also has a spacious outdoor patio and live music events, making it a great spot for a casual night out with friends.

Location: 1201 Richmond Ave Houston, TX 77006

Contact: +1 281-888-1929

Website: http://www.ThePitRoomBBQ.com

CorkScrew BBQ

Pulled pork and pork rib tray at CorkScrew BBQ

CorkScrew BBQ is another top destination for barbecue in Houston, with a reputation for consistently high quality meat and sides. They offer a variety of meats, including brisket, pork, and sausage, all smoked to perfection and served with your choice of sauce. On Wednesday nights, they host their popular “Wine Down Wednesday” event, featuring discounted bottles of wine and live music. The outdoor seating area at CorkScrew BBQ is also a great spot to relax and enjoy a delicious meal in the warmer months.

Location: 26608 Keith St, Spring, TX, United States, Texas

Contact: +1 281-330-2178

Website: corkscrewbbq.com

Killen’s Barbecue

Killen’s Barbecue is a must-visit spot for barbecue lovers in Houston, owned and operated by renowned chef Ronnie Killen. They are known for their perfectly smoked brisket and burnt ends, as well as their Sunday brunch buffet featuring a variety of meats and sides. The restaurant has a modern, upscale atmosphere, making it a great spot for a special occasion.

Location: 3613 E Broadway Pearland, TX 77581

Contact: +1 281-485-2272

Website: http://www.killensbarbecue.com/

Pappa Charlies Barbeque

Pappa Charlies Barbeque is another top choice for high quality barbecue in Houston, focusing on using locally sourced, high quality meats. Their menu features a variety of meats, including beef rib, pork ribs, and jalapeno sausage, all smoked to perfection and served with your choice of sauce. Pappa Charlies also has an outdoor seating area and hosts live music events, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy some delicious barbecue.

Location: 25610 Hempstead Road, Houston, TX, United States, Texas

Contact: 

Website: pappacharliesbbq.com

Blood Bros. BBQ

Blood Bros. BBQ is a unique spot in Houston, blending Southern barbecue techniques with Asian flavors to create a truly unique and delicious experience. Their menu features items like Korean BBQ beef rib and spicy Szechuan sausage, as well as traditional barbecue favorites like brisket and ribs. The restaurant has a casual, laid-back atmosphere, making it a great spot for a casual meal with friends.

Location: 5425 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX, United States, Texas

Contact: +1 713-664-7776

Website: bloodbrosbbq.com

The Brisket House

The Brisket House is a well-respected barbecue joint in Houston, known for consistently serving high quality meats and sides. Their signature “meat sweats” sauce is a must-try, and their menu features a variety of meats, including beef rib, pork rib, and beef brisket. The Brisket House also has a spacious outdoor seating area, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy some delicious barbecue.

Location: 5775 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX, United States, Texas

Contact: +1 281-888-0331

Website: thebriskethouse.com

Ray’s BBQ Shack

Ray’s BBQ Shack is a long-standing barbecue spot in Houston, with a history dating back to the 1960s. They are known for their perfectly smoked meats, including ribeye sandwiches and smoked turkey, as well as their delicious sides like coleslaw and baked beans. The restaurant has a casual, no-frills atmosphere, making it a great spot for a quick and delicious meal.

Location: 3929 Old Spanish Trl Houston, TX 77021

Contact: +1 713-748-4227

Website: http://www.raysbbqshack.com

Southern Q BBQ

Southern Q BBQ is a spot for traditional Southern barbecue in Houston, using wood-fired pits to smoke their meats to perfection. Their menu features a variety of meats, including pulled pork, beef ribs, and sausage, as well as a selection of sides. The restaurant has a casual, laid-back atmosphere, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal with friends.

Location: 411 West Richey Road 77090

Contact: +1 281-919-1238

Website: https://www.southernqbbqcatering.com

Pinkerton’s BBQ

Pinkerton’s BBQ is another top choice for high quality barbecue in Houston, with a commitment to using locally sourced meats and making all their sauces and sides in-house. Their menu features a variety of meats, including pork ribs, beef brisket, and chicken, as well as a selection of sandwiches and burgers. Pinkerton’s has a spacious outdoor seating area and live music events, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy some delicious barbecue.

Location: 1504 Airline Dr Houston, TX 77009

Contact: +1 713-802-2000

Website: http://www.pinkertonsbarbecue.com

Tin Roof BBQ

Last but not least, Tin Roof BBQ is a standout barbecue spot in Houston, known for using all-natural, hormone-free meats in their dishes. Their menu features a variety of meats, including pulled pork, baby back ribs, and sausage, as well as a selection of sandwiches and burgers. Tin Roof BBQ also has a spacious outdoor seating area and live music events, making it a great spot for a casual night out with friends.

Location: 18918 Town Center Blvd, Atascocita, TX, United States, Texas

Contact: +1 281-852-5577

Website: tinroofbbqtexas.com

Frequently asked questions

What are the top 10 barbecue joints in Houston?

The top 10 barbecue joints in Houston, according to the article, are The Pit Room, CorkScrew BBQ, Killen’s Barbecue, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Blood Bros. BBQ, The Brisket House, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Southern Q BBQ, Pinkerton’s BBQ, and Tin Roof BBQ.

What are some unique features of these barbecue joints?

Some unique features of these barbecue joints include The Pit Room’s combination of wood and gas to smoke their meats, CorkScrew BBQ’s “Wine Down Wednesday” event, Pappa Charlies Barbeque’s focus on using locally sourced meats, Blood Bros. BBQ’s blend of Southern and Asian flavors, and Tin Roof BBQ’s use of all-natural, hormone-free meats.

Are there any outdoor seating areas or live music events at these barbecue joints?

Many of the barbecue joints listed in the article have outdoor seating areas, including The Pit Room, CorkScrew BBQ, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Pinkerton’s BBQ, and Tin Roof BBQ. Some also have live music events, such as CorkScrew BBQ’s “Wine Down Wednesday” and Pappa Charlies Barbeque’s live music events.

Are there any special events or promotions at these barbecue joints?

Some of the barbecue joints listed in the article have special events or promotions, such as CorkScrew BBQ’s “Wine Down Wednesday” and Killen’s Barbecue’s Sunday brunch buffet. It is recommended to check the individual restaurant’s website or social media for updates on any special events or promotions.

Final Thoughts on Best Barbecue Joints in Houston

In conclusion, Houston is home to some of the best barbecue joints in the country, offering a wide variety of delicious smoked meats and traditional Southern sides. From The Pit Room’s unique approach to smoking their meats to CorkScrew BBQ’s “Wine Down Wednesday” event, there’s something for every barbecue lover in this Texas city. Don’t miss out on the top 10 barbecue joints in Houston, you won’t be disappointed.