Last Chance To See 600 sq mi: Hidden
Missed Connections: Gefilte Fish...and "Chain Connections"
H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
Texas Monthly has released their annual list of the Top 50 BBQ Joints In Texas in the June issue that's just hit newsstands. For you Houston barbeque fans, we hope that you like the bitter taste of disppointment with your brisket: Only two Houston restaurants made the exclusive list.
In a state known for its barbeque, making a list containing only 50 barbeque restaurants is no easy task. And since barbeque is perhaps best made and best enjoyed in a non-urban setting, it's not too surprising that the number of small-town 'que joints far outweighs the number of big city BBQs. To wit: all of the Top 5 barbeque restaurants are in towns smaller than the average Houstonian's closet. That said, let's hail the Houston champions!
First up is the venerated Burns Bar-B-Que Cooking and Catering, a neighborhood favorite off the North Freeway. Tiny and tucked-away, Burns Bar-B-Que is a longtime fixture in the Acres Homes community and will no doubt be invaded by Texas Monthly afficionados for at least the next few months as a result of the article. Wait for the crowds to die down, then go and pay the Burns family a visit to try some of the best (very, very hot!) sausage and ribs in town. Remember to bring cash, though; your Visas and Mastercards won't get you very far here.
Second (and last) on the list is newcomer Virgie's Bar-B-Que. At only three years old, Virgie's food is already wonderful enough to be noticed by hardcore foodies and big-time magazines alike. Perhaps that's because pitmaster Adrian Handsborough takes so much pride in his old-fashioned and personalized service while tending the pits. Their barbeque is both cheap and delicious; high marks in any book. Visit Virgie's on Gessner the next time that you're on the northwest side of town, and keep an eye out for the pig in a bib.
If you're willing to travel slightly outside the city limits, you can visit some of the other barbeque joints that Texas Monthly has deemed worthy of making this year's list: New Zion Bar-B-Que in Huntsville, Caroline’s Quality and Quantity Bar-B-Que in Kountze and Willy Ray’s Bar-B-Q and Grill in Beaumont all made the Top 50.
The good news? Our rival to the north, Dallas, only had one barbeque restaurant make the list and -- no surprise here! -- it's a chain restaurant with locations throughout the country.
Photo courtesy of Alison Cook/Houston Chronicle.
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Burns Bar-B-Que Cooking and Catering
8307 De Priest Street
281.445.7574
Virgie's Bar-B-Que
5535 Gessner Drive
713.466.6525
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I love me some BBQ! I was eager to read this issue when it came in the mail. They did give Goode Co. BBQ some props. They gave it an honorable mention. Great job!
In Houston I like Luling City Market Market BBQ at 4726 Richmond Ave just inside 610. I'm a bit surprised they didn't list Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood near Austin.
Dallas sucks anyways.
Yeah, how can you leave off Salt Lick!? Like Goode Co., they got an honerable mention.
@monkeypanda: Hush! We don't want the hordes of Houstonist readers invading our favorite well-hidden spot!
See, if I listed all the places in Houston that got honorable mention, I wouldn't have been able to use the oh-so-clever "Bar-Be-Two" for a title. ...yeah.
Not a fan of the Luling City Market here in Houston; the sauce is...really weird (I'm trying to be nice here) and the meat is just so-so. But the original Luling City Market can't be beat. Anyway, for my money, the best BBQ in town is the pork butt my dad smokes on the pit in his backyard, suckaz!
Thelma's on Live Oak or Lyndon's or Demeris, even. But the only "Luling" worth going to, is in Luling. I am due a Texas Two-Lane outing, or, a weekend quest for barbecue and beer joints.
KSG - I think my own barbecue beats all the joints listed (and my potato salad doesn't come in a container, nor do my beans). Just saying. Garlic cheese grits are a perfect side to some brisket or some pork butt.
I'm surprised that Mikeska's (http://www.yelp.com/user_details_review_search?userid=wY-zDQAk449VKfXia27L1Q&q=mikeska%27s) isn't on the list. I've been to two out of the three locations and it is the best barbecue I've ever had in my life.
Not so wild about Mikeska's. But, Barbecue is a hotly debated food - I am a fan of what's called "black barbecue" with a vinegar/tomato based sauce (bottled sauce is gross, in my book).
I make sure to stop by Mikeska's during trips. :) I actually plan what time I leave town to ensure I get my barbecue fix! Oooh, and their jerky is to die for!
I'm also a big sucker for Rudy's and keep at least one bottle of their sissy sause on hand. :)
Pierson's & Co. on T C Jester is a new contender in town! Very smoky, friendly people, superb food! Check them out!
I went to Virgie's this past Wednesday and I enjoyed it. Very tender, but cheap it isn't at $11 for two meats, two sides and a drink. I'm from El Campo and I can get two meals at that price from Mikeska's.