The Best Barbecue in Houston
The post-oak smokehouses that put Houston on the Texas barbecue map — from a cult trailer in Spring to the Chinatown joint fusing brisket with Thai heat.
The best barbecue in Houston means post-oak smoke, prime brisket with a peppery bark, and a line that forms before the doors open. The picks below are the canonical answers to "where's the best BBQ in Houston," each scored and verified by Dim Hour — among them CorkScrew BBQ in Spring and a cluster of Michelin Bib Gourmand smokehouses (Truth, Killen's, Blood Bros., Pinkerton's) that put Houston on the national barbecue map.
A note on Texas 'cue: the standard is brisket smoked low and slow over Texas post oak, sold by the pound, sides ordered à la carte. Most of these are walk-in only and sell out daily — go early, often before noon, because when the brisket is gone, service ends.
CorkScrew BBQ
A Spring barbecue trailer that grew a cult following smoking everything over Texas post oak, and a Texas Monthly Top 50 smokehouse. The brisket bark is shatteringly crisp and the beef ribs are mahogany monuments; the line forms early and they sell out daily. Worth the drive north.
Truth BBQ
Leonard Botello IV brought his Brenham operation to the Heights and immediately ranked among Houston's best — a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a Texas Monthly Top 50 smokehouse. The brisket has a clean ring and buttery texture; the banana pudding is the sleeper. Opens at 11, sells out daily.
Killen's BBQ
Ronnie Killen turned a Pearland strip mall into one of the most celebrated barbecue joints in Texas, a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The beef ribs are massive, mahogany-barked monuments; the prime brisket and burnt ends justify a line that can stretch past two hours on weekends.
Blood Bros. BBQ
Three childhood friends from Alief fuse Central Texas smoke with Asian flavors — a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a James Beard finalist, and an NYT 50 Best pick. Classic brisket shares the board with Thai-style beef ribs, smoked-turkey fried rice, and burnt-end pho. A Houston original in Bellaire's Chinatown.
Pinkerton's Barbecue
Grant Pinkerton's Heights smokehouse (a Michelin Bib Gourmand and Texas Monthly Top 50) smokes prime brisket low and slow over post oak. The jalapeño cheese grits are the side to get, the beef ribs are the splurge, and the peach cobbler is excellent.
Loro
Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue) and Tyson Cole (Uchi) built this Asian smokehouse where oak-smoked prime brisket folds into Southeast Asian flavors — smoked salmon with Thai herbs, brisket bao buns, coconut rice — with batch cocktails and one of the better patios in the Heights.
What is the best BBQ in Houston?
Which Houston barbecue spots have a Michelin distinction?
What should I order at a Houston barbecue joint?
When should I go so the barbecue doesn't sell out?
Where is the best barbecue near Houston's Chinatown?
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Dim Hour scores every restaurant on food, service, ambiance, and value, and verifies every listing. This guide is updated as the catalog changes. Explore all Houston restaurants →