Brothers Robin and Terry Wong and their childhood friend Quy Hoang are the masterminds behind this beloved Bellaire barbecue joint. The Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant offers a combination of classic dishes and plates that incorporate Vietnamese ingredients, along with influences from other Southeast Asian and Mexican cuisines. In summation, it's the flavors Blood Bros. grew up with while living in Alief. Expect menu items like brisket fried rice, thit nuong pork belly burnt ends, and smoked turkey bánh mì.

With smoked meats cooked on either a rotisserie pit or a 40-year-old offset steel pit known as “the Beast,” Brett’s is worth every mile of the drive to Katy. The brisket, pork ribs, and sausage pair perfectly with the restaurant’s house-made barbecue sauce, which is sweet with just a hint of a spicy kick. Order the brisket, one of its tender and juiciest bites with a guaranteed smoke ring — it's great solo or stuffed into one of its chili gravy-laden enchiladas. 

This Anthony Bourdain–approved barbecue joint started as a small venture in Acres Homes, eventually evolved into a Houston favorite with four locations. For a large group, consider ordering one of its heftier plates, such as the 10-pound Roy Burns BBQ baked potato, which serves 15 people, or the MLB special (go, ’Stros) that features a slab of smoked ribs and one pound of your choice of links. You won’t be left hungry from the dinner plates and sandwiches either. Those steering clear of red meat won’t feel left out: Order a tray of half- or whole chicken with your favorite sides. Can’t get enough of Burns? Diners can also score Burns meals in local Kroger grocery stores.

Burns Original BBQ is also located in Katy, Pearland, and Summerwood.

This Michelin-starred barbecue joint came to fruition after finding success and devout fans through its catering services. Now, Corkscrew is drawing in diners from all over for tender brisket, smoky beans, creamy potato salad, and its standout three-cheese mac and cheese. Bonus: the Old Town Spring mainstay is intentional in its sourcing, featuring brisket from Creekstone Farms, which raises prime-grade all-natural beef; turkey breast from Fresh Farm Turkeys; pulled pork and whole rack pork ribs from Compart Family Farms; and sausage links made with Akaushi beef and all-natural pork, a mixed link. Be sure to get there early. Corkscrew is only open until 4pm or sellout, Tuesday through Saturday.

Patrick and Erin Feges started out with their small counter in the Greenway Plaza food court in 2018 before opening their full-blown restaurant in Spring Branch in 2021. The newest location boasts the standard barbecue staples, including smoked meats and more, including smoked wings, a stellar cheeseburger, a full bar, and a small outdoor play area for families with children. Many diners rave about the unconventional sides, which include sweet-and-spicy Brussels sprouts, pimento mac and cheese, and hogfat cornbread. Check the website for its weekly specials. Wednesdays include a two-fer for parents: Kids eat free and wine is half off.

Pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s concept has been a Houston staple for East Texas–style barbecue since 2010. Diners can’t go wrong with any of smoked meats, whether it be the brisket,  sausages, pork ribs, turkey, or chicken. The sides are equally as good with potato salad, coleslaw, dirty rice, mac and cheese, and baked beans that pair well with everything. Craving breakfast? Get to Gatlin’s bright and early for breakfast tacos, shrimp and grits, wings and waffles, and the GBBQ Big Boy,  a triple-decker sandwich stacked with three fried eggs, smoked ham, bacon, spicy sausage, American cheese, and jam.

Henderson & Kane General Store is much more than a grocery store selling local goods—it’s also home to some of the best barbecue in the city. Choose from its menu of smoked meats, including peppery brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, turkey, sausage, and smoked boudin. If narrowing down the choices seems too hard, grab a friend, and order the Pitmaster Plate for a sampler. Go beyond meats with Henderson & Kane’s house specialties, including a meaty macaroni and cheese, Frito pie, loaded potatoes, and a Texas red chili.

A smokehouse, beer garden, and live music all in one, J-Bar-M might have it all. Diners can choose from its smoked meat lineup (brisket, pork ribs, turkey, pulled pork, chicken, sausage, and jalapeño cheddar sausage), and pack their plates with up to four different meats plus sides. The barbecue joint also features Tex-Mex specials, such as pulled pork tacos, quesadillas, brisket taco salads, and brisket enchiladas, plus dinner exclusives, like the smoked brisket burger and brisket queso, both available after 5pm.

Though Ronnie Killen’s famous barbecue hotspot has several locations around Houston, the OG outpost in Pearland is the place to go. It might be a longer drive for anyone living inside the Loop, but the menu makes it worth it. Diners are guaranteed the Texas trinity, with well-seasoned brisket, pork ribs, and jalapeño cheddar sausage, plus pulled pork. The appetizers definitely deserve the hype, especially those deviled eggs. 

There are also locations of Killen's BBQ in The Woodlands and Cypress. 

Grant Pinkerton’s country-like hangout has earned fans across Texas and beyond, including billionaire entrepreneur Bill Gates. Aside from the quintessential barbecue joint setup, which requires snaking through the line past staff slicing meats, Pinkerton promises excellent brisket and fall-off-the-bone glazed pork ribs, which have the ideal balance of heat, smokiness, and sweetness. Diners shouldn’t sleep on sides like the duck and sausage jambalaya and the bread pudding, which, of course, is smoked.

The Pit Room has risen in the Houston smoked meat ranks since opening in Montrose in 2016. Expect the typical meat plates, served with a choice of sides, including a decadent macaroni and cheese. What diners truly rave about are the tacos, and even more specifically, the flour tortillas, which are made with a buttery smoked brisket fat that serves as the perfect vessel for nearly any filling.  Choose to stuff your tacos with brisket, pulled pork, or chicken, or get there between 7am and 10:30 for its diner-favorite breakfast tacos. Live outside the Loop? Check out Pit Room’s second, larger location in Memorial City, which features an ice cream bar and an extended menu.

What started as a food truck has morphed into one of Houston’s most beloved barbecue establishments. Rayford S. Busch launched his smoked meat dreams in 1984, serving barbecue on wheels for years before finally opening a restaurant on OST in 2011. The baby-back ribs and the rib-tip sandwich have always been favorites. Consider splurging on the oxtail plate for a taste of Ray’s specialty. Leave room for the peach cobbler and the Sock It to Me cake.

At Roegels, barbecue sauce is always optional because the smoked meats can more stand on their own. For a classic order, try a plate of juicy brisket, snappy jalapeño cheddar sausage, and turkey, accompanied by your choice of sides. Or, order something unconventional from its Something Different menu, which includes a brisket macaroni and cheese, and loaded fries that are filling enough to serve as an entrée. Don’t miss out on the rotating sandwich specials, which feature its iconic pastrami Reuben, a barbecue Cuban, and smoked bologna.

Roegels Barbecue Co. has a second location in Katy.

This Tomball spot slings an unlikely combination: barbecue and chocolate. Tejas got its start as a chocolate goods store with a smoked meat side hustle, but the community, particularly inner Loopers, truly took to the barbecue. Now, both are essential parts of the Tejas experience. The restaurant serves the usuals (brisket, pulled pork, and turkey), plus signature additions like its link chile relleno sausage, baked potatoes, and a carrot soufflé that has gained cult status.