The Ultimate Guide to BBQ Joints, Recipes & Reviews

Roomy barbecue on Hollister St in northwest Houston, decorated with tin signs and license plates, with a kids' menu and private dining.

Rustic barbecue in Richmond Loop Plaza on Richmond Ave in Houston, where brisket comes with a vinegar-based sauce on butcher paper.

Relaxed barbecue and steakhouse in Space Center Plaza in Houston's Clear Lake, with smoked meats, steaks and scratch-made desserts.

Black-owned sausage and barbecue spot on Walters Rd in Houston's Sablechase, with beer and wine, sports and outdoor seating.

Long-running Second Ward barbecue joint on Harrisburg Blvd in Houston, selling smoked meats by weight, sandwiches and classic sides.

Unpretentious Pakistani and Indian restaurant on W Little York Rd in Houston, specializing in kebabs and chicken biryani, with a good tea list.

Long-running family barbecue on S Shepherd Drive in Houston's Montrose, with hickory-smoked ribs, steaks, chicken and Tex-Mex.

Family-owned barbecue on the W Loop N Fwy in Houston's Lazybrook/Timbergrove, serving hickory-smoked ribs, steaks and Tex-Mex since 1964.

American BBQ and catering on Cutten Rd in Houston, with outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout and delivery.

American barbecue in Woodway Augusta Plaza on Woodway Dr on Houston's Westside, from The Brisket House.

American barbecue in Houston's Montrose neighborhood, served by Brookstreet Bar-B-Q on Missouri St.

Old-school BBQ joint on Freeport St in Northeast Houston, in business since 1981 with taxidermy and Texas memorabilia on the walls.

American-style barbecue from Brown Sugar's Bar-B-Q, located at 111 Greens Road in Houston, Texas.

Black-owned BBQ inside a Valero corner store on Jackrabbit Rd in Houston's Chimney Hill, with dine-in, takeout and catering.

Women-owned mom-and-pop BBQ on Airport Blvd near Houston's Hobby Airport, with a simple menu, desserts and a private dining room.

Downtown Houston lunch spot for American BBQ on Dallas St, with dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering.

Downtown Houston bar and grill on Rusk St mixing barbecue with Mexican and fusion dishes in a sports-bar setting.

Longtime family-run BBQ in Houston's Acres Home on De Priest St, with smoked ribs, brisket and housemade sausage.

Westheimer Rd barbecue joint in Houston's Westside, serving brisket, ribs, sausage and family platters with a daily beer happy hour.

Casual American barbecue inside Fiesta Pawn Shop on S Post Oak Rd in Houston, with dine-in, takeout and catering.

American barbecue from Spring Creek Barbeque on Tomball Pkwy in Houston, with quick service, beer and a private dining room.

Texas barbecue chain location on Hwy 6 N in Houston's Yorktown Crossing area, with a private dining room, beer, catering and a kids' menu.

Black-, veteran- and women-owned American BBQ on W Richey Rd in Houston, with catering, beer and wine, outdoor seating and a kids' menu.

Casual, quiet barbecue on West Little York Road in northwest Houston, with counter service, beer and a kids' menu.

Black- and veteran-owned American BBQ food truck on S Texas 6 in Houston's Pavilion area, serving lunch and dinner with quick service.

Cafeteria-style brisket, ribs and sides and picnic-table seating on the Northwest Freeway in Houston, open for breakfast too.

Laid-back counter-service barbecue on South Voss Road in Houston's Westside, focused on brisket, chicken, pulled pork and sides.

Plain, practical barbecue on Normandy Street in Northeast Houston, serving plates of smoked meat, sandwiches and sides.

Downtown Houston barbecue on Leeland Street with breakfast, brunch, a full bar, live music and dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Black-owned barbecue on Homestead Road in Houston, offering counter service, curbside pickup, delivery and catering.

A long-standing Houston barbecue spot on Shepherd Drive known for ribs, chicken, sausage and banana pudding.

Casual American BBQ on Spears Road in Houston's Laurel Oaks, with a drive-through, curbside pickup, catering and a kids' menu.

Meats smoked over hickory, sides made in-house and seafood specials at a casual BBQ shack on Old Spanish Trail on Houston's South Side.

Brisket, ribs and housemade sausage smoked in an oak-fired pit, at The Plazas at the Parkway on Eldridge Pkwy in west Houston.

Nostalgic general store on Henderson St in Houston with a barbecue counter for smoked meat plates and sandwiches, plus wine and coffee.

Barbecue and crawfish in Houston's East Village on Lamar Street, with rooftop and outdoor seating, cocktails and sports.