Houston

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.

Cozy barbecue and grill on FM 2100 in Huffman, Texas, near Lake Houston, serving lunch and dinner with a drive-through and bar.

Killen's BBQ on Six Pines Drive in Shenandoah, Texas, serving American barbecue north of Houston.

Limited-hours barbecue on E Broadway St in Pearland, Texas, selling brisket and ribs by weight or as plate specials.

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.

Family-friendly barbecue on Schlipf Road in Katy, Texas, with a drive-through, outdoor seating, a bar, live music and a kids' menu.

BBQ trailer on Keith St in Spring, Texas, serving wood-smoked staples at semi-covered picnic tables, BYOB.

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

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

Casual Bellaire spot on Bissonnet St for smoked meat platters and sandwiches, with a long list of sides.

Longtime Pearland BBQ on Broadway St with slow-smoked brisket, classic sides, outdoor seating and a family-friendly setup.

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

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

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

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

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

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

American barbecue from The Meating Place BBQ on FM 1774 in Magnolia, Texas, northwest of Houston.

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

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

Pit-fired barbecue and bean-to-bar chocolate under one roof on N Elm St in Tomball, Texas, in a rustic dining room.

Casual, quiet barbecue on West Little York Road in northwest Houston, with counter service, beer 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.

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.

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

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

American BBQ on FM 1960 Rd E in Humble, Texas, part of the Spring Creek Barbeque chain, in a plain setting that works well for families.

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

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

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