The Real Housewives Invade a Houston Barbecue Favorite and (Shocker) Drama Ensues: Houston Episode Ends in a Storm Off

Houstonians have been showing their love for Gatlin’s BBQ for almost eight years now. But it looks like pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s fan base is growing. It’s going beyond your neighbors and even the average tourist.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta paid a visit to Gatlin’s, snacking on brisket fries and stirring up drama. In an episode that aired on Bravo on Sunday, the reality stars headed to Houston to lend a hand after Hurricane Harvey. (The episode was filmed in the fall.)

Gatlin’s not a surprising BBQ bet — it made Texas Monthly’s vaunted Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas list for its “satisfying and smoky” brisket and pork ribs. In the last few years, it’s grown from serving out of a modest house to its newer space with more than 4,000 square feet of space at 3510 Ella near The Heights.

The celebrity Housewives did some grunt work before they got to Gatlin’s. They threw a benefit concert, signed up for volunteer sessions at Habitat for Humanity, pledged donations, and passed out food and supplies. With a few hiccups and harsh words along the way, of course.

Then, it was time to take a load off and enjoy some loaded fries. The stars took on some smoked corn, baked beans and other meaty barbecue mainstays at a casual Gatlin’s dinner.

Miss USA 1993, Kenya Moore, arrived a little late. The kitchen was closed, making Gatlin’s famous smoked chicken a no-go. Blame it on disappointment or low blood sugar, but Moore quickly ticked off Shamea Morton.

In the end, Moore stormed off set, flipped off producers, and called her cast mates “stupid as shit.”  Empty stomach or no, it was quite the showdown.

When we visited Gatlin’s this afternoon, the restaurant’s family ownership declined to comment about their new national Real Housewives fame. So many questions about the “unscripted” episode are swirling in our minds.

How much of a heads up did Gatlin’s get? How did the cast treat the servers? Were other customers there? How did they deal with the drama?

Here’s hoping the Housewives (or the show’s producers) at least tipped well.