What’s the Best Barbecue Spot in Houston?

Houston’s best barbecue spots are among the best in the entire state — and all of America for that matter.

But what is Houston’s No. 1 barbecue haven?

You get to decide by voting for your rightful champ in PaperCity‘s Best Barbecue Challenge. The winning barbecue hotspot will take home serious bragging rights, but you get a chance to win big too.

One voter will be randomly selected to win a $250 gift card from whichever spot emerges as the Houston barbecue champion. That’s some serious BBQ buying power. You can vote once per day — and the more times you vote, the more chances you have to win.

Here are the contenders:

Truth BBQ

After much impatient waiting and anticipation, Truth BBQ finally opened up in Houston and it’s been an immediate hit. The Brenham-based original has been recognized as one of the best places in the state by Texas Monthly.

Feges BBQ

You don’t need a stand-alone restaurant to craft standout barbecue. Feges is tucked in the Hub foodcourt at Greenway Plaza, and it’s creating intensely smokey, cravable waves. Barbecue on a lunch break? Yes please.

The Pit Room

Central Texas-style cookin’ springs to life at this Montrose mainstay. The pint-sized Pit Room is as rustic as it gets, drawing crowds of the hungry and hangry alike to its cozy patio.

Blood Bros. BBQ

Blood Bros. switches things up with its seasonings and rubs all while maintaining the integrity of the art of barbecuing. Asian and Cajun flavors take centerstage to create sweet and spicy zestiness.

Pinkerton’s Barbecue

Classic, down-home barbecue – that’s Pinkerton’s. And that’s probably because Grant Pinkerton dishes out variations of his own family’s recipes. You can’t get more down-home than that.

Gatlin’s BBQ

From its original and small location to its now larger and roomier locale, Gatlin’s has been serving up stellar meat to hungry crowds for years, even hosting the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta back in 2018.

Triple J’s Smokehouse

Triple J’s Smokehouse is no stranger to the barbecue scene. Since 1994, this dive tucked in the city’s northeast end has given barbecue lovers everything they could ever want – including stuffed baked potatoes piled high with meat and all the fixin’s.

Corkscrew BBQ

Their goodies sell out consistently, so you’d better get there early and perhaps wait in a 30 or more minute line to savor the moist, tender brisket and jalapeno pork sausage. The wine, beer and cider that they serve alongside their smoked dishes will make the experience A+.

Pappa Charlie’s Barbeque

After years of participating in barbecue competitions throughout the country and selling their crazy good ‘cue from a 20-foot trailer, Pappa Charlie’s finally opened up a brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2015.

Killen’s Barbecue

This Pearland barbecue paradise is a favorite of  pro athletes, including J.J. Watt, thanks to Ronnie Killen’s mix of smoked meats and Tex-Mex staples. Get a kick-butt pound of bone-in beef short rib or a three-meat plate with pulled pork and more.

This poll has now ended – the winner of PaperCity‘s Best BBQ Challenge is Truth BBQ. 

Congratulations to James Burke for scoring a $250 gift card to the winning restaurant.