Introduction to Houston’s BBQ Scene

Three Houston barbecue restaurants have made it to the list of top BBQ joints in the South, as released by Southern Living magazine. The list features a total of 17 restaurants in Texas, with the Houston-area restaurants being Blood Bros. BBQ, Truth BBQ, and Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue. These restaurants are not only popular among locals but also critically acclaimed.

Critical Acclaim for Houston’s BBQ Restaurants

Blood Bros. BBQ received a shoutout in the New York Times for its unique blend of Asian flavors and Texas barbecue. Tejas Chocolate earned a spot in the Michelin Guide, which is a prestigious honor in the culinary world. Truth BBQ, on the other hand, is one of the two restaurants to make it to the top 10 of Texas Monthly’s top 50 barbecue joints for three cycles in a row. This consistent recognition is a testament to the high quality of barbecue served at these restaurants.

The Selection Process

The list was compiled and ranked by Southern Living’s Contributing Barbecue Editor, Robert F. Moss, who is based in Charleston, South Carolina. Moss has a thorough approach to selecting the top BBQ joints, having dined at each restaurant on the list in person and visiting most of them multiple times. He does not rely on score sheets or grading systems but instead uses a qualitative ranking based on the enjoyment of the meal and the overall experience of the visit.

Surprising Omissions

Moss’s approach to selecting the top BBQ joints has led to some surprising omissions. For example, Spring’s Corkscrew BBQ, which is one of the four barbecue restaurants to earn a Michelin star, did not make it to the list. Similarly, InterStellar BBQ and La Barbecue in Austin, which also hold Michelin stars, are absent from the list. Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin, which topped the recent Texas Monthly list, comes in at No. 31 on Moss’s list.

Texas Restaurants on the List

The Texas restaurants that made it to the list are:

• 2. Snow’s BBQ – Lexington

• 4. Louie Mueller Barbecue – Taylor

• 5. LeRoy & Lewis – Austin

• 13. Kreuz Market – Lockhart

• 15. Panther City BBQ – Fort Worth

• 19. Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue – Tomball

• 20. Franklin Barbecue – Austin

• 27. Truth BBQ – Houston

• 28. Barbs B Q – Lockhart

• 31. Burnt Bean Co. – Seguin

• 37. Goldee’s Bar-B-Q – Fort Worth

• 38. Micklethwait Barbecue – Austin

• 40. Dayne’s Craft BBQ – Aledo

• 42. Blood Bros. BBQ – Bellaire

• 43. Cattleack Barbeque – Dallas

• 46. Hurtado Barbecue – Arlington

• 47. Smitty’s Market – Lockhart

Conclusion

The recognition of Houston’s barbecue restaurants on the list of top BBQ joints in the South is a testament to the city’s vibrant and diverse barbecue scene. While some omissions may seem surprising, the list is a great starting point for anyone looking to explore the best of Texas barbecue. With their unique flavors and high-quality meats, Blood Bros. BBQ, Truth BBQ, and Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue are definitely worth a visit for any barbecue enthusiast.