3 Best Barbecue Restaurants in Houston, TX

Here’s The Deal:
The Pit Room is one of Houston's premier barbecue establishments, presenting a delectable assortment of Texas-style BBQ dishes and tacos. Situated in a charming rustic ambiance, complete with a welcoming patio, patrons can relish their meals with an excellent selection of beer and wine. Spearheaded by the talented Michael Sambrooks, who has honed his culinary expertise at various renowned Houston restaurants, The Pit Room provides a fitting venue for special occasions such as birthdays, early retirements, or any joyous gathering. The menu at The Pit Room is adaptable to diverse events, ensuring a personalized experience that caters to specific preferences. Noteworthy is their breakfast tacos, served with refried beans, and the team is eager to accommodate individual needs. The condiment bar features complimentary salsa Roja, Verde, pico de gallo, chopped onion, chopped cilantro, homemade hot sauce, and pickled jalapenos, enhancing the taco experience. The breakfast tacos are available seven days a week from 7 am to 10:30 am, offering guests a gratifying morning meal. Moreover, The Pit Room extends its expertise with free quotes for customized catering services, contributing to the enhancement of every occasion with its delightful offerings. The dedicated crew at The Pit Room perseveres in their craft, driven by a passion for feeding people and supporting the community, ensuring their fires burn brightly daily.

UNIQUE FACTS:
• Outdoor Seating
• High Chairs Available
• Takeaway
• Patio Allowed.

Here’s The Deal:
Grant Pinkerton, a Houston native with family roots in small-town Texas, specifically Hill Country and the Gulf Coast, embodies a passion for the outdoors and conservation. Raised in Houston, he actively participated in the Future Farmers of America at Lamar High School before pursuing a degree in Rhetoric and Writing at The University of Texas at Austin. With a deep-seated interest in meat, fire, and traditional Texas practices, Pinkerton transformed this passion into a profession upon returning to Houston after completing his college education. What started as a barbecue pit and a dream has blossomed into one of the finest BBQ establishments in Texas. Pinkerton takes pride in the exceptional quality of his meat and daily scratch-made sides. The success of Pinkerton’s Barbecue has garnered recognition on prominent platforms such as the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Cooking Channel. Expanding his culinary empire, Pinkerton opened a second location in downtown San Antonio in 2021.

UNIQUE FACTS:
• Outdoor Seating
• Good For Watching Sports
• Online Order
• Takeaway.

Here’s The Deal:
Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack is a family-owned and operated gem in Houston, embodying a dedication to hickory-smoked meats, mouthwatering homemade sides, irresistible desserts, and enticing seafood specials. Co-owned by Rayford S. Busch, Maxine Davis, and Herb Taylor, this casual dining establishment radiates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Rayford S. Busch, an accomplished pitmaster, showcases his culinary prowess by crafting delectable hickory-smoked meats alongside a menu featuring homemade barbecue, Cajun, soul food dishes, and various sides and desserts. The team consistently delivers outstanding food at reasonable prices and is committed to providing reliable and professional service. For those seeking a sweet touch, cakes, and sweet potato pies are available upon request, adding an extra layer of delight to the dining experience. Through their catering services, Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack ensures customers can savor their flavorful offerings at any preferred location. Renowned for their hickory-smoked meats paired with fresh daily-made sides and desserts, the restaurant also offers a diverse menu including burgers, salads, soups, po’boys, baked potatoes, and fish and shrimp dinners, all within a casual and relaxed dining room ambiance.

UNIQUE FACTS:
• Kids' Menu
• Catering
• Takeaway.