Place near me called Fainmous is really good. Great pulled pork and they have na actually spicy sauce. If you read the complaints it is that they run out of the popular stuff too ealry. I don't think that is a bad thing. http://www.yelp.com/biz/fainmous-bbq-houston
A properly cooked brisket ('Sup Pops!) smoked for at least 10-12 hours with the beautiful smoke ring...it would be my request for my last meal, along with fried Crappie or catfish.
Best Brisket-Gatlin's Best Chopped Beef-Gatlin's Best Pork Ribs-Pizatola's Best Pulled Pork-Lyndon's Best Sausage-Luling City Market Best Smoked Turkey-Luling City Market Best BBQ Chicken-I am a male Best Potato Salad-Luling City Market Best Cole slaw-Hate that stuff Best Baked Beans-Haven't found a good place for baked beans Best Side (Other)-Texas jambalaya at Goode Co BBQ or Banana Pudding at Pizatola's or Heart Attack Potatoes at Stockyard BBQ Best BBQ sauce-Luling City Market and it isn't even close (if you like mustard based sauce as opposed to sweet sauces you get at places like Goode Co)
I think people get agitated about Goode Co BBQ because of it's popularity vs. other options out there. Goode Co is decent...when they get the brisket right it can be delicious (but this is only half the time I have been there...used to go all the time as a kid andin high school) and the ribs are not bad. The turkey sausage is fantastic and the sweet sauce compliments it quite well. I think it's popularity is mainly due to the sweet bbq sauce that they serve, which lots of people really enjoy. While I don't love the sauce, it is great on a stuffed baked potato filled with brisket and sausage. But overall, it is decent BBQ that is super popular, thus people really having issues with it Now...Goode Co Taqueria is another story all together...best breakfast and fajitas in town (plus they also have the pecan pie and a helluva cinnamon-chocolate shake) and a pretty damn good mesquite-grilled burger. Back to BBQ, I'm not a Demeris fan at all either. Same goes with Pappa's...I think that place is crap.
I think you summed it up pretty well, Blake. Having a consistent product is probably one of the most important things as a restaurant. I don't want to go there hoping that they're having a good brisket day. I guess another thing is that I don't usually put any sauce on my bbq so if that's the key, it might be why I haven't had a good experience there. As others have mentioned, I do admit they have a great pecan pie. Not really a Demeris fan either. I don't think anyone has mentioned Beaver's. The food there has always been pretty damn tasty, but I've had some bad/awful service experiences there. The last time I went, the service was better, but the other experiences were bad enough to deter me from going there even though I really enjoyed the food.
I've just never had brisket that blew me away. It is usually dry or just not flavorful enough. Usually have to drown it in sauce. I've been severely disappointed. Maybe this Gatlin's you speak of will show me the light.
I've been to all three of their locations. The one in Missouri City is my favorite, probably because it's the nicest and plays Rockets games. I like their "chop bakers", baked potato loaded with chopped beef.
^^This. I like to try BBQ without the sauce to see if it really was well done. I hated Goode's bbq [the one off I-10]. Some people have said I have to try their other location, but I haven't made it there yet.
I finally went to Rudy's on I-10, what a dump first of all and the food was quite blecht. What is with the napkin dispensers? Like they took them out of the bathroom and put them up in the dining area. Pappa's food is probably worse though, yuck. Goode's is probably the most overrated food ever. Never tried Gatlin's, look forward to checking it out.
The only time I use barbecue sauce is for dipping but never on actual barbecue. If the meat is good you should never need sauce. When you finally taste great brisket you wouldn't dare ruin the flavor with BBQ sauce.
Never been to Snows or Franklins? Any other brisket is crap compared to those two places. Nothing even comes close to either one of those.
Have you been to Stiles and Switch in Austin? A lot of people around here think it's the 2nd best BBQ joint in town behind Franklin's. I live just a few minutes away from it currently and love it. The brisket is top notch and the beef ribs are ridiculous. I still haven't braved the early crowds at Franklin's, but it's on my to-do list to get accomplished in the next month before I move back to H-town.
