Texas BBQ

John Mueller's is just as good as Franklin's, in my opinion, though everything is a cut below Snow's in my mind. But please don't tell people about it - it's great to be able to go and have no lines!

 

I'll be trying stiles switch some time during this next week.

Im smoking a standing rib roast tomorrow on my new big green egg. Not exactly Bbq but should be good.

 

Had to go the store here in Calgary this morning...my first Christmas in Canada, and I swear, it's crazier here with traffic and frantic last minute shoppers than it is in Houston. I wore my Snow's BBQ baseball cap with pride at the Real Canadian Superstore today. I've only been to Snow's three times, but every time it was perfect. It truly needed no sauce....unlike most of those places that refuse to serve it.

 

yeah i know...also knew we left houston too late, but lazy ass people did not want to leave at 7 am.

 

yeah i've hard heard muellers is pretty good too, but never been. completely forgot about it after snows and franklins. thought about going to lockhard, but at the end decided on salt licks. i actually like salt licks over kreuz. might not have the best of anything, but all items are great.

 

So finally had Franklin BBQ again this morning. Got there around 10. There were about 25 people ahead of us so not too bad.

Coming into this, I had VERY high expectations. Snow's had set that bar of all other briskets. The brisket at Franklin's was very good, but not as good as Snow's in my opinion. The basis of my judgement was the lean cut of brisket. Snow's lean brisket was tender, juicy and flavorful, almost like a fatty cut. The lean cut at Franklin was good, but a bit on the dry side, and the smoke ring didn't seem as deep as Snow's. Now Franklin brisket is definitively the second best best brisket ive had, and had I not had Snow's, it would be number one. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences, mine just happen to lean another way. The fatty cut was excellent also, but again, my vote goes to the joint in Lexington.

Now the ribs and the sausage completely stole the show at Franklin. The ribs were amazing fall apart tender and flavorful. The sausage was hands down the best ive had in a while. That completely caught me off guard and was wanting more sausage by the end.

So overall:

Brisket: Very good, a solid #2 to Snow's
Ribs: WONDERFUL! Best ribs ive had.
Sausage: The juiciest, most flavorful sausage ive had the privilege of eating

 

huh huh...you said 'hard'.

 

What is everyone's thoughts about best BBQ in Houston?

I've heard about Gatlin's and Pearson's. What do yall consider to be the best in Houston?

 

I've heard good things about Gatlins as well, but yet to try it. Otherwise Houston BBQ scene is pretty non-existent. Goode Company sucks ass. Pizzitola has pretty damn good ribs though.

 

Your best bet is Pierson & Co. or Virgie's. Those are probably the only two on my list to try sometime when I get a chance in Houston. The Pizzitola place that R0ckets03 mentioned is probably worth a shot, too.

 

best brisket and ribs i've had were both from gatlins but i've never had piersons or pizzatolas or burns. gatlins is legit though... it can at least compete with the powerhouse central texas places (although it probably isn't quite to city market/smitty's level).

 

Piersen's is closed. Mr. Piersen had surgery. Don't know when they will reopen but I hope it is soon. Jonesing for that killer Q.

Haven't tried Gatlin's but I need to. I've heard the BBQ is great but the service sucks.

Thelma's used to be good in it's old location but it has kind of slipped since they moved to the 3rd ward.

Never did like Pizzitola's ribs. Dry and boney. Don't order a rib plate there...they give you maybe 2-3 ribs and overcharge you.

Avoid Old Hickory Inn on S. Braeswood and Post Oak Ranch on S. Post Oak at all costs.

I recently ate at the Stockyard BBQ at Westheimer just east of Hillcroft. It was about a 7 on a scale of 1-10. OK, but nothing to go out of your way for.

Been hearing good things about a place that just opened on Jones Rd. & 1960 called It's Ribs. Need to go check it out.

My favorite in Houston is still the Swinging Door down in Richmond.

 

If you're willing to brave it, Burns BBQ is very very good. I wouldn't put it above Snow's, Franklin, Kruetz, or Louis Muellers, but it's right below there.

 

Has anyone been to the BBQ truck in the Woodlands?? Corkscrew BBQ

http://www.htownchowdown.com/2011/11/corkscrew-bbq-bbq-truck-in-woodlands.html

 

Nice. Gotta pick up a copy. Even though Aaron used to work for John, I don't think Aaron and John cook their bbq the same way from everything I've heard. I'm not even sure he did any of the cooking while there, but I could be wrong. It'll be interesting to hear what John has to say about Aaron - hopefully he doesn't come off like an ass. Aaron always has nothing but nice things to say about damn near every BBQ joint you bring. It still amazes me how much he researches places. I still crack up thinking aobut when he started rattling off some of the best bbq joints in Dallas and asked me what I thought of them as I stood in line while he got my order ready. He's an incredibly nice guy.

 

Full Custom Gospel BBQ (aka, the bbq Bible) just tried it. They gave them 5 stars and had a lot of good things to say about. That's a rarity. Franklin BBQ is the only one with 6 stars. I don't remember what they said about the meats other than they were obviously good, but I do recall the reviewer said he had some dirty rice there that was the best he's ever had. I have no idea what is "dirty rice judge" qualifications are. :grin:

 

LOL that's where I got the suggestion of gatlin's, Pierson's and virgie's (top 3 in Houston all with 5 stars).

Not just trying to figure out which one to go to. I think it's gonna be gatlin's.

 

Never heard of Virgie's until this thread...it's fairly close to my office and do-able for lunch. Will report.....