Houston’s BBQ Scene Is Booming in 2022
During the past several years, the Houston BBQ scene has grown and transformed into one of the most notable cities for barbecue in the country. Fellow Texas destinations such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin also have a claim to the designation, but Houston sets itself apart with diversity and tenacity.
The Smoke Sheet visited Houston in January with two main goals in mind. First, we had many BBQ joints to visit that we hadn’t eaten at before this year. Secondly, we wanted to work closely with BBQ Brawl champion Erica Blaire Roby and director Conor Moran of on3media on Erica’s digital video series The Pit Stop with Blue Smoke Blaire. (See the teaser for her Houston travels in this week’s Watch section below.)
One of our favorite visits in Houston was to Truth BBQ. (Photo by Wai Chan)
During the visit, we hit up a combined 17 BBQ joints and operations, including Truth Barbecue, Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue, Corkscrew BBQ, Roegels Barbecue (both locations), Feges BBQ, Gatlin's BBQ, Nomad BBQ, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Blood Bros. BBQ, J-Bar-M Barbecue, JQ’s TexMex BBQ, Reveille BBQ, Fainmous BBQ, Rusty Buckle BBQ, Brett’s BBQ Shop, and Dozier’s BBQ.
Trying to visit so many joints strained our wallets and stomachs, but it was worth it to finally hit up so many places we’ve been waiting for patiently. There were others we missed, and hope to see more on the next visit.
Erica Blaire Roby filmed several episodes of her show The Pit Stop at Houston joints including Feges BBQ. (Photo by Wai Chan)
One of the most memorable moments from early in the trip was a group outing at Feges BBQ at their Spring Branch location. Pitmaster Patrick Feges showed Erica and our crew how he makes whole hog, which is notable because Feges was the first spot in Houston that smoked whole hogs on a regular basis. We then dined on a huge meal with like-minded BBQ media folks including Ben Sassani, Gabe Ramirez, and Andrew and Bryan from the Tales from the Pits podcast. We have no doubt that Erica’s upcoming dispatch from Feges BBQ will be full of mouthwatering whole hog bites and so much more.
One of the most stunning platters we ate during our trip was at Roegels Barbecue. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Another early stop for the team was to the original Roegels Barbecue location on Voss Road. The food was incredibly tasty and the team there created one of the most stunning BBQ platters of our trip. The brisket, sausage, and mac and cheese were notable bites. We also were able to briefly see the gorgeous new Roegels location in Katy during a “friends and family” event, where we happened into a great conversation with Texas BBQ queen Tootsie Tomanetz and a who’s who of Texas barbecue showed up in support of Russell and Misty Roegels.
We loved eating barbecue breakfast with the amazing family at Gatlin's BBQ. (Photo by Wai Chan)
One of our most unique meals in Houston was eating BBQ breakfast at Gatlin’s BBQ. There, we got to meet the Gatlin’s family and tried a sampling of breakfast tacos, sandwiches, and a special brisket on a biscuit. Every dish we tried was delicious, and it was hard to narrow down which one was a favorite. We were especially blown away by the hospitality from pitmaster Greg Gatlin, chef Michelle Wallace, and especially Miss Mary Gatlin, who treated us like members of the family.
Erica interviewed Truth BBQ owner and pitmaster Leonard Botello IV for The Pit Stop. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Our trip to Truth BBQ's Houston location was one of our most anticipated, and the visit did not disappoint. Erica was able to spend two hours interviewing owner and pitmaster Leonard Botello IV and getting a tour of the location for The Pit Stop. While she was finishing her interview, our crew ordered one of everything from the Truth menu (even the sheet cake). It was perhaps the most well-rounded meal we had, where every bite of meat, sides, and desserts popped off our forks or fingers.
We had a blast at Corkscrew Barbecue in Spring. (Photo by Wai Chan)
The crew arrived early at Corkscrew BBQ on a Saturday morning and the line was already starting to get deep. We shared some exceptional trays of food with Texas barbecue enthusiasts Tom Nguyen (aka Hirotoshi Mugen) and Joey Garcia. After lunch, we were invited behind the scenes to see how husband and wife team Will and Nichole Buckman and their staff keep the enormous lines of happy customers moving.
One of our biggest BBQ dinners was at the new J-Bar-M Barbecue. (Photo by Wai Chan)
One of the last joints we were able to visit in Houston was J-Bar-M Barbecue in the downtown area. J-Bar-M is one of the newest BBQ joints in Houston but already is firing on all cylinders, with fantastic smoked meats and some of the best sides we ate the entire trip. Standout sides included Cauliflower Au Gratin, Spicy Cream Corn, Red Cabbage Slaw, Marinated Tomatoes, and a Giant Cinnamon Roll. Additionally, Erica was able to also spend time interviewing pitmaster Willow Villarreal for The Pit Stop as well, which will share more about J-Bar-M Barbecue’s fast rise to greatness when that episode drops. In what felt like a BBQ Thanksgiving celebration, we shared our meal with Justin and Catherine Myers of Boerne Brand Hot Sauce, Finnish pitmaster Aki Kinnunen, and barbecue superfan and Smoke Sheet contributor Josh Swope (aka Pops Post).
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We feel like we just scratched the surface of what Houston BBQ has to offer during this trip, and we can’t wait to go back for more. In next week’s issue, we’ll share some of our favorite individual food highlights from this trip, so stay tuned!
Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ) and Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Shee
The City of Roanoke has partnered with Chop Shop to host the 2022 “For the Love of BBQ Pitmaster Showcase.” This event is a guaranteed hot date for your valentine! Tickets are $85 and include unlimited bites from over 20 top-rated pitmasters, an event t-shirt, live music, cooking classes, and more. Learn more about the event.
—The Made for KC BBQ Championship will be a hot ticket for KCBS teams in June.—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
We’ve got the scoop on some big KC BBQ news: Pitmasters in the Kansas City area are invited to compete in the first annual “Made for KC BBQ Championship,” with a chance to win a combined prize purse totaling $46,000. The Grand Champion will be showcased in a competition BBQ-themed restaurant in the new terminal at the Kansas City International Airport. The Outstanding Hospitality Management Group is partnering with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and Old World Spices & Seasonings to hold the event on June 10-11, 2022 at Worth Harley-Davidson. Qualifying teams can register through the KCBS website starting February 14th at 9:00 am through February 20th at midnight CST. All qualified entries will be placed into a drawing for the 36 available spots. The drawing will be held on February 21 at 5:00 pm CST and will be shown on Facebook Live. READ MORE.
In other competition news, KCBS recently announced that they will be honoring barbecue legend Johnny Trigg with a new competition series. A Johnny Trigg Shootout will be held at up to ten competitions in Trigg’s home state of Texas, with a champion being named at the end of the year. Trigg, who is known as the ‘Godfather of BBQ’ has been competing in KCBS-sanctioned events since 1991. “Pitmasters young and more seasoned look up to Johnny and aspire to have the success he’s had. They also love seeing him at contests,” said Emily Detwiler, CEO of KCBS. READ MORE.
Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn thinks Kansas City needs a BBQ renaissance. After taking four trips to KC in 2021, Vaughn’s assessment of the situation is that “Texas is currently whipping Kansas City’s tail, and dragging it through the sauce.” However, Vaughn identifies a slew of “upstart pitmasters” who happened to be doing things right, including Tyler Harp of Harp BBQ, Justin Easterwood of Chef J BBQ, and Andy Fox of Fox & Fire Barbecue. However, , most of the pitmasters Vaughn mentions are drawing much of their inspiration from Texas-style barbecue. READ MORE.
The self-styled “first Arab pitmaster” Hattem Mattar is using fire to ignite his future, according to a new profile in Esquire Middle East. Mattar has been generating buzz in Dubai for years with barbecue pop-ups but now is running the show at the new restaurant The Farm House. Showing how much he wants to channel American barbecue, he “burns oak—which he has to source from woods in Romania, Texas and the UK.” In the magazine story, Mattar looks like a true rock star. We expect his profile to keep rising and wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being a massive global barbecue ambassador. READ MORE.
In a fun bit of BBQ news, fans might have spotted a few familiar faces when the folks from Blood Bros. BBQ made an appearance on ABC’s The Bachelor recently. READ MORE.
ADDITIONAL READS
Following on the heels of the recent guest article from John Tanner in The Smoke Sheet, the Washington Post highlighted the best barbecue in the D.C. area.
The newest branch of The Campaign for Real Barbecue, under the guidance of the aforementioned John Tanner, has located 30 spots in the Virginia-Metro D.C. area that cook entirely with wood.
Acclaimed pitmaster Bryan Furman offered a sneak peek of his upcoming Bryan Furman BBQ at a Rising Sun pop-up in Atlanta last weekend.
Here’s how a father-son duo keeps the Barbecue Station relevant in San Antonio.
Barbecue’s Texas Trinity is evolving, according to the Houston Chronicle’s J.C. Reid.
Atlas Obscura highlighted Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, a James Beard Award-winning two-table diner in Marietta, Arkansas that recently recovered from a devastating fire.
10 barbecue pros weigh in on the best bourbon and barbecue pairing for Vinepair.
Austin’s Kerlin BBQ is bringing back its barbecue kolache truck.
Loro, the Asian smokehouse from Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole, will open on Feb. 23 in Houston.
The owners of Ardent Craft Ales and barbecue joint ZZQ are teaming up to open Eazzy Burger in Richmond, Virginia.
Thanks to our sponsor DennyMike's! Use the code BBQTOURIST10 to save 10% off your order on these great seasonings. Learn more about DennyMike's.
—Erica Blaire Roby will be taking you on a tour of Houston BBQ in the next season of The Pit Stop with Blue Smoke Blaire. (Photo by Wai Chan)—
WATCH
Trailer: The Pit Stop with Blue Smoke Blaire (Season 2) — The Smoke Sheet
Join us for the BBQ road trip of a lifetime in Houston, Texas. Here's a sneak peek at the next chapter of the digital video series The Pit Stop with Blue Smoke Blaire. The Pit Stop was created by Erica Blaire Roby, winner of the Food Network's BBQ Brawl Season 2, and it was produced by Conor Moran of on3media and The Smoke Sheet. For this season of The Pit Stop, Erica traveled to Houston to explore the city's exciting and culturally diverse barbecue scene. She highlights some of the best BBQ joints in the city and visits with pitmasters making seriously delicious barbecue. WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
Dan Joseph, Ardie Davis, and DennyMike Sherman — Baseball and BBQ
In episode 119 of the Baseball and BBQ podcast, hosts Leonard and Jeff pull off a rare triple play with three outstanding guests. They spoke with Dan Joseph, author of Baseball’s Greatest What If: The Story and Tragedy of Pistol Pete Reiser; Barbecue Hall of Fame member Ardie Davis, and BBQ rubs and sauces creator DennyMike Sherman. (Ardie Davis and DennyMike Sherman’s conversation begins around the 1-hour-and-5-minute mark.) LISTEN HERE.
READ
Big Green Egg Basics from a Master Barbecuer — Ray Sheehan
Barbecue expert Ray Sheehan is back with his second book to help you become the master of your Big Green Egg. This book has everything you ever wanted to know about using your grill to its fullest potential, including how to use a ceramic grill, the best grilling techniques, detailed guides on equipment and maintenance, plus―most importantly―how to make the showstopping, smoky barbecue you’ve been waiting to grill up. Whether you’re an aspiring grillmaster or just crave your own homemade barbecue staples, this book will give you a host of delicious, memorable barbecue favorites to whip up for any occasion. You’ll love making these recipes for game nights, backyard parties, or even just weeknight dinner. With this collection, you’ll be ready to make anything and everything with your Big Green Egg. PRE-ORDER HERE.
Pitmasters from near and far will showcase their very best BBQ at the For the Love of BBQ Pitmaster Showcase in Roanoke, Texas. Learn more here.
—BBQ Tourist’s Lemon-Pepper Super Bowl Wing recipe is a winner. (Photo by Wai Chan)—
Lemon-Pepper Super Bowl Wings
By BBQ Tourist
Chicken wings are the perfect dish to enjoy on Super Bowl Sunday. For this week’s Recipe of the Week, try BBQ Tourist’s recipe for Lemon-Pepper Super Bowl Wings. These wings are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients. Best of all, this winning recipe cooks in just a few minutes over direct heat on the grill, so it’s great for an event where you may have a lot of other dishes going at the same time.
Learn more about Southside Market Barbeque.
lot of big barbecue events are planned for 2022. Let's go!—
February 12, 2022: For the Love of BBQ Pitmaster Showcase — Roanoke, Texas
The city of Roanoke, Texas will follow up on the success of last year’s inaugural For the Love of BBQ Pitmaster Showcase with an event held on February 12th at Historic Oak Street. This year’s event will feature 20 renowned pitmasters, many of whom were featured in the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ joints list. Attendees will be able to attend a cooking class from BBQ Brawl contestant Brendan Lamb and will be able to sample unlimited bites of barbecue. Tickets are $85 and include food, an event t-shirt, drink ticket, music, and more. MORE INFO HERE.
February 24-26, 2022: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Bar-B-Que Contest — Houston, Texas
More than 250 teams, led by barbecue aficionados, compete in the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy several public venues, including The Garden, Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. Plus, the carnival is open, for wild rides and fun games. The Garden Stage will feature some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a complimentary sliced brisket plate with chips and beans. MORE INFO HERE.
March 12, 2022: Tex Mex BBQ Festival — San Antonio, Texas
This fun event, masterminded by Miguel Vidal of Valentina’s Tex-Mex in Austin, will be full of food, education, and entertainment. The food will be executed by some of the most talented pitmasters, chefs, and cooks coming in from all over the nation, including Panther City BBQ, 2M Smokehouse, Burnt Bean BBQ, and Sugarfire Smokehouse. Mark your calendar for an amazing experience. MORE INFO HERE.
March 25-26, 2022: American Royal Backyard BBQ & Steak Contest — Kansas City, Missouri
The relatively new National Steak Championships from KCBS will have one of its biggest events thus far during the 2nd American Royal Backyard BBQ & Steak contest. It will be hosted at the American Royal Complex in the West Bottoms. Registration for the event closes March 16th. MORE INFO HERE.
March 26-27, 2022: Meatstock Music and Barbecue Festival (Melbourne edition) — Melbourne, Australia
Meatstock will feature a stacked line-up of barbecue enthusiasts and bands. The two-day event brings American pitmasters Down Under; sees BBQ teams go head-to-head over the coals to be crowned the city’s best barbequers; and features live music, food trucks, and pop-up bars. Additionally, American BBQ joints such as Louie Muller BBQ and Blue Oak BBQ are scheduled to be there as well. MORE INFO HERE.
April 3, 2022: Houston Barbecue Festival — Houston, Texas
Houston's largest barbecue festival will return after a two-year hiatus to the Humble Civic Center Arena Complex. It will feature many of the best barbecue joints in Houston and the surrounding area, including 1701 Barbecue, Blood Bros BBQ, Brett's BBQ Shop, Burns Original BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, Daddy Duncan's BBQ, Dozier's BBQ, Burro & Bull, Feges BBQ, Gatlin's BBQ, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, J-Bar-M Barbecue, JQ's Tex Mex BBQ, Khoi Barbecue, Killen's Barbecue, Pinkerton's Barbecue,Roegels Barbecue Co, Tejas Chocolate & BBQ, and Truth BBQ. MORE INFO HERE.
April 20, 2022: Brisket King NYC — Brooklyn, New York
If you love brisket (and if you're reading this you probably do), you won’t want to miss Brisket King NYC 2021 in Brooklyn. The event will be held at the huge outdoor space at Pig Beach NYC in Brooklyn. More than 15 chefs and pitmasters will be there serving up their takes on brisket and pastrami. MORE INFO HERE.
May 11-14, 2022: Memphis in May — Memphis, Tennessee
The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is a four-day competition held in Memphis, TN. Teams representing the best of barbecue that have been honing their craft for years compete for the title of World Champion and a share of the more than $140,000 in prize money. The Contest features championship pork categories of Ribs, Shoulder, and Whole Hog, as well as the ancillary competitions of Hot Wings, Sauce, and “Anything But Pork.” The 2022 competition will be held in the Memphis Fairgrounds due to construction at its normal home at Tom Lee Park. MORE INFO HERE.
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