Anyone familiar with Houston Texas BBQ

It'all going to come down to your oppinion, but I'd have to say that Texas does have the best BBQ in the world period. I was born in Houston, but have lived most of my life in Louisiana, and I've been all over the world and anyone who I've fired up the pit for have came running back for more. There are people that come from abroad specifically for my BBQ, and since I live in Louisiana they do want some crawfish, red beans and rice, and gumbo too, but only after they've had some of my award winning BBQ. So anyone one out there looking for a great BBQ experience give Louisiana a try, and trust me New Orleans is not the place, for the best Louisiana have to offer in food it's going to be in southwest Louisiana from Lafayette, through Lake Charles to the Texas/Louisiana border.

riceroni - interesting. I never think of Louisiana for bbq. Do you have a restaurant or is this private? Can you list some bbq joints I might try if I get over that way? BBQ and crawfish - a new take on 'Surf 'n Turf' .

The famous (or infamous) Thelma has several times protested that her food is not Texan, it's Cajun, but I wasn't aware of any bbq tradition in Louisiana and just chalked it up to her easily-offended temperament.

Well, when I go to Houston, I will probably staying near downtown or as close to the sports stadiums as possible. I may or may not get a rent-a-car while I'm there. It depends on the transportation options down in Houston (as I'm still doing research). If I have reliable transportation, I will venture out to the far-out burbs...if not, then I will try to get some good cue as close to where I will be staying. Thanks for all of the replies (so far).

I'm beggining to figure out that oltheimmer really knows the good Houston places. Can't go wrong with Williams. But I disagree with the "touristy" claim for Goode Co. Where exactly are all these tourists in Houston? I didn't realize Houston made it into the US tourist destination rotation.

Go to Goode Co. It's in a convenient location to where you'll be located, and has great brisket, sides, and sauce. Also check out Goode Co Seafood. Both places are understandably packed.

Magnolia has the best boiled crawfish in town. It's not in season in Sept, and is far away from where you'll be staying. As is Williams.

I'd avoid Houston BBQ Co and the Luling clone. Those two are trying to do central TX cue. Might as well enjoy the southeast Texas bbq while you're here. When you're in Austin area, search for the Lockhart joints, and go with the those. Everyone wins.

I'll throw Drexlers BBQ in the mix, mostly because it is very close to downtown. Apparently their ribs are excellent. I've never been; just putting it out there.

A small note on the Houston restaurant websites: b4ueat and citysearch are well known, and as a result, of dubious quality. Check out houstonpress.com and chron.com for their recommendations. Both staff reviewers have a special place in their hearts for common man food. Of course, this site is also excellent and the overall recommendations are solid.

You can't leave Houston without some good Mexican food, but that's for another thread...

I'll leave you with some words on Houston: I've had tons of people visit me, mostly for small amounts of time. Most don't get it. I admit, the city didn't make much sense to me when I first moved here as well. Flying roaches, concrete as far as the eye can see, humidity that will strip your wallpaper by itself... But it is a city that reveals its charms after a while. I mention this because your last post mentioned something about depending on transportation options. I'm visioning a skins fan cursing our laughable public transportation.

Another warning: last year, the Texans tried to get homefield advantage by leaving the roof open in Sept. Well, that didn't work out so well.... BUT If that's the case, drink LOTS and LOTS of water.

Have fun!

Okay, you got me on the tourism issue . As a native Texan I find Jim Goode's over-use of Texana to create ambiance crass - that's 'touristy' to me; however I've eaten at the Katy Fwy location since this thread started and was more pleased than before. I had the duck and links; okay food but the most pleasing part was the portions. One of my issues has always been the rather skimpy portions for what you pay.

I went to Drexler's once before the move to the new location. It's a different type of cue, what Robb Walsh in his book calls East Texas-Urban Black I think which comes close to meaning 'cooked until falling apart.' I wasn't impressed and have never been back. There are places that do that style much better but not close to DT. Thelma's would be a much better choice but both are going to be the closest to DT. However, if skinsfan06 is also a basketball fan, the Drexler in question is the brother of Clyde the Glide and the old location, at least, had lots of basketball memorabilia.

There is also a Luther's DT, on Walker @ Smith, a block or so from the Hyatt, if that's where you're staying. Luther's is to bbq what Wendy's is to hamburgers - a quick serve chain. However, Pappas has taken over the Luther's chain which should result in some improvement.

I agree that are lots of ringers on b4-u-eat. I automatically discount any review which raves about 'world's greatest' or 'absolutely the world's worst.' You can sometimes get a clue from the screen name also; some are obviously selected just to rant one time about the new competition or rave about their new place . Likewise take Press or Chron recommendations with a grain of salt, more so with the Press than the Chron. I disagree with both at least 50% of the time. The Press 'best of' named Burns BBQ (far north side) best in the city last year -- perfectly laughable.

skinsfan06 - I've never gotten over to Big Woodrows but did find a website. I can't get it to come up today but it did reveal the place is owned by the same folks who own the Mardi Gras, which will be much closer to DT.

Bulldozer Rectangle made a comment on another thread about Houston being a good eating city and I agree. I'm frequently amazed by visitors who come to town and eat at our local chains (Pappas restaurants, Landry's Inc., etc.) and leave raving about the food. You can find some of those type comments here on roadfood.