It's an off week so...BBQ joints

[doc longhorn]

I am a pork rib connoisseur.  I love 'em and I have eaten them from coast to coast and most places in Texas.

And, I might add, the BBQ in Texas is the best in America.  Strangely, Canada has a couple of good places as well.  New York?  Well, New York thinks pecante sauce is BBQ.  That should tell you about NY.

But, back to ribs.

There is a place in Houston that has some of the best I have ever eaten.  It's located in an old strip mall, in the SW part of Houston, that you feel you need to be packing to enter it.  It's a ratty strip mall that has gone to seed.

But it's called The Hickory Barn and, if you live in Houston or ever visit it, it would behoove you to partake of their ribs AND their brisket.  Their pies are home made as well and will put you into a diabetic coma - but worth it.

http://www.houston-bbq-catering.com/

And, I am always open to new suggestions.  But let me warn you, good ribs are not good enough.  I've had those. I am only interested in other world ribs.  Be warned.

 

[joeywa]

I went to The Woodshed in Ft Worth last weekend.  Their brisket was moist, but not overly flavorful and the bark/smoke ring were non-existent. 

Their baby backs on the other hand were phenomenal.  Dry rub, no sauce.  Flavorful, moist, smokey, and almost fell off the bone.  All of their sides and meats are smoked there.  I had a Mexican Corn, which was an ear of corn, rubbed with a chili powder-based rub, smoked and served on a stick.  AWESOME.  I recommend this place if you're in FTW. 

 

[monarch]

here you go doc longhorn.​

barbque is indeed to die for!​

fried catfish is simply wonderful...​

 ​

The Kiddy Brothers came to Houston with great BBQ on their minds. The oldest brother started his BBQ restaurant back in 1953. Since then, the brothers have opened several different BBQ restaurants in Houston. James opened The Hickory Barn in November of 1980. Although times have changed, our idea of great BBQ hasn't. We use choice meats and the freshest produce while keeping competitive prices.

At Hickory Barn Bar-B-Q we are serving up mouth-watering Houston BBQ that's slow cooked and smoked to perfection using Hickory wood. Choose from an array of items on our menu including the locally loved stuffed and loaded baked potato, sandwiches, po-boys, soups, salads, desserts and all kinds of delicious meats ranging from beef, chicken, links, ribs, pork, ham, catfish and turkey. You can dine in at our restaurant any day of the week and we even offer Houston BBQ catering that can accommodate any size event. 

Come see us and discover why Houston Press calls Hickory Barn Bar-B-Q an "unassuming slice of barbecue heaven."

11534 S. Wilcrest at

W. Belfort

(Foodarama Center)

Houston, TX 77099

Phone: (281) 530-9382

Fax: (281) 530-1441

Houston BBQ Menu Items at Hickory Barn

Come on by and enjoy our authentic slow smoked Houston Bar B Q that locals can't get enough of. We've been serving up lean brisket, tender chicken, mouth-watering sausage and so much more at the same location for over 30 years. At Hickory Barn Barbecue we pride ourselves in our legendary BBQ at affordable prices all served up with a smile. Please take some time to browse our menu items below:

MENU

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Memphis thinks they do ribs really well. I've tried 3-4 places, including Rendezvous, and was never blown away - Interstate is better. Haven't been to Commissary though.

I've had outstanding ribs from Dreamland in AL. I've also had very average ribs at Dreamland - no consistency at all.

 

[streettopeschel]

the baby backs i smoked Sunday. /thread.

 

[Etex Horn]

Best pork ribs I've had are at The Country Tavern on Hwy 31 about 5 miles west of Kilgore, towards Tyler.  And they are ALWAYS

excellent, great consistency.  Those ribs are so great, they aren't "to die for"...instead, they are "to live for."

 

[Duke C #11]

Interstate in Memphis is also home to something that sounds weird, but tastes outstanding - BBQ spaghetti.

This place opened up this year on Barton Springs Rd. in Austin and I already rank it #2 in Austin, behind only Franklin.

http://terryblacksbbq.com/

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Best pork ribs I've had are at The Country Tavern on Hwy 31 about 5 miles west of Kilgore, towards Tyler.  And they are ALWAYS

excellent, great consistency.  Those ribs are so great, they aren't "to die for"...instead, they are "to live for."

This and it's thread.

These are the best ribs in the state of Texas. I travel the state a lot and find all the bbq joints I can. When it comes to ribs, the Tavern cannot be beat.

Warning. There is no menu. It's beer and ribs and a whole lotta heaven.

 

[doc longhorn]

This and it's thread.

These are the best ribs in the state of Texas. I travel the state a lot and find all the bbq joints I can. When it comes to ribs, the Tavern cannot be beat.

Warning. There is no menu. It's beer and ribs and a whole lotta heaven.

Been there.  The ribs were good, but what did I tell you about "good"?    The cobbler was better.

They are not the best ribs in Texas.  In fact they are not in the top ten.

 

[doc longhorn]

I went to The Woodshed in Ft Worth last weekend.  Their brisket was moist, but not overly flavorful and the bark/smoke ring were non-existent. 

Their baby backs on the other hand were phenomenal.  Dry rub, no sauce.  Flavorful, moist, smokey, and almost fell off the bone.  All of their sides and meats are smoked there.  I had a Mexican Corn, which was an ear of corn, rubbed with a chili powder-based rub, smoked and served on a stick.  AWESOME.  I recommend this place if you're in FTW. 

I must try this place.

 

[doc longhorn]

An addendum and IMO - if ribs require BBQ sauce, they are not good ribs.

 

[joeywa]

An addendum and IMO - if ribs require BBQ sauce, they are not good ribs.

Pretty much goes w/o saying IMO.  If you need sauce for my 'cue, that means I've done something horribly wrong. 

 

[Shevis Irons]

I've e been going to the Hickory Barn for what seems like a lifetime. GREAT RIBS!! But if you think their brisket is as good, well....

For those traveling the state, there's a little BBQ shack in Marlin TX that is on par with any of the Lockhart joints. It damn hard to find, so know your Google maps. It's called Whooops Boomerang BBQ. Oh, on your way out grasp a few Sausage Wraps for later.

BTW, marlin is about 30 miles SE of Waco on Hwy 6.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Been there.  The ribs were good, but what did I tell you about "good"?    The cobbler was better.

Cobbler? Did somebody say cobbler?

Now I need dessert...

 

[doc longhorn]

I've e been going to the Hickory Barn for what seems like a lifetime. GREAT RIBS!! But if you think their brisket is as good, well....

For those traveling the state, there's a little BBQ shack in Marlin TX that is on par with any of the Lockhart joints. It damn hard to find, so know your Google maps. It's called Whooops Boomerang BBQ. Oh, on your way out grasp a few Sausage Wraps for later.

BTW, marlin is about 30 miles SE of Waco on Hwy 6.

When my bride and I lived in Sweetwater, we went to the Hickory Barn the first week it opened.  She is not much for ribs, but loves catfish and theirs is excellent.  However, I always thought it a little weird that catfish would be sold at a BBQ joint. 

 

[doc longhorn]

So, here are the old doc's top ten favorite rib joints.

In no particular order:

Franklins - it goes without saying.  But I still say their brisket is their signature meat.

Meshacks - Garland - it's different and actualy a shack.  You have to eat outside, but awesome ribs

Peete Mesquite - Marble Falls

Killens - Pearland

Hickory Barn - Houston

Millers - Belton

Coopers - New Braunfels - I like this store better than their Llano store - except on Mondays when their ribs are too salty

Snows - Lexington

Gatlins - Houston

Louie Miller - Taylor

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Been there.  The ribs were good, but what did I tell you about "good"?    The cobbler was better.

They are not the best ribs in Texas.  In fact they are not in the top ten.

I'm sorry, but you're outnumbered by thousands. Thousands, Doc.

There is the Tavern. And then there's everything else.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

So, here are the old doc's top ten favorite rib joints.

In no particular order:

Franklins - it goes without saying.  But I still say their brisket is their signature meat.

Meshacks - Garland - it's different and actualy a shack.  You have to eat outside, but awesome ribs

Peete Mesquite - Marble Falls

Killens - Pearland

Hickory Barn - Houston

Millers - Belton

Coopers - New Braunfels - I like this store better than their Llano store - except on Mondays when their ribs are too salty

Snows - Lexington

Gatlins - Houston

Louie Miller - Taylor

LOL, even people who like Franklins say their ribs are average, at best. Yes, the brisket is worth a top rating. Their ribs, however, shouldn't even be on the list.

Meshacks, to each his own I suppose. I won't eat there. I'll have tea and watch you though.

Louie Miller - really not great in anything but everything is very good. I'd go there anytime and buy yours, too.

Coopers is ok. More of a surprise to find something worthy at a place like that. Granzines once was king there in NB.

Have not been to the others you list but have added them to my "to do" list!

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Here's another for you East Texas folks. You need to know your way around.

On Hwy 31 between Tyler and Kilgore . . . if you look one way it says Tyler 13 miles. If you look the other way, it says Kilgore 13 miles. There is a FM road there that jogs south. One block south of 31 on the right side of that FM road is "Pat Gees."

It's an elderly black man and his wife who run a bbq joint during the lunch time hours only. Their bbq is phenomenal. Be prepared to eat on picnic tables and using wax paper as a plate. You'll get a loaf a bread and when the lady asks if you "want some hot?" You'll know she's talking hot sauce.

You must take your own drinks.

I hope they're doing well and still in business. It's been a couple years since I've been there. It was worth finding, I promise.