Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Salt-and-pepper-rubbed beef brisket, smoked over post oak for 12 to 18 hours until the bark is black and the fat renders into bite. Sliced thick across the grain.
Brisket as a Texas barbecue centrepiece emerged in the 1930s Central Texas meat-market tradition (Kreuz, Smitty's, Black's in Lockhart) where butchers smoked the cheap, fatty cut to sell off unsold beef and customers ate it standing up with butcher paper for a plate. Houston's brisket tradition arrived later but went hard: Greg Gatlin opened Gatlin's BBQ in 2010, Patrick Feges and Erin Smith later opened Feges, and Leonard Botello IV opened Truth BBQ in Brenham in 2015 before moving to Heights Boulevard in 2019. Texas Monthly's Top 50 list now regularly ranks two or three Houston joints. The salt-and-pepper rub remains canonical; sauce on the side, never on top.
4 editor picks for Texas brisket in Houston, ranked by editorial score. All Houston signature dishes · Texas brisket across every city.
Also in: Dallas.
Truth BBQ in Houston is Leonard Botello IV's Heights Boulevard smokehouse, the Brenham original relocated in 2019, with post-oak-smoked brisket Texas.
OrderBrisket fatty, sliced thick. Pulled pork. A side of pinto beans and a slice of the strawberry cake.
TipOpen Wed to Sun, lunch only until they sell out (usually 2 to 3pm). Get there by 11am for brisket; the line moves fast.
Killen's Barbecue in Pearland (south of Houston) is Ronnie Killen's smokehouse on East Broadway, a Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 pick with a Texas beef rib.
OrderThe Texas beef rib (one is enough for two), brisket fatty and the creamed corn side.
TipTuesday through Saturday lunch only, sold out by mid-afternoon. The beef rib runs out first; order it on entry.
Pinkerton's Barbecue in Houston is Grant Pinkerton's Heights smokehouse on Airline Drive, a Michelin-recognised joint with brisket, smoked turkey and the new.
OrderBrisket fatty, smoked turkey, beef ribs when they show up.
TipOpen Wed to Sun for lunch only. The newer 3801 Farnham Upper Kirby location opened January 2026 and has shorter lines.
CorkScrew BBQ in Spring (north of Houston) is the Buntin family smokehouse on Keith Street, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognised post-oak barbecue room.
OrderBrisket and pork ribs combo. The mac and cheese is one of the better Houston-area sides.
TipWednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm only. Lines start by 10:30; brisket sells out by 2pm most days.
Texas brisket makes more sense with someone from Houston explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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