Pho Binh on Bellaire Boulevard is the original 1983 Houston pho counter from the Le family, with clean broth, rare-beef pho tai and the city's pho-as-everyday-meal tradition still in place.
Signature dishes: Pho tai (rare beef), Banh mi
Must order: Pho tai (rare beef) or pho dac biet (combination). A Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk.
Tip: Cash strongly preferred. Bellaire location is the original; the four other branches (Westheimer, Heights, Sharpstown, Katy) are family-run.
Address: 10827 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072
Truth BBQ in Houston is Leonard Botello IV's Heights Boulevard smokehouse, the Brenham original relocated in 2019, with post-oak-smoked brisket Texas Monthly's Top 50 list backs every year.
Signature: Brisket, Pulled pork
Order: Brisket fatty, sliced thick. Pulled pork. A side of pinto beans and a slice of the strawberry cake.
Tip: Open 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 that defined Houston barbecue.
Signature: Beef rib, Brisket
Order: The Texas beef rib (one is enough for two), brisket fatty and the creamed corn side.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday lunch only, sold out by mid-afternoon. The beef rib runs out first; order it on entry.
CorkScrew BBQ in Spring (north of Houston) is the Buntin family smokehouse on Keith Street, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognised post-oak barbecue room with brisket and pork ribs.
Signature: Brisket, Pork ribs
Order: Brisket and pork ribs combo. The mac and cheese is one of the better Houston-area sides.
Tip: Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm only. Lines start by 10:30; brisket sells out by 2pm most days.
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 2026 Upper Kirby second location.
Signature: Brisket, Smoked turkey
Order: Brisket fatty, smoked turkey, beef ribs when they show up.
Tip: Open Wed to Sun for lunch only. The newer 3801 Farnham Upper Kirby location opened January 2026 and has shorter lines.
Tacos Tierra Caliente in Houston is the long-running taco truck on West Alabama in Montrose, with al pastor sliced from the trompo and an ice house next door.
Signature: Tacos al pastor, Carne asada tacos
Order: Three al pastor tacos with pineapple. The carne asada. A Mexican Coke and a side of consomme.
Tip: The truck is parked next to the West Alabama Ice House; bring your tacos inside for a beer. Cash and card.
Frenchy's Chicken on Scott Street in Houston is Percy Creuzot's 1969 Third Ward Creole fried chicken counter, two blocks from Texas Southern University and a Houston Sunday tradition.
Signature: Creole fried chicken, Dirty rice
Order: Three-piece dark meat with dirty rice and red beans. A peach cobbler to close.
Tip: Sunday after church is the line. Weekday lunch is the move. The Scott Street counter is the original; multiple satellites exist.
