11 Best BBQ Places in Houston

Set the scene.
Vintage license plates adorn the dining room counters and jar light fixtures dangle from the ceiling at CorkScrew BBQ, which is owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Nichole and Will Buckman. You’ll spot one or both of them at the restaurant, which has grown from a catering company to a food truck to, finally, a brick-and-mortar location in Old Town Spring. Tables inside and outside provide plenty of seating, and the large yard is great for kids to run around in-between finger-licking goodness.

Survey the crowd—who's here?
Loyal followers and first-timers alike flock to CorkScrew BBQ for its consistently good barbecue and pleasant atmosphere.

What should we be drinking?
The basics: beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee.

And what are we digging into food-wise?
Crusty prime brisket is just the tip iceberg at CorkScrew, which also serves up massive spare ribs, pulled pork, smoked turkey, and a whole chicken. Sweeten the deal with homemade fruit cobbler for dessert.

Any thoughts about the staff?
What started as a hobby at backyard cookouts has evolved into a full-time operation for the Buckmans, who oversee an in-the-know staff. The wait typically runs 15 to 20 minutes (actually quite reasonable by some Texas BBQ standards) but they do sell out. You can check CorkScrew's social media feeds to see if the restaurant has run out of any of your favorites. To avoid any guesswork, arrive no later than noon Tuesday thorough Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Bottom line?
Bring the whole gang—and an enormous appetite—for an afternoon of 'cue.