Barbecue competition is steep in these parts, but in just a few short years, pitmaster Grant Pinkerton, who lives above the restaurant, has made a name for himself. The number of deer heads mounted on the walls of this low-slung joint makes you wonder whether beef is really on the menu, but indeed it is. Inspector notes: "Everyone starts with the hulking beef rib, which often sells out before midday, and thick, melting slabs of prime-grade brisket cooked over mesquite and oak. Like all good barbecue, neither piece wants for sauce. Not to be outdone are the brilliantly tender St. Louis-style ribs, which are glazed to order in a sweet sauce made with dehydrated vegetables. Keep an eye on the back wall where daily specials are written in small print.

Located not more than five miles from downtown, the Heights-area building that houses Pinkerton's Barbecue looks like a home—and indeed, superstar pitmaster Grant Pinkerton lives upstairs. In 2016, Pinkerton finally opened the permanent space after cooking at pop-up events. Meats by the pound here include well-rendered brisket, giant beef ribs, glazed and unglazed pork ribs, and smoked chicken.

Pit barbecue in Texas is a must, and Houston has its fair share of award-winning contenders. Pinkerton’s has been open since 2017, and it’s a local favorite that has earned a spot on plenty of best-of lists. Lines and restrictions are legendary for barbecue joints in Texas, but thankfully, this doesn’t apply to Pinkerton’s.

Pinkerton’s Barbecue, 1504 Airline: Pitmaster Grant Pinkerton’s original location in the Heights was named to the Texas Monthly Top 50 list — but if you happen to be in or closer to San Antonio, Vaughn says it’s just as good. As was the case with Brisket & Rice, Vaughn and his team seemed most impressed with dishes that incorporate smoked meats, and considering the costs of those these days, steering towards these is an excellent way of watching your wallet, too. The Duck & Sausage Jambalaya with duck and smoked sausage and Rosemary Bacon Mac & Cheese with bacon served “baller style” — topped with chopped brisket — were both hits.

Grant Pinkerton’s country-like hangout has earned fans across Texas and beyond, including billionaire entrepreneur Bill Gates. Aside from the quintessential barbecue joint setup, which requires snaking through the line past staff slicing meats, Pinkerton promises excellent brisket and fall-off-the-bone glazed pork ribs, which have the ideal balance of heat, smokiness, and sweetness. Diners shouldn’t sleep on sides like the duck and sausage jambalaya and the bread pudding, which, of course, is smoked.

If classic Hill Country Texas barbecue fits your cravings, you’ll find it at down-home Houston spot Pinkerton’s. With wood-paneled walls and old-school tray service, the vibe here feels low-key and casual, but flavors kick the experience up a notch. They coat everything from the turkey to the brisket in a savory, peppery crust that harkens back to the Texas barbecue spice rub tradition, while items like boudin and jambalaya speak to a greater Southern cuisine influence.

The interior walls of this homey barbecue joint are covered in family photos and barbecue competition awards, reflecting the personal priorities of owner/pitmaster Grant Pinkerton. Family recipes infuse dishes like the duck and sausage jambalaya with personality, while the pork ribs feature a slightly sweet glaze inspired by the red-hued, “painted” ribs that have garnered accolades on the competition circuit. The Prime-grade brisket is some of the best in the city.

Although the days of lining up for pitmaster Grant Pinkerton’s mega-sized beef ribs and tender brisket have come to a temporary halt, the curbside game is strong at his down-home Heights joint, with the full menu available until it sells out. Whether you go big with a rack of glazed ribs or keep it simple with pulled pork and sausage, add sides of creamy jalapeno rice (his granny’s recipe) and smoky charro beans. 1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009

Opened by Grant Pinkerton in 2016, this family-run barbecue joint offers staples, such as brisket, glazed and unglazed pork ribs and beef ribs, cooked in an unorthodox fashion starting with mesquite and finishing with post oak in an offset smoker. Homemade sides and desserts round out the eatery’s repertoire as well as an extensive cocktail menu. 1504 Airline Drive, Houston.

Without any formal training, Grant Pinkerton managed to reach great heights with his namesake Houston barbecue restaurant, which now has an outpost in San Antonio. The famous glazed, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs have a cult following, and straightforward sides like coleslaw, potato salad and mac and cheese go with just about everything else. Article continues below this ad

It doesn’t get more classic than Pinkerton’s Barbecue, a home away from home for all of you out there salivating over barbecue just like your grandpa used to make it. That is, if your grandpa cooked on offset wood-burning pits. Pinkerton’s blend of sun-dried mesquite and aged post oak yields delicious results, from prime brisket to glazed and dry pork ribs.

For authentic Texas-style barbecue at an affordable price, head to Pinkerton’s.Where:1504 Airline Drive, Houston, Texas 77009Operating Hours: Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Wednesday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm | Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Or until sold out| Bar open until last customer leaves

Many Houston joints specialize in CTX-style barbecue, but few match the look-and-feel of those Austin-area places like Pinkerton's Barbecue where classic salt-and-pepper brisket is combined with a full cocktail bar. Tues-Thu & Sun 11AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM or sold out. 1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009

Pinkerton's is where the worlds of Texas barbecue and Halal meet. Lucky for Halal eaters, Pinkerton's is very accommodating when you let them know you eat Halal only. They cook the Halal beef separately and change their gloves and knives when cutting the beef to ensure there is no cross-contamination.

Address: 1504 Airline Dr., Houston, TX 77009Website:www.pinkertonsbarbecue.com. Pinkerton’s Barbecue is renowned for its expertly smoked meats, including brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant has received praise for its flavorful offerings and has been recognized in various culinary guides.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (155 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Barbecue- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009-3606- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Food bank volunteer opportunities near Houston

This barbeque joint serves BBQ every day til they run out — that's how you know it's good stuff. They choose high quality meats and they're all gluten-free. This special place is in Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ places list, so it's a must-try.

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (140 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)– Type of cuisine: American, Barbecue– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009-3606– Read more on Tripadvisor

Hosted by the magazine’s barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn, the dinner and happy hour will bring together the barbecue excellence of Truth, Feges BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, and Pinkerton’s Barbecue, an all-star Houston barbecue lineup.

To close out the Houston BBQ road trip, head toward the Greater Heights area. If you are looking for a classic southern BBQ spot, you might already be familiar with Pinkerton’s as it’s one of the go-to places.

1504 Airline DrHouston, TX 77009-3606(713) 802-2000 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Pinkerton’s is a family-owned and operated barbecue joint serving smoked meats in a charming, rustic space.