The third annual Houston Barbecue Festival arrives on April 26 at NRG Park. Tickets are $50 for general admission, $100 for VIP and proceeds go to Vita-Living Inc. With both options, you're going to have 23 booths to graze from. Here are eight things you need to know and suggestions on how to use your valuable and limited stomach space.
1) Thomas Abramowicz, owner of Paris' first barbecue restaurant The Beast, will be on hand with a French television crew, who will be documenting the culture and traditions of Texas barbecue.
2) Red Hook, Brooklyn will also be in the house. Hometown pitmaster Bully Durney will be assisting his mentor Wayne Mueller in the Louie Mueller booth.
3) Southside Market & Barbecue, the oldest continuously operating barbecue joint in Texas, will be represented by third-generation owner Bryan Bracewell, cooking and serving the market’s specialities, including Elgin hot guts.
4) Pop-ups will have a place at the festival, in the form of cult-followed Blood Bros. BBQ.
5) You can find answers to all of your barbecue questions at the festival at Texas A&M University’s BBQ Genius Counter. Not sure if your wood is dry enough? Wondering how long your goat needs to stay in the smoke? Ask away.
6) Texas' oldest craft brewery, Saint Arnold will be pouring its craft selections all day.
7) Killen's Barbecue's Ronnie Killen returns to the festival this year, along with his popular brisket.
8) No tickets will be sold at the door, and sales are limited. Visit www.houbbq.com for further information and tickets.
— James Brock