:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59009013/o_5.0.jpg)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has seen massive dining upgrades recently with the expansion of Terminal C last year, and now a new barbecue option is making waves in Terminal E.
Pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s newest venture, Q, is now open at the airport, according to the Houston Chronicle. The restaurant a spinoff from his standalone eatery Gatlin’s BBQ on Ella Boulevard. Situated like an island near Gate 2, the eatery features a massive bar area and open-flame grill. The smoke that emits from the grill is vented outside by showy copper tubing that reaches nearly to the ceiling.
Q’s menu features barbecue standbys like smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, sausage, chicken, and turkey. Prices are almost comparable to Gatlin’s BBQ; meats and sides plates will run $12 to $19 and barbecue sandwiches $9 to $12, which is definitely on the reasonable end of airport fare. In Terminal E, the restaurant joins newly opened Tanglewood Grille from Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan of Pass & Provisions; Urban Crave; Pappadeaux and Pappasito’s; and Cat Cora’s Kitchen from the Iron Chef herself.
Al Lucas, Vice President of Restaurants with OTG, the company that operates Q at IAH, says that the new spot has already become the most Instagrammed eatery at the airport. But some early Yelp reviews are suggesting that Q isn’t living up to the Gatlin’s brand. In its short life, the eatery has only earned two stars on the platform, with diners complaining about overcooked meats, poor service, and small portions. “This is not Texas BBQ.... it came out cold, it was tough,” reads one Yelp review. “The place looks cool but worst overall experience I’ve had at an airport food and drink place.”
Other reviews compliment the space’s visual design and its tablet-based ordering system. If Q doesn’t pan out, diners can look forward to more exiting eateries coming to Terminal E this year, including Yume, a sushi kitchen and ramen bar from chefs Chris Kinjo of MF Sushi and Mike Tran of Tiger Den (among other restaurants) and Gavi, a casual Italian restaurant from Coltivare’s Ryan Pera.
Q is now open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Terminal E.
