Pearland Barbecue Favorite Killen’s Will Serve Free Sandwiches to People Impacted by Wicked Winter Storm

Even though pitmaster Ronnie Killen is closing all of his restaurants on Wednesday, the Houston-area meat magnate still plans to welcome people in need of a hot meal to his Pearland restaurant.

Starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Killen’s Barbecue at 3613 East Broadway in Pearland will serve free smoked meat sandwiches to people who don’t have access to a kitchen. In an Instagram post, the chef specifically requested that only those who aren’t able to feed themselves on Wednesday take part in the giveaway. “Please show compassion for those people in need, that can’t cook at home,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram.

Even though temperatures across the Houston area are expected to get above freezing on Wednesday, the city has been rocked by lengthy power outages. On Tuesday night, energy provider CenterPoint announced that 1.38 million people across the region were without power, ERCOT, the agency that oversees the state’s power supply, has not yet issued a timeline for when power is expected to be restored for most Texans.

This isn’t the first time that Killen’s has offered up free eats to folks who’ve been impacted by natural disasters, like Hurricane Harvey in 2017. In 2019, the restaurant served up care packages filled with brisket, sausage, baked beans, and potato salad to families that were struggling due to an ongoing government shutdown. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced restaurant dining rooms across the state to close in March 2020, Killen’s offered free meals to hospitality workers who had lost their jobs.

Killen’s isn’t the only Houston restaurant that’s been working to help folks who have been impacted by the storm. Over the weekend, Third Ward favorite Turkey Leg Hut handed out dinner to people sheltering at George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston, while popular beer bar Flying Saucer collected more than 150 coats and blankets to distribute to unhoused people in the neighborhood.

Barbecue sandwiches will only be available to those in need at the Pearland location on a first come, first served basis.

Know of another Houston restaurant that’s serving free meals to people impacted by this week’s wintry weather? Send us the details at houston@eater.com.

• Houston Might Be Shut Down, But Some Local Restaurants Are Braving the Storm to Serve Their Community [EHOU]