The real question here is why nobody ever thought to put Texas barbecue and specialty chocolate under the same roof before. This barbecue spot boasts a solid menu of classics, but also ventures outside of the box with its offerings. Try a brisket-topped wedge salad or smoked turkey sandwich with avocado and fried egg. On the side, try the carrot souffle and cornbread pudding, then grab some rich chocolate truffles on the way out.

Just a short drive outside of Houston proper in Old Town Spring is Corkscrew BBQ, a smokehouse as charming as its surroundings. Prime brisket, pulled pork, turkey and link sausage are all killer choices, as is the Bobert sandwich, piled high with the customer’s choice of meats and green chile ranch dressing. For a huge undertaking, go for The Whole Hog, a massive sandwich topped with pulled pork, sausage, and a rib or two. 

Launched by a former Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy, this barbecue joint serves up brisket, chicken and spare pork ribs with a side of old-fashioned barbecue, but its forte is sausage. Specializing in different housemade links to satisfy your sausage lust, choose from the East Texas-style link, the Central Texas-style beef-and-pork sausage, and the jalapeno-cheese variety, and leave happy.

Earning a seal of approval from knowledgeable eaters like the late Anthony Bourdain and Slim Thug, Burns Original BBQ serves up ribs, brisket, chicken links, housemade sausage, and more smoky proteins. Don’t skimp on side options like dirty rice and potato salad.

Gatlin’s BBQ serves up St. Louis-style ribs, classic brisket smoked to perfection, and plenty more meaty delights. Try the pastrami turkey sandwich, the smoked chicken wings slathered in Thai chili or raspberry-habanero sauce, and Cajun-style dirty rice.

As solid as the brisket, sausage, and pulled pork are at this Spring Branch location, the sides at Feges BBQ are truly standout. Priced at just $4 each, elote corn salad, spiced cracklins, pimento mac and cheese, and more stunners await. The Carolina-style whole hog with cracklin’ mop sauce, and charred coleslaw on top of hog fat cornbread will have you bragging to your friends out of state, as will its expansive menu, featuring a boatload of sandwiches, finger foods, a large selection of wine and beer, and $10 frozen margaritas. Top it off with “sweets,” like a scoop of Big Red ice cream, or a banana caramel cream pie.

Find perfectly smoked Prime brisket, boudin, juicy chicken, and glazed pork ribs at this smokehouse helmed by pitmaster Grant Pinkerton. Don't get too stuffed on meats, though — the sides like the cheesy jalapeno rice and duck jambalaya are as compelling as the proteins.

Billed as one of the top 50 barbecue joints in Texas, this Katy shop holds its own with oak-smoked Central Style barbecue. Pair the moist fatty brisket, pork belly burnt ends, juicy pork ribs, or smoked brisket enchiladas smothered in a creamy gravy, with epic sides, which include a loaded mac and cheese, a cilantro-jalapeno slaw, and flavorful pinto beans. Depending on the day, you might find a new special, like a brisket banh mi, or the beef cheek confit, most recently served at the Houston BBQ Festival.

At this Brenham export, pitmaster Leo Botello IV has brought a taste of the Hill Country to Houston. Succulent brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, and sausage are worth the lines that Truth’s arrival have brought, and it’s tough to choose between the excellent sides, which range from tater tot casserole to corn pudding. Try to save room for a towering slice of banana-caramel or coconut cream cake.

Houston’s newest barbecue restaurant is already getting raves from diners and critics alike thanks to Post Oak-smoked meats, a contemporary design, and a massive beer garden. If you have a sweet tooth, desserts like the giant cinnamon rolls, classic banana pudding, and peach cobbler are sure to solidify this barbecue experience.

Pronounced “Ray-gles,” this barbecue spot has a slew of loyal fans. Protein options include smoked pork belly, boudin, beef ribs, and pulled pork shoulder, alongside Texas caviar, loaded mashed potatoes, and decadent bourbon banana pudding.

Three words: brisket fried rice. At Blood Bros., diners can feast on jalapeno-cheddar sausages, juicy turkey, and pork belly burnt ends. As far as the sides are concerned, the brisket fried rice here is arguably one of the city’s finest barbecue joint sides, and the jalapeno coleslaw is equally solid.

Tucked away in an unassuming spot near a gas station, Ray’s would be easy to overlook. But to drive right past would truly be a shame. This soulful spot offers up old-school barbecue, massive meat-stuffed baked potatoes, smoked oxtail, and sides to die for. Pretty much all the sides are great here, but the fried corn on the cob cannot be missed.