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    Gao's Kabob

    4.2 (273 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

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    GAO'S KABOB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Smashed Cucumber
    Jo-ann H.

    Late-night skewers with live music and pitchers of beer to end the night. One of the few restaurants that stays open until midnight, and they also have buy 1 get 1 free beer after 10 PM. It's been a minute since I ate here, and I actually think it tasted better this time. The big lamb skewer is my favorite. It has just the right amount of fat, and the meat is really tender. With the seasoning they use, it doesn't taste gamey. I really like the flavors of their skewers. It tastes pretty authentic to me, and I can always add extra spicy powder when I want more of a kick. Ordering was pretty easy and efficient too. We just scanned the QR code on the table and put in our order. Once we submitted it, the server came by to confirm everything. The food came out pretty quickly, so we didn't have to wait long.

    Lê Đoàn P.

    Happy Hour menu was awesome and the skewers only cost $1 or $2 each. The flavor was decent, not too salty and not too spicy either but very flavorful. Service was quick as well and the server was very attentive

    The BBQ was absolutely delicious--perfectly grilled, flavorful, and juicy. Definitely a great spot for BBQ, and we'll be coming back again!

    Gao's WiFi
    Thao T.

    Came on a recommendation of a friend and was heavily craving lamb skewers. It was a busy Friday evening and we were put on a waitlist for a party of 4, but the wait was minimal. You order from your phone and a server will come to confirm once the order is sent in. Food comes out pretty quickly. They served plastic cups, utensils, and styrofoam bowls + plates. Big minus for me. They're quick to clean up and change the water pitcher. As for the food, my favorite dish was the king eggplant. It was nicely seasoned and heavy on the garlic, just the way I like it. The lamb skewers were decent, but lacked in comparison to other establishments. We also ordered grilled garlic skewers, but they were old and had sprouts growing out of them. Gao's is lively and has a great selection of a combination of pop and Kpop music. And there's a stage for karaoke, which we had the pleasure of having someone sing on stage during our visit. Overall, it was a decent visit, but Gao's wouldn't be the first place I would go to for skewers.

    Veggies and proteins on a skewer
    Christina F.

    Lots of variety from vegan to proteins, and a total vibe with a DJ, beer tower, and cozy spaces. Not very big so it gets noisy.

    Northern Dandan Noodle 来自铁岭的一碗担担面
    Tiffany K.

    More and more skewer places continue to open in Chinatown! With all this competition, Gao's continues to stands out. It is always filled with customers every time. Beware that there's a slight wait on the weekends, but it seems that they do their best to get you in as fast as possible. They have live music on the weekends and it is very lively. Bring a couple friends a sing some karaoke! Why does Gao's stand out? DAN DAN NOODLES. Point. Blank. Period. I get them every time. They're not the usual dan dan noodles at other Chinese restaurants. It's more like a cold noodle dish. It's refreshing yet nutty. I freaking love it. Add your meat of choice from the selection of skewers, and you got yourself a bún thịt nướng. There are many skewers to choose from. Whatever they recommend, just get. All the recommended dishes were pretty good. They also ask the spice level, I personally prefer medium. I would skip on the smashed cucumbers. I feel like they could've seasoned it better. I ended up using the dan dan noodles sauce to dip the cucumbers. Drinks here are cheap as well, so doing a pre-game here would be a good idea!

    Menu from when it first opened
    Lou C.

    I was hungry and tired last night after work. Being the first day of the end of Microsoft Windows 10's life, my eyes were crossed and felt hangry. I just wanted to get a quick bite or a cold drink. I decided to come to Gao's Kabab for a midnight snack. When I arrived, the music from the karaoke machine was so loud. But my tummy said just sit down and ignore it. Throughout the night, it felt like one person sang the same song over and over. That means I was not paying attention to those Chinese songs. Waiter asked when I was here before. I was here when it first opened 7 years ago. He said the prices are still the same. Oh? Not according to my old photos. Everything went up by up to double. I ordered my usual comfort food, malatang 麻辣烫. The picture looked so good. Full of stuff. In reality, it came out with a big flow of hot grease on top and barely anything under that worth mentioning. The only protein was the pork blood pudding 猪血. It took about 20 minutes and it felt like an hour because I had to endure the loud music. This Gao's restaurant serves grilled skewers and the sit down restaurant dishes. The other Gao's serves seafood. I chose this one because of non-seafood choice. The clientele was so young and like at my son's age. Damn I'm old.

    Grilled pork skewers (bottom) and grilled small lamb with fat (top)
    Jason N.

    I love the vibe of this place! It's like a small Chinese version of a izakaya/tapas place that's bustling. Friday evenings they have someone on stage singing for most of the night which I really enjoyed. The grilled skewers are great here but the best ones in my group's opinion are the Grilled Pork and the Grilled Small Lamb /w fat skewers. Delicious, and everything here goes well when hanging out with friends catching up or just having a great time. We also tried their: Fried Enoki Fried Tofu Skin Big & Small Beef /w fat Corn Skewer Grilled cauliflower 3L Beer tower and Soju bottles I would say all of them were quite delicious. It's easy to rack up a high bill here since you're paying per skewer. The one most unworth it was definitely the grilled cauliflower. You get a 2 pieces and one skewer for $2. If it was perhaps two skewers it would have been a little more worth. Service is pretty quick and friendly despite how busy the place is on a Friday evening. Orders may take 10-20 minutes depending on how busy their kitchen is. A bit pricy for what it is but overall I really enjoyed this place and would recommend and come back!

    BBQ Small Beef Skewers
    Monica G.

    This was a new experience for my husband and I. The place is dark, quiet, and intimate. It does appear that they do karaoke nights, though, because we noticed the stage. The restaurant's food had a street vibe feel, so that was neat. The meats are on skewers and even when we ordered fish, it was placed on a slab in front of us instead of on a large plate. It was a different and fun way of eating food, which we enjoyed. When we sat down, we were given complimentary edamame and sunflower seeds. They don't have physical menus; you have to scan a QR code and you can place everything you want on your phone. Once your order is placed, a waiter/waitress will come by to confirm your order. I don't know if it was a special or if it is something they always offer, but we got free kids meals! That was a nice surprise because we had our two boys with us. The staff and owner were really friendly and sweet. The price is a little steep and ran easily rack up. We ordered: Chicken Skewers - This was our favorite! I highly recommend this! BBQ Small Beef Skewers - We thought this was okay Small Lamb w/ Fat - My husband that it was okay. I don't like lamb in general, so I can't judge. Grilled Tilapia w/ Garlic Sauce - I liked this! It was crispy and I liked the garlic seasoning. It really is loaded with garlic. So if you're not a fan, this may not be for you. It is a whole fish, bone and all, so you kind of have to work for your food here. haha Yong Chou Fried Rice - This was good. It was flavorful and has a homey feel to it. Before tax, everything was $47.50. After our meal, my husband and I were still hungry. The kids meals came in clutch and definitely helped us feed everyone. My husband and I actually ate the boys' leftovers and felt more satisfied afterwards. Overall, we enjoyed the environment and experience that this place had to offer. This place is great for a late night friends hang out.

    Signature Rice Bowl Combo 超值特惠米饭套餐 Small Beef W.Fat Skewers(5) 碳烤小肥瘦牛(5)
    Stephanie T.

    Food was amazing and everything tasted good. Shoutout to Benjamin for explaining everything so clearly. Staff was amazing and paid attention to us to make sure we were good at all times.

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    19 days ago

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    1 month ago

    Amazing service and delicious food! Would come again! Definitely come to get their specials. Today it was clam and it was amazing

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    Alan C.

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    1 month ago

    Great atmosphere. Reasonably priced. Really great food. Open until 1 am..........................................

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    8 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    30 days ago

    Gao's Kabob is a nice vibe restaurant with great service!! The food has great presentation and server was great

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    1 month ago

    Great to hangout and get some drink with friends. Great and fast service. Variety option for snack

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    8 months ago

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    8 days ago

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    8 days ago

    Drinks were spectacular!! Enjoyed my time here and service was quick and easy! Shout out Benjamin

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    Page 1 of 7

    Gao's Kabob Reviews in Other Languages

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    Pinkerton's Barbecue - Heights - Beef Ribs/Prime Brisket/Pork Ribs - 5/5 - Everything was great. You can tell just by looking the smoke ring and bark

    Pinkerton's Barbecue - Heights

    4.4(1.9k reviews)
    12.1 miThe Heights
    $$

    First off we chose a Saturday to travel to Houston from lower Brazoria County to try Pinkerton's…read more We chose this Airline location because the other location didn't have Beef Ribs in their menu. I love chosing busy days and times to try a business, it shows what they can keep in stock, how well they know their community and busy hours. This location at 1:30 (the time we actually got to order) was not sold out of any item on their menu. What we ordered: - Beef Ribs - Glazed Pork Ribs - Sausage Link: regular and cheddar - Brisket (sliced) - Bacon Mac & Cheese - Potato Salad - Duck and Sausage Jambalaya - Peach Cobaker - Banana Pudding over all Review of the whole place, 10/10. Line was organized and had available water for the heat. Servers out to offer beer and water and to pass out menus and explain the process of how this place works. Servers inside were constantly cleaning tables and available to get to go boxes and lids if needed. The meat was literally fall off the bone tender and juicy. Everything was Smokey and flavored wonderfully. My number one: the Mac and cheese! I dont know something about an amazing side took me away. Most places can't do a mac the way i like it, but the cheese stayed moist and creamy and the noodles were tender. the flavor was phenomenal. all of the meats were tender and fall off the bone and juicy. I have no complaints About any bite I took! Other than maybe taking too many bites XD. Would absolutely recommend if your visiting the area or live near by, go get some excellent barbecue.

    The brisket was hands down the star of the meal, it literally melted in my mouth. It was so tender…read moreI could pull it apart with just my fork. Easily some of the best brisket I've ever had. They had run out of beef ribs, so we ended up getting the pork chop instead, and it was really good! The mac and cheese with bacon was rich, cheesy, and delicious. The potato salad was a huge surprise, I'm usually not a potato salad person, but this one was a solid 10/10. The only thing I wouldn't recommend was this French-style side (it looked like a giant turd ). It was a 0/10 for me. I took one bite and couldn't eat the rest. The peach cobbler was just okay. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really wow me compared to everything else. Overall, the food was incredible, especially the brisket. I'll definitely be coming back. 10/10, highly recommend!

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    Pinkerton's Barbecue - Heights - Bathroom

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    Pinkerton's Barbecue - Heights - Jalapeño Cheese Sausage | Prime Brisket

    Jalapeño Cheese Sausage | Prime Brisket

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    Truth BBQ - Brisket 1 Meat Plate

    Truth BBQ

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    10.3 miWashington Corridor, The Heights
    $$

    Hands down, the best BBQ I've had in Houston so far…read more Brisket is brisket- you either dry it out or you absolutely nail it. They nailed it. Perfectly juicy, tender, and packed with smoky flavor. But what really puts this place over the top is the tater tot casserole. Great sides can make the meal, and this one absolutely does. It's ridiculously good... like I'd happily eat an entire bowl of just the casserole. We ordered the brisket, pork ribs, beef rib, both sausages, and, of course, a whole lot of tater tot casserole. While you're waiting in line, they hand out samples of the brisket so you can decide whether you want lean or fatty. Fatty all day for me. The beef rib was massive and had an incredible smoky flavor, but low-key, I think the sausages ended up being my favorite meat of the day. They were juicy, flavorful, and didn't get overshadowed by everything else. We got there around 11:00 a.m. on a Saturday and waited about an hour in line. It sounds long, but they make it easy with water and drinks available for purchase while you wait. The staff was friendly the entire time- from the people managing the line to the servers and the bussers making rounds through the dining room. Whatever you do... don't skip the tater tot casserole

    The meat is very tender but didn't have any real smoke bite that I was looking for…read more And the bbq sauces are SOOOOOOO vinegary...the mustard was the only one worth using. The tater tot casserole was awesome, but am I really going to a bbq place for potato's?

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    Truth BBQ - MERCH!!

    MERCH!!

    Truth BBQ - 2 Meat Plate Brisket

    2 Meat Plate Brisket

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    CorkScrew BBQ - Pulled pork, brisket, a rib with mac& cheese

    CorkScrew BBQ

    4.6(1.4k reviews)
    27.0 mi
    $$

    Did I get up at 7am to make the trip up to Spring for BBQ? Yes…read moreDid I get in line an hour before the opened? Also yes Was it worth it? Heck yes! A 2-year Michellin star BBQ joint was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. My friends and I got there around 10am and were lucky enough to grab a number. The number secures your spot in line but don't worry if you show up and they run out, there's a spot on the porch where the non-number line starts. We ordered moist brisket, garlic sausage, and the beef rib. For sides, we went with mac and cheese and beans. Everything was superb! The brisket melted in your mouth, no knife needed. The sausage had a nice snap to it and get great flavor. The bark on the beef rib was *chef's kiss*. The mac and cheese was creamy while the beans had a nice sweet and tangy flavor. The service is also great! While we were eating, staff would regularly check all of the tables to check if anyone needed anything. The staff taking our order also chatted with us about other BBQ spots we've been to. Everything was such a great experience and the quality of the food is 100/10!

    I'm sort of embarrassed to say this is my first time here as it has become a staple in the…read morearea...But hey, I made it and I'm glad I did! I was mentally prepared for a line lol. I've passed by several times and the line has always deterred me, but this time I came with my game face and the patience of a saint. I arrived on a Friday at 11:03am to be exact. Yep, they open at 11am and yep there was already a line. I was shortly approached by an employee who handed me a paper menu and asked if I would like to purchase a drink while I wait in line. It was fairly hot outside but they had fans along the patio to give relief. The inside of the restaurant is not large but also not small, its first come first serve so get in where you fit in or opt to sit outside. I arrived to the front of the line around 12pm so it took about an hour of waiting in line. Ordering was smooth and it took no time for the food to be ready. Staff were friendly, and service was speedy. I ordered brisket(moist), pulled pork sandwich, mac n cheese, potato salad, beans, apple cobbler, and a baked potato. The potato salad was a pleasant surprise! It is not your traditional potato salad, but If you enjoy anything dill flavored, you'd love it! The brisket was moist and flavorful, melt in your mouth good!!! The other sides were just okay, not bad but nothing stood out. The cobbler was a bit too sweet and it did not seem as though the ingredients were mixed very well. It was like they dumped sugar on top and baked it without mixing it. Pulled pork sandwich was meaty and flavorful. Pretty good BBQ Experience!!!

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    CorkScrew BBQ - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    CorkScrew BBQ - The Dino Rib - humongous!

    The Dino Rib - humongous!

    CorkScrew BBQ - Side porch of the restaurant. Covered outdoor seating is to t he left. Indoor seating is inside.

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    Side porch of the restaurant. Covered outdoor seating is to t he left. Indoor seating is inside.

    Brisket & Rice - Prime Brisket

    Brisket & Rice

    4.5(508 reviews)
    12.5 mi
    $$

    So I recently moved to the area and was surprised that there was such an infamous restaurant right…read morearound the corner. After doing my research and seeing food bloggers post online about this place, I decided to try it! We went on a Saturday afternoon at 2 pm - packed! There were no tables available inside and there were people inside and outside waiting for their orders. That's something to be ready for if you come on a Saturday. Our order didn't actually take that long. Or maybe it took a little while and we didn't mind waiting. Either way, it wasn't that bad! Luckily it's located in a shopping area so there's always parking. My main gripe is that they close at 7pm. I'm sure there's a good reason for that but I've wanted to try it multiple times before but they've been closed! I ended up going with the infamous brisket and fried rice. The brisket was super tender - I was able to pull it apart with my fork. I typically shy away from brisket because usually it's tough. But this was delicious - tender and had a nice smoky flavor. Not overwhelming or too salty. The rice had a great flavor too. There were chunks of meat in that as well and the rice had a nice smoky flavor. Not too salty or greasy. It also came with some accoutrements - pickled onions, fresh pickled cucumbers, jalapeños, bbq sauce and bread. The cucumbers and onions stole the show - very fresh and refreshing. We were surprised at the pickled onions - they were soo good! Overall - worth the hype! I'll definitely be back to try ribs, chicken or pulled pork sandwich. I heard everything is good here!!

    Twice visited and was just as good. Recommend the go to Brisket and Rice! Big slab of brisket on…read moretop of a perfectly seasoned fried rice. To my surprise; fried rice was filled with extra brisket and chinese sausage! The pickle Jalapeño's were very tasty. Perhaps both the pickles and pickled Jalapeños are made in house. Only gripe that deducted a star would be the sitting arrangement. I mean there is only a handful of chairs available inside. They do have a spacious outdoor patio; but being almost 100 degrees outside it was not worth my sweat dripping down to the brisket making it saltier. Almost have to wait around and time it, until the next freed up seating is available. Don't recommend to bring young kids or large groups. If I was an angel investor, my money would go to them to expand to a larger location! Pains me to see large chain restaurants be able to afford such a large buildings and serve mediocre food. Eh hemmm.. Spring Creek Barbecue. Support local; Support H-town! Overall definitely worth a try!

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    Brisket & Rice - Inside (former location)

    Inside (former location)

    Brisket & Rice - Brisket & Fried Rice

    Brisket & Fried Rice

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    Killen's Barbecue

    Killen's Barbecue

    4.2(3k reviews)
    19.0 mi
    $$

    Killen's never disappoints…read more Their beef ribs were just short of amazing. Juicy, succulent, tender. For a giant piece of meat on the bone, they worked wonders. You can ask to see the piece of rib before they cut it for you and they will happily oblige (patrons behind you might not be so thrilled with that move, but they'll live). Sides were excellent as were the mashed potatoes with white gravy on the side, green beans that were just tender enough, but also a bit crunchy. Perfect. They were seasoned with pork, so if that's not your thing, you might want to skip it. We also ordered their shareable onion rings, easily enough for three people that were huge, hot, and crispy. Let's get this out of the way, some of their prices are a little up there, but if you're anything like me, and don't frequent BBQ places often, it's a rare but enjoyable treat. Sometimes you have to splurge and live a little. Also, they have their regular sauce on tables, but you now have to ask the cashier for their sublime coffee BBQ sauce. Don't be shy, ask. It's worth it. Oh, pro tip: If you want beef ribs, the 'plate' is actually cheaper and a better deal than 'by the pound', so save a little money and get two sides.

    This establishment was recommended to me by an avid BBQ connoisseur + they have a Michelin star. We…read morewaited in line for about 30 minutes before getting to the counter to put in our order. The restaurant is cute and they do their best to keep the service consistent throughout the entire visit. The BBQ was a little dry but good. The disappointing part of the trip were the sides. 95% of the sides had pork in them which made the entire wait not worth it. This was my first time visiting and it will be my last.

    Photos
    Killen's Barbecue - Dining room after restaurant closed

    Dining room after restaurant closed

    Killen's Barbecue - Banana and Bread Pudding Combo

    Banana and Bread Pudding Combo

    Killen's Barbecue - The exterior

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    The exterior

    The Pit Room - Memorial

    The Pit Room - Memorial

    3.9(240 reviews)
    5.3 miMemorial
    $$

    Houston has no shortage of barbecue, but this place understands that great barbecue doesn't have to…read morecome with a two hour line or a tray piled a foot high. The counter service keeps things moving while the food speaks for itself. The brisket was exactly what you'd hope for: a pronounced bark, a rendered fat cap, and slices that held together until they were pulled apart. The surprise for me was the brisket taco. Instead of feeling like a gimmick, it showcased the meat in a different way, balancing smoke, richness, and fresh toppings without masking the brisket. Good barbecue restaurants know their sides matter just as much as the meat. The mac and cheese was creamy, the sausage had a satisfying snap, and the house barbecue sauce complemented rather than covered the smoke. If you're visiting Houston, this is the kind of place that reminds you why Texas barbecue has earned its reputation. Efficient counter service, excellent brisket, and enough menu variety to keep you coming back.

    I had been craving BBQ for a couple weeks and decided to give the pit room a try. My husband had…read morebeen here before for work and he enjoyed it so I decided to try! The environment is super cool, plenty of seating, a bar, private rooms, a dessert bar. I enjoyed the atmosphere, but the workers spoke Spanish to each other the whole time until it was time to check out, so there wasn't much engagement. Which lead to a mix up of my order that we had to fix. What we are all here for, the FOOD: Chicken: Very juicy, tender, basic chicken, a great portion. I was grossed out by the amount of blood under the skin. (I KNOW it's an animal with blood but I've never had bbq with that amount of blood on the meat) but I'm not penalizing them for it. Def 7/10! Brisket: Super tender, melted in the mouth, great taste. 8/10 Green beans: Not greasy, tender (not mushy or undercooked). I think they may have spilled the seasoning into the batch they main because holy moly, a TON of pepper and salt. I'm heavy handed with my seasonings but that amount didn't seem intentional. I'd never thought I'd say this but the flavor would've been great with less seasoning. 5/10 Mac&cheese: Nothing special but definitely better than most bbq spots. I enjoy the texture and light flavor 7/10 Elote: Yummy but where's the beloved cilantro?! 8/10 Cornbread: Great flavor, not dry, and had jalapeno peppers in it! Super yummy 9/10. My only thing too, they had only 2 bbq sauce options, a bourbon coffee and their house bbq. To me, they were not good at all. I was extremely disappointed in that. Other bbq spots have like 8 different bbq sauces

    Photos
    The Pit Room - Memorial - Here is where you start!  Check out that variety on their menu.

    Here is where you start! Check out that variety on their menu.

    The Pit Room - Memorial - One of my favorite BBQ spots in Houston. Pork ribs, brisket, beef rib, turkey, venison sausage.

    One of my favorite BBQ spots in Houston. Pork ribs, brisket, beef rib, turkey, venison sausage.

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    Cheeseburger

    Gao's Kabob - kebab - Updated September 2026

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