I asked the employee working the counter what their specialty was. He jokingly told me I should order one of everything and I could be the judge. I ordered brisket, spare ribs, mac n cheese, and baked beans. The brisket was amazing! Everything else....well, it wasn't. The ribs were cooked well but the only flavor I tasted was salt. The baked beans were made differently than I'm used to. There was no brown sugar or molasses in them. Maybe that's Texas style. The mac n cheese had an ingredient it didn't need, maybe garlic. They also only have one sauce. I've never seen a bbq spot heavy l that only offers one sauce.I guess you're expected to take it or leave it. I LEFT it! read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

I ordered food for an office luncheon and had a lot of questions. Regina helped me so much with the planning and Kevin came through with the menu and delivery. The food was delicious and we had plenty to feed our group. I ordered service for 40, which included 20 pounds of chicken, beef brisket, turkey and sausage. The sausage was mild and spicy. We also got mac and cheese, beans and potato salad. Also brought pepper, onions and plenty of bbq sauce. We ordered tea also. The sides were very good with my favorite being the Mac and cheese. Everything was set up nicely with serving utensils, plates and napkins. I was very happy with the setup and the food was delicious. We had plenty and made sure to serve so we would not run out. Turns out that was not a problem and everyone came back for seconds. read more

See all

Definitely had a sweet southern family vibe. The entire eating experience felt like you pulled up on your family having a BBQ. My favorite part was the Mac and cheese, but the yams and bbq beans were yummy. I had the three sliders plate, I think it's a great choice for those who want to try different meat options. My family tore up the BBQ chicken and ribs. It was a nice touch meeting the owner and seeing his love he had for the food he creates and the customers who come to enjoy it! read more

See all

From the moment I walked into Gatlin's BBQ, I felt right at home. The atmosphere is so warm and inviting it truly has that comforting, hometown feel. What made it even more special was being personally greeted by Mrs. Gatlin, which added such a genuine, personal touch to the experience. I ordered the brisket platter, and wow... it was A1. Easily some of the best brisket I've ever had perfectly tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. You can really taste the love and care that goes into the food here. Between the incredible food and the welcoming, down-to-earth vibe, this spot is something special. I'll definitely be back to Gatlin's BBQ real soon! read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Brisket Platter - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

Gatlin's has been on the list for some time so we finally got here. We arrived around noon for lunch on a Friday. Surprisingly quiet. Smaller Dining area with mixed seating including Booths. Ordering is at the counter and food is brought to your table. Most got two meat combos as well sandwiches. Brisket was tender with just the right smoke. Both the Beef and Spicy Sausages were delicious! The Turkey sandwich had smoked and tasty Turkey & although the Smash Burger took longer than expected, it was worth the wait. We tried most of the sides and they were all delicious with Collard Greens and Fried Okra standing out. Friendly and engaged service was appreciated. They made you feel like you were home as they came over to the table and checked to ensure we were enjoying our BBQ experience. They've made a few top lists for their Brisket and overall BBQ-family owned spot that lives up to the hype! read more

Stopped by here today after hearing about how good the bbq is and wanting to try it. Got a two meat combo. Brisket and spare ribs. Baked beans and potato salad. Went to rest room while waiting. And they called my order while I in there. I came back and was just in the dining room waiting. Finally went to ask about my food. They told me they already called my name. I mean these people know I was waiting and I had just ordered. Seemed a little inconsiderate considering the employees were hanging out in front talking to other customers. Neither here nor there. Let's get to the BBQ. The brisket was tender true enough but it was falling apart when I picked it up. 7.5 out of 10. Ribs 9.8 out of 10. They were phenomenal. Can't say anything about them. Meaty. Pull off the bone. And cooked to perfection. Baked beans 6 out of 10. They were solid. Had a little smoke flavor but too much bbq sauce. Potato salad 5 out of 10. Lacked overall flavor and mustard. Great Bbq sauce. The presentation of the food was great. Very clean restaurant and vibes were good. Real hometown vibe inside. Overall 8.5 out of 10. I would return just to see if the ribs are as good next time. Even saw the owner come from the back. Which is good to see. read more

Finally got to try some of this famous barbecue. I remember watching the show of the parents and son family own hobby turned into a business. It was a blessing meeting the dad. I love about the beautiful business photos they have displayed. Definitely will be returning to explore more of the menu. I ordered a $16 barbecue sandwich extra lean brisket which is our fav. The meat was full of flavor very lean as desired and packed with meat!!! This sandwich is full of love. Served between two perfectly prepared Texas size toast. Which I believe would've been flawless if my son at it right away, but he was an hour away, and this was To go. This sandwich flavor was so delicious, would you believe me if I said he completed it without any barbecue sauce? That's unheard of especially with it being completely lean. Only flaw was I was expecting bun bread as discussed, as well as uncut. (Which I did request it to be cut in half, with the intentions of sharing, because I wanted to sample it as well); and it was a bit soggy from the drive time. I must come back for breakfast as we'll try their other location Fins and Feathers!!! A seafood place! I'm excited to try both places again. Military discount is honored here with verification of course. read more

Decent place to come for barbecue. The food was pretty good. Service was nice and kind as well. Came here during work out of town for a lunch. Got the job done. read more

Ambiance: Rustic & clean BBQ spot with an amazing selection of meat plates, sides, and sandwiches! Fast and friendly service. Incredibly welcoming atmosphere, seemed many customers were returning patrons who knew the staff- something you rarely see these days! The Mac & cheese was delicious! Every side we ordered was very good. Highly recommend the smoked corn. The brisket was tender and a delicious flavor. Parking onsite. Food was brought out quickly despite being fairly busy for a Friday post-lunch crowd. Highly recommend Gatlin's! read more

See all

Gatlin's BBQ This small, family-run joint is a local favorite. While not as well-known as the big-name establishments, their barbecue is incredibly authentic. Their grilled chicken and ribs are especially recommended. read more

OMG!! My wife and I frequent F&F, and were just there for Valentine's Day. When I found out my company was having BBQ catered I was excited. This stuff is . The brisket is so moist and seasoned. Love these beans as well. Another 5 star review for Gatlin's. PS. I'm taking a BIG doggie bag home from work read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

I live in Oak Forest and have eaten at Gatlin's multiple times. The barbecue has always been solid to excellent and I like the fact that they offer a cucumber salad - it's a nice balance to heavy and fatty (albeit extremely tasty) meat. However, the reason I'm writing this review is because for my last meal there, I got the spare ribs plate. For whatever reason, I always got the regular pork ribs here so this was something new for me. The spare ribs were fantastic - meat was moist with a nicely glazed exterior without the over-saltiness of which many barbecue places are guilty. Not to sound too pretentious, but the ribs embodied everything I think of when I hear the word "umami." I've had ribs at lots of barbecue places over the years, and these were a leading contender for the very best. Kudos to Gatlin's for delivering a top notch dish - now that I have a "go-to" at your restaurant, I will be back much more frequently and will be referring additional customers to you. read more

Service: (terrible) The lady that took our order seemed to be in a bad mood. Said they didn't have moist brisket but had "mixed" which had lean and moist together. (So they do have moist?). Food: (terrible) The brisket was completely dry and it was 1pm when we ordered. It was not hot and I'm certain this brisket was yesterday's leftovers. Even lean brisket should be moist. I'm thoroughly disappointed in the quality of their bbq. My friend had the brisket and ribs and said the ribs were dry too. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for good bbq. And I will not be returning here to eat. There are plenty of other places in Houston that carve their brisket in plain view of the customers so you know it's being served fresh. read more

Service was horrible stood in line for 6 mins t with no one in front one from of me. Mind u this was after the lunch crowd. I ordered the spicy sausage and potato salad. Sausage was dry and cold. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

Gatlin's BBQ is a must try, everything we ordered we finished. What we ordered : - 1/2 pound of lean brisket - 1/2 pound of spicy sausage - Chopped Brisket sandwich - Medium Mac n cheese - Cucumber salad My favorite item to order at any BBQ place is a chopped brisket sandwich no BBQ sauce. Tasting the flavor of the meat with no sauce is my go-to to test how good the brisket is as well as the lean brisket. When you walk in you order first then sit anywhere. The young lady who helped us place our order was not friendly kind of rude. Although the other staff was very friendly checking in if everything was ok and letting us know where the to go boxes were. Restrooms and interior is very clean and spacious. Inside you can choose from booths, regular tables and high top tables. read more

See all

Still my favorite bbq in Houston. The brisket and wings are always cooked to perfection and with the best flavor. You can't go wrong with any of the wing flavors... but the house wings are probably my favorite. For sides, go with baked beans, Mac and cheese, collard greens. The fried okra is good too. A glass a wine and a cold beer and you're in for a great meal. Ran into Greg, the owner, on our most recent visit. Had a great chat about Gatlin's newer restaurant: Fin and Feather. He was trying out a new recipe, the Jamaican lobster roll, and gave us a taste test. A curry sauce with habaneros and plantains on the side. The salt and spice and flavor profile was aaaahhhh-mazing. Really looking forward to popping over to Fin and Feather and trying it out next. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Brisket and house wings with rice and fried okra - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Great spot with a good selection. Smoked corn was delicious. I'd go back just for that. We had the brisket and rank it 9 out of 10 Glass Eyes, using the Chef Ryan Conyer rating system, a commendable ranking indeed. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Brisket Smoked corn Fried okra - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

Food: 4/5 Wet Brisket: 6/5 The brisket was the best I have had up until this point in my life. The moist, fall apart in my mouth meat was the star of this meal. I did not need any sauce. Simply flavorful and succulent. Sausage: 3/5 I didn't love the sausage links. It was bland and did not have an impressive flavor. The snap was good, however it was nothing special. Service: 6/5 When my buzzer rang to pick up my food from the counter, there was an older lady who handed me my food. She was so sweet and a true example of Southern hospitality. Ambience: 5/5 The ambience was busy and modern. It was a recently renovated space that had many tables. Overall, I recommend stopping by Gatlin's for decadent brisket in the Houston area! read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Wet brisket, pork sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

Had a sliced sandwich and potato salad. Brisket was decent, nothing special, however the potato salad was poor, with little kick, only ate half. Thought the fact that they give you a little bit of pickles, onions and jalapeños as opposed to other places letting you get what you need was extremely cheap of them especially with their high prices. With all the competition they have, why go back?? read more

My first attempt at coming here was on July 4th; I know, crazy right? I can't find the pictures, but if I do, you'll see the line was to the back of the restaurant. Side note, I stood right in line and met some friends, who are now showing me around Houston; so, it's a very sociable place too. It was so many people that the business started running out of food. But the really lovely thing, the staff let us know they were running out of food instead of just letting me and the others stand there. A little backstory I saw the owner on one of the morning shows here in Houston, and the bbq was looking really tasty, and I had just moved here too. So, right away, I said that's where I'm going. Well, I didn't make it to the counter on July 4th, but I made it this time. I ordered the combo plate, ribs, and brisket, and my sides were sweet potato and macaroni and cheese. And just like the host stated on the entertainment show, Gatlin BBQ is a staple, and you can't go wrong. The meat was literally falling off the bones, and I really enjoyed the sweet potatoes and macaroni cheese. This place really put a lot of love in their side orders. Speaking of sweet potatoes, there's a large baked potato on the menu; it's massive, the person in front of me ordered that, and it's not the usual baked potato. It's such a cute place inside, very spacious, with two full rooms; plenty of seating. I like the pictures and writings on the wall because I love to read while waiting in line when I go anywhere. I wanted to take more pictures, but people were sitting in that direction. To tell you a little secret, I had just left my orthodontist to get my braces adjusted, some brackets and bands were added, and because the ribs were so tender, I was still able to eat my meal and enjoy every bite. read more

See all

Great BBQ and great breakfast as well. Polite and friendly staff. Can never go wrong choosing Gatlin's BBQ. My favorite go to for BBQ and breakfast tacos. Love that they are closed on Sunday to honor and give praise to the Lord. read more

This place is close to my job and very popular amongst my coworkers. I finally got to try it out today and was not dissapointed! There was a decent crowd in this place during lunch time but they got through the line quickly and our food came out super fast. The lady at the counter taking orders was super friendly and so was the one handing out the food. I ordered the brisket plate (lean) with a side of baked beans and mac and cheese. The brisket was amazing. Talk about tender perfection! Don't even get me started on the sauce omg.... I don't even like barbeque food but I am most definitely a fan now. Both of the sides were great although my mac and cheese came out room temperature. Portions are huge so now I have lunch for tomorrow too which is AWESOME. You have gained a new customer!!! :) read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Brisket + baked beans + Mac and Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

The service was quick and friendly. A solid BBQ spot with great options. The ribs were perfect and the brisket was really good. The only downfall for me was by the time I arrived, they were out of banana pudding, but that just gives me a reason to come back! read more

We came here bcoz we check out their other restaurant Gatlin's fins and feather and like the food there. And this one didn't disappoint us. We ordered the 3 meats combo and add the ribs with our order. The briskets are so good. Portion is pretty generous. Service was great too. This place will be added to my to go bbq place in Houston. read more

See all

I saw Gatlin's BBQ on Top chef and decided to stop in during my visit to Houston. I was a bit surprised that it only have 3.5 stars at the time and was even more surprised after visiting. Food was really good and service was really quick and friendly. -Brisket was great -Turkey was good (a lil dry) -Potato salad good -Dirty rice was bland :-/ -Bbq sauce is good -Clean and fast service read more

Gatlin's BBQ - 2 meat combo with dirty rice and potato salad - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

This was a fairly decent experience, the food didn't blow me away but it was good enough for me to come back again. Out of all the BBQ spots in Houston I will rank Gatlin's in the middle of the pack. This location has somewhat a good amount of parking but be prepared to drive around looking for a spot if it's extremely busy. Okay here's what I ordered. I got the 2 meat plate, I went with the ribs & brisket. My 2 sides were dirty rice & collard greens. Let's start with the ribs. It was tendered and fell off the bone but their rub was meh. Mine wasn't peppery either, which I preferred. The brisket was surprisingly not dry & was moist & tendered. The smoke rings was okay visible. The dirty rice was great. My issue with dirty rice is that it can be very dry, but they delivered it in terms of being moist & the texture was on point. I would literally just go back for that item. The collard greens was cooked to perfection but it needed more seasoning. I also got to try my friend coleslaw & I thought it was the most boring coleslaw I've ever ate in my life. There was no mayo or cider vinegar to elevate the flavors. I pretty much just ate shredded cabbage with nothing else in it. Overall, I wasn't impressed but I didn't leave hungry either. The ordering process is simple, you place your order with the cashier & they'll give you an ordering buzzer & once the food is ready they'll buzzed you. The place was clean and spacious & the service was good. Will I come back? Yes. read more

See all

Loved this place. I shared a three meat platter with the baby back ribs, spicy sausage, and brisket. They were all sooooo good. My favorite was the spicy sausage. For sides, we each got the baked beans and macaroni and cheese which were both good as well. They occasionally sell out of some items throughout the day so if you want something specific it may be best to go earlier, but it's worth it to me. I'll be back for sure! read more

See all

Hello Foodies! This is a late post. Do you like smoked meat and yummy sides? Well then you need mosey on over and give Gatlin's a try. We did family style and tried brisket (Smokey and tender), chicken (Smokey, tender and juicy) and sausage (my fav - Smokey flavor bomb). We also had a bunch of sides Mac-n-Cheese (look delicious and everyone else ate it up and asked for seconds), dirty rice (lots of flavor), corn (nature's candy is already good but this one was kicked up a notch ), also fried okra (nice and crispy), bread and pickles and onions. Service was friendly and prompt. Definitely a place to bring the family. Dining room is relaxed. And there is a party room. I liked that they lockers for pickup... very cool. Lemon Butter Cake... delicious! Make sure you ask for the daily selection of desserts. They close early so come for lunch or linner (late lunch/early dinner). They have their own parking lot. read more

See all

Late lunch on a Friday and the vibe was calm, easy, and chill. Upon entering, you're hit with the smell of smoke meat and love. Counter service establishment where the cashiers are friendly and love to recommend items on the menu. Pick your seat and wait for your order buzzer to go off. Pick up your meal from the counter where "mother" asks if you want bread, pickles, onions, and peppers to go with your meal. Say grace and enjoy the flavors! I had the brisket and spicy sausage... both were flavorful and the brisket was so tender. The spicy sausage wasn't really spicy to me but maybe my tolerance is different. My two sides were good, some steps away from great . If you're ever in the area, check them out and see for yourself. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - 2 Meat Plate: Brisket and Spicy Sausage, Collards and Mac n Cheese. - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Popped up here for breakfast and truly enjoyed the breakfast brisket tacos! If you're in the Heights or Garden Oaks area don't forget about Gatlin's barbecue for breakfast or lunch. read more

I visited on Saturday for lunch and was able to walk right up to the counter. Gatlins is so popular, but for some reason it only has 3.5 stars on yelp.. maybe it's due to all the bad initial reviews during first opening at this new location....or maybe it's because the brisket is inconsistent. While the brisket has great flavor, many customers want visually instagram worthy. It's visually a little on the dry side, even when you order the moist option. I don't care either way since flavor is important to me. I ordered the 2 meat plate, since it's rare to see craft bbq that isn't sold a la carte, and sold with meat plate options. I chose spicy sausage and moist brisket, with potato salad and collard greens. Potato salad - it's edible but on the bland side. Seems like it's missing something, like salt, maybe. Collard greens- are cooked well with the perfect seasoning blend of salt and pepper. These are prepared with smoked ham hock to give them more depth. Spicy sausage - their venison sausage is made by Ruffino Meats, but I'm guessing they make their regular and spicy sausage homemade ...right here. It's very good. Moist brisket - this is not your typical craft bbq moist brisket. At least not the slices I received. To me, this is classic east Texas style bbq, but better though and very smoky. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the sausage. I do appreciate their thick white bread slices to make sandwiches. You will likely need to ask for pickles, onion, and jalapeños. Service was okay, but not as warm as I expected. The interior has high ceilings and looks like a modern bbq spot you might see in the hill country with a lot of dark woods, and limestone accent walls. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - 2 meat plate - sausage and collard greens are top notch - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

This review is about my meal, although three were purchased at $23.00 each- ouch! For $23 you get 2 meats and 2 sides and a piece of plain bread right out of the bag. Not warm and toast, just plain and then you get a small bag of chopped onions. My meal was brisket and smoked Turkey, yams and Mac and cheese. The brisket was slice very nice but there was some toughness and a large portion of fat. The fat to meat ratio was definitely more fat. The yams were amazing but the portion did not even fill the area they were placed into. The Mac and cheese had no oomph in flavor and was cold. Was the food decent yes, but mediocre for the the price. Would I stop here for take out again, No, but the food did not make me sick-although I did not eat much of the meat. My dog experienced the meat mostly. The barbecue sauce which is provided is very vinegar tangy and watery. Had the price point matched the quality of the food I might could have given a heftier rating, but too much was just off with my purchase of over $70 for 3 meals with no drinks. read more

See all

I like the food but on my last couple of visits I found the service to be unfriendly bordering on hostile. And 20 bucks for a cheeseburger and fries is pretty high. read more

The RIBS. The RIIIIBS. And the side game is strong. I've been back several times and the food is consistently good. The Gatlin family and staff always have great attitudes. I love this place. Worth the wait in line if/when there has been one. Anyone in Texas, or the south knows you're gonna have a wait in line for delicious BBQ. PS- they also own Fin and Feather. That place is also yum. read more

This is one of the better bar b q places in Houston. It's a bit pricey but it's one of the best you can get out here. I went for breakfast one day to try it out. I wouldn't really recommend their breakfast but the other items are pretty good read more

Gatlin's BBQ - 2 meat plate brisket and sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Gatlin's BBQ never disappoints. The meat is always tender and flavorful. The sides are always spot on and the service is always friendly. Good things take time! The ambiance is very family friendly. We enjoy visiting. read more

It's been a min since I came here but I really enjoyed the food. I come to Texas at least 1-2 times a year to visit family. We ordered pulled pork, brisket, ribs, creamy corn (i believe it's no longer available, and mac and cheese. Brisket was moist and tasty. I love that they leave some fat in there for extra flavor. For the ribs, the meat fell off the bone and very tender. Pulled pork was good but a little dry. Make sure you have some sauce by you. Mac and cheese was delicious. Prices weren't bad for what we got. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Can't go wrong with most Texas BBQ and Gatlin's is no exception. The brisket (moist and firm) was outstanding. I also had the pork ribs. They were fall off the bone good. Both sides I had were great. Beans and corn. The inside has plenty of seating. Check them out if you are in Houston. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Brisket and pork ribs. Corn and beans. - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

While I can say this isn't my favorite BBQ in Houston, it's good. The best for me is corkscrew but that's another review. It's on the end of a little shopping center right off Ella. Not convenient for me but I made the trek anyways. The guy who was taking your order was kinda rude. Or maybe he was just short with everyone but that was kinda off putting. But not today. Nothing could keep me down on bbq day. Ordered a three meat plate(ribs, moist brisket, and sausage) their cucumber salad and smoked corn. Ribs were pretty good. Nice snap. Brisket was a little dry despite being moist but had a great back and was tasty. Sausage wasn't thrilling me but to each their own here. Cucumber salad was nice and refreshing! Loved it. And smoked corn was also good. Overall a nice bbq place. If I'm in the hood again I'll make it a point to come by and eat here again. read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Ribs, sausage, brimet, smoked corn, cucumber salad - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

Well cooked, excellent service, beautiful interior, black owned, family supported. Must try! Had the opportunity to meet the owner--a friend of a friend & his father who was helping behind the counter. I was so nervous to try the smoked turkey as often turkey is just dry and needs saving lol. The turkey was sooo juicy and tender and smoked well. The brisket was as well. I absolutely could eat the greens, yams, & corn for a meal without meat they were my fave. While the bbq sauce wasn't my favorite taste, a bit more tangy than sweet like I like mine, it was nice to have. If you're looking for good bbq to try in Houston, definitely give them your business. :) Go, enjoy!! read more

Gatlin's BBQ - Ribs, Mac n cheese, greens - Barbeque Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all