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    Killen's Barbecue - HOU

    3.0 (41 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Killen's Barbecue - HOU Photos

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    KILLEN'S BARBECUE - HOU ATMOSPHERE

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    Frank F.

    Stopped into Killen's BBQ at Hobby Airport and went with the brisket taco. The brisket was tender, smoky, and packed with that classic Texas flavor. Tortilla held up well and the portion was generous for airport food. It's definitely a solid option when flying through HOU and craving real BBQ instead of the usual airport chains. A little pricey (airport premium), and not quite the same as a full sit-down BBQ experience, but still very satisfying and way above average for airport dining. Would order it again without hesitation. Saluti

    Eric C.

    So yeah...im sure being here Houston im sure there are waaaaaaay better places in the city. But just passing through on my way to Cancun...I've had brisket before and it seemed always dry. So never been i fan. Anyways I asked cashier i want the pork rib but want something else...you guys should change that. I would have bought more but you guys have listed one meat...I know you can get more but I felt like I was being overcharged.... list a meal deal 1 2 3 types of meat. Just a suggestion Anyways the cashier said try the brisket and.....yup good and a bit dry still The ribs were also a bit dry. Again airport food but still good especially with BBQ sauce. Friendly service and clean quick stop...one day I'll visit Houston when my Raiders put hog tie those Texan cows...lol I do want to vist space center...next time

    Assembly area at Killen's
    Stephanie Z.

    Was at the airport early and decided to do a mini brisket breakfast taco face off between Velvet Taco and Killen's for fun! Descriptions: - velvet taco's hangover taco: slow-roasted Angus brisket, peppered bacon, crispy potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheese blend, red chile aioli on a flour tortilla - killen's breakfast taco: brisket with egg and cheese on a flour tortilla Taste: - velvet taco's hangover definitely won this category! Their brisket had better flavor throughout, and the additions of the crispy potatoes and red chili aioli added so much delicious flavor and texture as well as substance that the Killen's taco lacked. The eggs and tortillas were similar in taste. The Killen's taco was a bit plain and dry, and though it did come with some salsa which was nice, it paled in comparison to the red chili aioli. However, those who prefer more simple tacos might prefer Killen's. Price/value: velvet taco's hangover taco was about $7 and Killen's brisket taco was about $6. Killen's was cheaper but also much smaller with less meat, eggs, and no potatoes. Service: the Killen's employees did not seem to be morning people haha. They got the job done but without a good morning or a smile. Velvet taco's employees were friendlier. Both tacos came out fast with minimal wait. Ambiance: velvet taco's space has a small bar area where I think guests could sit to enjoy their food (may be restricted to 21+). Killen's had nowhere to sit and they appeared to be more a grab and go type restaurant. Both were quiet in the AM. Overall: I'd definitely get velvet taco's brisket breakfast taco again! They have a good variety of other yummy sounding tacos, sides, and cake too. I wouldn't get Killen's breakfast brisket taco again (or probably any of the other breakfast tacos) but might be willing to try their lunch or dinner options if I was really craving airport bbq.

    Salsa
    Tiffany J.

    I didn't realize there was a Killen's BBQ at Hobby. I wanted a breakfast taco before my flight and was on my way to Velvet Taco. Unfortunately for Velvet Taco, I came across Killen's at Gate 40 and stopped dead in my tracks lol. Killen's has been open for a month. It was unclear where the line started as there were a lot of people waiting for orders. The only breakfast item that they offer is breakfast tacos which was fine with me because that's exactly what I wanted. You can choose from protein options like brisket, turkey, sausage, and jalapeño sausage (I can't recall if pulled pork was also an option). According to Culture Map, they will also be offering kolaches (though I don't recall seeing that on the menu). I ordered a brisket breakfast taco for $6. Per Culture Map, the meats are smoked at the restaurant in Pearland (they aren't allowed to have a smoker on site at the airport). I appreciated the fact that they were pressing the tortillas so that they were hot and crispy. I got salsa with my taco, though I wish I would have had BBQ sauce. Tacos come with meat, egg, and cheese (but you can make modifications). They've only been open for a month and it appears that they are still trying to work out the kinks. There were a few orders that were made incorrectly (example - a few people had cheese on their tacos when they asked for no cheese). The staff was doing their best with orders and quickly remade tacos if they weren't correct. The young lady at the cashier wasn't overly friendly, however the gentleman making the tacos was so nice and super friendly! He was very personable and easy going. Kudos to him! The taco was so tasty, but the salsa was a little bland to me. It had a hint of spice, but could have used more salt. I think it would have been better with BBQ sauce. Killen's is a nice addition to Hobby. If you're near Gate 40, go get your BBQ fix!

    Bbq tacos for breakfast? Yes! Hobby airport for breakfast
    Mat G.

    Bbq tacos for breakfast? Yes! Dropping in while at Hobby airport for breakfast was a pleasant surprise and I'm glad I fid! Their brisket was lean with just enough moisture and was quite tasty! I'll be sure to check out their full menu another time

    Interior
    Michael G.

    This was my last barbecue meal in Texas and unfortunately it needed more love and seasoning to make it tasty like all the other meals I have had. There was nothing wrong with the food, but I expected more. The people were friendly. The airport is clean, but I had higher expectations.

    Bbq plate $22. Brisket.
    Patrick O.

    Quick. Tasty. Filling. Efficient bbq for an airport. Baked potato. Sandwich, plate options. 5-6 meat options. Sides. Comes with bread.

    It's burger not sandwich and on board says come with onion & pickle
    Ecks M.

    Food: 2.8 out of 5 - average taste, on the board says sandwich come with onions & pickle, but it's burger with meat only. Service: 1.3 out of 5 - 4 workers but only 1.5 were really working, only few customers but it took 20 minutes got my food Ambiance: 1 out of 5 Price: 0.5 out of 5 - small portion of brisket with hamburger buns for $20, really at Texas? Minimum wage is $7.5 an hour here at Texas.

    Sliced beef and mac and cheese
    Michael W.

    I love Killen's BBQ, both the Pearland and Heights locations, but the Hobby airport location falls way short. Like, I really want to give it one star but my fingers just won't let me. We had a little time before our flight today, so I wanted to give the airport location a try. I ordered the sliced beef plate. Between being dry and chewy, it was also just a bad cut of meat. You can see in the photos both the sinewy cut, plus how dry it was. I added the other photo just to show that it really was a Killen's order. I know you shouldn't expect the same quality as the original or brick and mortar store, but this was bad. I would hate to be a traveler that isn't familiar with how good his BBQ can be and for this to have been the only experience of Killen's. I'll still go to the other restaurants, but probably not the Hobby location. Sorry, Ronnie. This was a miss.

    Brisket with Mac and cheese and corn
    Stephen C.

    Are they rationing around here? Look at this picture. What's missing? ALL the food. Absolutely atrocious. I cannot believe my eyes. Go somewhere else if you're hungry because you'll still be hungry after eating here. You can't call yourself a restaurant if you're not serving meals - more like LIGHT snack. I feel like a victim because I actually got robbed.

    Tiny meat serving on $24 plate!
    Howard C.

    Huge rip-off. Killens is willing to destroy their reputation by ripping its customers off. Looks like many many people feel the same way. It explains why the line was short at their Hobby airport location. $24 for a one meat plate and the meat portion was pathetic. Never going back.

    A Toddler Sandwich

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    2 months ago

    Very small portions , expensive, not nice employees. Eat somewhere else if you are hungry

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    3 months ago

    Great food, fast and friendly service! Creamed corn has a nice heat. Also got Mac and cheese with pulled pork

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    10 months ago

    Really mid food and really bad service. Doesn't help you guys ignored the only two Asians in the store. Felt really targeted.

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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)
    11.8 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!

    Photos
    Pinkerton's Barbecue - Heights - Bathroom

    Bathroom

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

    Jalapeño Cheese Sausage | Prime Brisket

    Pinkerton's Barbecue - Heights - Jamalaya, Mac n Cheese, Tangy Coleslaw

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    Jamalaya, Mac n Cheese, Tangy Coleslaw

    Truth BBQ - Brisket 1 Meat Plate

    Truth BBQ

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

    Dang. They said it was good. That doesn't do it justice. It is OFF THE DANG CHAIN. Best bbq ever…read more From juicy brisket, pork, turkey and ribs, to sausages with glistening chunks of fresh jalapeño and creamy cheddar cheese. The meat is for real. But. The sides. Oh my goodness-that is far and away the best potato salad I've ever even been in the vicinity of-much less able to pound a spoon into over and over. The tator tot casserole is like a hug from the sweetest granny in the land, and the corn pudding and Mac and cheese are pure fire too. Have to say, not much of a fan of tipping for counter service-but this place DESERVES it. Once you sit down with your fabulous feast-there are the kindest servers bringing you everything you could possibly need-from to-go boxes to drinks to desserts and they are SOOO happy you're in their restaurant-had to pull out some extra cash (I did tip at the cash register) because these dudes deserved more for their genuine hospitality and friendliness. Bar looks legit but it was only 11 so I decided next time I'll do better and grab a drink with dinner. Yes the queue was long at opening but moved quickly and obviously was well worth it. Michelin, Texas Monthly and more are all totally right to make this a must eat destination for HTX

    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

    Photos
    Truth BBQ - MERCH!!

    MERCH!!

    Truth BBQ - 2 Meat Plate Brisket

    2 Meat Plate Brisket

    Truth BBQ - Corn pudding

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    Corn pudding

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

    CorkScrew BBQ

    4.6(1.4k reviews)
    30.7 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!!!

    Photos
    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.

    Henderson & Kane - We'll handle all the setup for you, keep the line stocked, and clean up when you're done.

    Henderson & Kane

    4.6(371 reviews)
    10.0 miSixth Ward
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    This place has a special place in my foodie heart! The interior being a historic convenience store…read moremakes it feel homey and very local. I got here often with my roommate and always have a great time mix and matching any 6 beers into a 6-pack deal. The fatty brisket and sausage is amazing. I love that they offer a variety of menu items now as well. Steak nights, wine nights, and brunch options show how much effort they put in. I wouldn't say the bbq is the best I've ever had in Houston .... BUT still deserves a 5 star review in my book.

    Update: Veronica reached out to me willing to make this…read moreexperience right. Issues will come up from time to time but how you handle them says a lot about you as a business owner. I'm adjusting my review to reflect Veronica's willingness to turn this experience into an opportunity. We were looking forward to trying this restaurant while staying at a hotel in Houston for medical treatments. We had it delivered to our hotel and sadly it wasn't the best experience. When we got our order to the room we were missing one side that we ordered. We got Mac n cheese, green beans and potato salad with a brisket/smoked chicken combo and a brisket/ribs. I was shocked to see two pieces of brisket and a chicken breast for $28. Maybe it was an off night but the quality just wasn't there. All the food was cold (our fault bc we ordered it for delivery) and was lacking flavor. Overall, we'd rate it like this: Brisket 3/5 Chicken 2/5 Mac n cheese 1.5/5 Green beans 3/5 Ribs 3/5 Potato salad 2/5 Maybe they were having a bad night but I wish our experience was better.

    Photos
    Henderson & Kane - We can provide specialty set ups to fit your catering package.

    We can provide specialty set ups to fit your catering package.

    Henderson & Kane
    Henderson & Kane - Order for pick up

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    Order for pick up

    Brisket & Rice - Prime Brisket

    Brisket & Rice

    4.5(507 reviews)
    26.7 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!

    Photos
    Brisket & Rice - Inside (former location)

    Inside (former location)

    Brisket & Rice - Brisket & Fried Rice

    Brisket & Fried Rice

    Brisket & Rice - Mac-N-Cheese

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    Mac-N-Cheese

    Killen's Barbecue

    Killen's Barbecue

    4.2(3k reviews)
    6.3 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)
    18.9 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

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    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.

    The Pit Room - Memorial - Cheeseburger

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    Cheeseburger

    Killen's Barbecue - HOU - bbq - Updated September 2026

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