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Texas Monthly 2017 Top 50 BBQ Joints

444,571 Views | 2661 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by agfan2013
schmendeler
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AG
Went to Pappa Charlie's in Cypress yesterday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised. I went once several years ago when they were near Minute Maid but hadn't been back. It was nice being able to show up at like 2 in the afternoon and get solid barbecue and also not have to stand in a line. They have full service with wait staff as well as a menu of non-barbecue options.

Over all I'd put the barbecue a step below the best places in town but a good two steps above Rudy's or Spring Creek.

I'd definitely go back and the extra selection makes it a nice option for bringing people that don't like or want barbecue.

I had brisket and ribs. My dad had brisket and pulled pork.




Not sure why people would go to the Spring Creek barbecue on the other side of Target/Best Buy when this place is available and twice as good.
Aggie09Derek
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AG
Good to see Pappa Charlie's is back. I really liked it when it was in EaDo.
Diggity
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AG
Didn't they used to be in the Memorial area as well? Guy has bounced around a bit.

Went to Gatlins last week because Pinkertons was closed. That place has really gone downhill. Brisket was dry and gray.
schmendeler
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AG
Diggity said:

Didn't they used to be in the Memorial area as well? Guy has bounced around a bit.

Went to Gatlins last week because Pinkertons was closed. That place has really gone downhill. Brisket was dry and gray.
very well could have been, but I only remember them being on the other side of 59 (roughly) from minute maid.
Diggity
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AG
Could have been a different "Pappa". Can't find anything online.
Bryan98
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AG
Probably a different Pappa. Wes Jurena went from having a trailer at Jackson's on Richmond to the brick and mortar in EADO, and now to Cypress.

I've had Pappa Charlies' over a dozen times between the trailer and the EADO location, and when they're on, you wouldn't want to be eating anything else. That said, BBQ consistency is hard to come by, and sometimes it's just B or B+ rather than "transported to Shangri-la". I think their method of "hot and fast" cooking contributes to that, because sometimes the fat isn't rendered enough.

That said, the vast majority of people have never had BBQ as good as Pappa Charlies' regularly serves.
"Texas - It's still America down here!"
schmendeler
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AG
Yeah it was definitely very good. My only minus point is that the brisket actually needed more salt. I hit it with the salt shaker a couple times.
jja79
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AG
Where is this place?
schmendeler
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AG
Old Hempstead road between Spring Cypress and where Old Hempstead terminates at 290 near Skinner.

It's in a place called Cypress Trail Hideout back around behind the Michael's/Best buy area.

25610 Hempstead Rd., Cypress
schmendeler
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AG
Went out to Reveille for the second time today. Really good stuff. My personal favorite is still Corkscrew but this has to get consideration for the TM list next time around. They threw in a second bread pudding gratis, which was very nice. I didn't have to share with the wife.

I got moist brisket, ribs, pork belly, and taco sausage.
The taco sausage is really good as well. It tastes like the big beef meximelt to me. That's not a criticism. Give it a try.




MathNewman06
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AG
Went out there today, too. I regret not trying the yellow rose hop sausage, but that will give me an excuse to go back.
Enjoyed it quite a bit, but it was colder out when we got there than when we left home - weren't prepared.

schmendeler
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AG
Yeah it was pretty chilly with the wind blowing. I had the Hop sausage last time. It's really good. You can taste the hops a lot. There's a little Indian spices in there that kind of highlight them and bring them to the front, I think.
schmendeler
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AG
One other thing, the special of the day was smoked lamb that was then shredded/pulled and put atop naan bread with a mint blueberry sauce. I didn't get it, but saw someone order it and they had a pic on their Instagram.
cgh1999
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AG
jja79 said:

Where is this place?
Jed - Pappa Charlie's is very close to me. Saves me from having to drive too far for solid BBQ. It's no corkscrew, but I like it just fine. They have a full menu (and bar), so the whole family is happy to eat there. Weekends often have live entertainment on the patio which makes for a great place to drink beer and relax.
CDub06
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AG
Went out to Tejas on Saturday. Arrived about 10:25, 9th in line. Tremendous as usual. Their Chile Relleno sausage might be the best sausage I've ever had.

We hit Bexar County Brisket at the farmer's market before lunch. They open early, so we grabbed a golden ticket from Tejas and walked over. It had been on my list and I'm glad I finally tried it. The brisket is great, but a step below Tejas. Their candies burnt ends are reminiscent of Heim's bacon burnt ends. There's a bit of sweetness & spice on them. And they are SO good.
Bryan98
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AG
I finally made it to Blood Bros yesterday. Showed up with the fam around 12:15 and they were already sold out of ribs. We got brisket and cheddar sausage. No one was very impressed, not even with the vaunted brisket fried rice.

Maybe just an off day? They've been getting great word of mouth for years, and consistently since opening the new brick and mortar. I'm willing to give them another shot, but I don't know when that would happen. My family won't want to, and they aren't at all close to my work.
"Texas - It's still America down here!"
Cowboy Curtis
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AG
Went to The Switch in Dripping yesterday and left underwhelmed. I went in hoping for Stiles & Switch quality, but it wasn't. The brisket was good, the pulled pork was dry, sausage was ok, and the ribs were a tad tough (and spicy! Like my lips were burning spicy; cayenne in the rub?). Even the sides were just ok.

My thoughts are this isn't a pure BBQ joint, but a restaurant and the meat is what it is. There are Cajun plates on the menu (gumbo, crawfish pie) along with a Sunday brunch. The atmosphere is great, the beer is cold, and the location is convenient. Overall I give the BBQ a 3.5/5. Hopefully I caught them on an off day.
agcrock2005
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AG
The owner is in a Texas Barbeque facebook group and he's super annoying. Reading this didn't make me sad..
OregonAggie
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AG
I don't think you did. Been there a couple times and been underwhelmed other than brunch one day.
jja79
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AG
Returned to Spring from CS sunday and passed this place by. I didn't notice it soon enough to change lanes and with the construction it's a nightmare to get turned around on that stretch of road. Now that I have it located I definitely want to give it a try.
CyAg
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AG
Pappa Charlie's - my wife and I have been there several times and have been generally impressed with the food. I like the ribs more than she does but we both at least typically get brisket and it's usually pretty darn good. As others have said, why frequent the chains when this is available?

Tejas - I literally love this place! We always get fatty brisket with carrot souffl and we've never been disappointed. I got tacos last week (with the obligatory carrot souffl) - one chopped fatty and one pork belly...

... wow... the verde sauce with the pork is amazing.

I had a chance to visit with both Greg and Scott and had some great conversation about the sauce. BarBVerde...VerdeAQue... they each had their own term but each conveyed that it was their mingle of BarBQue sauce with Verde sauce.

I know these ingredients for sure per Greg; roasted tomatillos, toasted poblano, anaheim and jalapenos. He mentioned sugar and vinegar as well and that the poblanos were front and center. I tried to mimic... turned out pretty good but that's another story. I'll keep working on that one.

I think my carrot souffl recipe is pretty close... I saw Lisa Fain's version and will try it next to compare.

CDub06
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AG
Just looked up her carrot souffle recipe and sent it to my wife. She's in love with that stuff.

https://www.homesicktexan.com/2018/11/carrot-souffle-texas-style.html
Here4Beer
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AG
I'm a big fan of Tejas and Scott. He's as nice as they come and is always willing to talk to his patrons. And I agree on the food, amazing. Fatty brisket and carrot souffle are to die for. If you ever get the chance to go on a Tuesday, don't pass up the Barbacoa Tacos. Also, their soups are legit.
Bryan98
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AG
That's true, Pappa Charlies' ribs can be absolutely stellar. Their sweet and savory glaze is amazing.
"Texas - It's still America down here!"
CyAg
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AG
Thanks for providing the link CDub... I should have included that!

Lisa's called for less carrots than I used and more vanilla and cinnamon than I used, I also included some allspice which I'm going to keep. Looking forward to the next batch.

My problem with Tejas is there are too many options. Depending on the day... pork belly, pastrami, beef ribs, burnt ends. Brisket comes first so I've only had sausage once and haven't gotten to chicken and turkey yet! Oh well, these are good problems.

Haven't had any soup or the Barbacoa tacos either Here4Beer (reminds me of A Beautiful Mind) but I'm definitely showing up soon for the Barbacoa!

BSD
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AG
Franklin/Uchiko brunch today.

schmendeler
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Yum
Lt. Joe Bookman
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Well, **** you.
MTTANK
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AG


Went to 1775 pit BBQ towards Snook on Friday for lunch. I was really impressed! I am not a huge rib guy, but they were some of the best I have ever had. Good smoke flavor on the brisket and ribs. Never had brisket that tasted so fresh at bbq joint. The dry rub they use has great flavor! Looks like we have two good places in the BCS are now with Fargo's and 1775.
GIG 'EM
Farmer1906
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jja79
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AG
BCS does have 2 good BBQ joints. 1775 and C&C on Smetena Road. Both far superior to Fargos.
MTTANK
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AG
Will have to try C&C, never even heard of it. Maybe we have 3 good places. Thanks,
GIG 'EM
jja79
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Only open Saturday and Sunday.

Fargos just hasn't been the same to me since the move.
ThatSneakyAzzAleppoMoment
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jja79 said:

Only open Saturday and Sunday.

Fargos just hasn't been the same to me since the movie.
Yeah that part where that guy put the body in the wood chipper makes me wonder what goes in people's food.

:P
agfan2013
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Interesting, I was at 1775 on Friday as well, picked up a take out order around 11:45 so if that's when you were there I probably walked right past you.

Agreed, the Brisket is really good and their ribs and turkey are pretty decent as well. I havent tried the sausage yet in the two times i've been. Loaded mashed potatoes and corn casserole were both excellent. I think All the Kings Men is still slightly better, but 1775 is definitely above the average we have here in B/CS.

Fargos is still good at lunchtime right when they put the meat out, but I strongly advise people against going for dinner as the meat just sits under a heat lamp all day and is usually very dry by the afternoon. Never heard of C&C, but did have some really good ribs from a mobile food truck guy that used to be around the galleria village area.
 
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