One of my favorite events on the calendar is the Houston BBQ Festival. The barbecue scene in Houston has exploded and rivals Austin now. The festival showcases what Houston BBQ has to offer. The event moved location this year from the parking lots of NRG stadium to the Humble Civic Center. I will take you guys through a photographic journey to each participant's booth. Let's go...
Blake's BBQ - Brisket and sausage
Blood Bros. BBQ - Chuck eye Bulgogi bao, Thai green curry boudin, and Thai peanut butter pork belly burnt ends on papaya salad
 |
| Quy Hoang building baos |
 |
| Thai green curry boudin, and Thai peanut butter pork belly burnt ends on papaya salad |
The Brisket House - Brisket, sausage, and Big Red cherry jam glazed baby back ribs
Buck's Barbeque Co. - Pork belly banh mi, brisket, boudin, and Big Red ice cream
CorkScrew BBQ - Sweet & spicy ribs, jalapeño, turkey, and mac salad
 |
| These sweet & spicy ribs were fantastic |
El Burro & the Bull - Smoked pork on a house-made blue corn tostada with a smoked avocado gazpacho
Fainmous BBQ - Pulled chicken & pork, corn relish, spinach casserole, and brisket mac & cheese
Feges BBQ - Smoked wings with an Alabama white sauce, house-made boudin & cracklin, sweet potato & ranana mashers, and PB&J cake
 |
| Erin Feges plating PB&J cake |
 |
| House-made boudin |
 |
| Smoked wings with an Alabama white sauce and sweet potato & ranana mashers |
Gatlin’s BBQ - Wings, smoked beef shank nachos, and Cuban sandwich
 |
| Greg Gatlin |
Harlem Road Texas BBQ - Chuck roll smoked fajita
Jackson Street BBQ - Pulled pork sliders and sausage & cheese kolache
Killen's Barbecue - brisket sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, smoked chicken with an Alabama white sauce, Korean style ribs, and pork steak
 |
| Ronnie Killen glazing the Korean style ribs |
 |
| Pork steak |
 |
| Sliced pork steak |
Lenox Bar-B-Que - Brisket, ribs, and jalapeño & cheese sausage
Louie Mueller Barbecue - Beef rib croissant
Pinkerton's BBQ - Smoked shoulder clod on a bolillo bun with Asian slaw & homemade spicy mayo and bread pudding with smoked cream cheese icing & wild blueberry reduction
 |
| This bread pudding with smoked cream cheese icing & wild blueberry reduction was amazing |
Ray’s BBQ Shack - Brisket, rib tips, sausage, and fried corn
 |
| Rib tips |
Roegels Barbecue Co. - Pork belly
 |
| John Brotherton and Misty & Russell Roegels |
Southern Q BBQ - Brisket, sausage, boudin, and firecracker
Southside Market & BBQ - Brisket, sausage, and sausage slammers
Spring Creek Barbeque - Brisket, baby back ribs, and banana pudding
Tejas Chocolate & BBQ - Brisket, Danish ribs, carrot soufflé, and chocolate panna cotta shooter
The Pit Room - Crawfish gumbo sausage and bacon poblano potato salad
Tin Roof BBQ - Beef rib, sausage, and cinnamon roll bread pudding
Truth BBQ - Brisket and jalapeño & cheese sausage
Victorian's Barbecue - Smoked tri-tip and baby back ribs
Willow's Texas BBQ - Brisket and cream corn
It was a beautiful day for the sixth edition of the Houston BBQ Festival. It started off a little chilly and windy, but it warmed up nicely. The event every year is highly organized. The availability of the arena makes the festival flexible when it comes to rain or shine. I also liked there were restrooms and instead of portable toilets. I do not know if I love the setup of having some of the booths under the permanent structure and some outside under tents. Lighting for pictures were not optimal when shooting inside. Other than that, I would say the event was a success. I saw a lot of smiles. People were having a good time and enjoying themselves. Parking was also free. And the gravy? You got to eat at 27 quality barbecue joints without driving around town for a week. A fantastic event with fantastic value.
Until next time, happy smoking...
