If you’re looking for the best BBQ in Houston, Goode Co. Barbeque has been the answer since 1977. We mesquite-smoke brisket, pork ribs, and Czech sausage low and slow using hand-blended rubs and traditional Texas methods. We use only USDA-graded cuts because the quality of the meat matters as much as the quality of the smoke. Whether you want a plate of sliced brisket, a chopped beef sandwich, or jalapeno cheese bread fresh from the kitchen, you’ll find it here.c
Houston is one of the great BBQ cities in America, with a pit-smoked tradition shaped by Texas ranching culture, German-Czech immigrant history, and Gulf Coast and Tex-Mex influence. Goode Co. Barbeque has been part of that story since the beginning, and we’re still smoking every day across three Houston locations.
What to Order: The Best Texas BBQ Dishes at Goode Co.
These are the dishes that have made Goode Co. Barbeque a Houston institution for nearly 50 years. For a deeper look at the full menu, see our guide to the best Texas BBQ dishes to try in Houston.
Mesquite-Smoked Beef Brisket
Beef brisket is the centerpiece of Texas BBQ, and ours has been made the same way since 1977. Each brisket is hand-rubbed with Goode Co.’s signature seasoning blend and smoked low and slow over mesquite wood for up to 16 hours. The result is a deep, smoky bark on the outside and tender, juicy meat throughout. Order it sliced or chopped.
Pork Ribs
Mesquite-smoked until they fall apart with a gentle bite, served in generous portions. Pair with jalapeno cheese bread for the full Texas table experience.
Czech Sausage and Jalapeno Pork Sausage
Our sausage recipes trace back to a Czech immigrant who settled in Weimar, Texas. We grind, stuff, and smoke them in-house every day. The Czech sausage is a taste of Texas food history. The jalapeno pork sausage brings the bold Mexican culinary influence that runs deep in Texas cooking.
Stuffed BBQ Baked Potatoes
Split open and loaded with chopped beef, smoked sausage, turkey, or chicken, then finished with butter, cheese, sour cream, green onions, bacon, and Goode Co.’s original barbeque sauce. Comfort food built around the pit.
Jalapeno Cheese Bread
Fresh, homemade, and served at every table. Use it for sandwiches, pair it with any meat, or eat it on its own. A Goode Co. signature and a Houston BBQ staple.
Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie
Made with fresh pecans harvested from the banks of the Brazos River, sealed in a gooey filling perfected over decades. The right way to end a Texas barbeque.
Classic Texas BBQ Sides
A Texas barbeque isn’t complete without the right sides. For a full breakdown of how these pair with your plate, see our guide to the best BBQ side dishes.
- Coleslaw: creamy and tangy, cuts through the richness of brisket and keeps the plate balanced
- Jalapeno Pinto Beans: slow-cooked with jalapenos, tomato, onion, chili powder, cumin, and garlic
- Jambalaya Texana: Cajun comfort meets Texas smokehouse, works as a side or a full meal
- Potato Salad: creamy, tangy, built around soft potatoes with a hint of mustard
- Mac and Cheese: ultra-smooth, strong cheese, the kind of comfort that belongs next to smoked meat
A Houston BBQ Legacy: About Goode Co. Barbeque
Jim Goode opened the first Goode Co. Barbeque on Kirby Drive in 1977 with little more than a dream and a hand-built BBQ pit. He smoked brisket over mesquite alongside his wife Liz and uncle Joe Dixie, and before long the family-run joint had become a local institution.
Goode Co. Barbeque remains family-owned today. Levi Goode carries forward the founding principles: serve food that is true to Texas culture, prepared with care, and shared with pride. The pits have not stopped smoking since 1977.
Why Locals Call It the Best BBQ in Houston
- Nearly 50 years of pit-smoking: every technique, rub, and recipe has been refined over decades of daily smoking
- Mesquite wood only: Goode Co. uses mesquite throughout, which gives the meat its distinctive smokiness and depth
- Made in-house every day: sausage ground and stuffed fresh, pecan pie baked from scratch, jalapeno cheese bread made daily
- Consistent across all three Houston locations: the same standards whether you’re at the Original on Kirby, Memorial, or Cypress
Find Goode Co. Barbeque Near You: Three Houston Locations
The Original on Kirby Drive
5109 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Near Rice Village, West University, and Greenway Plaza. This is where it all started in 1977. Casual outdoor patio, classic Texas hospitality, and the original pit. See The Original location page for hours and parking.
Memorial
8911 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024
Just off I-10, ideal for families, business lunches, and anyone near Memorial City Mall. Spacious dining room and ample parking. See the Memorial location page for hours.
Highway 290 / Cypress
20102 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77065
Serving North Houston and the Cypress area. Great for weekday lunches and weekend family outings. See the Highway 290 location page for hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ in Houston
What barbeque style is Houston known for?
Houston is known for Central Texas-style barbeque, with mesquite-smoked meats at the core. Brisket, beef ribs, and hand-made sausages are the standard, shaped by the German-Czech immigrant traditions that defined Texas BBQ in the 1800s. Houston’s diversity also brings in Tex-Mex and Cajun influence, making it one of the most varied BBQ cities in the state.
What is traditional Texas barbeque?
Traditional Texas barbeque means beef, smoke, and patience. A whole brisket hand-rubbed with a dry rub and smoked low and slow over mesquite or post oak for 12 to 16 hours. No sauce required on properly smoked meat. Czech sausage, pork ribs, and smoked turkey round out the classic Texas spread. Goode Co. Barbeque has been doing it this way in Houston since 1977.
What is real Texas BBQ?
Real Texas BBQ starts with the quality of the pit, the rub, and the patience behind the smoke. Brisket cooked low and slow with a proper bark and tender interior is the benchmark. It’s distinct from Kansas City-style (sauce-heavy) or Carolina-style (pork-focused). Texas BBQ is beef-forward, smoke-first, and built on generations of ranching and immigrant cooking traditions.
What is the best BBQ in Houston for groups?
Goode Co. Barbeque welcomes groups at all three Houston locations. For large private events, catering, or reserved spaces, see our private events page.
Visit Goode Co. Barbeque in Houston
Goode Co. Barbeque serves authentic Texas barbeque at three Houston locations. Our pits have not stopped smoking since 1977, and our staff is ready to welcome you for a casual lunch, a family dinner, or a fully private barbeque for your event.
Find us at The Original on Kirby Drive, our Memorial location off I-10, and our Cypress location off Highway 290. Call 713.522.2530 or book online here.
