If you’re in Houston and want authentic Texas barbeque, there’s one thing to know before you go: not all BBQ is equal. At Goode Co. Barbeque, we’ve been mesquite-smoking meats in Houston since 1977, using traditional Texas methods, hand-blended rubs, and only USDA-graded cuts. Here’s what belongs on your plate.
The Best Texas BBQ Dishes to Try in Houston
Beef Brisket
Beef brisket is Texas BBQ royalty. You’ll find it at any authentic restaurant, family barbeque, or rodeo cookout. Taken from the breast of the cow, it’s a hard-working muscle that yields rich, juicy meat when treated right.
At Goode Co. Barbeque, we apply our hand-blended signature rubs before smoking low and slow over mesquite. The result is a tender interior and a smoky, flavorful bark exterior that you can’t replicate anywhere else.
Pork Ribs
You can get pork ribs anywhere, but unless they fall apart with a gentle bite, they’re done wrong. Here in Houston, our ribs are mesquite-smoked until tender and served in generous portions. Pair them with Jalapeno Cheese Bread, and you’re eating like a true Texan.
Czech Sausage and Jalapeno Pork Sausages
In the 1800s, German and Czech immigrants arrived in Texas and brought sausage-making traditions that became part of our food culture. At Goode Co. Barbeque, our sausage recipes trace back to an old Czech immigrant who settled in Weimar, Texas. We grind, stuff, and smoke them every day.
The Czech sausage is a taste of Texas history. The Jalapeno pork sausage brings a spicy kick that reflects the deep Mexican culinary influence in Texas cooking.
Texan Sandwiches and Po-Boys
Sandwiches are an easy way to get every flavor in one bite. At Goode Co. Barbeque, we pack our buns with handcrafted ingredients: pulled pork, tender brisket, or smoked chicken breast. You can also pile it all on Jalapeno Cheese Bread.
For something different, the Po-Boy brings Louisiana roots to a Texas plate—a combination of any meat you want, stacked and ready to go. If you want a full breakdown of what makes these cuts worth ordering, see our Texas smoked meats guide.
Loaded Baked Potatoes: A Houston BBQ Staple
Baked potatoes can be a full meal, and in Texas, we don’t hold back on loading them.
The stuffed potato is split open and loaded high with chopped beef, smoked sausage, turkey, or chicken, then finished with butter, cheese, sour cream, green onions, bacon, and our original Goode Co. Barbeque sauce. It’s comfort food built around the pit.
Or go classic with a loaded baked potato and choose your own combination: shredded cheese, jalapenos, green onions, spicy sausage. Same base, your call.
Classic Southern Sides
A Texas barbeque isn’t complete without sides. Here are the classics we serve at Goode Co. Barbeque. For a deeper look at how these pair with your plate, see our guide to the best BBQ side dishes.
Coleslaw
A creamy, tangy coleslaw complements the rich, savory nature of barbeque meat. Served cool, it cuts through the brisket’s weight and keeps the plate balanced—a summer staple in Houston and a year-round fixture at our pits.
Jalapeno Pinto Beans
Slow-cooked with jalapeños, tomato, onion, chili powder, cumin, and garlic, these beans bring a real kick of southern spice. The Mexican influence on Texas cooking runs deep, and this side shows it.
Jambalaya Texana
Cajun comfort meets Texas smokehouse. We combine spices, chilies, and tomatoes with ranch-style beans and tender cuts of barbeque meat for a smoky, spicy, filling result that works as a side or a full meal.
Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy, and built around soft potatoes with a hint of mustard. A Texas BBQ classic that pairs with everything on the plate, brisket especially, and disappears from the table first every time.
Mac and Cheese
A crowd-pleasing side for all ages and a fixture at any authentic Texas barbeque. Ultra-smooth sauce, a strong cheese punch, and the kind of comfort that earns its place next to smoked meat.
Jalapeno Cheese Bread
Fresh, homemade, and versatile. Serve it with sides, use it for sandwiches, or eat it alongside any meat off the pit. Authentically southern and a staple of the Goode Co. Barbeque table.
What Desserts Do Texans Eat at Barbeques?
Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie
Texas pecan pie is bigger, gooier, and richer than what you’ll find anywhere else. At Goode Co. Barbeque, we use fresh pecans harvested from the banks of the Brazos River, sealed in a layer of gooey filling that’s been perfected over decades.—the right way to end a Texas barbeque.
Chocolate Cream Pie
A buttery, rich chocolate cream pie topped with a generous layer of whipped cream. Deep, satisfying, and a classic Texan dessert finish.
Handmade Texan Pralines
Texas-sourced pralines offer a slow, rich, sweet finish to any meal. Available in extra chewy varieties and easy to take home if you want to carry a little Goode Co. with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas 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, often influenced by the German-Czech immigrant traditions that shaped 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 considered the best barbeque in Texas?
The best Texas barbeque starts with the quality of the pit, the rub, and the patience behind the smoke. Brisket cooked low and slow over mesquite or oak, with a proper bark and a tender interior, is the standard. Goode Co. Barbeque has been doing exactly that in Houston since 1977.
What is the most famous food in Houston, Texas?
Houston is famous for its BBQ, Tex-Mex, and Gulf seafood. Among BBQ specifically, brisket and Czech sausage are the dishes Houston is most associated with. At Goode Co. Barbeque, our mesquite-smoked brisket and Jalapeno Cheese Bread are the most-ordered items on the menu.
What BBQ is Texas famous for?
Texas is famous for beef brisket above all else, smoked low and slow over mesquite or post oak until the exterior forms a deep bark and the interior stays tender throughout. Beef ribs, pork ribs, Czech sausage, and jalapeno cheese bread round out the classic Texas BBQ spread.
Visit Goode Co. Barbeque in Houston
Goode Co. Barbeque offers authentic Texas barbeque at three Houston locations. Our pits haven’t 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. Booking for groups is recommended. Call 713.522.2530 or book online here.
