The Best Barbecue Near Gaido’s, by the Record

The line forms before the doors open at eleven, and the crowd moves fast through what was once Pearland's first school cafeteria. This is a serious Texas barbecue joint with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, where the beef rib comes off the smoker out back with a crust of salt and pepper and a give that a spoon could handle. The pork belly burnt ends in pepper jelly sauce are the kind of thing your cardiologist would prefer you not know about.

1. Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
2. Houstonia The Best Barbecue Restaurants in Houston

1. Texas Monthly Dishes We Wanted Seconds Of: Churro French Toast Brisket Sandwich · The Best Things in Texas
2. Houstonia The Best Barbecue Restaurants in Houston

Four custom-built smokers anchor this sprawling East End barbecue joint, which runs a Tex-Mex menu alongside the classic Texas lineup so you can follow brisket enchiladas with a meat plate and call it research. There's a beer garden and live music too, which means an afternoon here has a way of becoming an evening. The Michelin Guide has it selected, and the Houston Chronicle put it on its top 100 list. Come with a plan, then abandon it at the counter.

1. Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
2. Houston Chronicle Houston’s Top 100 Restaurants
3. Houstonia The Best Barbecue Restaurants in Houston

1. Houstonia The Best Barbecue Restaurants in Houston

1. Houstonia The Best Barbecue Restaurants in Houston