No longer do we have to make the 3-hour trek to Austin for Franklin’s – amazing barbecue is right at our doorstep.

Something about the smokey-sweet, fall-off-the-bone meats, coupled with homemade sides, makes Texas barbecue the perfect summer meal. Texas Monthly has released its long awaited list of top BBQ joints and lucky for us, Houston is home to four of the top spots. 

Like all good places, Brisket&Rice offers the traditional Texas spread, but they do it from a Phillips 66 gas station. Brisket, homemade sausage links, and pulled pork are on the menu at this Independence Heights outpost. What sets Brisket and Rice apart are their innovative fusion dishes, such as wok-fried Barbecue Fried Rice and Brisket on Rice, adapted from meals brothers-owners Hong and Phong Tran ate growing up in a Vietnamese household. The Brisket and Rice is simply that, rich brisket on a bed of white rice, blanketed in sauce. Additionally, the restaurant features fresh sides not found at regular places, including cranberry almond coleslaw and Poorman’s Macaroni, which is macaroni salad in a cheese sauce. Texas Monthly also notes their housemade pickled jalapeños -marinated in soy sauce and lemon-lime soda- that accompany each of the barbecued meats. 

Located along Leeland Street, J-Bar-M Barbecue is a triple threat. Boasting a smokehouse, beer garden, and music venue, eating and entertainment are all in the same power-packed place. On the menu is an all-day bbq menu with classic pulled pork sandwiches and stuffed baked potatoes, accompanied by charro beans, cauliflower au gratin and spicy cream corn. Also available are beer garden snacks, such as barbecued chicken wings and loaded fries piled with brisket or pulled pork. Luckily for us, J-Bar-M is also participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks, which continues through Labor Day Weekend, and offers a three-course dinner and two-course brunch menu.

Like Brisket&Rice, Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q in Spring has also made its home near a gas station, but as a food truck. The meals-on-wheels truck has developed a huge following, earning high praise from Yelp reviewers. Rosemeyer opens until the meats are sold out – which generally happens in the late afternoon, according to some online chatter – so barbecue aficionados should arrive when the truck opens at 11 a.m. Rosemeyer also offers boudin, brisket and pulled pork, which are paired with potato salad, charro beans, and corn. Along with the standard fare, Rosemeyer also offers weekend specials that vary from pork belly burnt ends, smoked dungeness crab and Tomahawk pork chops. Interested eaters should follow their Instagram account for menu updates.

Family-owned and operated, Bar-A-BBQ promises big eats in a comfortable, no-frills setting. Located along Eva Street, down the block from Montgomery City Hall, Bar-A-BBQ dishes out simple meals big on flavor. Hungry patrons have a choice of either a 1 meat and 2 sides plate, or a 2 meats and 2 sides plate for a uncomplicated, yet highly satisfying meal. Brisket, pork ribs, turkey, sausage and chicken are the stars of the show, with sides of cheesy taters, cowboy pinto beans, lemon garlic kale salad and green bean casserole as the supporting ensemble. Though everything is a stellar choice, owners Cooper and Shelby Abercrombie keep it interesting with a rotating menu of changing sausage options, so no one is ever bored. Also notable are the desserts, which includes Palmers Banana Pudding, tallow chocolate chip cookies and honey butter cornbread.