Nationally, the restaurant industry is struggling financially due to soaring food and labor costs. And Texas barbecue restaurants may have it even worse: soaring meat costs and cattle shortages have driven brisket prices to an all-time high. If ever there was a time to support your favorite barbecue joint, it’s now.
The rise in beef prices has forced barbecue operators to get creative. That means a focus on other smoked proteins, side dishes, and pushing specials.
And let’s not forget desserts. Most barbecue joints excel at desserts, including homemade cakes, pies, cookies, bread pudding, and the classic banana pudding. If there’s a sweet spot in this tough time for barbecue restaurants it could come from the muscle the dessert options flex—well-deserved sugary highs after the meat sweats.
So save room after the brisket—here are some of Houston’s best barbecue restaurant desserts.
Goode Company BBQ
What began as a small, family-run operation turned into one of Houston’s major legacy brands that boasts multiple brands and locations. Goode is a Houston institution—good at barbecue, for sure, but just as famous for its Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie that is now known the world over, shipped in that iconic wooden box. We are just as passionate about Goode’s chocolate cream pie, a beaut with perfect texture and flavor. It stands proud right up there with the pecan pie as a Goode classic. Multiple locations, goodecompanybarbecue.com
CorkScrew BBQ
The only local barbecue restaurant (and one of only six restaurants total in Houston) to earn a Michelin star, CorkScrew is now in an elite culinary class. Don’t think that went to their head, though: The family-run joint is as down-home and humble as ever. The barbecue is justifiably famous, but we would be remiss not to mention the from-scratch cobblers. The only dessert on the menu, the fruit cobblers (apple, peach, cherry and pineapple) sport a crispy topping that is more like a crunchy sugar cookie than a traditional biscuit-like lid. Perfection. 26608 Keith St., Spring, corkscrewbbq.com
Harlem Road Texas BBQ
Pitmaster Ara Malekian is a classically trained European chef, and it shows in uncompromising technique he applies to his barbecue operation. His chocolate bread pudding, for instance, is made with croissants and sports a depth of flavor thanks to an addition of strong Armenian coffee (his favorite). But his best dessert might be the simplest: perfect butterscotch chocolate chips cookies that are a steal at $2 each. Take home a dozen. 9823 Harlem Rd., Richmond, harlemroadtexasbbq.com
Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue
It’s impossible to talk about Tejas’ acclaimed barbecue without noting the expertise also applied to the chocolate operations that share the same roof. This original bean-to-bar chocolatier specializes in creative truffles that have earned it chocolate allegiance as strong as its barbecue fan base. In addition to the handmade bonbons, Tejas also offers a chocolate bread pudding and a dessert you don’t normally see on smokehouse menus: chocolate panna cotta. 200 N. Elm St., Tomball, tejaschocolat.com
Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack
Serving quintessential Southeast Texas-style barbecue, Ray’s has true Third Ward history (one of Houston’s original “barbecue wards”) embedded in its smoky DNA. You’ll find much to like on its extensive menu including a selection of cakes including strawberry, lemon, red velvet, pineapple, German chocolate, butter cake and “sock it to me” cake (a sugary cinnamon and toasted pecan swirl). Each is lavishly frosted and packaged in “individual” servings huge enough to share. 3929 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, raysbbqshack.com
Killen’s Barbecue
Chef Ronnie Killen was instrumental in putting the Houston area on the barbecue map when he opened his first smokehouse in 2014. It’s still going strong with multiple locations. The menu is extensive with a variety of desserts including banana pudding, carrot cake, cheesecake, key lime pie and pecan pie. But the winner remains the signature bread pudding made with croissants and a rich, tres leches-like custard. A sticky caramel sauce sends it over the top. Multiple locations, killensbarbecue.com
Truth BBQ
Houston’s highest-ranked barbecue joint (according to the Texas Monthly top barbecue list) is justifiably famous for its Central Texas-style smoke meats. But anyone who has visited the Houston smokehouse knows the temptations that await at the end of the counter line. We’re talking about those irresistible layer cakes, each looking like they just won a blue ribbon at the county fair. And equally compelling is the single serving of honest banana pudding. Luscious and luxurious in every spoonful. 110 S. Heights Blvd., Houston, truthbbq.com
The Pit Room
Retro desserts bring out the little kid in everyone. An ice cream sandwich, for example, has nostalgia built in every messy bite. That’s why we love the ice cream novelties the Pit Room does so well: yummy ice cream flavors nuzzled between a variety of homemade cookies. At the Memorial location, a stand-alone ice cream bar not only dispenses custom-built ice cream sandwiches but creamy sundaes as well—made with real-deal, house-churned ice cream. We scream. Multiple locations, thepitroombbq.com
Roegels Barbecue Co.
We appreciate the effort that Roegels puts into its fresh side dishes, particularly the marinated tomatoes and cucumber salad and Texas caviar—both unique to a smokehouse menu and both excellent accompaniments to barbecue. But we can’t leave without a cute cup of the house banana pudding—a simple pleasure that enjoys a whiff of bourbon folded into the silky jiggle.Multiple locations, roegelsbarbecue.com
Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q
How can so much smokehouse creativity come from a food truck? Just look at some recent specials in addition to its regular barbecue menu: Smoked beef cheek lasagna, loaded grit bowls, mango Tajin poppers, smoked beef stroganoff, and pork chop Marsala. There’s a reason why Rosemeyer earned Bib Gourmet status from Michelin Guide. Culinary inspiration can also be found in desserts, which include—get ready for this—homemade ice cream. The operation is a treasure and enjoys a strong barbecue allegiance. 2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd., Spring, rosemeyerbbq.square.site
J-Bar-M BBQ
Last year,this EaDo smokehouse joined the class of barbecue restaurants tapped as a Recommended restaurant by Michelin Guide. And while that distinction had largely to do with its excellent smoked meats, we have to give a shoutout to the house-made banana pudding. Sure, the giant cinnamon rolls look enticing but don’t pass on the classic banana pudding with its cloudy frosting of real whipped cream. 2201 Leeland St., Houston, jbarmbbq.com
