All I can say is "Count me Inn!"
Honestly, with all of the press and accolades that The Barbecue Inn has received over the years, I couldn't add anything new. A quick Google search will bring dozens upon dozens of hits - but no website - all singing the praises of The Barbecue Inn. Saying something that hasn't been said about this landmark Houston eatery might be impossible, but I'll definitely chime in.
Located at Crosstimbers and Yale, The Barbecue Inn has been serving The Heights since 1946. The decor, it seems, has changed little in those 50-plus years, but that simply adds to the charm. Floor-mounted bar stools line the counter just like the diners of old. A small window peeks into the kitchen where waitresses (no waiters) hand-write orders and then mount them on a spinning swivel. No computerized ordering systems is used here.
The menu consists of classic American fare ranging from delicious slow-smoked barbecue and fried gulf shrimp to country-fried chicken and even filet mignon. The barbecue is served either as dinner or a la carte with moist warm white bread slices. Just like a picnic or backyard cook-out. Entrees are served with a generous salad and home-cut fries. Everything is cooked fresh and served fresh, right down to the pies at dessert.
We sampled the sliced pork barbecue which was excellent with a rich smoky flavor. The house barbecue sauce was delicious, but the pork was tender and flavorful enough to stand on it's own. The chicken-fried steak, topped with homemade country gravy, was tender enough to cut with a fork and the fried shrimp were big and juicy beneath a crisp, crunchy breading.
Our waitress, Beth, was cheerful and helpful, letting us in on menu highlights like which salad dressings were house-made and offering to make the sliced pork an appetizer since we intended to share it. A relative newcomer when compared to the other ladies on staff, Beth could not have been a better ambassador for the restaurant. "I've been working here for a year and a half and I've never had a bad meal," she declared. An endorsement far greater than the one I am writing here.
I have lived in Houston for nearly 30 years and had not heard of the Barbecue Inn until my mother-in-law suggested it a few weeks ago.
To her I say, "Thanks, Mom."
To the rest of you, I say, "Try The Barbecue Inn." If you haven't been there yet, you'll be thanking me, too.
Note: The Barbecue Inn is closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly. Happy Eating!
Barbecue Inn is a treasure! But you have to get there early or be prepared to wait!
Posted by: Dani | 08/04/2009 at 12:08 PM
Back in the early 70's I used to make the trek over to BI with my workmates from bank on 18th almost weekly. it was awesome. Good to hear it's still up to it's old standards. Thanks for the review.
Posted by: Mary Ann White | 08/05/2009 at 07:59 AM
Since I work "in the neighborhood", Barbeque Inn is on our lunch rotation. I think I've been going there since about '94 and can happily report that nothing has changed. It's old-school, no-frills, delicious, and friendly.
As an ex-coworker used to say every time we went "The pie is to die for." RIP... (just kidding. He's still alive.)
Posted by: clay | 08/05/2009 at 10:52 AM
Barbeque Inn actually gets their pies from Dee's Pies on Little York. They are freshly baked, but not in-house by Barbeque Inn staff.
Posted by: Sam | 01/18/2010 at 06:46 PM