SPECIAL FOODIE SECTION Brooks Place LOCAL PITMASTERS ARE SERVING UP TEXAS-SIZED FLAVOR Written by Kirsten Cornell Select photography by Kevin Falcon 24 THE GRAND FINALE ISSUE
Get your barbecue bibs ready because you re going to need them. We ve unearthed some of the sauciest, tangiest plates in Cy-Fair. From smoked meats to barbecued chicken with all the trimmings, you ll be swimming in sauce with no regrets. Harris County Smokehouse 529 BBQ 12512 FM 529 713-983-7679 Few places scream real Texas BBQ like 529 BBQ. Try a Texas chow down baked potato loaded with butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, and your choice of meat. All of their sandwiches are made with jalapeño cheese bread and piled with brisket, turkey, sausage, or pulled pork. And don t forget a side of their famous onion rings while you re at it. Brooks Place 18020 FM 529 832-893-1682 You can smell the brisket at Brooks place from a mile away, and the line forming to order is almost as long. The ribs are one of their most popular items and practically fall off the bone when you pick them up. You never know when Brooks may throw patrons for a loop with something special like bacon-crusted beef ribs, just to keep them on their toes. Sides vary from week-to-week, but certain standards, such as their cranberry almond slaw, are staples that can be devoured at any time. Brooks Place Carl s BBQ 21920 Hwy. 290 281-890-2275 It s hard to find a Cy-Fair native that hasn t enjoyed a plate or 10 of Carl s BBQ. The rustic ambiance paired with juicy plates piled with tender meat such as pork ribs, sausage, or barbequed chicken, and a wide selection of sides is hard to beat. If you don t fill up on their signature mac and cheese, be sure to opt for a bowl of banana pudding. It s the perfect ending to a generous meal. Carl s BBQ CY-FAIR MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016 25
Photo courtesy of Dickey s Barbecue Pit Dickey s Barbecue Pit Dickey s Barbecue Pit 6184 Hwy. 6 N. 281-345-7528 21519 Tomball Pkwy. 281-251-0440 In 1941, Travis Dickey, a World War I veteran, opened the first Dickey s Barbecue Pit in Dallas, Texas. The awardwinning barbecue has been tantalizing taste buds ever since. In addition to classic favorites such as pulled pork, brisket, and chicken - Dickey s offers some interesting alternatives. Try Polish-style kielbasa, barbecue honey ham, or jalapeño cheddar sausage. Don t forget their smokehouse salad which tops a bed of romaine lettuce with shredded cheddar, fried onion tanglers, chopped beef brisket, and ranch dressing. Goode Company BBQ 20102 N.W. Fwy. 832-678-3562 Honoring their time-tested, scratch-made, and mesquitesmoked recipes, Goode Company BBQ continues to serve up dishes that keep people coming back for more. Pile your plate high with Czech sausage, honey smoked ham, jalapeño pork sausage, or sweet water duck. While you can never go wrong with traditional favorites, save room for a side of jambalaya Texana, Austin baked beans, or a slice of chocolate cream pie. Goode Company BBQ Harris County Smokehouse 19811 N.W. Fwy. 281-890-5735 At Harris County Smokehouse, you ll discover that everything goes better with barbecue - even breakfast. That s right. Eggs served with down-home favorites like pork ribs, smoked sausage, brisket, or chicken fried steak. Head in for lunch and order up a smokehouse original - a big-asyour-plate baked potato stuffed with fixings like cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, chives, butter, and smoked meat. If you re looking to feed a crowd, their family packs can satisfy anywhere from four to 25 hungry barbecue fans. Harris County Smokehouse Hickory Hollow 8038 Fallbrook Dr. 281-469-5323 The perfect mix of hospitality and Texas-style barbecue, Hickory Hollow will have you stomping to bluegrass tunes and licking your plate clean. You can t go wrong with grade-a dishes like smoked turkey breast, pork ribs, sausage, and barbecued chicken. But if you re in the mood for something a little different, sample the chicken fried steak po-boy or hickory fish sandwich. Don t forget to try one of their locally baked pies with tasty flavors including pecan, cherry, blueberry, peach, and coconut cream. 26 THE GRAND FINALE ISSUE
2016 Cy-Fair Magazine Your Cy-Fair Buyers & Sellers Agent! 2015 Cy-Fair Magazine Neighborhood knowledge on schools, commute and more Seasoned negotiator Local market expertise Iris is very knowledgeable in the area as well as the process. I have already recommended her to some coworkers. - LR Iris LaBouchardiere Realtor - ABR, CNE, NHC RE/MAX COMPASS 7825 Hwy. 6 N. Ste. 112, TX 77095 713-256-8941 Iris@HomeSalesCypressTx.com www.homesalescypresstx.com CY-FAIR MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016 27
It s Ribs It s Ribs 11035 Jones Rd. 832-678-2088 Living up to their name, you can tickle your taste buds with original, pineapple, or jalapeño glazed ribs in a variety of styles including St. Louis, spare ribs, or beef ribs. For those who would like to add another meat to their plate, they also serve up brisket, pork, ham, sausage, and chicken salad. Wash it all down with a side of gumbo. Larry s Bar-B-Q 14191 N.W. Fwy. 713-329-9600 From steaks to seafood, Larry s has your palate covered. Try their mixed plates where you re not only served slices of mouth-watering brisket or fall-off-the-bone ribs, but can also choose catfish, shrimp, or fajitas. Take advantage of their trail packs which mix-and-match smoked meats with all the trimmings for up to 50 people. Lyndon s Pit Bar-B-Q Lyndon s Pit Bar-B-Q 5320 Hollister St. 713-690-2112 Family owned and operated, Lyndon s treats everyone who walks in like a relative at their table. Have a seat and take in the aroma of lean brisket, pulled pork, and smoked chicken breast. Need some to take home? You can order meat in bulk for your next get-together. Regulars can t get enough of their tempting sides such as potato salad, spicy corn, fried okra, and macaroni and cheese. Pappas Bar-B-Q 12917 N.W. Fwy. 713-462-2550 Bite into a sandwich piled high with pulled pork, cheddar cheese, flavorful sauce, and tangy coleslaw. That s just one of the top items at Pappas Bar-B-Q. Try a seasoned mixed platter with all your favorites: brisket, ham, sausage, a rib, and pulled pork. Make room on your plate for chopped beef fries, macaroni salad, jalapeño cheese bread, or spicy rice. Pappas Bar-B-Q Railroad Crossing Barbeque 14715 Hempstead Hwy. 713-896-4000 Themed from their rail car dining room down to their menu - burger junction, steak depot, and light rail - Railroad Crossing is a dining experience and a photo op all rolled into one. Their dinners start with the brakeman (one meat) and go all the way up the food chain to the engineer (three 28 THE GRAND FINALE ISSUE
meats). A patron favorite is the caboose sandwich, topped with your choice of chopped beef, sliced brisket, sausage links, ham, turkey, or pork tenderloin. Junior conductors have their own smaller menu as well. Rudy s Country Store & Bar-B-Q Rudy s Country Store & Bar-B-Q 14620 N.W. Fwy. 713-462-3337 When you see massive long picnic-style tables covered in checkered tablecloths, piles of meat served on butcher paper, and their signature sissy sause - you know you re at Rudy s. Order your brisket one of three ways: cutter s choice, lean, or moist. Any way you choose, you re in for a treat. Fan favorites also include the jumbo smoked potato overflowing with your choice of meat. Add all of the à la carte sides you want from three bean salad to the infamous cream corn. Spring Creek Barbeque 4220 W. FM 1960 281-444-8683 25831 N.W. Fwy. 281-758-1450 Hickory-smoked and always full of southern hospitality, Spring Creek Barbeque has been serving up their same mouthwatering recipes for over 35 years. Customize a plate to your palate with favorites like cracked black pepper sausage, turkey, ham, brisket, pulled pork, or ribs. Load up with homestyle sides like pinto beans, coleslaw, or potato salad. And there s no shortage of home-baked bread. Virgie s BBQ 5535 N. Gessner Rd. 713-466-3525 Cooking up hot plates for Cy-Fairians in one form or another since 1965, Virgie Handsborough knows her barbecue. Satisfy your craving with baby back ribs, a chopped beef sandwich, or sausage links. Feed your herd with the pig out pack - eight pounds of sliced brisket, three pounds of beef links, nine large sides (up to two varieties), bread, pickles, onions, and of course Virgie s original sauce. CFM Spring Creek Barbeque Photo courtesy of Chris Fritchie Virgie s BBQ KIRSTEN CORNELL is the lead associate editor for Cy-Fair Magazine. She has enjoyed writing about Cy-Fair fare over the years and has no plans to stop visiting her favorite haunts anytime soon. Please check with individual restaurants as menu items may have changed since the time of print. CY-FAIR MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016 29