BBQ Battle

Houston crowned best BBQ city in America in surprising new survey

Texans love to argue about barbecue.

Photo by Robert Jacob Lerma

Houston is the best city in the country for barbecue. Congratulations, Houstonians, we've conquered the state's top cuisine.

This surprising conclusion comes courtesy of a report by the website BBQ Revolution. Titled "The Most Popular BBQ in the U.S.," the website proclaimed Houston as America's top city for barbecue.

Methodology is everything, of course. For its survey, BBQ Revolution has selected quantity over quality. To compile its ranking, the website analyzed Tripadvisor data and counted the number of barbecue restaurants in each city. With 167 establishments, Houston edged out noted barbecue destination Los Angeles (162) for the title.

San Antonio (135) ranks a surprising second in the state and third overall. Austin (113) and Dallas (109) come in at fifth and sixth nationally, respectively. Chicago ranks fourth with 124, and New York City takes sixth with 94.

Certainly, Houstonians will be pleased with that result, but the notion that Austin might be Texas' third best city for barbecue will likely cause considerable agita in the state capital.

Then again, why not Houston? The city's is home to top restaurants like Truth BBQ, Roegels Barbecue, and Gatlin's BBQ and a lively pop-up scene that includes the Vietnamese-influenced smoke masters Khói Barbecue and the decadent birria tacos of JQ's Tex-Mex Barbecue. Houston's own Blood Bros. will soon open their new location in a Las Vegas casino alongside some of the top chefs in the country.

As a point of comparison, consider Texas Monthly's 2017 list of the state's top 50 barbecue joints, which are based on actual visits by the magazine's staff. Austin landed seven in the top 50, including two in the top 10.

Houston proper had four — three more if Pearland, Tomball, and Spring are included — while Dallas had three and San Antonio only had two. Admittedly, a lot has changed in barbecue over the last four years, but that certainly feels more in line with the conventional wisdom around the state's barbecue universe.

One thing every Texan can agree on — any ranking that has Los Angeles ahead of anywhere in the Lone Star State should be viewed skeptically at best.

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blinded with science

New York's science-themed holiday bar shakes up the Museum District

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

A taste of Manhattan has made its way to Houston with the immersive LIT-Mas Spectacular holiday pop-up. From now until January 12, Houstonians can discover the hype behind New York City’s The Drunken Lab that's known for its unique blend of science and cocktails.

This pop-up marks the first expansion for The Drunken Lab’s parent company, Science and Sip, a concept created to make science accessible and unforgettable. Attendees can dive into holiday-themed science experiments — including explosive endothermic reactions — while enjoying festive cocktails in a winter wonderland setting enhanced with a live DJ. Appropriately, the pop-up is located in the Museum District at 4715 Main Street.

“Houston was the perfect next step for Science and Sip,” founder Cautney Nelson said in a statement. “The city’s vibrant culture, love of celebration, and ties to science through world-famous programs like NASA aligns beautifully with our mission to blend entertainment with discovery.”

Visitors enter a world filled with larger-than-life gingerbread decor and candy-inspired installations where light bulbs and laboratory flasks have been transformed into quirky beverage containers. Admission includes one cocktail or mocktail, a lab coat and goggles, and two to three science experiments. Add-ons like cocktail-filled ornament “Booze Balls” and Grinch-inspired pouches in festive red and green add an extra dose of holiday charm.

“We’re thrilled to host guests for an immersive holiday experience that merges festive fun with curiosity,” Nelson added. “With each pop-up, we aim to create a space where a great party and exploration come together, and we’re excited to see how Houston embraces The LIT-Mas Spectacular.”

A portion of the proceeds from LIT-Mas will benefit Millennial Scnce, a nonprofit founded by Nelson that provides students with accessible STEM resources and educational opportunities.

Tickets are available for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with showtimes at 2:30 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. Private party and group bookings are also available.

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

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BBQ Battle

Houston crowned best BBQ city in America in surprising new survey

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blinded with science

New York's science-themed holiday bar shakes up the Museum District

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Houston intel delivered daily.