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    Foodie News

    Tackling Houston's barbecue inferiority complex: A map that could change yourmind

    Sarah Rufca
    Sep 16, 2011 | 9:55 am

    Nothing is more annoying than when a midwesterner gets all up in your face, declaring Texas barbecue vastly inferior to the version served in Kansas City/Memphis/South Carolina/whatever.

    What's worse is that it's a hard charge to defend, because though I can name the Hill Country barbecue institutions and several historic smokehouses in and around Fort Worth, really outstanding Houston barbecue has always been somewhat elusive to me.

    Luckily there's J.C. Reid and his new Houston Barbecue Project. Opening with a manifesto asking "What's wrong with Houston barbecue?" Reid argues that Houston's barbecue inferiority complex is both real and unfair.

    For years I’ve lamented the state of barbecue in Houston. Compared to the barbecue shrines of Central Texas, the 'cue in Houston just never seemed to match up. But I kept going to different barbecue joints in Houston, hoping I’d find something worth eating. After all, every place I go to in Houston is packed with customers — surely they must be doing something right?"

    Perhaps I’d been seduced by the myth and lore of Central Texas barbecue. I’ve spent many weekends bouncing along the back roads of Central Texas searching for the best barbecue in Texas. I came to realize that I’d visited more barbecue joints located hundreds of miles away than those barbecue joints located right in my own backyard. How could I claim that Houston barbecue was inferior to Central Texas barbecue, or even that Houston barbecue did not rise to a general standard of good barbecue, if I’d only visited a small percentage of barbecue joints in Houston? With that in mind, the Houston Barbecue Project was born."

    Reid has laid out a color-coded map of Houston barbecue joints, with a rating system that assesses the style of barbecue (Central Texas, East Texas, or even a hybrid that Reid terms 'contemporary East Texas'), application of sauce, and the type of wood and smoker.

    So far he's scored just over a dozen places, with the highest marks — four out of five stars — going to Gatlin's BBQ, Rudy's Country Store & Barbecue, Virgie's BBQ and Lenox Barbecue. Early scores indicate that while there's plenty of mediocrity out there, Houston does indeed have good barbecue for those willing to look.

    Whether you are a lover or a hater of Houston barbecue, Reid's work is a good place to start when trying to find your favorite kind of 'cue. Do you agree with his rankings? What's your favorite barbecue in Houston?

    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    Drop it like it's hot

    Houston farmers market adds new indoor pickleball court with food and cocktails

    Brianna Griff
    Jun 18, 2025 | 1:00 pm
    Drop Shots HTX indoor pickleball courts
    Photo by Abante Photography
    Drop Shots HTX celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, June 21.

    Pickleball isn’t going anywhere — the racquet sport continues to score with Houstonians. The newest player on the city’s crowded court, Drop Shots HTX, stands out for one big reason: it’s entirely indoors.

    Drop Shots HTX indoor pickleball courts
      

    Photo by Abante Photography

    Drop Shots HTX celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, June 21.

    Opening June 21, Drop Shots HTX is the brainchild of hospitality veterans Roveen Abante (Conservatory Galleria, Duchess), Chase Lovullo (Conservatory Galleria), and Shawn Outlaw.

    “We didn’t just want to open a bar,” co-founder Roveen Abante said in a statement. “We built a space where people connect, whether they’re playing or not. There’s something for everyone here.”

    Drop Shots HTX is marking its grand opening on June 21 from 12-11 pm, offering all-day open play for $5 along with $5 food and drink specials. Live DJs and giveaways will add to the experience.

    Patrons can soak up the A/C while slapping balls across one of the six professional-grade indoor courts. Off the court, guests can engage in friendly competitions of skee-ball, ping pong, arcade basketball, and cornhole in the second-floor lounge. Nine screens make up one wall in the mezzanine, ideal for catching the latest game, or can be expanded into one 195-inch television.

    Clutch City Kitchen will keep the players' appetite at bay with pizzas, sandwiches, and acai bowls. For hydration, an indoor/outdoor full bar will have 10 signature pickleball-themed cocktails, mocktails, and fresh juices crafted from local fruits and veggies.

    “Some venues lean into serious competition, we lean into fun,” added co-founder Shawn Outlaw. “We’re the only indoor pickleball facility inside the Loop with a full bar, kitchen, lounge, and patio. But more than that, we’re the only one that feels like your new favorite neighborhood hangout, even if you never touch a paddle.”

    Events like Glow-in-the-Dark Fridays, Tacos and Tequila Saturdays, and Pancakes and Pickball mornings add a twist to the typical pickleball match. Bring the kids—the venue is family-friendly until 10pm.

    “We created Drop Shots HTX because we fell in love with a game that brings generations together,” Outlaw said. “From our 10-year-olds to our 65-year-old parents, pickleball is for everyone. And so is this space.”

    Drop Shots HTX is located at 2520 Airline Drive, Building A, Suite 100. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 12-11pm, Friday from 12 pm-12 am, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-11 pm.

    nightlifeopeningspickleballdrop shots htxthe-heights
    news/restaurants-bars

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