Gatlin's BBQ
22 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/houston, r/HoustonFood30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 9 threads.
What people say, in short
Gatlin's BBQ draws praise for its sides, with different diners favoring smoked corn, yams, fried okra or greens and dirty rice. The barbecue is more contested: some especially like the ribs or brisket, while others find the meat bland, dry or ordinary. Several commenters feel it changed after moving from its earlier location. The sides are a recurring strength in the positive reports, not a unanimous verdict on the meal.
Address
Gatlin's BBQ, 3510 Ella Blvd Bldg C Ste A, Houston, TX 77018
At a glance
- Signature dishes
- Smoked corn, Yams, Pork ribs
- Opinions divided
- Yes
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/txrigup in r/houston · Nov 2023
Happy to see Gatlins on the list.
- Recommendsu/Zookar in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Suggests trying Gatlin's as an alternative BBQ spot.
- Caveatu/Late-Tailor-4687 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025consistency
Used to visit the old shack; after the move to a brick-and-mortar spot the brisket changed and disappointed, so they stopped going.
- Recommendsu/jakester12321 in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Names Gatlin's as their backup and a longtime eatery.
- Recommendsu/Schumacher713 in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Lists Gatlin's among their recommended BBQ spots.
- Caveatu/vsp3c in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025
Tried it recently and was not impressed.
- Recommendsu/Bill__Q in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Lists Gatlin's among recommended BBQ spots.
- Caveatu/TexCook88 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025taste
Notes the switch to propane at the brick-and-mortar location, saying it no longer matches true pit barbecue.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/gulielmusdeinsula in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Ranks Gatlin's last but still included in their BBQ order.
- Recommendsu/quiksi in r/houston · Sep 2024taste
Doesn't like fried okra generally but says Gatlin's is so good.
- Mixedu/slanginthangs in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026consistency
Says Gatlin's hasn't been the same since moving from the old shack.
- Recommendsu/CareerCheap649 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Recommends Gatlin's BBQ.
- Caveatu/Timbo1087 in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Prefers Roegels for ribs and a neighborhood feel, and thinks Gatlin's is not good at all.
- Recommendsu/Thel3lues in r/houston · Nov 2023taste
Gatlins was one of their two favorites, for ribs and mac.
- Caveatu/TheMattSizzle in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026consistency
Says the barbecue has declined over time and the sides are bland for the price, though open to trying again.
- Recommendsu/kyle-the-brown in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026taste
Ranks barbecue spots by specialty and gives Gatlin's the nod for the best pork ribs.
- Caveatu/Just_Peach7216 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025taste
Says Pinkertons brisket clearly beats Gatlins in their experience.
- Caveatu/H0wSw33tItIs in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025
Found a recent visit disappointing compared with the past, calling everything totally average.
- Recommendsu/Salt_Inspection432 in r/houston · Dec 2024taste
Agrees the BBQ is amazing and loves the brisket.
- Recommendsu/Conscious-Smoke7365 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Calls Gatlin's their favorite.
- Recommendsu/U_before_me in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Lists Gatlin's among recommended BBQ spots.
- Recommendsu/HowardIsMyOprah in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Says Gatlin's is fine.
- Caveatu/glorythrives in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026consistency
Feels Gatlin's food no longer matches its former quality.
- Recommendsu/WickedD365 in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Lists Gatlin's among Houston BBQ picks.
- Recommendsu/GPB07035 in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Says they like Gatlin's in addition to the top spots.
- Recommendsu/txtaco_vato in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025taste
Their catering is damn good.
- Recommendsu/Difficult-Audience77 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025
Thinks Gatlin's belongs on the list of top Houston barbecue spots.
- Recommendsu/HammsFakeDog in r/houston · Sep 2024taste
Goes mainly for the sides, naming okra, greens and dirty rice, and says every side tried has been excellent.
- Recommendsu/tripletexas in r/houston · Sep 2024taste
Calls the smoked corn the best side at Gatlin's.
- Recommendsu/chris_ut in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025taste
Claims it has the best brisket.
Also on
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.