Pinkerton's Barbecue, Houston
114 people recommend, 4 warn against itcounted across its outletsvia r/houston, r/HoustonFood, X30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 30 threads.
What people say, in short
Pinkerton's Barbecue is recommended across its Houston outlets, including the original Airline Drive location. Brisket and glazed pork ribs draw repeated praise, and several diners prefer its shorter lines to other prominent barbecue spots. Sides divide opinion: some diners favor the jalapeño cheese rice or creamed spinach, while others find the sides disappointing. Overall enthusiasm is strong, but not every visit lives up to it.
Address
Pinkerton's Barbecue, 1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009
At a glance
- Price
- Mid-range
- Signature dishes
- Brisket, Pork ribs, Jalapeño cheese rice
- Best for
- Visitors, Groups
- 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/Zezimalives in r/houston · Aug 2024
Would take visitors here for BBQ.
- Recommendsu/Just_Peach7216 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025taste
Best brisket on the list, great sausage, and best pork ribs anywhere, though sides need work.
- Recommendsu/MuttsFansSuck in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026taste
Rated brisket sandwich and turkey highly, cobbler good, banana pudding poor; preferred it to Truth BBQ.
- Recommendsu/Red-Panda in r/houston · Jul 2025consistency
Finds Pinkerton's more consistent and faster than hype spots with long lines.
- Recommendsu/Haldem40 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Lists Pinkerton's among the top BBQ picks.
- Recommendsu/Lazy-Substance6044 in r/houston · Jul 2025taste
Says the ribs and brisket there were among the best they have ever eaten.
- Recommendsu/crsdrjct in r/HoustonFood · Jun 2026consistency
Says Pinkerton's has been their most consistent place.
- Recommendsu/outofrhythm in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026taste
Likes the brisket though pricey, favors the ribs and several sides; banana pudding only okay.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/JPThrizzle in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Simply recommends Pinkerton's for BBQ.
- Recommendsu/8thgeneration8 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025
Agrees with the barbecue ranking that puts Pinkerton's first.
- Recommendsu/FiddleLeafFiccionado in r/HoustonFood · Jun 2026consistency
Names Pinkerton's as one of only two spots with consistent brisket.
- Recommendsu/omnicious in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026taste
Says Pinkerton's is their favorite BBQ spot.
- Mixedu/jqnguyen in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026variety
Says Pinkerton's lacked the delicious sides they want with barbecue.
- Recommendsu/Sakadeeznutz in r/houston · Dec 2024taste
Best barbecue they've had in town.
- Recommendsu/Coffee_is_lyfee in r/houston · Jun 2025
Lists Pinkerton's as a BBQ staple.
- Mixedu/frankyf05 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2025variety
Would easily be number one if they fixed their sides.
- Recommendsu/scarlettelizabeth77 in r/HoustonFood · Jun 2026wait time
Go-to spot with fast-moving lines and the best brisket in town.
- Recommendsu/daviso3 in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026
Lists Pinkerton's among their top BBQ picks.
- Recommendsu/OrangeLoco in r/houston · Apr 2025taste
Says it's pretty damn good bbq, across from Teotihuacan.
- Recommendsu/SpacePikachuYoda in r/houston · Aug 2024
Took two visiting friends who loved it and plan to return just to eat there.
- Caveatu/russc2503 in r/HoustonFood · Jun 2026taste
Feels the sides are not good at all.
- Recommendsu/midnightyell in r/HoustonFood · Sep 2026
Named as a better Houston BBQ option.
- Recommendsu/Marconius1617 in r/HoustonFood · Sep 2026taste
Would save brisket cravings for Pinkerton's instead.
- Recommendsu/lot183 in r/HoustonFood · Jun 2026consistency
Says recent visits have been awesome and it became their go-to over Truth, partly for shorter lines.
- Recommendsu/jookyhc in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026taste
Says skipping the candy paint ribs was a mistake.
- Recommendsu/TitleToAI in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026taste
Says Pinkerton's gets everything right that a rival does wrong: juicier, more flavorful, smokier, less greasy and salty.
- Recommendsu/jakester12321 in r/HoustonFood · Mar 2026
Says Pinkerton's is easily accessible from the Heights.
- Recommendsu/Hbaglover in r/HoustonFood · Aug 2024
Lists it among top Texas BBQ picks.
- Mixedu/Zookar in r/HoustonFood · Apr 2026taste
Rates Pinkerton's and another spot as just okay in their view.
- Recommends@Jackietreehog3 on X · Sep 2026
Recommends Pinkerton's as the Houston spot for barbecue.
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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.