A Taste of South Texas

The Texas Gulf Coast; it's hard to imagine a more perfect storm of foods that I love. It's where you can find a mix of great seafood, steaks, barbecue, TexMex and even authentic Cajun food.

There's everything from good BBQ at a chain like Rudy's to really great barbecue at a local one-off like Killen's Texas Barbecue.

Rudy's Texas meat market style barbecue

Rudy's Green chili stew

Killen's Beef Rib and Brisket

Killen's Ribs and Sausage

All the great TexMex is like my idea of heaven.

Everything good about a TexMex breakfast

Freshly made tortillas

Breakfast tacos

Some of the best TexMex we had was at Lupe Tortilla. The best veggie fajitas and awesome margaritas. Just so good.

There's a place in Houston called Abe's Cajun Market. I can't even remember all the times that we ate there. It's a local place, off the beaten track, but for Cajun influenced cooking it was our go-to.

Cajun spiced boiled shrimp (image from Abe's website)

Crawfish Etouffee and Seafood Gumbo (image from Abe's website)

Image from Eater Houston

Besides a barbecue joint, Chef Ronnie Killen also helms Killen's Steakhouse. A gem of a restaurant located in the Houston suburb of Pearland. I had a wonderful meal there highlighted by both a perfect Manhattan and a perfectly prepared steak. Definitely worth the drive.

Another favorite is Perry's Steakhouse and Grill. Although we never did have a steak at Perry's, their signature Famous Pork Chop is amazing.

While there are a lot of places to find fresh seafood in the area, one of the nicest is Pappas Seafood House. Wonderful fresh fish cooked simply and a fried stuffed avocado appetizer I love.

A short and sweet list of the places the Dining Companion and I enjoyed. If you find yourself in the Houston area any of these places would be well worth a stop.

When I think about places with a food culture I think about a place like Southern Louisiana with its creole and Cajun flavors or coastal New England with its great seafood. Houston, for me, hadn't been a part of that conversation before. It is now. If you're looking for a place with a great mix of some of the best food cultures look no further. You'll find it in the Lone Star state, on the Third Coast, where the best of land and sea come together.

Happy dining!

Killen's Barbecue - Pearland, Texas

There's a big stir happening in the local barbecue scene. Ronnie Killen is/was most  known for his fine dining steakhouse. (A place that is on our short list to visit) A while back Mr. Killen started offering barbecue at his steakhouse. He ran it as a pop-up and served on the weekends. Word spread, like it does when good food is in the mix, and before you know it Killen's Barbecue was underway. To appease the BBQ hoards Ronnie started serving BBQ at the site of the new restaurant on weekends. People came from all over, lines formed, barbecue was served.

Finally the actual restaurant was opened. People came from all over, the lines were long. 

A little bit ago the Dining Companion, the 4 Pound Wonder and I headed to Pearland to see what all the fuss was about. We got in line about 10:30am and were served at about noon give or take. On my way to the counter I had the chance to check the place out.

Dining room awaiting the hungry masses

There's also an outdoor dining area. Or the start of one at least. I hope it gets a nice cover before the south Texas summer rolls in.

As I headed toward the counter I passed the menu board (scroll down for menu).
(Sorry no pic, it was hand written on a piece of brown butcher paper and showed meats and sides for the day)

Ronnie Killen carving brisket

Brisket ready for the lunch crowds

Sides

I made my way to the counter and placed our order. We decided on the brisket, beef rib, pork ribs, and sausage. No sides. I'm sure the sides are fine but given our druthers we usually just stick with the main event, the barbecue.

That's a serious beef rib

Sausage, Brisket, Pork Rib, Beef Rib (L-R)

 

The food was good. The brisket was moist and tender, well smoked. The sausage was great, it was my favorite item. The beef rib, while good, brought home to me once again that I am just not a fan. If you like a "pot roast" like flavor the beef rib is for you. It is melt in your mouth tender and has that certain something that brings to mind a Sunday roast. The pork ribs had good flavor but were just a shade off of being perfectly cooked. A little too much chew and not quite coming off the bone.

Barbecue sauce is available but you really won't need it. All I remember about the sauces are that one is a bit sweet, one is a bit spicy and one tastes like coffee.

If you're in the Houston area and don't want to, or can't, make the 3 hour plus drive to Austin, by all means, give this place a try. You'll have good barbecue and the fun(!) and excitement of waiting on line with several other BBQ enthusiast. The food is good, maybe on its way to being great, but, for my money, if you want to experience the best barbecue the state has to offer, Austin is still the place to be. 

Happy dining!