Description Meals And Drinks Menu Opening Hours Location Contact Reviews

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to Pinkerton's Barbecue, a true culinary gem nestled in the heart of Houston, Texas. This barbecue restaurant, located at 1504 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009, has made a name for itself by serving up authentic, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth BBQ that resonates with both locals and visitors alike.

As you step inside, the rustic ambiance envelops you in quintessential Texas vibes. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, making it an ideal spot for anyone yearning for a hearty meal. Whether you choose to dine indoors at the community tables or bask in the warm Houston sun on the patio, every visit feels like a celebration of classic Texas barbecue.

One of the standout features of Pinkerton's is its legendary brisket. Reviewers rave about its tender texture and the perfect peppery crust that encases a juicy center. As Stinger GT2 tv puts it, it is "packed with flavor," making each bite a succulent experience. For those with a penchant for ribs, the St. Louis-style ribs are glazed to perfection, offering a delightful balance of sweet and tangy notes.

But the culinary adventure doesn't stop there. Pinkerton's also offers a unique twist with their smoked duck & sausage jambalaya, bringing bold flavors and a comforting profile to the table. And let’s not forget the beloved mac & cheese; it’s creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of peppery, making it a must-try with your meal.

Despite the occasional wait times, which are understandable given the quality of food served, customers often find the experience worthwhile. Many note the staff’s friendly demeanor, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. But the true highlight is the food itself. As Andrew Franklin beautifully expressed, Pinkerton’s isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience that leaves you dreaming of your next visit.

After indulging in the savory offerings, do yourself a favor and save room for dessert—the bread pudding is described as rich and warm, the perfect sweet ending to an unforgettable meal.

In summary, Pinkerton's Barbecue stands as a beacon of authentic barbecue in Houston, attracting food lovers with its exceptional brisket, tender ribs, and comforting sides. With each visit, you’re not just enjoying a meal; you’re becoming part of a vibrant community celebrating the rich tradition of Texas barbecue. So grab a seat and prepare for BBQ bliss—you won’t be disappointed!

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Service options

Outdoor seating On-site services available Offers takeaway Serves dine-in Delivery

Highlights

Fast service Great beer selection Serves great cocktails Good for watching sport

Popular for

Popular for lunch Popular for dinner Good for solo dining

Offerings

Serves alcohol Serves beer Serves cocktails Serves comfort food Serves happy-hour drinks Quick bite Serves spirits Serves wine

Dining options

Serves lunch Serves dinner Catering Serves dessert Seating

Amenities

Bar on site Toilet

Atmosphere

Casual Cosy Trendy

Crowd

Family friendly Good for groups Popular with tourists Popular with university students

Planning

Usually has a wait Doesn't accept reservations

Payments

Accepts credit cards Accepts debit cards Accepts NFC mobile payments Credit cards

Children

Good for kids High chairs available

Parking

Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Somewhat difficult to find a space

Meals And DrInks

Pint Of Coleslaw

$US$8.00

Pint Of Jalapeno Cheese Rice

$US$8.00

Pint Of Mac & Cheese

$US$8.00

Pint Of Potato Salad

$US$8.00

Pint South Texas Beans

$US$8.00

OpenIng Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Sunday
    11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

LOCATION

Reviews

  • Stinger GT2 tv

    7 months ago

    **Pinkerton's Barbecue – A Texas BBQ Dream!** If you're craving **authentic, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth BBQ**, Pinkerton's Barbecue is the place to be! This Houston gem serves up **legendary brisket** with a perfect peppery crust and caramelized fat that will have you coming back for more. **Must-Try:** - **Brisket** – Tender, smoky, and packed with flavor! - **St. Louis-style ribs** – Glazed to perfection with a sweet, tangy sauce! - **Mac & Cheese** – Creamy, cheesy goodness with a hint of black pepper! - **Smoked duck & sausage jambalaya** – A unique, flavorful twist! The **rustic Texas vibes** , friendly service , and mouthwatering sides make this spot a **BBQ lover’s paradise**! Whether you're dining inside at the long community tables or soaking up the Houston sun on the patio, **every bite is a celebration of Texas BBQ**! **Rating:** 10/10 – **BBQ bliss!**

  • Kyle Henning

    7 months ago

    Without a doubt the best brisket I’ve ever had. We went for lunch and the wait wasn’t terrible. For food this good I expected a wait. However, people in line said the wait can be very long sometimes. So keep that in mind on a hot day. Seating inside is limited as well. Very cool experience. I’d highly recommend trying this bbq.

  • Jade M.

    7 months ago

    Fall off the bone ribs, juicy prime brisket, and delicious bbq sauce. What stands out about this bbq place is the glazing. I didn’t try the pork (which is glazed) but I tried the chicken (which is glazed) and the flavor really stands out with the smokiness. The chicken wasn’t too dry or anything although after a while it did taste salty to me. Not many bbq places do well in chicken but this place is very good at that due to the glaze. The brisket is amazing too but I’ve honestly had better in Frisco, TX. I loved how juicy and tender it was but the flavor was lacking. Adding bbq sauce does the job. 2nd best brisket I’ve ever had because of the quality, juiciness, moisture.. omg.. but only thing lacking compared to #1 is flavor. I really liked the bbq sauce. It’s one of the best I’ve ever had. Something about the flavor, it has a little kick to it too but just by a little bit. It’s really good. The turkey sandwich was good. I’ve had better in Frisco, but it’s not bad... it’s good! It’s moist, the bread has a slight sweet taste, it wasn’t messy. The flavor lacks though.. but is fixed with the bbq sauce, onions, pickles. I didn’t like the coleslaw. It acted as a flavorless palate cleanser.. like water. No flavor of its own to combat the heaviness of the bbq. Brisket Mac and cheese didn’t wow me. It’s good but didn’t wow me. Jalapeno rice was good. Wasn’t a crowd stopper but it’s good and a nice palate cleanser for the meat. Not spicy at all despite having jalapeno. Overall solid bbq. Great bbq, I’ve just been spoiled with a different place. I would come back for the brisket, chicken, and the bbq sauce. Sides were whatever.

  • David T

    7 months ago

    Amazing barbeque here. Tried the brisket, sausage and pork ribs and it was all melt in mouth tender juiciness. Heaven. Only drawback is we waited outside for 25 mins in the heat. Seems like the indoor seating space is a little small. Staff were nice, prices were good for the high quality. Overall I thought it was better than Terry Blacks.

  • Andrew Franklin

    7 months ago

    Pinkerton’s BBQ delivered a knockout meal from start to finish. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone perfection — smoky, tender, and packed with flavor. The brisket had that perfect bark and juicy center that melts in your mouth. Pair all that with their mac and cheese, which is creamy, cheesy comfort food done right, and you’ve got a plate worth dreaming about. And don’t even think about skipping dessert — the bread pudding is next level. Rich, warm, and just the right touch of sweet to end the meal on a high note. The atmosphere is laid-back but lively, and the staff couldn’t be friendlier — they made us feel right at home. Pinkerton’s isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. I’ll definitely be back!

  • Daniel Rindone

    7 months ago

    Overall this is one of my favorite barbecue places in Houston. I’ve been a number of times and in the past my favorite has been the man bear pig sandwich. It was unfortunate that this time a lot of their meats were sold out when we got there (6:30pm) so we missed out on brisket, turkey, chicken and any dish made with those. Aside from that, we were very happy with what we were able to get, which was a hefty spread of pork in the form of sausage, pulled, and ribs. These were only enhanced by their house BBQ sauce which is incredible as well!

  • Munther

    7 months ago

    If you’re anywhere near Houston and don’t stop at Pinkerton’s Barbecue, you’re seriously missing out. I ordered a full pound of brisket and a side of coleslaw, and every bite was unforgettable. The brisket was perfection — smoky, tender, and rich with just the right amount of bark and fat. You can tell it’s been slow-cooked with care. As for the coleslaw, it was the perfect refreshing balance to all that bold BBQ flavor — crisp, lightly dressed, and super fresh. The staff was friendly, the vibe is authentic Texas, and the smell alone is worth the visit. I’ll definitely be back — this place knows how to do barbecue right.

  • Jimmy Shen

    7 months ago

    Pinkerton’s Barbecue is an outstanding BBQ spot in Houston that delivers authentic flavors with plenty of charm and character. The atmosphere perfectly complements the food—simple, welcoming, and true to its roots. The brisket is the highlight here—tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection, with just the right amount of smoky depth. The sausage, however, truly stands out; it’s easily the best I’ve ever had, with a bold flavor and perfect snap. For anyone visiting Houston, Pinkerton’s is a must. It captures the essence of Texas barbecue in a way that’s both classic and memorable.

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