Virgie's BBQ & Catering — Restaurant in Houston

My wife and I were still in Houston. The Justin Timberlake show the night before was awesome. In case you guys wanted to know, I am a fan now. We had tried Gatlin's BBQ the day before and were in search of another BBQ place. I heard Killen's BBQ was really good, but today was Friday, and they are only open on the weekends. We again chose another restaurant off the Texas Monthly list. Virgie's Bar-B-Que is the only Houston joint that made it on the 2008 and 2013 list.

The parking lot of Virgie's looked busy, and on the inside, most of the seats were taken. The wife and I shared the three meat plate of brisket, ribs, and sausage with a side of potato salad and green beans. We had just eaten breakfast at our hotel. Our food was served in a to-go container. Perfect for sharing some 'cue at your car? I had ordered moist brisket, but most of the pieces I got were lean. I did not want any meat to go to waste. The brisket was smoky and tender. The flavor was bland in my book though. There was a slice of moist however. The moist was a little bit better. In case you did not know, I am not a lean cut kind of guy. The rib pieces I got were chewy and tough. It did have good smoke and flavor. I really wanted to like it. The sausage was good, but I am not a fan of sliced pieces of sausage though. I want to bite into the a whole link of sausage and get the snap or pop I am looking for. The grit was good, and the sausage was tasty. My wife ate the green beans so I have nothing to say about them. I do not like green beans period. I did enjoy the potato salad though. It was sweet and creamy. Both barbecue restaurants we ate at in Houston had sweet tasting potato salad. What is up with that?

All in all, the barbecue was decent, but I was hoping for more. To tell the truth, I was a little disappointed. It might have been an off day. If I lived in Houston, I would definitely try it again to make sure how I feel about it was correct. I do not think I would be back considering there are other choices for me...

So, so good!

As soon as I opened the door of my truck in the parking lot I had a feeling I was in for a treat. It was the unmistakable aroma of meat smoked by a pitmaster who knows what they're doing!

The place is clean and feels exactly like a good Texas BBQ joint should. The service is prompt and friendly. The prices are what you should expect to pay for truly good BBQ.

I ordered a brisket and pork rib plate. The ribs were on top so I started there. The first bite told me I wasn't going to be disappointed by anything. It was abounding with the right combination of flavors from proper seasoning and skilled smoking. And then I got to the brisket...wow! The smoke ring looked beautiful, the bark was delicious, and the meat was so tender juicy. There was one slice from the lean side and one from the fattier side. The lean piece was literally juicier than some restaurants' moist brisket. It was just incredible. Picking it up on the plastic knife, it bent exactly like a slice of brisket should. The fattier side of the brisket was even a whole level better than that! The fat was rendered perfectly - this piece of beef was cooked to perfection and rested until the fat was perfectly distributed, not greasy but oh so juicy. Like, if you're thirsty this brisket has enough moisture to rehydrate you! (This may be a slight exaggeration...)

The sides were also top-notch. Too many places focus so much on their meats that the sides just become an afterthought. Not here! The Mac and cheese was hot and cheesy, made from cheese with just the right sharpness. It was creamy enough but not liquidy like some places make theirs. Just the way it should be! I also got charro beans, which not only had the great flavor you'd expect from an excellent Mexican restaurant, but also incorporated a nice spiciness - not enough to light your mouth on fire, but just the right amount to give an enjoyable kick.

I will be a frequent...

Okay so let me start with the customer service!

1st time I called it was a Hispanic lady and she was rude after that I said I wasn’t going to try it at all! I ended up call a few weeks later and spoke to someone else. The lady that answer was nice.

I get to the restaurant and an older man greeted me and he was friendly. I told him I came for my to go order and he got my order but it had been sitting there so he offered to get me hot food. While I waited there the man was giving great customer service. I paid and even got a dessert while waiting and I left.

Food: Ribs: delicious, tender and had a good chunk of meat Brisket slices: omg melt in your mouth so good! The taste was amazing! Smokey Links: were on point Green beans: boy! Let me tell you about those! I have never had greens like that!! I wanted to eat a bowl full of them! Baked beans: delicious Mac&cheese: it was blah, need some flavor or salt Overall: great food BUT HELLA EXPENSIVE!!! The portions were small and I paid 21.00 for that plate and dessert including taxes...is it worth it?!? No. Portion matter when it comes to paying a arm and a...