houston:

rudy's is the best chain bbq out there and nice when i'm travelling intra-texas or i have a post-7pm bbq hankering. but their brisket and ribs and sause are way way way way too salty. the sause is nice, but good lord the salt.

i went to brisket house and found it to be alright but not worth the trek. a bit pricey but it's in that kinda pricey area.

triple j's was great, had an awesome 2 plate ribs+links. man the links in houston are awesome.

3rd ward has tons of little trucks and holes in the wall, many of which are not on google. fabulous fabulous ribs anywhere you go. and of course rays did not disappoint.

a few years ago somewhere in the northline/eastex area i stumbled across this bbq hole in the wall. it was a standalone building, no seating, no inside, with a sign that just said bbq and one of those typical neon open sign on the wall. this building was standalone, probably buffered by 2 empty lots on both sides. it's just a sliding window, 1-way/mirror glass, no counter or nothing, really really weird/hosuton. i'm just like ......super confused, so after standing around awkwardly for 20 seconds i just walk away to my car, window slides open and a middle aged gentleman in a wife beater, paint stained nike basketball shorts, socks+sandals (yall know.. that north houston bidness casual look) says "sorry sorry about that...what can i getcha". the inside has a proper prep table but most prominent is a crappy executive leather chair and fresh prince of bel air on the tv. this cat has some semi-retired bbq for fun kinda situation going on. i say "yeah you got a menu?"
he says "nawnaw, i got ribs n links left"

so i order a rib sammich, he says sure and slams the window. i wait prob 5-10 minutes, wondering if he's screwing with me

5.50 or something cheap, great spicy sauce on the side, oh your god some of the best ribs ever.

i haven't been able to find it since, anyone know where i was? this was the first time i ever had been to houston and at that point i never knew i'd fall in love with that swamp. i can tell you it is not on tidwell, crosstimbers, or lil york. it was in close proximity to hardy.