Houston doesn’t play around when it comes to barbecue. This is a city where brisket is considered its own food group, ribs fall apart on command, and sausage snaps with just the right amount of smoke and spice. But, let’s not pretend the story ends when the meat runs out. The real pros know to save room for dessert.
At many craft barbecue restaurants in town, dessert is given just as much care and attention as the meat and sides. We’re talking bold, indulgent, full-throttle finales — smoked, soaked, torched, and spiked with just enough whiskey to remind you where you are. Here is a guide of some of the top barbecue restaurants in town, where the final bite might just steal the show.
Pinkerton’s BBQ
Grant Pinkerton serves up barbecue with bold, unrelenting flavor, and his smoked bread pudding ($7) is no different. Dense cubes of bread are soaked in custard and smoked until caramelized, then finished off with a raspberry and vanilla cream sauce, which adds some acidity. It’s sweet but not too sweet, and smoky without being too overpowering. 1504 Airline Dr., Houston,
Killen’s BBQ
Killen’s BBQ’s desserts have as much of a fanbase as the barbecue itself, but there’s one in particular that stands out among them. The crème brûlée cheesecake ($9) harmoniously combines two perfect desserts. The one-of-a-kind pastry has the dense, creamy body of cheesecake and the brittle, crackling top of crème brûlée. The quick hit of burnt sugar on your palate before tasting the velvety, custardy center will have you pondering why every cheesecake doesn’t get a blowtorch finish. 3613 E. Broadway St, Pearland, killensbarbecue.com
Brett’s BBQ Shop
It’s easy to get caught up in the savory smoked meats and sides at Brett’s BBQ Shop, but skipping dessert would be a rookie mistake. The Spec’s maple pecan pie ($7) takes a southern classic and gives it a Texas touch. The dessert packs a maple-infused filling that gets an extra kick from Crown Whisky in a buttery crust. The little hint of booze deepens the caramel notes, helping to cut through the sweetness and add some complexity of flavor. It’s rich, bold, and unforgettable, just like the barbecue. 25220 Kingsland Blvd., Katy
Truth BBQ
With the wide selection of cakes Truth BBQ has to offer, it would be a no-brainer to grab something sweet after your meal. The lauded barbecue joint has layer cakes, available whole with five-days notice, or by the slice at the restaurant in varieties like triple chocolate, coconut, and banana caramel. Among other worthy desserts like peach cobbler and banana pudding is the tres leches cake ($8), offered only on Saturdays and Sundays. The spongey cake is dripping with a combination of sweetened condensed, whole, and evaporated milk, with a whipped meringue topping that’s lightly torched. It’s devastatingly tasty and makes sense after a meal of smoky, peppery beef. 110 S. Heights Blvd, Houston, truthbbq.com
Corkscrew BBQ
Corkscrew BBQ has long been a standout among Houston-area barbecue restaurants, but after earning a Michelin star last year, it has been catapulted into super stardom. Along with epic smoked meats, the restaurant is known for its cobblers, offering a cobbler of the day ($5) in varieties like peach, cherry, and apple. Equal parts crisp and gooey, the dessert is sure to ignite a long, satisfied exhale. 26608 Keith St., Spring, corkscreworders.com
Tejas BBQ & Chocolate
Before smoking some of the best barbecue in Texas, Tejas BBQ & Chocolate was producing quality chocolate, and today, the two indulgences are offered side by side at the Tomball restaurant. Chocolate truffles ($4), which come in imaginative flavors like ginger bread, bananas foster, and Kahlua, melt in your mouth. Like the low and slow technique of cooking barbecue Tejas roasts its cacao beans, grinding them for days, and tempering them until they shine. For even more chocolaty goodness, try the chocolate bread pudding ($6) and chocolate panna cotta ($6). 200 N. Elm St., Tomball, tejaschocolate.com
The Pit Room Memorial
The Pit Room’s new Memorial location has its own dedicated dessert bar where guests can score ice cream in flavors like birthday cake, malt chocolate, pistachio, and sweet cream, alongside fresh baked cookies. Ice cream is churned in-house, using real cream, sugar, and just enough patience to produce a silky smooth finish. For a satisfying combination of both, customize an ice cream sundae, or get your ice cream stuffed between two cookies for an ice cream sandwich ($6) of epic proportions. 10301 Katy Fwy., Houston, thepitroombbq.com
Henderson & Kane
Tres leches can go wrong fast. It can easily get too soggy or too sweet. Henderson & Kane walks the tightrope perfectly. The sponge cake is sturdy enough to soak up the trifecta of milks, and the result is a soft creamy texture, without being mushy. Beyond the traditional style, a variety of flavors are offered, including Oreo, tiramisu, and white Russian ($11). 715 Henderson St, Houston, hkgeneralstore.com
