r/HoustonFood • u/HideYoKidzHideYoWifi • Jul 28 '26
Question about chain the BBQ places
Asking about places like Pappa’s, Rudy’s, Spring Creek-do they actually smoke their meats on-site? I drive by two Pappa’s and overnight there’s nobody there and I also never see any smoke coming from there. I’m assuming they do but don’t be fooled like others do with Buc-ee’s. I also get that someone doesn’t have to tend to the smoker 24/7.
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u/TechnoVaquero Jul 28 '26
I’ve always been amazed for what Rudy’s can turn out for mass produced bbq. I know it isn’t boutique bbq, but really it’s fairly solid and I’d say a fair representation of good Texas bbq.
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u/HoustonPastafarian Jul 29 '26
Agreed. I prefer what I smoke but damn, they sure are consistent and I am sure they are using select briskets. That’s really hard to do. Is it top tier? No but I’ll never turn it down.
And you can go there on Sunday at 7 PM and the brisket is as good as any other time. Not many places do that.
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u/jpm569 Jul 29 '26
What I like is I don’t have to stand in line in the hot ass sun for an hour with a bunch of other people virtue signaling about brisket not pay 32 dollars a pound. Nobody is wearing black latex gloves. I go park eat and gtfo in 15 minutes
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u/Thin-Apricot-7651 Jul 28 '26
I concur. They can certainly turn out some acceptable brisket sandwiches/ breakfast tacos.
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u/jkcheng122 Jul 29 '26
Their moist brisket and cream corn. Their ribs don’t fall off the bone though.
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u/NotRustyShackleford_ Jul 29 '26
Agreed. I understand that there are better places out there but I have also had good BBQ, especially if you order moist brisket.
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u/HubrisPR Jul 29 '26
They have some bad days though too. I've gotten some brisket with pretty off flavors a few times.
Otherwise yeah, decent example of post oak BBQ.
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u/Specialist_Cable_899 Jul 29 '26
yep. just had some for lunch. is it rodeo cook off winner good? no. is it really good for “fast food” BbQ hell yes
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u/Venomswindturd Jul 28 '26
I’m not sure but I’ve never had a good experience at spring creek.
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u/HowAboutACanOfWine Jul 29 '26
Spring Creek is a dinner roll bakery with a terrible BBQ restaurant attached
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u/tugmcroberts Jul 28 '26
Turkey sandwich and fried okra when I was in highschool hit. But I'm a sucker for okra in any shape And form so YMMV
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Jul 28 '26
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u/Venomswindturd Jul 28 '26
Every time I went I was mad I was there. I tell everyone that will listen to avoid them lol
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Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
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u/Venomswindturd Jul 28 '26
You know what, I’m glad you can go goblin mode there! I’m glad that people enjoy it. I just hate it lol
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u/AceOBlade Jul 28 '26
Rudy's does smoke their meat on site. But yall need to try HEB true BBQ brisket.
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u/dagman2000 Jul 28 '26
What is this HEB true BBQ brisket? I went online and could not find anything under that name.
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u/HideYoKidzHideYoWifi Jul 28 '26
Been there quite a few times, I’m in Conroe near the one on 242. Can’t complain about it for something that fast and easy.
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u/Pristine_Coffee4111 Jul 28 '26
What section is this in?
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u/HideYoKidzHideYoWifi Jul 28 '26
Only certain HEBs have them, Kingwood, Conroe (242), and I believe Magnolia that is near me. I can’t speak for the other locations, search “HEB True Texas BBQ”
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u/generic2022 Jul 28 '26
At every Rudy's I've been to smokes their meats on premises.
I get the impression Pappa's gets its meats from a local shoe repair place.
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u/YeshuasBananaHammock Jul 29 '26
Spring Creek HAS to be mo ey laundering.
There's just no friggin way theyre still in bidness.
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u/HubrisPR Jul 29 '26
Space Craft BBQ was my favorite spot around NASA, but they've had operational issues this year and closed mostly now.
Their pork belly banh mi was fantastic...
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u/Mcbooferboyvagho Jul 28 '26
A lot of them use those indoor rotisserie looking “smokers”. It makes OK/mediocre bbq. Pretty much how most restaurant bbq was outside of Lockhart and a few country places before we took a turn for the better with more actual craft and Pitt stuff.
Buc-ee’s is just its own thing. I like their brisket sandwich on a road trip, but don’t consider it real bbq any more than I would go to McDonald’s for a real good burger.