HOUReview
photo credit: Liz Silva
Pinkerton's Barbecue
Included In
When you just want old school, no frills Texas barbecue, go to Pinkerton’s Barbecue in The Heights. The outside looks like an old Hill Country house, and so does the full wood-paneled interior and a flagstone bar. Line up at the order window and settle up your sides first before choosing between cuts of meat. Brisket here has just a hint of smoke. The sliced turkey is tender, and the pulled pork smothered in Pinkerton’s original sauce is moist without being overly fatty. And while the sides of smoky pinto beans, mustard-sharp potato salad, or creamy macaroni and cheese with flecks of black pepper are lick-the-bowl good, no tray is complete without the smoked duck and sausage jambalaya with crushed bell pepper. Eat inside at the long community tables or on the patio tables outside where you can take in the view of what feels like every pickup truck in the city pulling up for an early lunch.
photo credit: Liz Silva
photo credit: Liz Silva
photo credit: Liz Silva
photo credit: Liz Silva
Food Rundown
photo credit: Liz Silva
Brisket
The thick crust of black pepper and a candy-sweet caramelized fat and the overall slightly smoky flavor make Pinkerton’s brisket a must-have. The meat is tender, but not so soft that it’s falling apart, with just the right amount of crust for a layered, texture-rich bite.
photo credit: Liz Silva
Turkey
Turkey at Pinkerton’s hits that Goldilocks sweet spot. Smoked with a fine layer of spices, the meat is tender, juicy, and ready to be slathered with sauce on a white bread sandwich.
photo credit: Liz Silva
South Texas Beans
We are pretty sure these beans were just airlifted from a wandering cowboy’s cast iron. The beans are soft with an earthy flavor, with a little sweetness from the green pepper. Make sure to sop up every bit with some plain white bread (as it should be).
photo credit: Liz Silva
Mac & Cheese
There’s a certain brand that makes macaroni and cheese of a particular texture, and this mac & cheese is a higher consciousness version. Mostly because it’s got bacon and black pepper.