The story
In 2013, three childhood friends from Alief, Texas decided to share their backyard BBQ with the masses. Their common love for good friends, good beer, and good BBQ led to monthly pop-ups and appearances at barbecue festivals throughout Houston. The events built a cult-like following that demanded a brick-and-mortar location. In 2018, they opened a restaurant in Bellaire, Texas. Since then, Blood Bros BBQ has been featured in the New York Times 50 Best Restaurants 2021, Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints 2021, and was a James Beard Finalist for Best Chef: Texas 2022. The restaurant also earned a MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand in 2024 and 2025.
The team embraces Texas and Houston barbecue traditions while expanding and reinterpreting them. As one critic noted, the bark on the brisket isn’t just salt and pepper but includes spices the pitmaster grew up with in Chinatown. The pork ribs are meaty and fragrant with a spicy-sweet rub, while the green curry boudin nods to the long Creole tradition in the Bayou City. This is Asian BBQ that combines history and tradition with contemporary techniques, creating a unique chapter in Houston’s barbecue story.
During lunch, guests order at the counter and receive meats by the pound and sides on a tray. The restaurant also offers a separate evening service called “Nhau,” open Wednesday through Saturday from 5pm to 9pm. This is a totally different menu from lunch, where the team plays around with dishes that wouldn’t fit onto the daily menu. Each week features a new theme with several different dishes, and Steak Night happens the second week of the month. The Vietnamese term “nhậu” is poetically described as the art of eating and drinking for no particular purpose—a place where friends meet to drink beer and simply enjoy life.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
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