The story
Pinkerton’s Barbecue in Houston’s Heights neighborhood is the work of pitmaster Grant Pinkerton, a Houston native who turned a childhood fascination with meat and fire into one of Texas’s most celebrated BBQ joints. With no formal training, Pinkerton built a restaurant that has earned a spot on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints list from 2017 to 2024 and, most recently, a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for good quality, good value cooking.
The menu centers on high-quality smoked meats, all prepared gluten-free. The standout is the Copper Creek Prime Brisket, available sliced or chopped, alongside hefty beef ribs, glazed and dry rub pork ribs, chopped pork shoulder, turkey, and boneless skinless BBQ chicken thighs. Sausage options include regular, jalapeño cheese, and boudin links. Sides—made daily from scratch—include Grant’s Potato Salad, tangy coleslaw, South Texas beans, and a Rosemary Bacon Mac & Cheese. Desserts like bread pudding and Aunt Ruby’s Blueberry Cobbler round things out.
Pinkerton’s also offers whole smoked meats for takeaway, including whole prime brisket, pork prime rib, and world championship pork shoulder. The restaurant’s competition team, COME AND EAT IT, has won major titles including Memphis in May Beef World Champion in 2019 and 2021.
The atmosphere is straightforward and welcoming, with a focus on the food. Pinkerton’s Barbecue serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday until they sell out. With additional locations in Houston’s Upper Kirby and San Antonio, this is a destination for anyone serious about Texas BBQ.
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