Terry Black's Houston Tours?

[Troutman]

After having visited and subsequently reporting on the new Terry Black's in Houston, one of the local news stations ran this piece;

https://share.google/z26JIfUccnaA54FVr

I'm not sure how to take this blatant attempt at commercialism. There's simply nothing to see in this supposed "tour". Most bbq joints are happy to give you a quick informal tour, but to sign up and pay for one? Oh well, at least you can fill your gut with the samples they give you at the end of the tour. Believe me for the amount of money they charge for their 'cue that will only put a small dent in the price of admission however.

And to think I was starting to like this place.....

[dpearce]

$150, huh? There better be a pretty big plate of food at the end. Corporate Accounting would definitely not cut that purchase request.

[jayjordan]

Looks like this is offered at other locations as well, just checked Dallas and Lockhart stores.

We got a pretty good tour from the pitmasters at Terry Black's in Lockhart at the last MeatUp for no charge.

We can label this "experience" as "BBQ Tours for Dummies."

[Panhead John]

I can’t believe they’re actually wanting to charge for a tour….. even with free samples. 🙄 As mentioned, at Terry Blacks in Lockhart they invited us in and spent at least 10-15 minutes with us in the pit area, both times I’ve been there. And as you mentioned, most places are more than happy to give you a free tour and share their cooking methods for the various meats.

The best BBQ tour I think some of us ever had was at Tejas Choclate + BBQ in Tomball at the Spring MeatUp. One of the owners, Scott Moore couldn’t have been more gracious and giving with his time. We all arrived around 10:30 am for their 11:00 opening. 58limited was talking with Scott and mentioned that we were all with Amazing Ribs, which he was already familiar with. Scott asked David if we’d like a little tour of their operations and of course we jumped at the offer. Scott led our group of around 15 people throughout his entire operations, telling us in detail how everything is done. He also took us in the back and showed us their chocolate production area and how it’s all done. He even showed us his pastrami making area and gave us a thorough explanation of how they do it! He spent a good 45 minutes of his morning with us, patiently answering all of our questions and not one time did we feel he was rushing us to get through it. At the end of it all he even posed for a few pictures with us and told us how his business changed after making the Texas Monthly Top Ten list a few years ago [I asked him about it] We all left there that day talking about how nice that was of him [Scott] to spend so much time with us, I think we all learned quite a bit!……all for free.

[Jerod Broussard]

$149.99 would have been more applicable.

[58limited]

I'd jump on it at that price but wouldn't dream of paying $150

[Purc]

Hold my wallet......I see a BBQ tour available

[MBMorgan]

I think I know a one-arm fellow ( klflowers ) from Tennessee who owns a big ol’ fancy-ass RV that has some spare time on his hand () who, at $150 a head, might be available to host one or more of those BBQ tours at a Meatup or two. If someone would just hold his beer …

[SheilaAnn]

*snort*

[klflowers]

The entertainment value alone is worth 150. I would charge more, and if I have 2 arms available, even more

[Sid P]

T-shirt front: "I toured Terry Black’s BBQ…"
back: "Before the greedy bastards started charging for it"

Selling tours is a great idea, but $150 is insanity 🤮.

[Troutman]

Now there’s a man with a sales background👍

[Panhead John]

Ok, my curiosity was piqued by this post so I went to their website for info. about the tour and then I actually called their Houston restaurant. On their website it gives a little info. about the tour and I was also able to ask their AI host about it. I asked….How much meat and sides do you get with your paid tour? This is what it said….



Sounded pretty good, so then I decided to call their restaurant and spoke to a very cheerful and friendly lady who gave me more specifics. Damn, this really ain’t too bad of a deal! She said you can try ALL of their meats and ALL of their sides if you want! I asked her if that includes a slice of brisket, a beef rib, sausage, turkey, pork rib etc. and she said yes! but you’re not limited to just one slice of brisket, it’s basically as much as you want…..and you can bring leftovers home with you. It also includes a free dessert. Hell, just a beef rib alone is about $35-$40 IIRC. Get this, it also includes one free drink from their bar….beer, wine or liquor, or a soft drink and some free merchandise, such as a hat or T-Shirt, etc. I bought a T-Shirt at Truth BBQ and the damn thing was $35! A hat at Terry Blacks I bought last year was $25. So really, this is not too bad of a deal, considering what all you get.

[texastweeter]

This changes things. All you cant eat hmmm.... challenge accepted.

[58limited]

$35-$40 for a dino rib is cheap, we paid $85 for one at Louie Mueller's

[Panhead John]

Wow, didn’t know they were that much! 58limited

[Donw]

- Get off my lawn!
- When I was your age…
- Respect your elders.
- Were you born in a barn?
- Close the door—you’re letting the heat out.
- Money doesn’t grow on trees.
- Because I said so.
- Don’t make me turn this car around.
- You’ll catch a cold going out like that.
- Eat your vegetables.
- Don’t touch that dial.
- Keep your elbows off the table.
- Mind your manners.
- Don’t slam the door.
- You think this is a hotel?
- I’m not made of money..
- If you’re bored, I’ll give you something to do.
- The phone is for emergencies.
- You’ll understand when you’re older.
- Put a sweater on.
- Don’t run with scissors.
- Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.
- In my day, we had to…
- What do you think, I was born yesterday?
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
- Make yourself useful.
- You’re going to wear out that welcome.
- Kids these days.
🙂

[Troutman]

Okay Panhead John knock yourself out. I’d like to see you eat $150 worth of second tier barbecue. I have a much better idea, save $20 and go over to Truth BBQ and get the $130 Texas Trinity meal. A pound each of brisket, ribs and sausage with 2 quarts of sides. I did that and fed my family of 4 and had leftovers. Oh and skip the tour, seen one seen them all….

[Panhead John]

Settle down Skippy, just reporting what I found out. When you throw in free dessert, a free cocktail and a free piece of merch, it’s not that bad of a deal. Plus it includes a Dino rib if you want. And I agree, Truth BBQ is great!