Well, I’m finally able to walk in a straight line, instead of waddling like a duck. I’m in a BBQ coma right now. Troutman 58limited and myself had a little meat up this morning at Tejas Chocolate + BBQ in Tomball, Tex., just a little north of Houston. Steve and I only had about a 35-40 minute drive from our respective homes. David (58 limited) had about a 2 hour drive though, one way. Personally, I would drive way more than 2 hours one way, to eat the quality of food we had today! I arrived at 10:15, they open at 11:00 am. I was very surprised to be the only one there, as I was expecting a line of people. One other person walked up soon after my arrival, walked to the porch and grabbed a rectangular shaped placard hanging from a nail on the wall. I asked him what that was all about.
THE GOLDEN TICKET - He explained to me you grab one of the, 20 only, "Golden Tickets", which are all numbered 1-20. They put these out early in the morning, so the first 20 people who grab one are assured to be one of the first in line, according to your number on the ticket. But…you HAVE to be back there by 11:00 am to have your number called. So, if you arrived at, let’s say 9am, you can grab a ticket and leave if you want. Each ticket is good for up to 6 people in your group. I like that idea! I grabbed one at 10:15 and was number 9. This ticket also ensured you’d have burnt ends if you wanted them. Steve and David both arrived about 10:30 so we had time to chat and catch up with each other. We also spent most of that time bad mouthing all the other Pit members. 😂🤣 Just Kidding CaptainMike was the only one we disparaged.
Talk about a great atmosphere! This place is an old house on blocks with wood floors and plenty of cold A/C inside. There were lots of shade trees and picnic tables to sit at, while waiting to get in. There was a large cold air blower on the front porch along with a large cooler of FREE ice cold Lone Star Beer. They also had cold water available while you wait.
​Once our number was called we went inside and waited in line to place our order. As some of you might recall, Tejas made #6 on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Restaurants In Texas list a few years ago, deservedly so. And the sides I would expect are part of that reason, as well as the BBQ.
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The prices were also reasonable, IMO, for the quality of the food and the size of the servings.
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I also wanted to mention how friendly everyone was! The groups of people in line we chatted up, as well as the employees. This restaurant staff was some of the nicest and most helpful I’ve ever encountered. Everyone was smiling and very friendly, not afraid to talk or help explain things to you. I actually walked up to the serving alley and asked one of the owners about ingredients in their Chili Relleno Sausage. The man was busy cutting meat and without missing a beat, looked at me and smiled and explained to me the ingredients. He was busy as hell and took the time to speak with me. Impressive. Ok, enough, Food Time!
ABOVE: I ordered a1/2 lb of brisket point, a 1/2 slab of pork ribs, 2 of the Chili Relleno Sausages, Burnt Ends and Bacon Coleslaw for a side. I wanted plenty to take home with me for later. The bacon coleslaw was an absolute winner! I’ve never had coleslaw like this, with bits of bacon and a slight vinegary taste, instead of Mayo. Loved it.
ABOVE: Burnt Ends: Which were fabulous by the way, tender with a nice bark and a smoke flavor!
The pork ribs were perfectly cooked as was my brisket, moist, plastic fork tender and just the right amount of smoke flavor also. Probably in the top 4 or 5 briskets I’ve had. Now….let me tell you about that sausage! You can order 2 types, a Kielbasa style or their Chili Relleno sausage which is what I had. OMG! That was probably the, never mind….it WAS the best tasting, flavor explosion of sausage I’ve ever had! The owner explained to me it was an all beef sausage infused with poblano peppers and pepper jack cheese. I also detected a bit of Cumin, if I’m not mistaken, a good thing as I love Cumin. If you go, this is a do not miss!
ABOVE: Steve’s plate he ordered. I’ll let him chime in later with his thoughts. They should be similar to mine, but he ordered a few different items than me.
ABOVE: David’s plate. We all agreed on that sausage and brisket.
How’d ya like to have a couple of these in your backyard? Burning post oak wood.
One of their Pitmaster’s at work….another one of their smokers.
All in all this was a great time and experience for us. The weather cooperated and it actually wasn’t too hot, we sat under the trees before eating and had a nice breeze. There was also a large concrete parking lot right across the street. I had to walk maybe 150 feet to their front door. None of us had eaten at Tejas before and we were not disappointed! I can assure you, it’s a must visit place if you’re ever in Houston. 👍👍
THE GOLDEN TICKET - He explained to me you grab one of the, 20 only, "Golden Tickets", which are all numbered 1-20. They put these out early in the morning, so the first 20 people who grab one are assured to be one of the first in line, according to your number on the ticket. But…you HAVE to be back there by 11:00 am to have your number called. So, if you arrived at, let’s say 9am, you can grab a ticket and leave if you want. Each ticket is good for up to 6 people in your group. I like that idea! I grabbed one at 10:15 and was number 9. This ticket also ensured you’d have burnt ends if you wanted them. Steve and David both arrived about 10:30 so we had time to chat and catch up with each other. We also spent most of that time bad mouthing all the other Pit members. 😂🤣 Just Kidding CaptainMike was the only one we disparaged.
Talk about a great atmosphere! This place is an old house on blocks with wood floors and plenty of cold A/C inside. There were lots of shade trees and picnic tables to sit at, while waiting to get in. There was a large cold air blower on the front porch along with a large cooler of FREE ice cold Lone Star Beer. They also had cold water available while you wait.
​Once our number was called we went inside and waited in line to place our order. As some of you might recall, Tejas made #6 on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Restaurants In Texas list a few years ago, deservedly so. And the sides I would expect are part of that reason, as well as the BBQ.
​ ​
The prices were also reasonable, IMO, for the quality of the food and the size of the servings.
​
I also wanted to mention how friendly everyone was! The groups of people in line we chatted up, as well as the employees. This restaurant staff was some of the nicest and most helpful I’ve ever encountered. Everyone was smiling and very friendly, not afraid to talk or help explain things to you. I actually walked up to the serving alley and asked one of the owners about ingredients in their Chili Relleno Sausage. The man was busy cutting meat and without missing a beat, looked at me and smiled and explained to me the ingredients. He was busy as hell and took the time to speak with me. Impressive. Ok, enough, Food Time!
ABOVE: I ordered a1/2 lb of brisket point, a 1/2 slab of pork ribs, 2 of the Chili Relleno Sausages, Burnt Ends and Bacon Coleslaw for a side. I wanted plenty to take home with me for later. The bacon coleslaw was an absolute winner! I’ve never had coleslaw like this, with bits of bacon and a slight vinegary taste, instead of Mayo. Loved it.
ABOVE: Burnt Ends: Which were fabulous by the way, tender with a nice bark and a smoke flavor!
The pork ribs were perfectly cooked as was my brisket, moist, plastic fork tender and just the right amount of smoke flavor also. Probably in the top 4 or 5 briskets I’ve had. Now….let me tell you about that sausage! You can order 2 types, a Kielbasa style or their Chili Relleno sausage which is what I had. OMG! That was probably the, never mind….it WAS the best tasting, flavor explosion of sausage I’ve ever had! The owner explained to me it was an all beef sausage infused with poblano peppers and pepper jack cheese. I also detected a bit of Cumin, if I’m not mistaken, a good thing as I love Cumin. If you go, this is a do not miss!
ABOVE: Steve’s plate he ordered. I’ll let him chime in later with his thoughts. They should be similar to mine, but he ordered a few different items than me.
ABOVE: David’s plate. We all agreed on that sausage and brisket.
How’d ya like to have a couple of these in your backyard? Burning post oak wood.
One of their Pitmaster’s at work….another one of their smokers.
All in all this was a great time and experience for us. The weather cooperated and it actually wasn’t too hot, we sat under the trees before eating and had a nice breeze. There was also a large concrete parking lot right across the street. I had to walk maybe 150 feet to their front door. None of us had eaten at Tejas before and we were not disappointed! I can assure you, it’s a must visit place if you’re ever in Houston. 👍👍
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