This year's BBQpalooza almost didn't happen. The pandemic put a damper on plans, as most of us remember the 2020 palooza as the last "normal" day we had. A few stalwarts like the Palooza Godfather himself @theoaktxbbq were unable to make it, but after a few changes, some member additions/subtractions, and even a city swap....I am glad to say we made the Palooza work and it was a ROARING SUCCESS!
This year we got started at @smokinzsbbq. Owner Zaid let us head down to his Mecca of Meat in Bayou Vista early and him and his family are such great hosts. We lucked out and when we arrived they still had their relatively new brisket kolaches left. What an amazing opening bite! No doubt some of the best kolaches I've ever had. After a little bbq small talk Zaid brought out the goods.....LOOK AT THAT MEAT PLATE ABOVE. We had all 4 sausages: the best in Texas imo Loco Links, Brisket boudin, chorizo and egg, and crawfish mac and cheese. YES ....you read that correctly. Smokin z's is not playing around with the sausages. I would dub him #SausageKingOfTexas....but don't take my word for it....these guys have won Sausage battles against some of the best in Texas. The Sausages are the belle of the ball, but make no mistake....Smokin z's can do top 10 level brisket and ribs as well. And if the sausages aren't wild enough for you? Grab yourself one of those brisket grilled cheese.....a comfort food to rival all others. This was also my first chance to try their pulled pork tacos which were 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Unfortunately, we were absolutely stuffed after 1 of the most EPIC meals of ANY BBQPALOOZA, so we didn't try the smoked cheesecake (which BBQPALOOZA member Steve who can be seen MANY weekends at smokin z's has been raving about), but I will be trying soon. This spot isn't afraid to try something new and that is what makes it a favorite! Can't wait to see where these guys end up on the next top 50 list.....and I will be there whenever the rumored brisket shawarma happens 👀👀👀👀👀
From there we headed to @bloodbrosbbq. The Alief-inspired Asian/BBQ mash up is a palooza favorite. We had pork belly burnt ends, brisket, Korean wings, turkey, oatmeal cream pie, and the blood bros staple BRISKET FRIED RICE. The stars of the show were the brisket (fantastic bark), turkey, and of course the fried rice! There is always some kind of special going on at blood bros and you should try as many as possible....these guys are magicians in the pit room/kitchen and are constantly churning out unique bites that you won't find at any other joint. Great meal from the Houston legends 👏👏👏
Now it was time to hit the staples beginning with good friend @pinkertonsbbq. Grant was actually getting married THAT EVENING and so several palooza members toasted him from afar with an iconic Pinkerton old fashioned (Congrats Grant!). The meat as you can see above was on point this day. Several giving the brisket top marks while the jalapeno cheese sausage was tremendous. Pinkerton's is known for the ribs, and they never disappoint....and let's be honest....you can't NOT get the duck jambalaya. Overall fantastic plate that kept us coming back even though we already had several lbs in the tank. We lingered outside at the best patio in the Heights for a few hours before saying goodbye to one of my personal favorite plots of land in the great state of Texas....gotta get to the new spot in San Antonio as soon as I can!
The @thepitroombbq was our last spot (it's becoming a tradition) and as you can see it was a 🌮 party! Brisket, pulled pork, chicken it doesn't matter.....there are 2 kings of the taco in Texas: The Pit Room and Valentinas.....that's Texas Taco Royalty. We hung out next door at sister spot The Patio where we also got to sample the boiled crawfish and shrimp. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the wagyu beef rib that palooza vet Will grabbed (this was the only spot he could make this year so he had a little more room than the rest of us)...do you see that thing? The pic doesn't do it justice....that was quite possibly the largest rib I have ever seen.....roughly the length of his elbow down!!!! We stayed at the Patio a few hours reminiscing about the day with Will and a few of the wives who enjoy linking up for the last location, and then it was time for water, tums, and a very long night of sleep/digestion 🤣
We almost took this Spring break off, but I am so happy we kept the tradition going. I think for many members it was a reminder back to last year when we all had our last day of normalcy and hopefully a preview of how we are heading back towards better days. BBQ is the best medicine and we are all ready to feel better!
