Eddy Roger Parker
Google
Alright, let me tell y’all about Barbecue Inn in Houston. Now, don’t let the name fool you—yeah, they do barbecue, and they’ve been slingin’ it since 1946, but somewhere along the way, they decided to bless the world with some fried chicken. And buddy, Houston has been better for it ever since.
This ain’t one of those fancy, bougie barbecue joints with craft cocktails and some dude in a leather apron tellin’ you about “elevated smoke profiles.” No, sir. The menu here hasn’t changed since your granddaddy’s heyday, and the décor looks like it was installed when Truman was still making decisions. Vinyl booths, simple service, and the kind of no-nonsense, old-school charm that says, “We’ve been doin’ this longer than you’ve been alive, so just sit down and trust us.”
Now, let’s talk about the real reason we’re here: the chicken. Lord have mercy. This ain’t just fried chicken—it’s almost a religious experience. We’re talkin’ perfectly crispy, golden-brown skin, juicy, tender meat, and a flavor that’ll make you rethink every other piece of fried chicken you’ve ever put in your mouth.
I called ahead for takeout because I was already sweating with anticipation. The staff? Sweet as can be. My order was ready right on time, but let me tell ya—when I got that bag in my car and that smell hit me, I almost had to pull over in a gas station parking lot just to take a bite. It smelled that good.
Now, they fry this chicken fresh to order, which means no sad, soggy bird sittin’ under a heat lamp. I got three pieces of dark meat—a drumstick and two thighs, which, as any true fried chicken connoisseur knows, is the best way to go. That’s a generous portion too, so respect to them for that. And before they rang me up, they even double-checked that I got the dark meat I asked for. That’s how you know a place actually cares.
Came with a side salad and a piece of old-school, no-frills bread, because they’re keepin’ it classic. Hell, they even threw in a little parsley for that retro, mid-century touch.
And just in case you think I’m just talkin’ outta my butt here, both Southern Living and Travel + Leisure have named this some of the best fried chicken in America. So yeah, this ain’t just me ramblin’. It’s the real deal.
Oh, and don’t even think about rolling up there on a Sunday or Monday—they’re closed. Probably because frying chicken this good takes some serious recovery time.
Bottom line? If you love fried chicken, you owe it to yourself to make a pilgrimage. Just be warned: once you’ve had it, all other fried chicken might start tasting like a disappointment.