Barbecue Inn

Lunch at the Barbecue Inn on Friday at noon. I ordered the regular 7 piece fried shrimp plate with a garden salad and fries and a Diet Coke. The cost was $26.80 including a 22% tip, I’ve been to the Barbecue Inn a few times and the mains are always excellent but the sides are hit and miss. In this case the fried shrimp were excellent. Perfectly golden fried in a crisp flavorful batter. Not over or under cooked. Among the best fried shrimp I’ve had in Houston. The sides were a miss. The lettuce and tomato salad is true to its name with just lettuce and chopped tomatoes. An average sized serving with some lettuce that was on its last day. I had the fries which were not fried crisp enough and became soggy and lacking in flavor as they quickly became cold. They were not hot upon arrival at the table. Other sides would be better choices. I’ve had potato salad, onion rings, and mashed potatoes before which were all very good. The service is always great and brings a smile when your sever greats you with a big hello! I’ll definitely be back when in the neighborhood for fried shrimp, fried chicken, or ribs and make different choices on my sides.

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.

Food was fresh & on time! Fried chicken takes 30 minutes to cook, so my fried shrimp came out hot as the yard bird! Server was a little inattentive, letting my drink glass being empty more than a couple of times! Food was delicious!

Fantastic fried chicken in a great atmosphere of good food and friendly wait staff

Our server, who has been there forever apparently, has been curt every time we have visited(3x). Which ultimately leads me to this review. If you don’t get the chicken you’ll be wasting your time. This sides are not good and the food is over priced. They put so much ranch on that tiny salad that it felt like soup. Let alone it was just iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. No crunch to the catfish.

We traveled across Houston to eat here. It is known for its fried chicken. Of course, I had the chicken. It was a bit overcooked and didn't have much flavor. My wife had the seafood platter. When she got her plate, it was minus the oysters. We informed the waiter, and she had neglected to tell us they were out of oysters. When we ordered dessert, they were out of the lemon pie. I guess we caught them on a bad day.

Barbecue Inn did not disappoint! Love the sassy waitress too… I gave her some of my sass. #fun #yummy

Best restaurant in town! I have been coming here for over 40 years. Food and service are great. Only restaurant you can cut the chicken fried steak with your fork. Shrimp is the best, bar none!

This is one of my favs! Excellent service, delicious food, and outstanding love for our community! My sister from San Antonio requests a BBQ Inn visit upon her arrival each time! Their Fried Chicken, Chicken Fried Steak, Ribs, Shrimp & Crab are to die for! AND their new addition...ONION RINGS!

Food was solid. Chicken professes to be "world famous", i guess it depends on what world you live in. In mine, it was just ok. Baked potato was perfect and the slaw was different, but I enjoyed it. Also liked their ranch. Overall I'd come back to try other menu items.. This was a delivery so can't comment on service

The service was extremely SLLOOOOWW ! And the food was boring and overpriced. They need to take some tips on salad making from our local salad restaurant that has more than just iceberg lettuce and a bit of flavorless shrimp on their salad. Incredibly, when we asked what was the hold up, they said that it was the big salads we ordered. I wonder if they were trying to take care of their regular customers orders before ours . . . . Who knows!

Have lived down the road from this spot for a few years now and the stars aligned, so finally was able to check it out. Appetizers: PASS. The shrimp cocktail was disgusting. The shrimp was likely freezer burnt as they just kinda mushed in your mouth when you ate them. And then the Crab Balls were about the same. A very unpleasant mushy texture that wasn't enjoyable at all. Main Meal: Got the fried chicken with gravy and it comes with 2 sides. The salad was meh, it's just iceberg lettuce with some diced up tomatoes and ranch dressing. Could have used maybe some cheese or croutons. The meal itself was delicious though. Chicken wasn't heavily breaded so had the perfect crisp to it. The gravy was very bland, could benefit from pepper and the mashed potatoes were great. Overall: I would come back here but only for the main course, fried chicken. I'd pass on everything else.

Another restaurant where staff is less than impressive! Food is ok , after visiting several times to keep getting it the benefit of doubt. This is a really old establishment, no music, old furniture and old uniforms.

The chicken fried steak was tasty, the mashed potatoes delicious and the service was impeccable, our waitress Martha was the best!!!!

I love that this place is frozen in time and I don't want it to ever change. The fried chicken is outstanding! They have a large menu, but I never get anything but the chicken. Servers are all outstanding - love the unironic vintage uniforms and beehive hairdos. This place is cozy, homey, and perfect.

Barbecue Inn is "famous" for its fried chicken. Prior to this review, my previous 3 star gives my take on that reputation. Since it had been 4 years since my last visit I had the opportunity to return and decided to try something else on the menu for a change. In thinking back to previous visits in the past I think I have always ordered the fried chicken. It was for lunch and the front parking lot was full but fortunately the back lot wasn't. I do like the interior of this restaurant for nostalgic reasons. It reminds me of non-chain table service restaurants from the 60's and 70's. You are seated and immediately brought a basket of saltines, Captains wafers, Melba toast and butter. The waitress calls you "honey" or some other southern expression of a warm greeting and then pulls out her notepad and asks what can I get you, 'hun? My waitress named Liz was the perfect professional of the likes you rarely see anymore. I decided to go with their "famous" French fried shrimp (7) with sides of fries and baked beans for $22. Their fried shrimp is highly regarded. During the approximately 20 minute wait I noshed on the wafers and Melba toast which were so good. The shrimp definitely tasted "French fried" and they were good tasting but the fries were overdone and too crispy. I like dark brown fries but these were too crunchy and I didn't eat many. The baked beans were good tasting. I gave this meal a 3 as the shrimp didn't stand out to me and the fries were disappointing. I returned a couple of weeks later with a friend who insisted on wanting to try the chicken. On that visit I opted for the chicken fried steak (1/2 portion) with sides of mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans for $12.50. This meal was much better. I'm glad I ordered the 1/2 portion because this meal was plenty to satisfy my appetite. I really liked that white creamy gravy over the spuds with some skin mixed in and the tasty chicken cutlet. Also the green beans were flavorful and well seasoned. This meal was a 4 and one I would reorder for a return visit. I do like Barbecue Inn but more for the ambience and table service than the food. You will get a decent meal if you come here but I can only give a 3 score overall.

I wanted to get this famous fried chicken, so I did. No complaints from me, it's certainly very fresh and it's crispiness stands out. Spot on for classic fried chicken.

Dear Barbecue Inn, I wrote to you directly, but did not receive a reply. My parents and I have been loyal patrons of yours for many years -- my parents ate at Barbecue Inn before they were married, when the restaurant was in a small house, and they have been married 70 years! Last night, we ate at the restaurant -- stuffed baked potatoes. And while we miss the open serving baskets with the toppings, we understand the need for proper hygiene. My father decided he wanted a piece of pie to go, and ordered a piece of chocolate meringue pie. He ate it around 10 pm. I asked him how the pie was, and he said the crust was rancid. I picked up his plate to take it to the kitchen and saw that he had tried to scrape the filling off most of the crust, leaving a lot of the crust. Even before I lifted the plate to my nose, I could smell it -- really rancid! The smell lingered unpleasantly in my nose for quite some time. Daddy brushed his teeth to try to rid himself of the foul taste and took a couple of antacids to ward against any repercussions during the night. Luckily, he did not have any. I wanted to alert you to this, because the crust was extremely bad, and I believe it could sicken someone. I hope that Barbecue Inn continues to prosper long into the future, but was concerned to see the small number of diners last night. I hope the quality food you have long served has not declined. We had take-out from Barbecue Inn the previous week (3 lean chopped beef sandwiches, 3 potato salads, 1 beans) and the taste just seemed "off" -- the beef seemed a bit mushy, the potato salad a little flat and underseasoned). Thank you for your attention to this matter.

We decided to take a drive and try to a new place. We liked the variety of the menu and the diner vibe. The servers were very friendly and the food was good. It is an older establishment and very casual atmosphere. Glad we made the stop.

So.. My wife and I decided to try this restraunt because of a positive review given by a foodie on youtube. Stating that the fried chicken was some of the best in Houston. Well.. We ordered the white and dark meat dinners while the chicken was moist it wasn't flavorful the mashed potatoes were good but the string beans were out if a can (soggy) and the salad had so much dressing I had to sift through it to find the lettuce. The service was just ok, but not stellar the environment was definitely of an older type neighborhood type thing like.. My Mom's Mom and Dad started coming here back in the 60's type of vibe. Which is fine but I think for a younger crowd the food quality needs to improve namely the overall flavor. (Not trying to brag but my southern Mississippi fried chicken is more flavorful than this.) We also ordered the crab puffs for an appetizer way too mushy and not enough crab. Also the sauce was thousand island dressing (more of the mud slide had on my salad) Our total bill was $65 for a only meh..meal. Sure the portions were large but not appetizing. In closing from 1-10 I give barbecue inn a 6. I think many of us can do a better job at home and not waste almost $70 in the process.

The absolute best fried shrimp! A step back in time. Do ask for your salad dressing on the side; I think they used a soup ladle!

Excellent service and delicious fried chicken and the barbecue ribs are delicious also.

I've worked nearby for about 10 years and have never visited since it seemed like a tourist restaurant. After hearing about a coworker visiting recently and reading about the amazing CFS from the news again, I decided to try it out. There's plenty of parking in the front and back. The exterior looks a little dated, but the inside is pretty cute from what I could see. It's pretty dimly lit inside with an interior that reminds me of Luby's x Saltgrass x Denny's x Japanese coffee shop. The waitresses wear a dark uniform. There's a counter in the front like other diners, but it seemed to be a place where the staff congregate usually as everyone sat at the booths or tables. The dining population is on the older side with a mix of business, friends and family gatherings. There were large historical photos about the restaurant on the walls. Glass panels separating booths depict Houston/ Texas motifs like the oil derrick and state outline. The furniture is well-used but not torn. There's (2) individual toilet rooms. The female room is lockable with a stall that also locks and a sink. I was surprised to receive crackers, instead of bread, with the butter-like spreads. The chicken fried steak was pretty good and arrived as (2) small patties. I liked how it was crispy and tasted like my grade school versions. The mashed potatoes were smooth with a little bit of skin. The warm green beans were cooked in a mix of oil, water, and black pepper, which was different to me. The coconut meringue pie was sweet, creamy, and cold. I was disappointed that the dish comes with a toasty slice of white bread instead of a dinner roll and that the white gravy didn't have a strong black pepper flavor. My waitress was pretty nice in offering recommendations of what she liked and what customers liked and offered to replace my green beans if I didn't like them.

All the food on the menu is great. I've been eating at BBQ inn since 1974. Top quality restaurant. Excellent service from Thersa , she's been great waitress for 28 years there. Highly recommend eating there

A houston classic restaurant for the best fried chicken or stuffed crab. We are 3rd generation going here and it is always our number one if you are in the mood for real comfort food. Their baked potatoes are the best in the world and the friendly staff makes it even better! Always a treat. Very causal and easy dining .

This is a hidden secret in Houston. Fried shrimp is perfect! They say the fried chicken is amazing. Of course they have bbq too.

The food is amazing! I had the fried shrimp- so crispy and the homemade tartar sauce is to die for! Don't skip the onion rings for an appetizer.

I'm crushed. I had been pestering my wife to go so I could have their fried chicken for months. We go and I gladly wait. It definitely comes hot, I sadly I enjoyed my wife's ribs more than my chicken. They also didn't have any coconut pie. It's a 20+ mile drive to dine there, and it was just soooo disappointing. The chicken just wasn't crisp nor flavorful. The byline is I guess, another one bites the dust.

My wife had the fried chicken ( all white ) and she let me have some of the (Enormous breast) and it was tender and juicy. The wings were just OK. I had the fried shrimp and they were fresh and done very well, I had the baked potato and it had all the toppings on the side, which I like. Wife had the fries and they were good. We started with a salad and it was iceberg lettuce and tomato's cut into manageable pieces, nothing fancy but very fresh. Ok Salad dressings, ranch and blue cheese. Service was prompt and food was brought out without much delay. Overall value was good. You could split the fried chicken platter unless you're a real big eater.

ate there with my wife,son and wife barbeque was terrible taste like can barbeque my chicken fried steak was excellent as usual will be back for my chicken fried steak. always great

OMG this is the best chicken ever! They give you plenty of warning that the chicken is made to order and your wait will be 25-30 minutes, so patience is a virtue but it's totally worth the wait. Fried chicken was crispy, hot and huge pieces. Potato salad is so good and unique because the potatoes are mostly mashed with sweet relish pieces and some onion. Green beans are awesome cooked country style with seasoning and melt in your mouth. Side salad was huge. French fries big portions And from what I have heard every side they have is awesomely delicious. So many happy eating faces in the restaurant. This was a take out order and the smell in the car was so wonderful you just knew it was going to be chicken heaven...and it was. 5 stars is not enough for this fabulous place of chicken nirvana. Remember, good chicken comes to those that wait.

This is a classic Texas barbecue restaurant. Great service with a smile. Don't be surprised if the waitress sits at your table while taking your order and call you "hon" or "sweetie"! The food is consistently delicious. Been in business over 60 years. Even though I took half of my large portion of shredded barbecue pork dinner home I still didn't have room for the yummy pies. Plenty of free safe parking. Enjoy!

Heard all about how great it is so decided to try it and we were let down. The food was okay, the service was good, and the dining room was rustic but maybe I had high expectations after reading the reviews. The prices are pretty high compared to other similar restaurants we've tried lately and for a place that's been in business so long I guess I expected more.

Went back with another friend who wanted to try the fried chicken. (They loved it!) I decided to try the ribs. They were tender, juicy, flavorful, and expertly cooked. These are not baby back ribs though big, thick yummy ribs. Nice portion which I shared. Okay, traded for a fried chicken leg. lol. The bbq sauce was a red more vinegar based sauce. Not too sweet or thick like a ketchup based bbq sauce. Frankly, the ribs are so good that you do not even need the sauce which is why it is served on the side. We tried the onions rings which were perfect. Light, crunchy, not greasy. I don't eat a lot of fried food as it does t sit well with me and I don't feel good after eating it. I didn't have that issue here at all. Service is friendly. This place is just fantastic. Almost forgot! The potato salad and baked beans were just about perfect. I would definitely Italy have all that again though now want to continue to try other menu items.

This old joint lived up to our expectations! We tried the Fried Shrimp and the Southern Fried Chicken. Definitely need to go back and try the barbecue!! Loved the classic Houston décor and our waitress was old school as well.

Use to work there founded sum better left ASAP took my last check was told I didn't go to school. Clean old food with vinger and still serve. Management not considerate rude and back of house is dirty. Cook name Jerry doesn't wash his hand not once during the shift been there 25 years. 0 recommendations Good try they gon deny everything I got pictures of them having me serve old food. Had to do wat I have to do

I arrived early to get us a table. Upon walking in I was a little taken back by the decor, it doesn't look like much has changed in probably 40+ years it definitely gave me old diner vibes. The menu is not vast with 20 different plates or platters it's pretty much to the point. Always a good sign it's saying here's what we do it's not a whole lot but we do these items very well. I got the fried chicken with dark meat a side mashed potatoes & a side of green beans. Everything was excellent I'll be back.

This restaurant is surprisingly good. It reminds me of a restaurant like that. I went to when I was a kid. I don't know how I've never heard of this place.

Awesome down home good. I really liked the atmosphere of a small diner and it was great to be served quickly with very yummy food - the fried chicken and brisket you don't want to miss. It

Fabulous friendly service & the food is delicious. I will definitely be going back! Barbeque & so much more

Sorry to say I was not super impressed with this place. If you are looking for an old timer diner where the food doesn't have a ton of flavor this is your spot. I tried it all. My gf got the brisket... it was boiled. My dad got something forgettable. I thought I hit the jackpot with the fried chicken dinner (which requires 30 minutes to make) but I was sadly disappointed. My mom was the only one who lucked up with the catfish which was surprisingly fire. Bland fries. Accompanied with Melba toast which literally my mom hadn't seen since she was a kid was not my idea of a good time. This is another one that goes on my list of misses. But try and see if you like it!

I just love this place. I like a good, old school American restaurant. The salad, though simple, was fresh and the homemade dressing was delicious. The French fries and green beans were homemade and I would recommend. We all ate the fried chicken because that was what we came for. It was piping hot. It did need a little salt and pepper, but it was perfect otherwise. Note: The fried chicken is about a 20 minute wait. The chocolate merengue pie and the coconut merengue pie were delicious as well. The service was charming. I really had a great visit and hope this place gets lots of community support

I read about this place having some of the best fried chicken in the country even though their name wouldn't suggest it. So on our trip to Houston, we made sure to check it out. I chose a salad as one of the sides for my fried chicken. I never eat iceberg salads and I usually find it insulting when restaurants serve them so I wasn't happy when it was placed in front of me. But their ranch dressing was so good, I ate the entire thing. Our waitress said it was homemade and they actually sell bottles of it, FYI. The chicken itself was cooked perfectly but the batter was bland. It was much better after adding salt and pepper but I prefer batter with more seasoning mixed in - a little garlic powder, paprika, maybe a dash of cayenne? It wasn't bad, but definitely not some of the best fried chicken in the country. We also ordered the buttermilk pie since we had never heard of it and Yelp photos made it look good. Neither of us cared for it. It just tasted like greasy fried chicken batter and seemed like more of an acquired taste or a novelty that you'd find at a carnival. Our waitress was excellent!

We came as a small group after work and were treated like family! Everything was incredible, the servers were fantastic, we will most definitely be back to try the fried chicken for sure!!! Best BBQ in town!!!

Came here because it was on a list of ten places in Texas for the best CFS. Why it's even on the list baffles me. The meat was well tenderized and it was not over-battered, but the gravy was very bland compared to that at either, Mama's Diner in San Antonio or Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. Even the GristMill in Gruene is better. And of course, there's Mary's in Strawn. Still have 3 of the 10 on the list to do. Hopefully, they fare better.

In business 60 plus years I think. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Everything is delicious There. Nuff said

Went there for the first time today. I was excited about the experience. I ordered to go; $60 worth of BBQ by the pound with 2 pints sides. Ask the server at the window about getting pickles and onions. She said it came with the food. The food was ready and I asked about the pickle/onions, she then said it was in the bag. I checked and it wasn't. She then told me it was an extra cost: 30 cents per slice of onion or $3 for a whole one. Those items only came if you buy a plate (by the pound is more expensive). So did she lie to make the sale? Did she lie hoping I wouldn't check? Food was good, but that foolishness was tacky. My first and last time.

The BEST food and service in Houston! I've never had a bad meal here. Not only is it the best barbeque, but best fried chicken,and chicken fried steak too. it's old school service meaning ...it doesn't get any better than this! love,love,love

This place is an American classic- a piece of real Houston history for sure. Remember that when you take in the restaurant decor- it's timeless. I've been eating here since my childhood- it's a yearly-celebration-kind-of-place for my family. And that it shall remain even though we don't live in the city anymore. But worth every single trip! Get the chicken fried chicken- gravy on the side. That way, you can dunk each bite as little or as much as you want. And get the French fries- they are worth every last calorie! And the pie?? Ohhhh the pie!! The coconut crème is my favorite! Must visit.

This is a family restaurant with incredible shrimp and crab. My family has been coming here since the early 1960s and I think the food quality has remained great through all these years. Great long-term wait staff that provide great service. The ambiance is quiet and understated.

Ive heard they had the best fried chicken in Houston. So me and my so went yesterday (8/22/23) for lunch. We both ordered the all dark meat fried chicken. There is a wait of up to 30 mins for the chicken to be cooked...it was well worth the wait!! The chicken was better than any fried chicken establishment and i cant wait to go try something else! Where has this been all my life?

Baaed on reviews i was excited to try it. I got the sliced brisket sandwich , it was dry , uninspiring and almost $16.00 without a side. I will say tge bun was toasted , the fries were good

Well, i was very impressed and humbled to have such a polite dinner service. The waitress was very nice. They acknowledge you as soon as you enter the door and mention you are free to sit anywhere. I was given my menu and i requested sweet tea (my favorite). I came here for the fried chicken primarily. It was a bit of a wait as mentioned on the menu under the chicken section. But it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT & The Drive from Cypress. Good ol southern style fried chicken i kept thinking as i tore through the hot steaming bird, crunchy and crispy not overly seasoned but just enough to zazzle your taste buds chicken skin. i had me a dark thigh and a white breast along with an order of wings. i did not go writing with any of my decisions heck! i even gave their ribs a try and boy was it a tasteful nibble. brisket wasn't too bad either ! those fries were fresh and looked happy to be plated ! I will definitely be back , and i will continue to spread the word about this lovely little spot called Barbeque Inn . Best Fried Chicken i've had so far. PS. i decided to end the meal with a Coconut Meringue Pie and boy did it hit the spot. A great home feel experience and a huge thank you to the chefs/cooks in the back for putting their soul into the food they prepare for us the customers.

This is a fine restaurant sort of a throwback to and earlier time. The food is delicious I think their fried chicken is the best in town. The one thing I think they can improve on is their salads and the desserts are delicious. The staff are warm and friendly providing prompt service. Overall I highly recommend this as a go to when you have time and not rushed it is a great family establishment.

This place does not disappoint. Whenever we are in Houston's we stop in for the fried chicken. Although you have to wait for the chicken to be cooked, about 20 minutes, it's piping hot and so crispy. Good simple salad with homemade dressing and a variety of sides. Service is always excellent. Highly recommend if your in the area.

Nope. I wouldn't go back here. I went because it was recommended in a foodies group on Facebook. I got the shrimp and stuffed crab. The stuffed crab was mostly breaded stuffing with little actual crab in it. The shrimp were breaded with something that didn't have any flavor. My boyfriend ordered the seafood platter which also included catfish and he wasn't impressed either. The service was okay. The decor looks like it hadn't been updated since they opened. It was just as expensive as going to a nice seafood restaurant and the quality and ambiance did not match the price.

My group consisted of 4-people (2- btw 30 & 33 and 2- btw (63 & 72) yoa! Menu had too many options....beer, sodas & teas, variety of meats, poultry & seafood (fish, steak, chicken, barbecue, brisket and other seafoods), vegetables, fries, garden salad (lettuce & dice tomato's only) with dressings....I'll assume the establishment caters to senior citizens and the menu prep primarily for US! Food tasted very bland, potatoes salad looked like mash potatoes and fried chicken breading tasted like corn flakes.