Pizzitola’s BBQ & BBQ Catering

"While the smell of smoked BBQ may get you in the door, it's Pizzitola’s fluffy banana pudding and kind servers while refilling sweet tea that'll make you want to be a regular. Pizzitola’s has been doing down-home BBQ in Houston for decades. Between the southern hospitality, college team paraphernalia, and family photos, the Washington Corridor restaurant is like a small-town Texas spot where folks gather after a Friday night football game. Start your meal with the pepper-crusted pork spare ribs—the black pepper amplifies the ribs’ smokiness, making it the best meat on the menu." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi

"Pizzitola’s is like a small-town Texas spot where folks gather after a Friday night football game. Begin your meal with the pepper-crusted pork spare ribs. The earthy kick from the black pepper amplifies the ribs’ smokiness, making them the best meat on the menu. While the smell of smoked BBQ gets you in the door, the fluffy banana pudding and kind servers gushing over the food while refilling sweet tea make you a regular." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

"If down-home BBQ had a Houston ambassador, it would be Pizzitola’s. The Washington Corridor restaurant seems like a small-town Texas spot where folks gather after a Friday night football game. Between the southern hospitality, college team paraphernalia, and family photos, Pizzitola’s makes you feel like a regular. And to order like a local, begin your meal with the pepper-crusted pork spare ribs. The earthy kick from the black pepper amplifies the tender ribs’ smokiness, making them the best meat on the menu. And when it comes to the sides, you’ll get some sweet heat from the jalepeño cornbread and a dollop of cinnamon butter for a necessary reprieve. While the smell of smoked BBQ gets you in the door, the fluffy banana pudding and kind servers gushing over the food while refilling sweet tea make you a Pizzitola’s regular. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Pork Spareribs The crackling black-pepper coating protects the tender smoked meat. Get it alone or with two sides on a dinner plate. Just make sure it hits your table because the pork ribs at Pizzitola's are the dish. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Jalapeño Cornbread There’s just enough jalapeño baked in the cornbread and the cinnamon butter quells any fires building in your mouth. And though the sweet heat flavor combination isn't new, this bread mashup is done well. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Jalapeño Sausage There's a lot that's right with the jalapeño sausage—the snap is audible, the meat is smoked perfectly, and the cheese in the center melts into the sausage with each bite. But the heat factor is missing. So unless you desperately want bursts of cheese with your meat, order the pork links. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Banana Pudding The airy and banana pudding is a surprisingly light way to finish a meal here. It also has the perfect amount of vanilla wafer cookies to add crunch and nostalgia to the dessert." - Gianni Greene

"Barbecue is the quintessential meal to share, and Pizzitola’s, a Houston mainstay that just celebrated its 88th year in business, is the ideal spot to gather friends and family for a feast. Opt for the family-style platter with your pick of meats, like the brisket or pork spareribs priced by the pound, plus sides, like the pinto beans or potato salad." - Minh Truong, Brittany Britto Garley

"Pizzitola’s has been firing up their brick barbecue pit for more than 80 years, and it’s the only one of its kind allowed inside the city limits. Indulge on tender, melt-in-your-mouth brisket, pork ribs seasoned with a no-frills salt and pepper rub, fall-off-the-bone chicken, and hickory smoked sausage. For dessert, have some of Mama’s decadent bread pudding." - Megha McSwain