Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue Reviews

After having only been in the US for a couple of hours we came across this restaurant and headed in. We had a mixed BBQ plate - everything was great, but the ribs - they were awesome! the restaurant feels like it has been the same for years, which is part of the charm. The staff were lovely too.

I gave myself away by ordering a "rack" of ribs instead of a "slab", and asked if "links" were sausages - but just as well. Our server took us under her wing and led us down a path paved with ribs - some of the best, actually THE best we had in Houston during our round up of 4 of the top 10 establishments. The brisket, turkey, and pulled pork were all good, better than Goode, actually, but this is the spot for ribs. The BBQ sauce here is a bit less tangy - and commensurately more "tomatoey" than others, but nice. Two final pieces of advice: (1) save room for the banana pudding - it rivals Magnolia Bakery in NYC; and (2) if it's not too busy, ask to see the pits. They are the oldest brick pits in Houston, one dating back to 1935.

Long time local favorite. Used them for a holiday event and it was PERFECT - Easy to work with, delicious food, easy set up & clean up. Tim (manager) and Estevan (onsite captain and bartender) were a delight. Our guests were bowled over by the food - make sure to get brisket, ribs, beans, mac & cheese and the banana pudding. Even the white bread was outstanding! (They also can make some mean margaritas if you're so inclined!) Highly, highly recommend!

Love the ppl here and the food is down home cooking. The bbq beef potato was perfect and the Groupon was grwat value

Pizzitola's has been serving great ribs and Bar-B-Q for many years. Good location with easy parking. Simple straight forward menu. Quick, friendly and polite service. Very quick food delivery. Ribs tender, brisket tender and moist and chicken very moist with a great smokey flavor. Sauce provided as a side so you decide how much you wish for the sauce to influence the flavor. Even the management comes out of the back to check on your feelings about the food. You will delightfully eat more than you should.

Delicious moist ribs and chopped beef sandwich was tasty too. Roasted vegetables were very over-peppered but friendly waitresses and good service go a long way to making this an enjoyable barbecue joint. Not too far from Lewis and Maese Auction Company so it's a great place to stop after some time spent bargain hunting.

Best ribs in Houston. Tender and not too much pepper. Sauce is tangy not sweet. Simple decor. Sides are classic -- beans, slaw or potato salad. And large portions for the sides. You will not leave hungry

The servers are all super nice. The owner is on site and personally talks to most everyone. Everyone knows everyone. It went from only a couple of people to standing room only in less than 30 minutes. You can get your choice of meats as in lean or juicy on the meat plate. The brisket was pretty darn good and I can see why it stays on the top 5 list.

Our party of four had lunch here recently. It was the first time any of us had been here. It was a disappointment. I had the pulled pork sandwich which was the worst one I have ever eaten. I didn't care for the sauce and there was so little pork in it that I'm surprised it qualified as a sandwich (isn't there supposed to be something in between the bun?). The sandwich was marked "new" on the menu so maybe there still experimenting. I will say the cole slaw was excellent.

at $23 for a slab, which consists of 12 ribs, could be a good value. perhaps my order today was not a fair representation of their customary offerings, but today's ribs greatly disappointed us ,particularly in their dryness. the slab is not sliced, so one would have hoped a more tender offering. the bbq sauce is a little too much like ketchup for my tastes of 3 meats tried, i enjoyed the links and brisket more, in that order. my taste for bbq would rank from favorites on down: swinging door, baker's ribs, burns, and goode company

The ribs were just better than the brisket which was dry and cool. Sliced thin which is what you do with tough brisket. Sides were great, service was fantastic but I went for ‘cue so very disappointed. Won’t be back.

Every visit to this restaurant, is just awesome, The food is some of the best you can get in Houston. But its the service that counts. They all make you feel like you the only customer and they treat you great always! One of my fav's in DT to eat. Oh don't forget to get you some Nanna pudding before you crawl out...

We were in the mood for ribs, and these were delicious! What a nice surprise to be greeted by an acoustic guitarist playing some of my favorite country songs! We love frequenting family owned businesses, and this one has been around since 1935. Well worth the trip!

During several visits to Houston, we have searched for memorable BBQ, Texas-style. This is the place. In every list of "the ten best bbq places in Houston, Pizzitola's is mentioned. Interestingly, it never seems to be #1, but it is consistently listed in the top ten. When we arrived, at opening time, just after 11AM, the smell outside was fantastic: meat and smoke. When we sat down, the room was empty. The chatty owner took me on a tour of the kitchen and the bbq pits. We had brisket, ribs, and cole slaw. All flawless. By the time we left, about 12:15, the joint was packed, mostly with good old boys and business men. We left very satisfied.

We stopped by Pizzitola's before a concert, and were greeted by the owner; he immediately welcomed us in, although they were finishing up a meeting for local bbq restaurant owners. He found us a great table, and from that moment on, we were treated like family. Our waitress, Cindy, was funny, enagaging, and really knows how to take care of her customers! She suggested a large plate to share that has a choice of meats and sides, and was ample to feed both of us. Cindy even brought my husband some of their great sausage to sample, although we ordered the brisket and chicken, for our meal. The brisket was very good; perfectly smoked, and tender. The chicken was equally as good; had a great bbq'd flavor,and was tender and juicy. I'm a dark meat fan, and liked it best, so will ask for it, next time. We chose beans and potato salad for sides, and enjoyed both dishes. Their sauce is made in house, and is a bit different than some Texas sauces. I like mine a bit thicker, but did like the flavor it adds to the meats. After dinner, we were invited into the kitchen to see the cooking pit, meet the pit masters, and learn some of the history of the building, and the business, as well. Being so graciously and kindly welcomed (Texas style!), and enjoying good food, has definitely put Pizzitola's on our list of favorite Houston restaurants to enjoy often!

I visited with a business colleague. He had been a regular a few years ago so and the staff still remembered him and he knew what to order. Those were the best spare ribs I have ever had!!! They were meaty yet not fatty and the sauce was out of this world. Lunch was $67 for the two of us - not cheap but you get what you pay for.

This is one of the oldest BBQ joints around. I believe they have the oldest pits in Houston. The owner was kind enough, and proud enough of them, to give us a tour of the kitchen and the pits. We had a fantastic lunch. All the sides and desserts are home made and delicious. Come hungry!

I are here after a business meeting, ordering the combination plate was disappointing. The ribs werre good, brisket dry and burned, sausage was just ok. My Shiner Bock beer was charged to me as an imported beer! when i questioned it they insisted i pay for an import. Now i may be a Yankee but I am not stupid. Since when is Shiner Texas not a domestic beer! If you go here order the ribs and get them to go!

On 6/2/2016, I visited Pizzatoli’s Barbeque Restaurant for the first time. I was greeted by a friendly waitress and I told her I wanted to order a baked potato with chopped beef. The price of the baked potato is 10.95 with the chopped beef. I asked her to put the chopped beef on the side and she told me that there would be an extra charge for that. I have ordered this from several other barbeque restaurants, and never had this issue. I thought that maybe I was paying for the plastic container or something. When I asked how much more it would be, she said it would cost $8.00 more. I said “you’re kidding, why” she said it was because if you order the chopped beef on the side, they give you a pound of chopped beef. I told her that all I wanted was what would come on the baked potato. She said if I ordered the chopped beef on the potato, it would be $10.95, but if I requested to have the chopped beef on the side, it would be $8.00 extra. There were other waitresses listening to the conversation and they concurred. $!8.95 for a baked potato? No thank you. I left and went down the street to Gatlin’s and got a baked potato with chopped beef on the side for $9.49. It was delicious!! Oh and by the way, I went back to Pizzatoli’s the next day and ordered some ribs, for comparison, Gatlin’s ribs are much more moist, juicy and flavorful than Pizzatoli’s. Pizzatoli’s lost this customer, for good!

The best pork spareribs ever. Wonderful hickory smoke flavor and tender. The brisket is also really flavorful and tender. Very good service. A must when in Houston.

Outstanding barbcue at this charming place between downtown and the galleria. The staff was so nice and the food was amazing. We will visit on our next trip to Houston.

I had dinner here and my 2 meat plate was very good. The ribs were especially tasty. Friendly long serving staff with table service including a hot wet towel for sticky rib fingers. I was very pleased and will be back before so long next time.

I'm not sure what's worse.. The "sauce" or the food. Overall just a bad experience... The restaurant is extremely small... We ordered the sampler... The waitress sat our food on the table next to us because the table was so small...then the original waiter bullied us for not wanting to give up our table. The sauce looks no different than hot sauce or the liquid you pour off ketchup. The meat was salty. I did enjoy my cole slaw... I will never return or recommend this place to anyone. This is not Houston BBQ!

First time here... absolutely love this place. The ribs are insanely good. Other things are nice, but the RIBS overshadow all else. Love the people who run it too. The manager, Tim, noticed I was really into the chow, taking photos... and asked if I'd like to see the BBQ Pit in the back. He explained EVERYTHING they make, cooked right in the pit.. pecan pie too... check the photos. Thanks for bringing me back Tim! Our waiter, Esteban, was a gem. Buzzing around helping us in any way he could... the best! Didn't know the great Nolan Ryan was a purveyor of beef. Loved everything about this place. The Banana and Pecan Pie desserts too... a fitting ending. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Menu is very elaborate and has lots of choices. They were happy to make substitutions. The food is pretty good and so is the service. Your typical Casual Tex Mex Dining. Great place to come with friend or family for a few drinks and dinner.

We had a nice business lunch. Good portions with tasty meat and sides. Service was quick and friendly. The pecan pie was awesome.

Pizzitola's is a unique place from what I am used to. It reminded me somewhat of Dreamland out of Alabama. With exception to the sauce that is. The sauce reminded me a little like marinara sauce. I was not sure about it at first. But it grew on me. The waitress was very friendly and the service was excellent. If you're a BBQ fan, you need to give it a try.

Houston is BBQ powerhouse in Texas, and there are many, many trendy or long standing options. Pizzatola is a local favorite for me. Brisket and sausage are great, but the tasty BBQ sauce, diner vibe, and service crew make this a standout BBQ go to for me. Another favorite of mine is their homemade banana pudding! Prices are competitive or lower than some of the trendy establishments in the area.

Really enjoyed Pizzitola's BBQ after the Texas-Rice baseball double header. Brisket was excellent, and the atmosphere is authentic old time Texas BBQ joint.

I am a frequent luncheon diner at Pizzitola's. I usually eat either the 1/2 chicken-on-the-bone plate or the rib plate. Both are as good as you can get in Houston. The chicken is slow smoked over wood logs with no basted sauce while cooking; if you want sauce you add it. The ribs are likewise slow cooked over wood logs dry, with salt, pepper and maybe other dry seasonings, no sauce while cooking. The building has been there for over 50 years and is not much to look at, but remember you're there to eat great Bar-B-Q. If you go more than once, the waiters will probably remember you and what you like to order.

I was really looking forward to Texas BBQ on a recent trip to Houston, but this was not the best option. It's in a dingy restaurant that hasn't been redecorated in decades, which is probably intended. What has been updated are the prices, which were sky high for a pile of dry and bland brisket, ribs and chicken and some warmed over sides. I had to drench all of it in the sauces to get any flavor from the meal. The service was friendly and accommodating, and this place seems to have a following, but nothing about the food or the style of the place worked for me.

Had the rib plate with coleslaw and grilled vegetables for lunch. Ribs excellent, grilled vegetables good, coleslaw average. Plate consisted of 3 ribs, scoop of coleslaw and some vegetables. Total bill with out a drink was $15. I am small eater and very seldom finish a restaurant meal, but I came away hungry. If you have a big appetite plan on spending $20 to $30 for lunch. Service good,

Literally the best ribs I've ever had, anywhere. It has now become a family tradition when I come in town. Rack of Ribs. We sit down and go through a pound and a half at a time. No sauce needed. Pops raised me good meat doesn't need sauce and these don't need no sauce. Literally the best ribs I've ever had, anywhere. Yup- I said it twice. Great Mom and Pop type atmosphere, clippings of the family and their life events all over the walls, athletic Momentos, Texas proud and very friendly staff, all been there for years and years. Banana pudding is homemade-I get one every time. My buddy swears on the chocolate cake. Sometimes he eats two pieces! Sausage and brisket is real good as well. Ribs are so good though I forget they serve other stuff!!!! This is a place you'd expect to find somewhere out in the country but this gem is right by downtown Houston. My Dad has used them for numerous corporate events and never a complaint. In fact they ran into a tight spot and ran out of ribs and Pizzi's ran out 200 more pounds. They treat you like family but still act like Professionals. Best ribs to the point that anything else is a bonus. Love this place. Can't duplicate it anywhere.

Three of us ordered 3 different meals one was the brisket with potato salad and veggies, one was pulled pork with coleslaw and the last one was a brisket and sausage platter with potato salad and cabbage. The brisket was dried out and flavorless, no seasoning on the bark whatsoever. The sausage while tasty was Luke warm at best. The pulled pork was dry and overloaded with pepper. Two of us ordered tea and it was old, if you drink tea you know what skunk tea is, that is what we got. The staff seemed more annoyed than helpful and never offered to top of drinks or even check on us. At the end of the meal the waitress skipped the customary inquiry into the quality of our meal, a good indication she already knew. The whole experience had the feel of these people are not regulars so give them the crap we need to throw out. The first clue to the quality of the establishment should have been that only 2 other people were in the restaurant at 4 in the afternoon. I should have skipped this place and just ate a hot pocket!

Get ribs and the grilled veggies are a hit. Warning...very crowded at lunch time, but service is still great

The best ribs around bar none! Excellent BBC place. Everything is great. Tried the others and always return. Just wish they were open later.

I went there because i read that the place was one of the ten best places to eat ribs in Houston. I guess this is not true. The ribs were great but not awesome. The owners are friendly and kind.

Still to this day the absolute best dry rib I’ve ever had. Got an incredible pepper seasoning and just a great rib, good flavor, moisture, doesn’t need sauce. Some just fall off the bone. INCREDIBLE. It’s our first stop when we come in town and our last stop when we leave. It’s a family tradition. Come early as opposed to dinner, many times they’re sold out at night. I have been eating these pork ribs for almost 25 years and still the best ribs I’ve ever had. My Father has been coming here for about 40 + years. The staff has been here longer than most. They are always friendly laid back and accommodating. There is a new owner- we are hoping he keeps it just like it’s been for our entire lives. Nice cold Shiner Bock and a Dr. Pepper with some incredible ribs - HARD TO BEAT. End off with some homemade banana pudding. Jerry Pizzitola’s mom use to make the pudding every day when he was there back in the day. It’s our favorite rib spot, a place we call home. The food is that good to My Father and I. To quote my Father who grew up in a butcher shop and my grandfather who was a butcher. “Son, If it’s good meat, it don’t need no sauce.” Some are critical because it lacks sauce but it’s important to understand, if you have to soak any meat in sauce then the meat probably isn’t that good either way. If your spoiled with sauces to make your meat taste good, then this place may not be good for you. Understanding a good “St. Louis style” dry rib is important when you come here. If you come here expecting crazy sauces and all, this ain’t the place, so don’t review it unfairly. I’ve eaten all over the world and this is the best rib I’ve EVER HAD. We miss you Jerry, we hope it’s stays the same and the food and staff never change. Pizzitola’s - thank you for the best ribs we’ve ever had and for the decades you’ve fed us! Pop and I love you and thank you. Hope to see y’all soon!

Walked into a 1970’s paneled building which got my hopes up that it had been around for a while and the food would back it. Unfortunately that was not the case. Very plain and bland. Portions were decent sized, when I finished the ribs and brisket it left me wishing I had gone somewhere else. Service was good and friendly. Just need to put some flavor into what is being prepared.

Had a very tasty lunch at Pizzitola's. A good old gal waitress comes to take your order, delivers it fast and provides any extras you ask for and keeps on refilling your iced tea. This is far superior to standing in a line and hauling my tray to a table. The brisket was tender, moist and nice and smoky. The sauce is thinner than some, but tasty. Cole Slaw was likely house made, fresh and quite good. The ambience is like a BarBQ joint which suits me just fine. No wonder this place has been going for decades.

With so many bbq places in town it is very difficult to be great. The price is fair, service was excellent, the food was just average.

Best BBQ Ribs in Houston. We had a rack of delicious ribs, link of sausage with beans and potato salad. All very good and the sauce was outstanding. Even little little bubba like the beans and sausage.

When I read that the owners had traveled to Snow's BBQ in Lexington, Texas (named #1 BBQ by Texas Monthly) to pick up some BBQ brisket tips, I thought I would visit Pizzitolas and see how their new recipe tasted. We split the Sampler plate with ribs, brisket and sausage with sides of potato salad and grilled vegetables. The ribs were excellent with a fall off the bone smokey flavor...Pizzitolas has always excelled with their ribs. The brisket was much better than before...very tender with a good smoke ring they even threw in a few burnt ends...but the brisket didn't have that good smokey taste (like Virgies BBQ on Gessner) that once acquired will move Pizzitolas up the BBQ ladder. The sausage was good but doesn't compare to the sausage at Luling's Central Market or the sausage you can buy in Katy, Texas at Midway Market. The potato salad was bland but the grilled veggies were very good. I've often wondered why BBQ restaurants don't spend more time preparing their sides...usually they are just weak accompaniments to the BBQ. Pizzatola's BBQ sauce was a thin tomato-based sauce, which I like, but it was not good...tasted like an weak tomato soup...it needs more of a spicy flavor. The good ol'girl waitress service was excellent and the ambiance would make the original owner, John Davis, a Houston BBQ legend, very proud. Overall I applaud Pizzitolas BBQ improvements...but still a little ways to go.

This doesn't rank among the best BBQ in Texas, but everything was very tasty and it's one of the few places in Houston that's open late on weekends. The pork ribs have a very tasty dry rub to them, and the brisket is flavorful. The waitress was incredibly friendly and gave us free sausage, just because. Don't bother trying to be healthy by ordering the side of veggies... it was a sad little bowl with a few roasted carrots and green beans. Instead just focus on the meat. The restaurant itself is very cool, with tons of sports pennants, old photos and newspaper clippings, and random tchotchkes. I'd go back here next time I'm in town.

Old style...as in nothing fancy at all. Just good BBQ. I have the beef and chicken plate. Just a little of their BBQ sauce and BAM! They are noted for their ribs but I was not in a rib mood. The folks with me had ribs and LOVED them. Now for the staff....John was a hoooooooot! Young guy came by every table and acted like he was one of the family...could not have been better!

I cannot express how good our visit was here today. We were all in the mood for barbecue, in particular brisket and ribs so we landed here. The service was so great from start-to-finish. The owners and employees have pride in this business and it shows. When the owner found out I wanted to try sausage but we ordered a combination without it, he surprised us with a little plate of complimentary sausage so we could try it. Glad we did. It was wonderful!!! He also kindly brought us a plate of "burnt ends" to try. WOWZA!!! Oh, they were so mouth-wateringly delicious! Their ribs are also not-to-be-missed. It so refreshing to visit a place where your business is valued... along with quality food and superior customer service. Keep up the good work, Pizzitola's!!

Pizzitola's has excellent bar-b-que in a traditional bar-b-que setting. The service was friendly and good. There was ample parking. Note that Shepherd is one way going North, so if you are coming from I-10 or oterwise from the North, you need to come South on Durham for a few blocks, turn left, then left again on Shepherd.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I have lived in Houston all these years and had not been to Pizzitolas BarBQue until today. Don’t make the same mistake folks. This is one of THE best BBQ restaurants in Houston. My husband & I shared a sampler plate so we could have sausage, brisket & ribs. The sausage was tasty, the brisket was moist & tender, with just the right amount of smoke. There is a reason Pizzitolas is famous for their spareribs... they are delicious. Just a light tug will pull that succulent meat from the bone. Seasoned with salt & pepper & a light smoke, these morsels are something you just have to try. We decided next time we go, we will have just the ribs. What I also liked about Pizzitolas is the service. Old school perfect. You’re greated like a welcome neighbor. Our meal was served with a warm, wet towels to clean our hands, and the bbq sauce was served in small pitchers, not some cheesy plastic cup. We will be back soon for more of those famous spareribs, hope to see you there. Enjoy, we sure did!

Great old fashioned bar-b-que, served in large portions. Great value for the money. The link and sliced beef were marinated just right and properly cooked. No complaints!

Wonderful little BBQ place! Very friendly excellent service! Wonderful food, and music. Felt super cozy! Will go back for sure specially when family and friends from outbid town come visit

I got nothing against the people who run Pizzitola's. People around Houston speak of them as if they were some sort of food institution. I cannot phantom as to why. The meat is smoked properly but then again, in Texas there are thousands of restaurants that know how to smoke a brisket or a set of ribs. The big flaw here is the sauce, to my opinion it is very bad. Sweet like hell and not much of a good flavor after that. Overly sweetening meat mask the nuances of the flavors created by the slow-smoke process that takes to get it there to being with. I really, really disliked their sauce. It killed it so bad for me that I will never repeat a visit to the place. I figure most people who love this place eat sweets like there's no tomorrow and have never developed a taste for real meat. People speak wonders about the ribs, I had much better ribs than this. Much, much better ribs than theirs. As a matter of fact, if you want sweet but delicious ribs, go to Long Sing Supermarket and be blown away by the best Chinese BBQ in town. I'll pass this place a hundred out of a hundred times. Nice people though, and friendly but the food is awful.

Got the ribs everyone raved about.....found them dry and they did not seem to have been cooked in the pit all day long as advertized. Regular bread slices were also a disappointment. Sauce was only redeeming feature. The potato salad and beans as sides were aslo very bland and portions were small. My favorite BBQ place is Hinze's in Wharton, Texas and it is hard to find a place anywhere that does it all as good as they do.

Lunch today and the ribs did not disappoint. Meaty,tender,flavorful and not fatty. Only BBQ place I can remember ever having table service. The waitresses were super attentive and friendly. I was offered a brisket sample and the meat was as tender as any brisket I've ever tasted but was not seasoned or smoked aggressively enough and had little flavor. Beans and potato salad simply not good. Based on the overall experience average is the best rating I can give. A mixed bag for sure but I can enthusiastically recommend the ribs.

I had high hopes for this restaurant since I adore BBQ & it is so close to home. The hubby got take out this weekend & we got 2 trips out of this visit, our first & last. The brisket was very fatty & left a bad after taste in your mouth, the potatoe salad was bland. Ribs were ok but certainly nothing to get excited about. I'm sure they are nice people but I'm puzzled how they have stayed in business for so long. Let the hunt continue, this is not it!

Was stuck in traffic and noticed the shop and decided to pull in. The owner and founder greeted me and invited me into the cooking room where they prepare the meats the same way they have for over 30 years. The pits they use have no temperature control...only the experienced eye of the cooks...pretty amazing to see rows of ribs and brisket getting ready for the day's customers. The rib meat slid off the bone and the brisket was "top" cut..and was buttery...and the sausage was as good as you can get. A sauce is provided but I skipped it and the taste of the seasoned meats came through fully ....and very satisfyingly. You should not miss this if you enjoy good friendly barbeque.

Very good BBQ in a space with lots of old time character. This is table-service style BBQ, where you order plates instead of items by weight. Nonetheless, and excellent BBQ in Houston proper. I'd choose it over Goode Company any day, on character alone.

Had dinner with an out of town friend on a weeknight. Only a few customers inside which was nice--easy parking, lots of attention by the wait staff. This isn't the common cafeteria style bbq, they have a real menu, pick your meat(s) and sides. Service was prompt and attentive and the food was excellent--the potato salad was a great side choice. And a good selection of desserts too. The coconut pineapple cake was delicious, and one slice was enough for 2 or more folks. First time visitors get a special treat or two.

The best bar-b-cue in Houston!!! The in-between beef brisket bbq platter is great! And the sides are perfect.

70 year old bbq pit. Dry rub. 10+ hour slow roast bbq. Best bbq I've ever had. Not a fancy joint, but go here for the food and friendly service. Lunch time is very busy as Pizzitola's does a big take-out service. Evenings are less busy. We went on a Friday night and had no problems getting a table.

I have been hearing about Pizzitola's for years. The restaurant and owner have been featured in a number of news and magazine articles. I'm glad that I finally stopped in. For several reasons that I will get into, I only rated Pizzitola's four pips. I terms of food and atmosphere it does not quite reach the standards of some of the best Central Texas 'que joints. The Set Up: For one thing Pizzitola's is not a "joint". No standing in line here. Tables and wait service (or take-out) only. My favorite 'que joints require you to stand in line order and schlep your own food. In fact at my favorite 'que joints, you order your meat by the pound and cart it away on butcher paper. That said; the seating is nice and my waitress was friendly and attentive. Plenty of parking in the front, back and side of the building. The Food: I wanted to sample the ribs, brisket and the sausage. Typically, I just order a 1/4 pound of each and a side or two if I want to kid myself about being health. This did not seem to be possible here and my waitress steered me towards the meat plate with 1/2 pound of ribs, 1/4 brisket and 1/4 sausage for $22 (an extra $4 for sides). No matter, plenty of extra to take home. The ribs were very good. Cooked with a dry rub, they had a good smoky flavor, were tender and had just the right amount of pull as they came from the bone. The brisket had just the right texture and moistness along with the smoky goodness. The sausage was fine-medium grind with natural casing. I found the flavor very subtle. Much better than the commercial grocery store sausage, but still missing something. The sauce was also very good. While most sauces seem to be very sweet like the $1 Kraft BBQ sauce, this has a nice vinegary flavor but is still a bit on the sweet side. As for the sides - don't know - did not order any. I'm sure they are fine. To Sum Up: Very good 'que and I will probably go back, but I may do just takeout. Sit-down service? Who are they kidding this is 'que not fine dining.

If you are going to stop in for some Houston bbq you need to make sure Pizzitola's is on the agenda. They have had the same staff for decades and they know how to serve it up. If you are a new face the owner will likely come introduce himself, cut a joke, and pay a compliment like only a bbq man can. Must haves: the ribs and banana pudding. Insider Tip: Ask for the brisket "inside and out."

As I travel around the wonderful USA, I often try the local barbecue, asking folks -- what's the best place in town? On a recent trip to Houston, I had pork ribs, brisket, BBQ chicken and sausage (the really big combo plate!) at the modest, relatively nondescript Pizzitola's. Folks, the brisket especially was head and shoulders above the offerings I've had in famed BBQ sanctuaries like Kansas City and Austin, Texas. All was moist, and flavorful -- not killed by too much salt or concealed by slobberings of sugared and/or over-spiced sauce. This is a place for people who relish good, clean, tasty barbecue slow-cooked in 70-year-old brick pits fueled by hickory logs.

Very nice place. Staff attention were great. If you're looking for a place to eat good steak and ribs, this is it. Recommended.

I am Texas born and bred, and this is the best BBQ in Houston, and close to if not the best in Texas. From the original pits to the burnt ends from the brisket, to the personal staff this place is amazing. The owner even took me on a tour of the pits along with my father. Unbelieveable, the only place in Houston with original fire pits from the 30's.

I am biased as I have been eating here for over twenty years, but if you want consistently good barbecue you can rely on Pizzitola’s. The ribs are famous for good reason and the chicken (on the bone) is excellent. When we go with a group we always order family style so you get some of everything. The meat is simply prepared without any heavy rubs. You get salt, pepper and smoke. At lunch time you’ll find folks from every business background and walk of life present. It is a real slice of Houston. You won’t find a celebrity barbecue master and a line around the block but you will find honest Texas barbecue cooked in a brick lined pit and not some oven pretending to be a pit. The food is good the people are real and it’s Houston all the way.

A must for down home comfort food in Houston. Interesting creations, great photos on the wall, you'll love it!

We were told to try this BBQ place from some friends. The staff is extremely friendly and welcoming to their restaurant. I tried a few of their meats and all were good. I am not a huge fan of their sauce but the people I was with raved about how good it was. It probably really depends on preference and I thought it tasted similar to tomato sauce. The meat was great portion were good and the price was fair. definitely a place to try it may become your new favorite.

I took an out-of-town guest from Philadelphia here to have Texas BBQ. This is a great place that is close to downtown. The ribs are fantastic.

Was on a trip to Houston from NYC and found Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue I was not expecting the food to be as delicious as it was. I can't wait for my return trip, that will be one of my first stops. BTW anyone know what brand coffee they serve it was so good.

Okay, I confess... I'm not a barbecue aficionado. My overall rating is based on the total dining experience... the food, the decor, the atmosphere, the service and the special Texas hospitality that my family had when we ate here (I may also have been prejudiced by my daughter's opinion that Pizzitola's is the best barbecue in Houston). We ordered a variety of dishes, sides and drinks and everyone thought that it was great. The owner (Mr. P?) was there and he did regale us with some history of the establishment and the area. He is a charm. P.S. I don't know where some of these reviewers are going because we spent $22/person which is less than a better known barbecue place that we visited during the same get-together here in Houston.

Had dinner here on 07/18/2015. A small, local place. The staff could not be kinder; they even gave my friend a free t-shirt for his wife when they didn't have one in his size. The food was great! We had bbq brisket with sausage and ribs; they added a free piece of chicken. We both had a side of veggies, but didn't get around to eating it because the helping of meat stuffed us. They use the same brick ovens built in 1935. This is not fancy dining, just great, local BBQ at very reasonable prices. There is a small bar also.

I went to lunch here with a local, he has been eating here for many years. I am a rib man, so any BBQ place, I try the ribs. Very good ribs, no need for sauce, juicy, fall off the bone ribs. My counterpart knows the owner, so a complimentary plate of the chicken showed up at our table, and it was equally good as the ribs. The staff was great, the old building and the smell when you get out of your car, go get some!

Still as horrible as ever! Got there just before lunch rush...food should have been fresh...no such luck..ribs were barely warm, looked gray, smelled like that very bad swine smell (urine), tasted like that same smell....brisket was definitely not nice and pink as should have been...extremely dry, no taste, .........never again. Houston has much, much better restaurants for cue.

This is a nice quiet throwback to the 70's. The service was very prompt and the people were very friendly. We had pulled pork, brisket and ribs. The family really liked the food. I would eat there again, access from the freeway is easy, it was maybe 5 mins off the route.

I often drive pass, and always love the smell. I ordered ribs to go and was very pleased. The owner was chatting as he rang up the order and he was a genuinely nice guy who really loved and believed in his BBQ.

Aggie owned. Best BBQ west of downtown Houston. The brisket and sausage are solid. Well above average. But when Jesus returns for the Millennial Feast, I would not be shocked if he served Pizzitola's ribs. They're simply incredible. End the meal with some banana pudding, and you'll be one happy camper. Their service is great too, and if you go a few times, they'll probably remember your name. Pizzitola's is what I measure all other Houston BBQ joints against.

This was our first stop on our 7 day trip to explore BBQ. We are not from Texas and have our own ideas of how BBQ should taste, and Pizzitola's did not disappoint. We shared a sampler that had brisket, ribs, sausage, and chicken and everything was great. To be honest, the brisket was the best of the four meats and one of the hardest to get "right" for large groups of people. The sides were just that, sides. Who comes to a BBQ place to have side dishes?? But you should know the cole slaw and the pickeled jaleopeno were yummy. Oh, and save room for the banana pudding and home made coconut cake (family recipes)... They are worth the calories. The owner, his family members, and staff were friendly and attentive. If you are looking for authentic BBQ cooked on a open brick pit served by authentic hard working folks, this is a must for any traveler, local or long distance.

Visited for a dinner with out of town family. Easy access and parking, on Shepard just south of I10. Sit down establishment with plate / sandwich / side menu items. Very friendly & attentive waitress. Charming old school interior. Deboned chicken was moist and flavorful, moist/fatty brisket was just right, lean brisket a bit dry. The BBQ was not overly seasoned or rubbed. Delicious grilled vegetables and cole slaw.

I brought some foreign guests to taste real barbeque and we all loved it. The food and atmosphere is traditional and of very high quality. It is a little pricey for the décor but once you taste the food you realize that they invest in quality. The seasoning is excellent as well as the homemade bbq sauce. Can't wait to go there again!!

And that's a good thing! That's actually their saying. BBQ, right? There's nothing else to say...just read the other excellent reviews. Great TX BBQ. If I'm ever back in Houston, this is a must stop.