Triple J's Smokehouse Reviews

Great food and price for what you get! If you want to experience what means to try authentic bbq Texas experience - come here

Triple J’s Smokehouse is located on the north side of Houston on Homestead Rd. just blocks north of the 610 loop. Triple J’s may be on the north side, but its southern roots has made it one of the very best BBQ spots in Houston for over 20 years… that is no small feat! As soon as you pull up in the spacious parking area in the back, you know you’re going to experience a typical Texas BBQ hangout. I am so overwhelmed with the wonderful aroma of smoking meats that I stop for a second and put my hand over my heart – knowing I am in for a good ‘ole Texas treat! BBQ in Texas and, more importantly, in Houston, is more than just a culinary experience. It is about family, friends, history, tradition, pride – in short, it is part of our identity. As soon as you walk into Triple J’s Smokehouse, you can see right away that this place is all about community and family. As you can see in the photography, the walls are covered with pictures of famous people and just regular folks from the community who have eaten there on family outings as well as sports logos and memorabilia. As you make your way through the line (which I understand can be quite long at times) you come to the main area where you place your order and get your meal cafeteria-style. In typical Southern fashion, we are loudly greeted and rewarded with a huge smile by what looks to be the host. This experience is just getting better and better. We ordered a couple of Strawberry Daiquiris (which you can order to go, by the way) along with a bit of BBQ history: The Big J, The Raven’s Bowl and J’s special. I take one sip of my Strawberry Daiquiri and think to myself how blessed I am to be in Houston, but more importantly, in Triple J’s Smokehouse right now. There’s no inside dining, so we head out to the covered patio where there are plenty of fans and a nice breeze for this time of year. Although it’s an enjoyable space, there are few patrons. It looks like most people get their meal to go. First up is the Big J: an enormous baked potato stuffed with butter and cheese then topped with beef, sausage and ribs. No joke. Talk about a meal fit for a king! This is a great choice for those who’d like to try it all. The smoky brisket and juicy sausage were just bursting with the great flavor you’d expect with Texas BBQ. But, my favorite was the pork ribs; it was made with just the right amount of bark along the outside and the meat simply fell off the bone. Unbelievable! The J’s Special is what you want to get if you’d like to skip the baked potato and try other sides. As with the Big J, you get beef brisket, sausage and ribs. But, with this meat bonanza, we ordered Cajun Rice and green beans – both excellent choices. The green beans were exceptional – they tasted as though they had been cooked with bacon grease, my favorite way! Last, but not least, we discovered a tasty new combination for our neck of the woods. The Raven’s Bowl was a delicious mix of crispy French fries topped with cheese and chopped beef. You wouldn’t think the taste would be much different from getting this combo on a baked potato, but the flavor profile from the French fries makes it unique. I would suggest this as an appetizer to share with a couple of other people. I loved the Raven Bowl although it’s not something you will find at most BBQ joints. I just love the BBQ here in Texas, the slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone-style ribs have me salivating as I type. Triple J’s Smokehouse is doing it as good as I have tasted and with love from the north side of Houston. If you are looking for a true Houston, Texas BBQ experience, then look no further. It’s like being transported back to a time when things were simpler and, to be honest, good and pure. I will be back for years to come and bringing out-of-towners with me, for sure! If you haven’t made your way over to this award winning spot, I suggest you do, pronto!

Made a 1/2 hour drive to this place from our hotel after reading good reviews. The place is small, and most people do take outs (they have a few seats in a small room). We ordered beef ribs, sausages, beef briskets and potato with beef. Everything was so delicious, the portion was huge. Highly recommend this place, the best BBQ I've ever had.

Just in time; Just right; and just what I need. This place seems very popular. They are ALWAYS crowded but they move quickly. It may be a small wait but it's definitely worth it. The food is Great, undeniably tasty. There is outdoor seating and this is perfect on a cool evening. There are also TVs outside for your viewing. I recommend visiting quite often. I plan on visiting at least twice a month. Anyone visiting should definitely get a taste of this place. It reminds me of Great Family BBQ gatherings. They also cater. Seems like you can't go wrong with Triple J's. I definitely give Thumbs up.

The line was outside the door on a weekday at 11:30. We were about #12 in line and when we got in the building there were another line with about 40 more. The total time was 1 hour and 15 minutes from start to finish. I didn't see anyone eating on property as everyone was getting it to go. The brisket and the barbeque sauce were about as good as you will find in Houston. The chopped beef sandwich was huge. The specialty item with home cut French fries, cheese, and chopped beef looked delicious. The sausage was a total bust for me. It was not anything near the quality of sausage I was expecting and have grown accustomed to eating near Luling, Lockhart, or even Giddings. The deserts looked great as did the sides. I can say for me it wasn't worth the wait. I would be back if I could get my food in under 30 minutes but over an hour is not acceptable. I can't imagine how long the lines are on Saturday. I asked about call in ordering and was told only on very large orders do they do call in. A handicapped person or someone that has a bad back or problem standing can't eat here at all that I can see. The prices were reasonable, I've paid near double for a pound of brisket at a restaurant in The Heights area of Houston.

Ribs were perfectly smoked and fall-off the bone. Sausage had a great smokey flavor - some of the best sausage I ever had. Great stop on our stay in Houston!

My son and I ate here for lunch. He had been here before and raved about it and wanted me to give it a try. I have to say that I have to agree with him. I had the J's Special (ribs, chopped brisket, and sausage) which was close to the best if not the best bbq I have ever had. The building was very small with not much room for dinning in, I guess they are more geared for takeout, but we got there when it was not very crowded, midweek after lunch time. I would definitely give this place a try if you are in the mood for great tasting que.

Called at 4 pm to see what time grill closes the last told me 530 pm went up there at 4:15 pm stood in line for 40 min when I get up there to order my burgers they tell me they stopped at 5 pm even though I was in line I just missed out. Never again so I ordered a two meat plate with brisket and sausage all that fat on my brisket..

I have friends in town who wanted BarBQue. So where else would I take them. Always consistent! Good prices and great food. Try the homemade sausage.

Tried other bbq places, and I felt that it was just another food. My friends brought me to this shack, its small. 1 table inside and some table outside. There was nothing grand about the place, except the history. Before it opens at 11 a.m. customers are waiting outside. These customers have eaten in this bbq place since they were kids, now they've have their own family, it is still a go too place. Don't normally eat in a bbq restaurant. It took awhile to decide. Finally I ordered the baked potato stuffed with butter, cheese, sour cream, chives beef, sausage, and ribs. Big J baked potato.Bought a to go box for dinner, Triple J's special dinner 3 meats and 2 sides. I choose ribs, beef, and sausage with dirty rice and potato. OMG.. all of their food tasted so delicious. The sauce did not overpower the meat. Most pleasurable dinning experience.Highly recommended. The servers may have been the owners and they are friendly and organized. Thanks so much for a "divine dining experience."

We're from Kansas City, MO home of the best BBQ! While in Houston the owner of the Breakfast Klub said they have the best bbq and to try this location. It was a loooong drive from where we were staying in Katy, TX but we wanted to try it out. It was a small establishment, and you can easily be fooled because the parking lot wasn't very big (but we realized there was a small parking area behind the building). We arrive a little before 4pm and there was a line. The set up is kind of awkwards as the buffet where you place your order is right when you open the door, then you have to squeeze through the line to get to the back of the line. It's like going through a cafeteria line as you can see the food through the glass when ordering and as they prepare it. I will admit it all looked good and it smelled good as well. I prefer to eat my food at the restaurant, but we drove back to the hotel because we knew the traffic was going to get bad. Between the two of us we were able to try the ribs, brisket, burnt ends, chicken, beans, potato salad. We enjoyed it and I liked the brisket the most but I still prefer KC bbq but we all know everyone has their personal preferences. I will say if we are ever in Houston again, I would get it again.

Very good place to eat at. Busy during lunch hours. Food is so good that there is almost always a line out the door. My husband and I ordered a Big J potato and still had left overs. We also ordered a budain and lemon cake which melts in your mouth. Very very good!

Beef brisket is great and the cheeseburgers, and ribs is great also! U have to get here early because if not the line is out the door like it's was tonite.

This is a nice barbecue place and located about a mile and a half south of the 610 Loop in the neighborhood. The sauce is interesting it is the wettest barbecue sauce I've ever had in Texas yet it is delightfully sweet. Brisket is very good the sausage is awesome. I'm not very thick but still very good tasting with the smoking and all. The chopped beef is perfect. The ribs left a little to be desired it was more bone than me though I did like how they smoked it in the taste that came with it just not meaty enough for me. Service is very friendly. The place had a very homey feel to it. I went on a Wednesday night in April and it was extremely busy you have to wait in line but it is worth the wait. Highly recommend this place. I recommend the Big Jay potato which comes with a rib, sausage and chopped beef.

If you are in Houston and want to taste the Best Barbecue. Then this is where you MUST come. Try anything on the menu and you will be a believer!

This small smokehouse has the best BBQ on the north side of Houston. It is fantastic, and you gotta get all the fixings to go with your q, potato salad, Cole Slaw and ranch style beans are very tasty. Chicken,ribs, sausage, beef brisket all done to perfection. There will be a line that winds through the small space inside and possibly out the door. You may have to sit on the patio or take it home but there is a reason so many people show up "it's really good". This is the place to get authentic texas smokehouse BBQ.

The best taste, choices and service you could expect at an eatery. The sides; beans, fries and so much more are served in great portions. Tender Chopped brisket sandwiches, hamburgers par excellence, don't even mention the homemade/home stuffed sausage and the ribs... Don't judge it by the small looking spot on the corner; go in!

We’ve never been to Texas, so don’t have any other Texas bbq to compare to but holy moly this place is Amazing. We were lucky and only had a few people in line ahead of us (but that didn’t stay true for long, by the time we left it was a pretty long line). We ordered a Rib dinner w/ dirty rice & potato salad and a Brisket dinner w/ dirty rice and beans and 2 lemonades. The sauce was tasty, brisket tender & juicy, ribs were fall off the bone! I’m picky about rice and beans but I ate all of both. The cups for the drinks are HUGE. My husband and I barely said a word to each other as we were eating...everything was delicious! We sat inside on the bar stools, most others took theirs to go. I wanted to go up and hug every single worker and tell them how much I loved it but it was lunch time and they were rollin thru the customers!

The food was excellent and we got a great bit for the money. The service was great! I’ve been there several times and look forward to going every time and I will go back again.

After reading about Triple J's for a long time, I finally picked up a to-go order today. I got the JJ Special (brisket, ribs, and sausage). All three meats were very good. Ordered a boudin link but next time will get the spicy. It was respectable, though. Potato salad iw my favorite side, but didn't care for Triple J's version. The dirty rice is OK, but nothing to write home about. Can't comment on their sauce sadly since it was not included in my package since I requested it on the side. I'll consider returning if I'm in the area and in the mood for BBQ.

I'm not a fan.The potatoe salad taste like mustard and salt,and the sausages were super greasy and the beans were like poured straight out of the can, very disappointed.

Being a native Houstonian, I am picky about my BBQ and Triple J has some of the best I've ever tasted. The brisket is tender and flavorful; the sausage is perfect with our without sauce. The potato salad is well seasoned; creamy yet with just right amount of chunkiness. The restaurant has very limited seating inside; most people come for takeout. Each time I've been the line has come out of the door. Although it is at least a 30 min. drive from my home I came back the very next day after my first trip. Apparently repeat trips are not uncommon because the woman in the line behind me told me that it was her 3rd trip that week after trying it.

If You Ever Visit Houston This Is A Must Stop ! Food Was Amazing ! Brisket , Ribs , Bake Beans , Potato Salad & Ooooooo The Sauce Was Hands Down Wonderful. You’re Plate Is Loaded With Food , Price Wise Worth Every Dime Spent. When I Revisit This Will Be A Spot I Go Back To.

Very rustic smoke house. Had the two meat dinner- the sausage was one of the best I've had. Although the brisket was pretty fatty... would have liked a different variety of sides also. Large portion and good prices. Beware of the lemonade- tonssss of sugar.

Order 2 rib and 8 chicken plates for lunch for my roofers that came into town to do a roof replacement for me. Simply the best BBQ I’ve ever put in my mouth!!!

Oh my goodness, the best baked potato ever. It had Brisket, sausage and a rib smothered in their amazing bbq sauce. I needed a nap after this lunch! All this for about $15 bucks with a drink!

The BBQ here is very good. I always get ribs, slice beef, chicken, homemade sausage, or the baked potato. Been eating here for years. Now the sides like their potato salad and beans suck. The only side I like is their dirty rice. The rest go suck. I do like their Italian Cake as desert.

Bar b que is a tricky thing, its all about personal likes and dislikes. The pit master is the artist and the cooks are the magic makers in the kitchen. Everyone can have a bad day, Tripple J's hit the mark about 98% of the time.

I was expecting better after all the hype. Got ribs, sausage, beans, potato, and brisket. Ribs were ok. Brisket dry and not flavorful Sausage was ok. Beans ok Potato was the star of the show because of the chopped beef. I could see a chopped beef sandwich being really good, if they start toasting the bun. I’m still on the prowl for good bbq.

Dropped by for lunch on the off chance having found it on the internet. WOW!!!! Had a feeling it would be good when we saw the cars and queue when we turned up 5 mins after it opened. We weren't disappointed either. My friend and I both had the Ravens Bowl and will be back to try the ribs. Food doesn't come better than this and nor does the warmest of welcomes from the lovliest of people. If you come to Houston for any reason make the trip however you can......the food and the people who serve you will leave your life richer for having been lucky enough to enter this houses doors.

Very nice atmosphere, clean and friendly service! Their chopped beef bbq is as amazing as their dirty rice!

This place is amazing. Working nun Justin for the week and my US bosses took me here to try some authentic Texan BBQ. And wow is was amazing. I had a 2 meat selection, the Rib and Beef brisket . There homemade BBQ sauce was something i couldn’t anything to compare to. If I could of brought it home I would of.

This place rocks. Huge portions, fast and friendly service. There was a long line for lunch on the Thursday I went, and I was told it was a popular spot. The meat was juicy, well-seasoned and just good. Worth the drive from wherever you are.

went there to get ribs and they were not as good as they were the first time i went they were dry and tough

So... where do I start. I love their barbecue. The ribs are always juicy and tender. The baked potato is always overly stuffed. The boudain links are always the right spice. And the cakes are so soft and moist. This place always have a line wrapped in the little building. You wait in line (looking at a huge menu to make your selection), when it's your turn (a gentleman will ask, "What are you having?") , You give your order and they prepare it on buffet style table, then they pass it to the cashier, at this point you order a drink and/or select from the cakes lined across the table and you pay. If you have time, walk outside and sit on the covered patio and indulge. Let me tell you, I am always so excited to get food from hear that my mouth waters when I pass the Homestead exit taken to get here.

Love this place! The meats are all super flavorful and tender. The sides, especially the green beans and the potato salad, are amazing. The coconut cake is also pretty fantastic. This place is a winner!! If I lived near here I'd be here every day!!

Some friends and I we're in houston a couple of weeks ago and asked a young lady at our car rental place where would she recommend us to get good bbq. She said go to Triple J's. We were not disappointed the food was great. The brisket was perfect(not fatty), with the ribs the meat fell right off the bone, wild rice and green beans were good.

Don't let the facade fool you, this gem is hiding in the rough. Fantastically cooked meats. I made two meals out of my dinner. I had the brisket and the sausage and both were GREAT. This gem was passed along to me so I am going to pass it forward. This one's on my regulars list for sure.

A bit of a trek but easy to find. Plenty of parking. Packed on a weekday lunch but most folks were doing takeout. Fast and friendly service. Outstanding - smoked spicy boudain, ribs, and potato salad. Good - brisket (on par with any in Houston) Weak - dirty rice - Popeye's is much better. Huge portions on the meats and priced a few $s less than Goode Company, Pit Room, etc. Give them a try!

First time having triple J’s and I brung my family from Cali and they loved it the food was really good. Very busy but the line moves fast I will visit again in a few weeks...

Good bbq...big J baked potato is my favorite. They have great customer service. Will continue to eat here.

The fries were so salty, If I didn't mine going to the hospital, I would have eaten them. I guest they don't know that it's against the law to salt food that way. They won't have to worry about getting my business again; ever again. I couldn't eat the meat because it was on top of the potatoes. A big 👎 to this place,

Found this little hole in the wall BBQ joint and new it would be a good one as soon as I pulled into the parking lot and smelled the smoker from behind the restaurant. The ribs were some of the best I have ever tasted, my son couldn't finish the massive one pound bacon cheeseburger and the chicken my wife ordered was cooked perfectly. There were 30+ people in a winding line when we arrived but the total wait was less than 10 minutes. There is limited seating indoors but plenty of room on the patio. So far, this is the best BBQ I have found in Texas.

Stopped here for my last bite of BBQ as it was on the way to the airport. Arrived around 12 noon when I walked in and found a line that snaked its way all around the inside. Ended up waiting about 15 minutes. I tried the J’s Special dinner. - Brisket - Good. Much leaner than I normally like so I was worried it would be dry but it was still tender. - Sausage - Very good. Ton of flavour. - Ribs - Two pieces were good but the third piece was too dry. - Sauce - Good. It’s very wet. And quite sweet that it started to remind me of Chinese BBQ pork - Fries and Green beans were pretty good - Fountain drink cups are huge. They offer free refills but I couldn’t even finish my first cup Service is super friendly in a very casual atmosphere. Must be a lot of regulars because they all know each other by name. Most customers get their food to go so there is plenty of sitting space, but just not a lot of standing space because of the line up. Overall, I enjoyed my visit. I think their sausage is their best meat based on my visit. What I really enjoyed is the atmosphere. Food: 3.5 Service/Atmosphere: 4 Value: 4

No kidding we were trying to figure out how we could get food from Houston back to Las Vegas! Seems to be in a rough area of town, so we were told by the locals. Just get out before dark.

Watery bbq sauce, boring brisket. Sausage was tasty, but sorry I put the sauce on it. Catered to our work.

Onway through Houston, brother-in-law told us about this place. Small and there was a line out of this world. Small place for seating with a large picnic table and bar seats. Caught it at the right time during lunch on a Friday. Ordered the 2 meat plate with Chicken and Ribs got 2 side potato salad and green beans. All was out this world good. The Peach cobbler was some of the most amazing I've had. This was a winner!!!