Review Willow’s Texas Bbq - Houston

Having eaten plenty of brisket lately, I opted for Willow's pulled pork. It was lightly smoky and properly moist. The homemade pickle dish was good. Jasmine said she varies her side dishes. Today she made etole (grilled Mexican corn), which was excellent, and creole potato salad, which was good. The pit is in Big Star's back yard. Willow was too busy to give me a tour. But he said he uses oak, only. Overall it was a 4+ star experiemce, that I'm rounding up to 5. I look forward to eating here again, and trying the meats.

Freaking delicious! Everything was good, the brisket was probably the best I've had in recent years. The pulled pork could have been more interwting. It was cooked right, but just didn't draw attention the way the brisket did. The ribs were super tender and had good flavor. Looking forward to an excuse to go back!

Willow's Texas BBQ is hands down my favorite BBQ. My hubby & I travel all over Texas, trying to find the best BBQ and Willow's is right up there with the ones out of Austin & Dallas that you have to stand in long lines for! His brisket is moist & tender with the perfect amount of black pepper, the pork ribs are also moist and fall off the bone and the jalapeño sausage has great spice and texture (not at all gristly or mushy). Out of the sides, the elote & mac-n-cheese are my favorites. Willow & Jasmine have a great thing going on and have managed to stay humble. They catered our wedding, and almost a year later our guests are still raving about the food!!

Spectacular barbecue and excellent sides! Willow's game just keeps getting better and better. Jasmine's attention to detail on the sides shines as well. Brisket, pork spareribs, and smoked turkey are top notch here. And don't skip the spicy creamed corn!

Hands down the best BBQ in Houston - and a legit top 10 in the state. The setting is unique but both the meat and sides are just stupid good. A true gem.

One of the best BBQ joints in Houston. The best in the heights for sure. Make this a destination place to est and have a drink. Great atmosphere and nice people.

ITS A FOOD TRUCK!!! Ok I thought that should be noted because I didnt have much info before visiting. I ordered the 3 meat plate and it was amazing. I really want to get a "hug" soon. It looked amazing. I'll be back

Fantastic craft bbq. Ohhhhh the brisket hug made me feel so warm and cozy. Pork ribs on point

Ribs are amazing! Dog friendly establishment. Eat there

The brisket and ribs are real good.

Very good brisket and ribs.

Go old-fashioned southern style and hospitality

Simply the best

Tri tip

Best BBQ in Houston.

Amazing. Never have I ever thought to try turkey from a BBQ joint. Moist and smoky. If it's offered, get it!!! The ribs were perfect, the thick black peppered coating on them and the brisket was delicious. Also had the cheddar jalapeño sausage, sooo full of flavor and not overwhelmed with heat. Awesome sides, fresh ass green beans, specialty mac and cheese and the potato salad were all on point. Frito pie topped with chopped brisket and fresh pico de gallo disappeared immediately. I can't express enough how top notch this place is!!!!!! And the sauce.........that frikin SAUCE!!!!!!!

A few weeks ago I was flipping thru the channels when I saw a story on the Travel Channel's food paradise as they did a feature on a place called Hugs and Donuts here in Houston in the segment they talked about a BBQ Brisket donuts that a local Pitmaster provided the brisket for. I was on a mission to find this guy after doing a Google search I found a place ran by Willow Villarreal the name of his place is Willow's Texas BBQ I added him on Facebook and I sent him a message and told me if I was ever in the area to drop by. Willow sets up and sells BBQ at a place called Grand Prize Bar off 1010 Banks St and when you pull up the place looks more like a house then a bar but when you walk it its a different story with punk music playing and people having good time My kind of place. I went to the kitchen and talked to Willow and he told me he had been smoking meat going on 5 years but been grilling even longer and that he does pop ups for the bar on the weekends., I asked him what kind of wood he used and he said "nothing but post oak!! there is just something about the wood the I love and the flavor it gives to the meat." Willow plans on finding a fixed location but at this little bar he is building up his followers that come in to enjoy his BBQ.. I asked him about the BBQ donuts and he said the funny thing is they filmed that show a year ago and it barely aired last week since then people have been coming in to get a taste of the sweet goodness I over looked the menu and well I had to try what everyone was talking about and then some I went for the 3 meat plate Brisket, Ribs and Pulled Pork and corn and green beans being my sides I also had to order the Brisket donut because of course that's what I came for in the first place, while I was waiting a couple was telling me how they been having Willows BBQ for years and that it was some good stuff and that made me even more eager to try everything I got my plate sat down and well the feast was on!!! Up first was the Brisket and MAN this thing was on point!!!!!! I asked for the lean and point and I must say this was some of the best Brisket I had to date,, the bark was just right that salt and pepper was perfect and the fat was rendered perfectly like jelly melting in your mouth just with that I could tell this place was a untold gem, Up next was the Ribs again cooked perfect the rub and smoke was spot on and the bite was just where it was suppose to be. The pulled pork was next and I must say it was just a bit on the dry side but that was nothing some sauce couldn't fix and I must say it was really good after I sauced it. Willow threw in some Jalapeno cheese sausage and again another knock out the park and the side I must say these are the best sides I have ever had in a BBQ joint the creamy corn was bad ass!! and the green beans with bacon was spot on. Last was the Brisket donut and well I can honestly say I didn't have room cause I was full but I tackled it and man that was just like having dessert this thing was heaven and the sweet of the donut gave that brisket much more favor then it already had oh and the pickled onion jalapeno's carrots and cucumbers were the icing on the donut.. Now why this place is not on Texas Monthly's to go places is beyond me I guess when you dont kiss butt and have a lot of money then you take what you can get and I truly believe that this place or when he gets a fixed location its going to do great things I highly recommend this place and its by far some of the best BBQ in Houston but only you as customers can make your own judgements.... Pricing was not bad the 3 meat plate was $16 with 2 sides and the huge donut sammich was $9.00 Willow thank you and your great staff for having me out keep doing what your doing and look forward to coming in to your fixed location once you get something up and going.... Till next time this is Smokin Willy T saying always explore the BBQ this great big city has to offer you will be surprise that sometimes its the little guys that are way better then the big names out there!!!!

Had this BBQ at Lil' Danny Speedo's Go Fly A Kite Lounge... seriously damn good stuff! Let's start w/ the Ribs... one of the best rubs I've had on a rack! It was crusted perfectly and slide off the bone. The Brisket, juicy, smoky, and the red layer is always a mark of some great time in the smoker. The Jalapeño Cheese Sausage, never had one with as much cheese as this one, and the snap from the casing- so satisfying! The Charro Beans, plenty of peppers, and a decent amount of heat. The Potato Salad, I hate when people make it sweet and add olives. This was everything but, nice mustard, enough mayo, and the right amount of everything else. This would have been the perfect plate of BBQ. However, my one criticism would be- I wanted a little less ketchup taste and more spice to the BBQ sauce, just if I had to make a recommendation. However, I am seriously impressed with your BBQ I'll be back and with more friends!

Brisket is properly trimmed and well balanced in texture....the lean isn't too lean and the fat isn't too fatty. Perfectly seasoned meat. I've had lots of Texas BBQ that is far too heavily salted. Willow uses an awesome seasoning blend that allows the meat to be the star and not totally masked by the salt. Sausage, ribs, chicken are all very good. Turkey is fantastic....some of the best I've had. Sides are on point. Willow is a star in the making!

Willow’s Texas BBQ has always been some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. For the last 3 years it was my tradition to go down to Grand Prize Bar and get a 3-meat plate on Sunday. I’ve since moved and now am missing Willow’s desperately. The turkey (whenever they have it) is my favorite! The brisket is moist. And all of the food is flavorful! I would take all of my out of town visitors here and they would tell me that they have a great memory of Texas BBQ because of Willow’s. Keep smoking good meat!