Pappas Bar-B-Q

I love BBQ and unfortunately this is the closest BBQ joint I know of close to where I live and work. I've been there maybe 5 times total since moving to Houston Nov 08. Three horrendous experiences overall, the other two were not stellar but tolerable. One experience I actually stood in the "line area" and yelled "AM I F#$@ING INVISIBLE!!" There's no deliniation as to a to-go line or a eat-in line. The staff is horrendous, the manager acts like he doesn't care. They have a menu that when you call to place an order they seem not to know what you're asking for. My recent pork rib plate togo order took two attempts by phone to place and then when my coworker brought it to me at work, all I had was a huge bag with a side salad. How the eff do you forget the BBQ?! I won't fault my coworker for not checking (which we will do should we go there again) since you expect the main order to be there not the side! If you choose to go, expect to be mistreated, check your order for accuracy, good luck figuring out where to stand to place your order.

Pros: So so BBQ

Cons: Staff, Manager

Posted 10/20/09

My boyfriend and I ate at this disgusting resaurant almost a year ago in the humble area. It was the worst, greasiest, tasteless food I had ever eatten. It was so bad that we had our money refunded and left after only a few bites. ugh gross! My "forgive and forget" boyfriend decided he would try a different location last night before heading to class. I 100% advised against it but he said he was craving Bar-B-Q and it was close to school. Well... he came home last night looking very pale with cold sweats to go along with his sickly look. Come midnight he was throwing up among other things all through the night and into this early afternoon. So thank you Pappas Bar-B-Q for making my boyfriend deathly ill with your contaminated food the night before Valentines Day!!!!

Pros: Nothing, it is a disgusting place!

Cons: contaminated food causing your to become very ill

Posted 02/12/09

I work in downtown and me and several of my coworkers ordered from here for the first time. I called in the order and gave them about 10 minutes before I left, so I got there about 20 minutes after I phoned in the order. They said it wasn't done, so I sat down. I ended up waiting for over 40 minutes before my order was ready. Then when I said I wanted to pay for everything seperately, the cashier looked at me like I was requesting something odd. I finally left this place and about half a block down, I realized that there was no sauce in the bag, so I have to turn around and request some sauce. What kind of bbq place gives you bbq but no sauce?

The sliced beef was very dry and VERY salty. I've never had meat so salty. The sauce was fair, but I expected better for what I payed.

Will not go back.

Cons: VERY slow for to go orders, dry meat, rude staff.

Posted 12/15/08

All the Pappas places serve excellent food except for this one. I guess they bought all the Luthers and turned them all into these. I have been to a few differnt locations to see if maybe its just one location but they have all been dissapointing. The location on 1960 has the worst serivce ever. The meats taste like they have been been reheated in the oven. The sauce is awful, I have no idea how they can serve it. I can't believe that people think that this commercial chain is real Texas BBQ. The sides can be good but are not that good, I do like the bread there. I thought it was going to be good because all the other Pappas are great. I really hope they will improve because they have so many locations.

Cons: worst sauce ever

Posted 01/25/08

We just had Pappas cater brisket and sausage and we were not impressed. The meat was ok, not dry but not all that flavorful. The sauce is the worst I have ever tasted. I guess if i were trying to come up with a unique bbq sauce, this might be one of the worst I could think of. Oh well, the rest of the food is fine, but not something you would ever need to brag about. Not sure where the other commentors are coming from except they don't eat much good bbq. Go elsewhere for good BBQ.

Posted 11/19/07

This BBQ is greasy and inconsistant. I live in Texas and I have had a ton of BBQ from west Texas to east Texas and I currently live in south Texas. Pappas should stick to doing what they do the best-- Seafood, and nothing else!

Pros: nothing

Cons: don't eat here

Posted 12/05/06

I really, really tried to like this place, because it's on my way home from work, and it has a drive-thru. But, I got a chopped beef po-boy and the bread was tough, and the meat was soggy. I said soggy! The chopped beef tasted like it had been stewing in grease and BBQ sauce for hours, destroying its texture and flavor. Absolutely criminal, and ultimately unforgiveable. It reminded me of the Sysco barbecue sandwiches from school cafeterias. I tried again another night and got sliced brisket and turkey. They were OK. Sides are OK. But that doesn't make up for the lousy greasy stewed chopped beef sandwich.

Pros: drive thru

Cons: soggy, greasy chopped beef stewed in sauce

Posted 09/20/06

Other BBQ joints sadly idle away making themselves believe that they know BBQ. Their misguided patrons will never know authentic BBQ excellence unless they indulge in the heavenly pleasures at Pappas BBQ. Pity to those who will never share in the ambrosia that is Pappas. To those who know true BBQ, indulge in what my wife will drive 250 miles for. Those who don't know any better settle for the Tom's Ribs and Bill Millers of the world. Not all have true taste and a palate that demands only the most delectable of BBQ perfection.

Posted 04/30/06

I love Pappas Bar-B-Que. As a native Houstonian I grew up earting barbeque often. In fact, it is my number one comfort food. Pappas consistently offer delicious and tender brisket. Their sides are all good but I especially like their pinto beans and potato salad. Oh yes, yummy fries. It's the only bar-b-que in town that I crave, except for my dad's. Enjoy.

Pros: Delicious food, Large portions, Good variety

Cons: , Parking

Posted 05/12/04

The Bar-b-q is excellent. The Beef Ribs are GREAT! The french fries are cooked to perfection. Very good ranch beans, cucumber salad and yams. The Best made to order hamburgers in town. But, the bar-b-q sauce on the side is not good. The bar-b-q is prepared with the best rub and sauce , so extra sauce on the side is not necessary. Go eat and enjoy!!! Also my mother thinks the Baby Back Ribs are to die for, if she can stand not having her Cheeseburger, which she has at least twice a week.
Oh , and don't forget the great chef salads with beef, and ham suasage or chicken and ham.

Pros: Inexpensive, Lots of seating, Great atmosphere

Cons: , side bar-b-q sauce

Posted 05/10/04

The price is good and the food is good, unless you use the BBQ sauce. I have frequented this establishment quite a bit and after the second time I ate there I just had to stop using the sauce. I hate to have my BBQ dry but when eating there it is a must.

Pros: Food is not bad.

Cons: Horrible BBQ sauce., Crowded condiment lin

Posted 08/10/03

Why Pappa's is considered a high-end BBQ restaraunt. My experiences have less than stellar. I thought the brisket was fatty and of poor quality and of small portions. However, the service was excellent and the sides much better than the main courses. If you want good bbq, this West Texan says go elsewhere.

Posted 02/22/03

I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but I enjoyed Pappas. The food looked and tasted good, especially the fries, nice friendly atmosphere, except for the stuffed animals littering the place. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely go back.

Posted 02/06/03

I've never eaten BBQ anywhere where you get so much that is so good you happily gorge yourself because you just can't get enough.

Pros: average priceing, great food, lots of choices

Posted 01/08/03

I've a native Houstonian and over the past 40 years I've eaten at every BBQ joint in this town and 75% of those in Texas. Pappas is the best of the best when it comes to Texas BBQ. I travel 80% of time on business and I love the different types offered in every part of the country. Memphis, KC, Cincinnati, the Carolinas, Georgia, they are wonderful. But when it comes to Texas BBQ, Pappas wins hands down...no question about it.

Pros: Best brisket, Wonderful potatoes, Good value

Cons: Waiting in line, Noisy

Posted 09/18/02

I think this place is superior to Goode Company. Pappas' brisket is more tender with less fat, and I like the sauce more (it's sweeter and thicker). After eating at both restaurants within a week, I found Goode Co. lacking "oomph." While Goode Co. has the atmosphere, Pappas has the flavor. They are both good restaurants, though.

Pros: Lean & tasty beef, Good Parking, Inexpensive

Posted 09/01/02

nothing original here. just copy cat stuff, except the fries. I gotta say they are good! They have poor service, but nice ambience. erratic quality...one time good the next time horrible. On a good day they are real good, but how do you know in advance? Oh, yeah, also good cheesecake!

Pros: nice ambience

Cons: erratic quality

Posted 08/30/02

Why is it here in Houston, almost all BBQ places have only pork ribs? At Pappas, you can get a plate of big honkin beef ribs that are rather tastee. The brisket is pretty good, chicken is a joke, & potato salad has way too much mustard. But honestly I love to come to Pappas to sink my teeth into those awesome ribs.

Pros: inexpensive

Cons: drive thru slow, tight parking

Posted 08/21/02

this was the worst tasting bbq i have every had this is a lame excuse for texas style barbecue the sauce gets hard and soggy and the ribs and brisket taste like rubberbands i recomend going to Demeris Barbecue for the ebst barbecue in Houston.

Pros: fast

Cons: expensive

Posted 08/15/02

very good - always fresh. People always friendly.
Portions more than adequate

Pros: good locations, easy parking, inexpensive

Posted 08/10/02

Pappas Bar-B-Q is a wonderful middle-of-the-road
bar-b-q place that is that definition of favorite places-where you go back to when you're tired of all the rest. Goodes, Hickory Pit, Joe's, and a few other places occasionally are better at one thing or another, but nobody is as consistent with great food and lot's of it! The chef salad is what all others should be measured against. The desserts are the only weak point, but as a whole, great food, reasonable prices, and a good experience.
DGS

Pros: Great meats, great sides, great salads

Cons: frequently crowded, better parking, better desserts

Posted 08/10/02

I have eaten, cooked, judged and competed in Bar-B-Q cookoffs however, I have never eaten such a pathetic attempt South of Dallas in my entire life until I went into the Pappas Bar-B-Q downtown. It is a shame as the Pappas restaurants for the most partr are excellent. However, they should get out of the Bar-B-Q business. Lastly, either the editors do not know Bar-B-Q or they are biased to eeven nominate this establishment.

Pros: Clean, Quick

Cons: Greasy and No Taste, overcooked, ribs were boiled!

Posted 07/30/02

Have eaten at most of the best bar-b-q places in Houston and this one is the best. The meat is the most consistent as far as being lean and tasty. The sause is also quite good.

Cons: Not enough veggies

Posted 07/28/02

The meat is wonderful. Prices are reasonable. The ribs are wonderful but they could be a little more meatier. Overall, it is a good place.

PS. Their breakfast tacos are the best!!

Posted 07/28/02

Second to no other barbeque, definitely the king of barbeque in Houston. When we think of barbeque, we want Pappas.

Pros: reasonably priced, fast friendly service

Cons: not enough locations

Posted 07/28/02

No words can describe the flavorful BBQ better than "Mmmmmm". Best place to bring friends, family or to drop in on your lunch hour. Been lovin' it for years, have tried the rest, but Pappas is still the best.

Pros: Inexpensive, Clean, Tasty

Cons: Crowded at lunch hour, Portions too large

Posted 07/23/02

Although there are several Pappas around Texas, I have found that their brisket is the most consistenly tender and well flavored. Let's face folks if you want Texas BBQ, it is brisket. Their brisket is even better than the Dallas legend Sonny Bryant's.

Posted 07/21/02