10th Annual Houston Barbecue Festival

Your favorite barbecue joints will be back in 2023, as well as several new and up-and-coming places who will be making their first festival appearance. The current lineup is:

1701 Barbecue, Bar-A-BBQ, Blood Bros BBQ, Brett’s BBQ Shop, The Brisket House*, Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue, Burns Original BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ*, Daddy Duncan’s BBQ, Dozier’s BBQ, Feges BBQ, Fire Craft BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ*, Harlem Rd Texas BBQ, Henderson & Kane, JQ’s Tex Mex BBQ, Khoi Barbecue, Lenox Bar-B-Q*, Mimsy’s Craft Barbecue, Nomad Barbecue, Pinkerton’s Barbecue, Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Reveille Barbecue Co, Roegels Barbecue Co., Southern Q BBQ, Tejas Chocolate & BBQ, Texas Q, The Pit Room, Tin Roof BBQ*, True Texas BBQ, Truth BBQ.

*Denotes a vendor that has participated in every HOUBBQ Festival since year one in 2013. Thank you!

Additional vendors will be added at a later date. Lineup is subject to change without notice.

$60 Pre-sale General Admission ($80 regular price). Includes entry into the festival and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. 

$120 Pre-sale VIP Admission ($150 regular price). Includes entry into the festival one hour early (at noon) and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. A T-shirt and one (1) drink ticket are also included.

To ensure a quality event for everyone involved, ticket sales are limited. All tickets will be sold in advance – no ticket sales at the door. There will be no refunds. Tickets are transferable.

**This event will sell out. We encourage you to acquire tickets ASAP to get the pre-sale discount as well as make sure tickets are available. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

The event will take place at the Humble Civic Center Arena Complex.

The event will happen rain or shine. Contingency plans will be in place in case of inclement weather.

A bar with craft and domestic beers will be available.

Children are welcome, however ONLY CHILDREN SIX AND UNDER WILL BE ADMITTED FREE. ALL OTHER AGES MUST PURCHASE A TICKET (this is because we want to ensure there is enough barbecue for all guests).

Our charitable partner for this year is Recovery Houston Foundation.

Thank you again for your support and see you at the festival!

FAQs

Is this a barbecue competition/cookoff? No. The goal of the festival is to celebrate and recognize Houston barbecue and the people who make it. There will not be any kind of competition or rankings.

How did you pick the participating BBQ joints? Based on the organizers’ experience visiting 100+ barbecue joints in and around Houston, we believe that these invited BBQ joints represent the quality, diversity, and history that best tells the story of Houston barbecue.

What is a “sample portion?” All of the participating BBQ joints will provide an approximately 2 ounce serving of their barbecue to each guest that comes to their booth. As an example, that’s about a slice or half-slice of brisket and one rib.

Can I go back more than once to any or all participating BBQ joints? Yes.

Can I bring to-go containers and take food home? No, this is not possible. To ensure all guests have enough food at the festival, we require you to consume all food on-site. If at the end of the festival there are still vendors with food, you can request to take some home with you.

Will you have enough food for everyone? Will you run out? We are working closely with the BBQ joints to make sure their is plenty of food for everyone. Taken as a whole, all of the food brought by all the BBQ joints should provide plenty of food for everyone. However it is possible that some very popular BBQ joints may individually run out before the end of the festival. We encourage you to arrive early, or purchase a VIP ticket, to ensure you get a taste of your favorite BBQ joint.

Can I bring my children? Yes. However, ONLY CHILDREN SIX AND UNDER WILL BE ADMITTED FREE. CHILDREN SEVEN AND OLDER MUST HAVE A PURCHASED TICKET. This is simply to ensure there is enough food for everyone.

Is the venue stroller-friendly/wheelchair-friendly? Yes. All of it is paved and ramps are available at grade changes.

Can I bring my own beer/wine/drinks? No. You must purchase all drinks at the festival.

Can I bring my dog? No. Dogs are not allowed at the festival, with the exception of properly trained and identified service dogs. (PS. We love dogs but we just can’t have them at the festival).

Will there be somewhere to sit? Yes. We will have covered and uncovered seating for guests. However, feel free to bring your own folding chairs.

Does the event take place outside? Yes, and also in an open air pavilion.